Magni 3 released

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by neogeosnk, Sep 19, 2017.

  1. Herzza

    Herzza New

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    do you have discord so we dont clog this tread up with this ?
     
  2. damaged-goods

    damaged-goods Acquaintance

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    Adding SAGA to the system would solve that, it adds a nice volume control, a remote, a tube and the option to switch between various sources and amps without hassle. Plus better looks and feel. Slightly more expensive than Jotunheim but might be worth it.
     
  3. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    Anyone able to comment on Vali 2 vs Magni 3? I think @PacoTaco mentioned that he prefers the Magni by a good amount.

    Edit: nvm, my bad, he said Lyr 2 instead of Vali 2.

    Edit2: I should also mention that I have a Saga that I will have upstream of the Magni. Since Magni is pretty much a single ended Joti, I’m deducing that some of Sagaheim’s benefits will translate over to Saga+Magni?

    FYI. Getting into headphones again since I’ve found a 650 for cheap, but realized that since I’ve been ballsdeep into speakers, I don’t currently have a headphone amp haha. So somewhat starting from scratch again.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2017
  4. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    @Pyruvate Did you search? I could have sworn it has been commented on but can't recall for sure.
     
  5. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    I searched. No direct comparisons, just speculation.
     
  6. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Just one data point but my friend went to the Schittr the other day and compared the Magni 3 and Vali 2. Went in thinking he would get the Magni 3 but ended up leaving with the Vali 2.

    From what I read, the Magni 3 is more like a mini Vidar in topology.
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Let me do this right now.
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Vali 2 is better in what counts for me. I have a NEW Vali 2 here, and it seems that along with the price being lowered, the sound quality is better. Don't know if there were running changes. No longer sounds laid back and much less veiled. Tonal balance with Vali 2 is similar to Magni 3, same mids and treble, but just a tiny bit warmer and a tiny bit more veiled with less articulation and less impact in the lows. From mids on up, Vali 2 kills the Magni 3. More openness, separation, plankton. The Magni 3 sounds flat in comparison - not as engaging.
     
  9. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Damn, I guess by comparison the Vali should sound better as it's 50% more expensive than the magni 3, but I wouldn't have thought the Vali a clear winner. Are you using stock tube?
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Using piece of crap JJ 6922 - so it can probably get better. I did not expect it to be the clear winner either. This new Vali 2 fresh off the line seems to sound better than my old one, and other early ones I've heard. The old ones were more laid back (not a bad thing) and more veiled. DAC is Modi Multibit. Transport is Theta Data III. Headphone is HP-3 with venting (to reduce bass).

    IMG_20171015_180418.jpg
     
  11. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    Don't make me want a Vali 2 damnit. I have to hold out until February for the Raggy/Yggdrasil or Aficonado/Gungnir Multibit times!

    Off topic a bit, but is the vent thing a mod or an option?
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    It's a mod, suggested by the one of the engineers at RMAF. I know they are still tweaking / tweaked the headphone from what I have based on my conversations with Steve / @musiqlovr

    I'll provide measurements sooner rather than later.
     
  13. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    Okay, some history (for anyone who cares, but since we've been talking about running changes, it's topical.)

    When Marv published his review of cheap tube hybrid amps, I noticed he had a Vali 2 prototype board in the photo. I also noticed it had a big "2" written on it. This is what we do when we're A-B testing two or more design changes--you know, "pick the one you like." It also meant it might not be a 100% production board. However, that wasn't likely, since the last changes we made appeared to be pasted on the board--specifically, a couple of resistors for a centering servo we use to increase the number of tubes that auto-bias and work with Vali 2.

    But, in a bit of paranoia, I figured I'd send Marv a current Vali 2, just in case. I didn't expect it to sound any different, but I guess it does. So I asked Marv for a closeup photo of the Vali 2 prototype. It looks like a production-hacked board, so it shouldn't sound any different. However, I couldn't read the labels on the active devices, so maybe we were using the (ahem) crappier ones we used to use on Vali 1. Also, we may not have been using all thin-film resistors on the prototype (I usually use whatever's handy.)

    There is one difference, however--the prototype has a 10uf bypass on the HV regulator, which we swapped to 1uF before production in order to eliminate an instability that could cause hum with some tubes. Yeah, I know, it makes no sense. But that's the only significant difference I can find.

    Some days I wake up and think "I got this," and some days I shake my head and mutter, "This schiit is 100% voodoo."

    This is a voodoo day.
     
  14. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    You guys have a youtube channel now. If ever a more perfect opportunity to show some voodoo and screw with people...
     
  15. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Thanks for posting this, Jason. Otherwise I might have had ongoing neurosis about whether or not I have old Vali 2 or new Vali 2.
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2017
  16. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Any planned updates to the Schiit Amp Compendium?
     
  17. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    As of the current schiit amps I've heard (as in, still in production,) I rate them as such:

    Valhalla 2 > Magni 3 > Asgard 2 >>>>>>>>>>>>> Lyr 2

    Man, I need a Vali 2 if it's better than the Magni 3.
     
  18. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I would very much concur with the above - provided tonal balance, power, and source impedance synergies are right - that is traditional dynamic headphones.
     
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2017
  19. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    What's the deal with the Lyr2, why does it get no love? Just curious.
     
  20. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Not sure why he ranked Asgard 2 above lyr2. I would flip those for sure. Lyr 2 is warm punchy and dynamic, but not that transparent and resolving of finer detail. It also needs good tubes to sound it's best.
     

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