NITSCH Sound Pietus Maximus Optimus Prime Review - The Touch

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by purr1n, Nov 19, 2023.

  1. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    You know, I hear the name Pietus Maximus and I can't help but think...


    If this amp builds on the sound of the Piety, I suspect it will be a most excellent match with the Senn/JAR 6whatevers. That was one of my favourite pairings but I constantly felt myself wishing it had just a bit more oomph as everything else was great but begging for more juice. A few other amps edged out a bit better in particular spots, but the Piety brought the whole package together like it was the best average student, and I'm hoping the Pietus is the overachieving bigger younger brother.
     
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  2. zerodeefex

    zerodeefex SBAF's Imelda Marcos

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    Welp, I know what I didn't budget for but i want
     
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  3. saaki

    saaki New

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    Any thoughts on how the Pietus Maximus compares to the Midgard?
     
  4. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    Pietus Maximus has launched. Ordered !
    Please resume regularly scheduled programming.
     
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  5. MLegend

    MLegend Friend

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    I have not heard the Piety or the Pietus Maximus, however, going off of others impressions of Piety vs Midgard, I would imagine Pietus Maximus would be more enjoyable to listen to. I do own a Midgard, it's a great amp when using the XLR headphone out, however it's sonic qualities orient it to be more of a tool for mixing/mastering or comparing components rather than to listen to and enjoy music. This is just what I've experienced while living with it for around a month.
     
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  6. saaki

    saaki New

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    Thank you for the assessment! I'd like to hear it. Unfortunately the price point is a little too high for me right now so I'm going to stick with the Midgard. It might make a good upgrade later if I feel the need.
     
  7. PacoTaco

    PacoTaco Friend

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    I'll probably be ordering the Pietus tomorrow because I enjoy the piety quite a bit. Waiting for a refund from best buy for my Dyson vac that decided the engine needed to mimic a topping amp and explode itself.

    I do concur that the MMB2 highs are a bit prickly (especially with a headphone that already had a lot of treble like the HE1000 Stealth.) I may actually be returning it for a Modius 2E this week, but I havent 100% decided. I did *really* like the Modius 2E when it launched.
     
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  8. Slade01

    Slade01 Almost "Made"

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    Another question for you - I'm trying to ascertain and triangulate how this compares with the (getting to be old hat) Jotunheim 2? Would you say the Pietus takes a step up in the plankton/microdynamics over the Jot 2 (while taking a step back in the slam section)? Thank you!
     
  9. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    So seems this is the Starlet to MJ3's Stratus? Nice. @purr1n does it have the same level of "engagement" as MJ3?
     
  10. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Pretty much it.

    It's very close in that way. 85% there. Differences are in tonal signature. Mjolnir is neutral/dark in the highs, has a bit inner warmth. Pietus is neutral, a bit of bright. I don't know if it's burn-in (real, brain, or natural gravitation toward synergetic DACs and headphones), but after a week or so, I'm not so finicky. For example, ZMF Atrium doesn't fail to slam. Still hits like a truck. The only thing I did with the Atrium is put on the solid mesh to tone down the highs, but this is my regular set up with the MIB->Mjolnir 3. With the LIM->EC amps, I run with the more open mesh.

    Put it this way, while it's hard to compare down from the MIB-Mjonlir 3 because the differences aren't stark because of diminishing returns, the jump from Piety / Unity to Pietus Maximus was HUGE when I was playing around with the blind testing of the Topping E50 and Modius E. I didn't document it, but I failed (could get not more than 5/8) the difference between those two DACs using Magni Unity as the amp. The switch to Pietus made it much much easier to the difference between the two DACs blind. Gear scaling is real.

    P.S.

    If it seems I've been super finicky lately about pairing gear, building systems, especially with gear that gets past SBAF Recommended Components Class E (Entry Level), it's because I am. The better the gear, the more this is needed. Source, amp, and headphone need to play together. It's something I've always done by habit, but never really discussed. This doesn't mean my preferences will suit yours. It's meant to provide a frame of reference.
     
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    Last edited: Dec 9, 2023
  11. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    ^ This.
     
  12. Simple Tim

    Simple Tim New

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    Rather than Life of Brian, I think of Gladiator when it comes to Pietus Maximus.
    As if Jason & Cee Tee are responding to the insatiable appetites of Piety owners everywhere, yelling: "Are you not entertained!?"

     
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  13. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    ^Exactly my inspiration. Thanks for catching that. The soundtrack is one of my favorites too!
     
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  14. Simple Tim

    Simple Tim New

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    Cee Tee,

    Since you confirmed my theory, here's an expansion on it:

    Since it is Pietus Maximus, could that be a reference to "Maximus the Merciful"?

    And yeah, I've actually had the music from "Honor Him" stuck in my head all morning. :)
     
  15. CEE TEE

    CEE TEE MOT: NITSCH

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    Since "Pious Maximus" is both a Transformer and a Final Fantasy character, I figured I was on the right track.

    But I had this in mind: “My Name Is Pietus Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander Of The Armies Of The North, General Of The Felix Legions And Loyal Servant To The True Emperor, Marcus Aurelius.”
     
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  16. PacoTaco

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    I really like the Piety, so I just broke down and ordered the Pietus. Just from the impressions I've seen on here and discord, it seems like one of those "it's not going to get much better until you're paying four digits" kind of amp.

    That, and the Piety + MMB2's glare is getting a bit more obvious to me as time goes on. It's not bad per se, but it stands out when I'm gaming because gaming loves using the most glarey f'ing menu noises they can.
     
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  17. roshambo123

    roshambo123 Friend

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    Raw slam is my boy. It's cool, I get not everyone is a fan.
     
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  18. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Well, I officially petition that when @CEE TEE makes a mjolnir sized amp that it (unofficially) be named Biggus Dickus...
     
  19. Justin S

    Justin S Friend

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    Raw Slam - name of my new band.
     
  20. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    With an YMO edition.
     

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