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Preference poll of three Schiit headphone amps

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by atomicbob, May 20, 2022.

?

Which are your first and second preferences (select only one in each group please)

  1. first preference heresy

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  2. first preference magni 3+

    9 vote(s)
    22.5%

  3. first preference vali 2+

    30 vote(s)
    75.0%

  4. second preference heresy

    6 vote(s)
    15.0%

  5. second preference magni 3+

    25 vote(s)
    62.5%

  6. second preference vali 2+

    7 vote(s)
    17.5%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    For those who have experience listening to the three Schiit headphone amps listed
     
    atomicbob, May 20, 2022
    #1
  2. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    Are you downsizing?
     
    gixxerwimp, May 21, 2022
    #2
  3. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    No, not at all. I have all three of these amps. This poll is simply to determine a general preference among SBAF members.

    Now go look at Tutorial - Amplifier Distortion vs Amplitude - A Visual Guide

    Teaser: some interesting distortion comparisons coming to a post near you soon.
     
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    atomicbob, May 21, 2022
    #3
  4. roughroad

    roughroad formerly mephisto56

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    I have only heard (and orn ) the Magni 3+ so voted for it. Use case is for movies/streaming.
     
    roughroad, May 21, 2022
    #4
  5. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Not surprised on the polling.
     
    YMO, May 21, 2022
    #5
  6. dasman66

    dasman66 Self proclaimed lazy ass - friend

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    did you not read the first post? only vote if you've heard all three.
     
    dasman66, May 21, 2022
    #6
  7. roughroad

    roughroad formerly mephisto56

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    Oops.
     
    roughroad, May 21, 2022
    #7
  8. Woland

    Woland Friend

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    Havent heard Heresy, but sold my Magni 3+ after extensive evaluation against Vali 2 established the preference. Seems relevant but not eligible for a vote.
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2022
    Woland, May 22, 2022
    #8
  9. Qildail

    Qildail Friend

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    As a result of pre-pandemic multiple office setups, I have all three, although they're not all actively used now. For an overall grade, Magni 3+ wins for me; but each still has a use-case.

    I love Vali with live recordings, for example, but I've been an outlier here in not liking it with my higher-impedance headphones -- it just doesn't work.

    Heresy is painfully crispy to me at certain frequencies with certain headphones (I'm looking at you, Hifiman 400S), but for "everyday" closed-back headphones, it's not brutally awful. I imagine with more resolving headphones I wouldn't be as pragmatic about it.
     
    Qildail, May 22, 2022
    #9
  10. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I’ve owned the Vali 2+ and Magni 3+ and had the Heresy on loaner. I found the Magni 3+ so bland and generic, it felt completely flat. Surprisingly I thought Heresy was nice and dynamic. Not perfect but much better than a measurements first type amp should sound.

    To me Vali 2+ beats them both by in terms of engagement. When I listen to the Vali 2+, it sounds so fluid and musical that I no longer think about hifi gear and just enjoy what I’m listening to.
     
    Merrick, May 22, 2022
    #10
  11. atomicbob

    atomicbob dScope Yoda

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    atomicbob, May 29, 2022
    #11

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