Schiit Aegir Power Amp Impressions

Discussion in 'Power Amps' started by rlow, Oct 16, 2018.

  1. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Vertical bi-amp doesn't use the amp as a monoblock, instead, each L and R output goes to either tweeter or bass. Horizontal bi-amp doesn't use the amp as a monoblock either, each amp feeds L and R output to L and R tweeter, and L and R bass, respectively. Horizontal bi-amping allows each amp to handle the load of the crossover/driver of the tweeter/bass separately, and depending on things like damping factor/impedance matching could "lessen" the load on the amp or let things work more synergistically. There's more to it, but that's a simplified version.

    [​IMG]

    Maybe i was confused - are you running 2x Aegir? This would make sense for either running monoblocks (XLR) or vertical bi-amp. Running 1x Aegir + 1 x Vidar would only make sense horizontal bi-amping.

    Edit: fixed a couple words - "signal" versus "output" and added more technobabble. In the end, farting around with this stuff is highly system dependent. No one is gonna be able to tell you what sounds better.
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2020
  2. renault4

    renault4 New

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    hi, new user here and very much appreciate this thread

    I'm searching for anyone who has tried Aegir monos with Magnepans (ideally .7 or 1.7i's); I know that the conventional wisdom is that the Aegirs are too likely to go into protection and that a pair of Vidars are a better bet, but I'd love to hear from someone who has actually tried this combo--did they truly not work together?

    thanks
     
  3. 88hht

    88hht New

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    my speaker is 88db (double 8in bass, 5in mid and ribbon tweeter) would you recommend the aegir or the vidar. My room is enclosed 4m x 6m and sitting position is 3m from the speaker. I usually listen average of 82 to 85db and i can see sometimes the music spikes to 89db max.
    The more i read into this forum, the more i am wanting the aegir for the nicer mid sound, but fear that it might not have enough power.

    do you think a single aegir will have enough power? (unfortunately my preamp does not have balance output to go mono)
     
  4. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    What speakers are they specifically? Also, does your preamp have any gain?

    Edit: Nevermind about the speakers, I see from your last post they are DIY. My fear would be that they are overrated on sensitivity, which most speakers are, but I’ve not looked up what people say about them. Also, and this is a guess, but you’ll probably want at least 10dB of gain available from the preamp, similar to the Freya+ in tube mode or Freya S in 4x gain mode (which have 12dB of gain incidentally) to give you enough headroom. Even then, it may be borderline and could run out of steam with speakers of that sensitivity at that listening distance. Hard to know without trying it.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2020
  5. renault4

    renault4 New

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    I'll add a couple of things here:

    first, in respect of the expected practice, I introduced myself in the appropriate forum as I am a first time poster here.

    second, my listening style is such that I probably don't push much above 80db (though I'll test that next chance I get) and will likely install this system in a 12' x 13' repurposed bedroom to serve as a sparsely furnished listening room and office. the room has relatively new dry-wall, carpeted concrete floor, 9ft ceilings, and a couple of casement windows.

    third, this will be a strictly two-channel system, being built up from the ground.

    fourth, I may, and I stress may, install a sub in the future (I'm thinking a REL), but only to extend the range, I'm not looking for window-rattling bass.

    finally I get the general advice that Aegirs are not a good match with Maggies, I'm just trying to discern if this is a case of YMMV or its an absolute law of physics :)

    I will eventually get a chance to answer this myself as I will have an opportunity to go visit the Schittr in Newhall next month and hope I can test both Aegir and Vidar with their Magnepans--just trying to see if I can plumb the depths of experience here in advance!
     
  6. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Did you read the Stereophile review? They try them specifically with the .7s, and they do run out of juice at a certain point.

    The Aegir’s intended usecase is pretty much the opposite of the Maggies. However the bottom line is that they can probably run the Maggies in a small room at lower volumes. Will they work for you? Only you can find out. No one can give you this definitive answer as they are likely a borderline match at best. But low listening levels are certainly in your favor here.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2020
  7. Metro

    Metro Friend

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    From Stereophile's review (https://www.stereophile.com/content/schiit-audio-aegir-power-amplifier-page-2):
    Driving Magnepan .7s
    40Wpc into 4 ohms should be enough to play the $1400/ pair Magnepan .7s in my small room—right? Well then, imagine "Po' Laz'us," also from Deep River of Song (singer unknown), at 80dB average with crazy 94dB peaks (C-weighted). Or better yet, how about Kortnie Heying making tears pour down my face at 86dB average while singing the title song from I'll Fly Away: Country Hymns and Songs of Faith (44.1/16 FLAC EMI CMG/Tidal)? Kortnie sounded pure and heavenly—but only at low SPLs. At higher volumes, the Aegir's clipping was frequent and easily noticeable, but not totally damning.​
     
  8. renault4

    renault4 New

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    Ha! its those first 45 minutes with the Maggies in that review that has me asking these questions! :) It was never really resolved whether this was a systemic compatibility issue or a specific glitch in the review unit that led to the problem with the Aegir.
     
  9. renault4

    renault4 New

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    actually, I think that was in a different review, I'll go hunt for it.....
     
  10. renault4

    renault4 New

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  11. econaut

    econaut Almost "Made"

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  12. Kevin Smith

    Kevin Smith New

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    I may be premature... the Aegir sounds like a heavy hitter OTB. I was running an all in one set up (Naim Atom with Spendor A1s). I’ve since abandoned that; prefer separates. So I’m running...PC>Border Patrol DAC>LTA MZ3 preamp>Aegir. The most notable difference is the Aegir plays louder at a lower volume than my all in one set up. This is unexpected given the Naim Atom’s rated at 40 wpc.
     
  13. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    I don’t understand this statement. Are you saying that your separates sound perceptually louder at the same measured SPL as your AiO (e.g. you equalized the levels with pink noise and an SPL meter, but it still sounds louder on the separates/Aegir, than your AiO?)
     
  14. tranq

    tranq Friend

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    I thought he was saying that if both rigs had the volume knob turned to 10 (for example), the rig with Aegir was louder then the NAIM rig on the same speakers. And he was suprised by that due to the WPC rating of each amp.

    But he has two completely different chains. Lot of thing can affect end volume level.
     
  15. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Exactly - comparing an AiO to a set of separates, just based on the volume knob position/number, means nothing - there are so many differences that can affect the final SPL including amp gain, preamp gain, the attenuators used etc. Maybe this guy should just keep making Jay and Silent Bob movies :headbang: Haha.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2020
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Gain (voltage multiplication) <> Power (watts)

    Usually not an issue because so few people actually get near the max power of their power amps. Most people use at most a few watts, even into inefficient speakers. But in circumstances where we may be driving power hungry speakers, the extra gain (where on the volume knob) can only go so far.
     
  17. Jared_S

    Jared_S New

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    Hello everybody. I am new to this forum. I am planning to buy klipsch 8000f and I was wondering what you guys would recommend to pair it with, the vidar or aegir?
     
  18. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Hi there, welcome. Like the banner says at the top of the pages, please:
    1. Read the form rules: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/what-is-sbaf-10-articles-for-behavior.5555/

    2. Introduce yourself here:
    https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17/

    After that...

    How far are you sitting from the speakers and in what size room?

    The 8000f should be ok from a sensitivity POV for the Aegir (even though Klipsch rate as 98dB sensitive, one site measured around 92-93dB I believe). So for a normal listening distance/room size should be ok. As far as which you will prefer, you’ll have to read the impressions or tell us more about what you’re looking for.

    Also what preamp do you plan to use?
     
  19. Brian67

    Brian67 New

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    Hi, I've read the rules and introduced myself and been reading various threads for a while, so here is my first post. It's concerning auditioning an Aegir with my current equipment.

    I'm currently running a pair of Klipsche RP-600Ms with a 35w Cambridge AM10 integrated amplifier. I also have a Schiit Mani Phono Preamp, a Schiit Modi MB DAC, and a iFi iTube 2 that I'm using as a tube buffer between the DAC and my amp. The iTube is also capable of serving as a preamp with or without 9db of gain (albeit with 1 input). I'm wanting to upgrade my integrated amp and have been trying to decide between preamp and power amp separates or just a better integrated amplifier. For power amps I have investigated everything from the Aegir ($800) to the First Watt J2 ($4,000). For integrated amps the Ragnarok ($1500) to the Primaluna Dialogue HP ($4,400). I'm leaning towards separates and understand that I will have to acquire a preamp as well.

    Given my fairly sensitive speakers and small room size I'm thinking the first 10 watts of an Aegir might be all that I really need and from this thread it seems that they will be really good sounding watts for not a lot of money! I've decided to audition an Aegir, but have a question that perhaps someone on here can answer or at least give me their opinion:

    Can I order the Aegir and just use my iFi iTube 2 in preamp mode to audition it or do should I go ahead and order a Schiit Preamp with it? The iTube will color the sound a bit (might actually be very good, however) . Also, I'm not entirely sure which preamp I would want. I might want a FreyS or + if I want to eventually run a pair of Aegir as monoblocks with the some bigger speakers, but I'm not sure I want this much preamp straight off. Could I get by with a just a Schiit Sys ($50)? Then at least I could switch between my Phono and DAC and try the Aegir with the iTube2 in or out of the mix. Would that even work? Any thoughts or recommendations? I'd like to put my order in for an Aegir this weekend. Thanks in advance for any help!
     
  20. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

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    Your iTube 2 will work as a preamp.
     

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