Schiit Asgard 3 Headphone Amp with Continuity Output Stage

I've always been a math retard outside of +-÷x operations. I understand the formulas, but struggle with really understanding current, voltage, etc.

 

Careful what you ask for and expect. I got the highest grade in the class on the midterm in e-fundies. I learned to solve the equations really well. Doesn't mean I understand any of the interactions. There is a good reason why I went into the computer science side instead of the hardware side of engineering. I understand software algorithms and how they interact and apply to software design. I have no clue about capacitors and circuits and capacitance and the hardware side of audio design.

 

Haha. This is easy: p=urri^2n

 

Hi.

I’m thinking about getting Asgard 3 for my Sony MA900 and my ancient Sony F1. Is this a great match for these headphones? I read that these Sonys require “high” current class-A to make these headphones sound at its fullest.

 

Can anyone speak to the Asgard 3/4490 vs a Valhalla 2/Modi Multibit combo?? I know this is oddly specific, but I have had my Valhalla 2/Modi Multibit for a few years, and while I have no complaints, the idea of an all-in-one solution with the Asgard 3/4490 setup is pretty appealing....not to mention I could probably make a few bucks by selling my current setup and side-grading

 

I don't think you are going to glean anything useful without far more info. At a minimum, the other gear in your chain maybe? At least transducers? Or is it a test of psychic abiilty? Like, what card am I holding?

 

Ah yes, that probably is also helpful information...also what I get for posting late at night after a few drinks

The only set of cans that I use is a 6XX

 

This is a question for technical experts - I just looked at the measurement reports for the Asgard 3 and everything seem to make sense except for the crosstalk measurements. Those seem to be on a very low side (-44db) and do not seem to jive with the specs published on Schiit’s website. Am I missing something here?

 

substitute V = I R into P = V^2 / R and

P = I^2 R.

Kind of explains why low impedance low efficiency planars can suck on an amp that can’t deliver much current. As an example, if my Planars require 2.64 mW to reach 90 dB and I want them to be able to deliver 100 dB peaks, I Can calculate the amp power required via the below formula:

P2 = P1 * 10 ^ [(dB2-dB1)/10]

Which translates into 26.4 mW for my example. If my planars have 14 ohm impedance, I need to deliver 43 mA from my amp, which probably is the limit of my iPhone. Not a big deal at moderate volume with music compressed down to a dynamic range of say 17 dB or less, but a pretty big deal on symphonic music with a bigger dynamic range and perhaps 110 dB peaks (264 mW or 138 mA and 1.92V).

One thing I suspect (I haven’t done any sort of analysis on this) is that bass reproduction takes a lot more power, especially at lower frequencies because of lower perceived volume / lower hearing sensitivity. Ergo, for bass reproduction, a lot more power may be required than suggested above, which is my theory why underpowered amps can’t deliver much bass to planars.

I don’t know if crazy powerful amps like most of Schiit’s amps are really necessary, but you can’t argue with the results.

 

Yeah I didn't think it would be "better" per se, but by their own measurements, the A3 does produce quite a bit more power.

 

This is a bit round about but I think the Asgard and Valhalla 2 are roughly equal. I had the Val a while back, but coming to the Asgard from a Lyr 2, it reminded me a bit of the Valhalla.

On the modules. I've not heard the 4490 module but I have a Jot with the MB module and marginally prefer it to the Modi 3. But I still want to upgrade to a Modi Multibit. I suspect the step back to the 4490 module will be what you'll really notice.

 

Picked up one of the cheap Amiron homes from Buydig and have been using it with the Asgard 3 for a few weeks now, its quite a nice pairing. The Asgard seems a great amp for Beyerdynamics in general, takes the edge of the treble but keeps the nice airy sound. I would assume it would go very well with T50RP based headphones as well.

Having tried it for awhile now I have to admit that I have soured on the Modi3/Asgard pairing though. I think the pulled back upper mids and that kind of bloom the Modi has in lower mids/maybe upper bass is too much combined with the warmish euphoric nature of the Asgard 3. The Amiron has made that super obvious as it already had that signature and matching it with Asgard/Modi made it remarkably boring. I would guess its pretty nice with the Sennheiser HD650/600 as they have enough upper mid energy that they can afford to lose some, but anything that is already a bit laid back gets quite diffuse sounding.

I have actually switched to using my Motherboards line out as a dac and I actually enjoy that more with the Asgard than I do the Modi to my great shock. Granted its a Realtek AL1220 based dac which are actually surprisingly decent.

Think I am going to get a HD 660s here soon, hope it works well with the Asgard.

 

@purr1n have you tried your Verum headphones with the Asgard 3? On paper it should be great but numbers only get you so far.

 

I generally agree with this, my modded 6XX was a much better match with the Asgard than my AFO. But both unsurprisingly pair much better with the Jot.

 

For anyone interested, I just heard back from their support team. Apparently, there was an error with the original AP test. They ran a new one which has now been posted. The crosstalk specification has been updated to "Less than -82dB, 20Hz-20KHz, 300 ohm load".

https://www.schiit.com/public/upload/PDF/Schiit Amp APx555 Standard Test Suite_ Asgard 3-2.pdf

 

I placed an order for the Asgard 3 and Bifrost 2 combo. Impressions to come mid-week. Was quite satisfied with the Modi 3/ Magni 3+ combo, but really missed the larger form factor and the supercomboburrito filter.

 

I received my Asgard 3/ Bifrost 2 combo - I must thank Marv for suggesting the Asgard for use with the HD800s. The synergy is incredible. It truly took that headphone to a different level. The treble is particularly smooth and non-irritating which is not easy to do with any solid state amp in combination with the HD800s.