Schiit Asgard 3 Headphone Amp with Continuity Output Stage

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Vtory, Aug 28, 2019.

  1. Vanheim

    Vanheim Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    85
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Would the zmf Atticus be a good pairing w an Asgard 3?
     
  2. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

    Pyrate Banned
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,455
    Trophy Points:
    113
    This is a curious amp. I was never a big fan of the original, but I could see myself using this in the bedroom as a second rig. What amp would you say is most comparable to the Asgard 3?
     
  3. Ash1412

    Ash1412 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    667
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Hey @schiit I got a suggestion for the site. Now that more Schiit amps support the input cards, how about moving their specifications from the Jotunheim specifications tab to their own sites in the upgrades section, ideally in their own dedicated specifications tabs?
     
  4. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,831
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    East Coast
    Been too busy to post (or even read) on the forum.. life things happen (not particularly bad though).

    But thanks to @ChaChaRealSmooth 's kindness, I can finally get my hands on his Asgard 3 (got this on Tuesday).

    Gustard U16 -> Topping DX3 pro -> Asgard 3 -> Verite open (Ziricote)
    The chain is configured this way because (1) my bifrost is currently in the factory and (2) this setting minimizes time and energy in recabling or resetting audio stream.

    Some initial impressions
    • Sweet and mildly euphoric tone.
    • A hint of organic sounding -- not as much as Black Widow or DSHA-3F though.
    • Decently resolving (most of details still there). It just doesn't artificially magnify them.
    • Great engagement and delicacy.
    • Very refined top end -- is this really Schiit's SS head amp? lol
    • Bass seems to be a little warm and loosely controlled compared to 3F.
    • Macrodynamics is not at the level of great to excellent tube amps. I also remember Lyr 3 did this tiny bit better than Asgard 3.
    • Shortly ABed with THX 789 today and found Asgard 3 half to one tier above in most aspects I value (e.g., hearing singers' nuances and techniques), at least with Verite. I am also 80% sure that I prefer this to Jotunheim (for Verite).
    • Works very well with Auteur/Aeolus, too.
    That's it for now. More impressions (and pictures) to come sometime next week.

    PS. @schiit any chance to give it an option of xlr (non-balanced) headphone out? If so, I would pull the trigger for my own Asgard immediately. I am not joking.. (my great-looking cables are all 4 pin xlr-ended)
     
  5. Metro

    Metro Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    1,590
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    San Francisco
    No current Schiit product has such an output. They would need a good number of requests to be convinced. Just use an adapter.
     
  6. Ash1412

    Ash1412 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    667
    Trophy Points:
    93
    I for one would love to have a Pivot Point Continuity Jotunheim at the same price as the current Jot if it could be done. The Jot was quite the bargain at the time it was released but its since had much more competition at the price and could use an update that hopefully sacrifices some output for Continuity, with people moving towards efficient headphones.
     
  7. zonto

    zonto Friend

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2015
    Likes Received:
    4,975
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    FTFY. Plus a remote control. ;)
     
  8. Ash1412

    Ash1412 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    667
    Trophy Points:
    93
    That'd probably drive costs beyond that of Lyr 3 if it were to happen.
     
  9. redrich2000

    redrich2000 Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2017
    Likes Received:
    134
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Got my Asguard 3 in today. Comparing it with my Lyr 2 out of Audirvana/Modi 3.

    The A3 is more similar to the L2 than I remember the Valhalla 2 being. As others are saying, it's a very smooth/Euphoric SS amp. The A3 is a little cooler than the L2, probably less dynamic but better resolution/space/detail.

    No blinding front LED!!
     
  10. starence

    starence Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    133
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    United States
    I’m beginning to suspect that it takes hours of warm up before the Asgard 3 sounds its best. Has anyone else noticed this?
     
  11. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2018
    Likes Received:
    494
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SoFla
    As in merely On or actively playing music or being a preamp?

    Just received mine today at the office, will have it on overnight playing thru phones and report back impressions tomorrow.
     
  12. pure5152

    pure5152 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,595
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Southern California
    Yep that was my experience as well. IIRC, sounded slightly more refined in the mids/highs and felt like it had deeper/more layered soundstage after a day.

    After spending more time with the asgard 3 vs the thx aaa 789, a lot of my initial impressions still stand (i.e. I don't think it was new toy syndrome). The imaging and overall soundstage quality on the asgard 3 is fantastic, and sounds great on the verite closed. That beautiful timbre in the mids is still there compared to the THX, and while bass sounds more rounded than on the THX, the bass on the asgard 3 still somehow sounds more visceral/harder hitting?

    I mentioned possibly selling the thx 789, but I still think the thx does some things exceptionally well that the asgard 3 just doesn't match. In a word: speed. The speed means faster transients and sharper attacks, and just better overall speed resolution/details. It handles complex edm better, even though the soundstage isn't as layered/deep. It also just has better air; piano just sounds so clear and lovely on it, while it sounds a tad bit dampened on the asgard.

    I know that @Vtory mentioned that the asgard 3 is 1-1.5 tiers higher than the thx for vocal quality/timbre, and I have to agree. In terms of overall quality, I'd say they're on roughly the same tier but for different qualities (thx mostly speed/air/resolution, asgard for imaging/layering and depth/timbre/vocals/visceralness). If I were to choose one to keep I'd keep the asgard 3 (especially since it's half the price), but I think they complement nicely and I enjoy switching between both for different presentations/as music calls for it. I'm not selling the thx 789 as of now.

    Also, rough disclaimer/interesting aside, but the THX is fed through the Gungnir Multibit's balanced outs (supposedly better quality), whereas the asgard 3 is fed through SE. I actually tried buying some XLR-to-RCA adapters to try feeding the asgard 3 through Gungnir Multibit's balanced outs, and while it did sound more punchy, it actually sounded a bit hazier/imprecise overall - probably something about the adapters I got, or something about the asgard 3 compensating for the higher power input (fwiw it didn't sound any louder at the same volume knob setting).
     
  13. Baten

    Baten Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,130
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    EU
    XLR to RCA adapters drop half the voltage, so it won't be louder than RCA of course. I find it strange many people don't realise this! Unless you use a 1:1 transformer box you're not getting that increased output.

    Also depending on your adapter it either shorts one pin to shield (can definitely lower performance on most DACs) or have one pin floating (better, but still only half the signal of course). Either way, there's a reason people use transformers rather than cheap cable adapters :)
     
  14. pure5152

    pure5152 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,595
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Southern California
    Ah I had no idea, thanks for the info! Yeah I'm guessing it was the cheap-ass adapters that shorted something or the other. At any rate, I would just not recommend what I did... just use the rca outs out of the gungnir, honestly sounds good enough already.
     
  15. starence

    starence Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Likes Received:
    133
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    United States
    It seems like just being on, with headphones plugged in, is enough to keep it warmed up.
     
  16. Pogo

    Pogo Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2018
    Likes Received:
    494
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    SoFla
    Asgard 3 came,listened for 3 weeks, Asgard3 went,passed on to my son who is just getting into this rabbit hole.
    Too forward,too bright compared to my MCTH with LPS power for my tastes.
    Chain is Eitr>Mimbyv.2>Loki>HD6Xx/HE400i/DT1990.
    Guess the Schiit house amp sound isn't for me as I'm not a fan of the Magni 3 either.
     
  17. Vtory

    Vtory Audiophile™

    Pyrate MZR
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Likes Received:
    10,831
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    East Coast
    It's been a few days since I sent Asgard 3 back to the original owner, @ChaChaRealSmooth
    I'm missing it so much now -- although part of the reason is I also loaned him my DSHA-3F together (so, no amp in the house to drive verite atm) .. lol

    It has numerous (relative) drawbacks and compared to my reference Ravenswood -- mostly at the realm of "art". It did most things just right (somethings too perfect) though.

    Dynamics, transient and top end extension are almost on par with 3F. Organic and euphoric sounding might be a little compromised. A tad rough and grainy on highs. Dimensionality and effortlessness on high mids leave something to be desired. But far from "bad" by any means in my book -- note that I'm comparing it with Ravenswood, which is one of the best amps in my hobby history.

    (Aside: Just for reference, I have a strong dis-preference on drop thx. Drop zdt disqualifies for another reason. It's not bad but kinda so so to me.)

    Overall, considering my specific needs and tastes along with very narrow set of headphones to want to drive, asgard 3 was the most "spot-on". I like it over jot, magni, fulla, and lyr 3. Seems a critical performance frontier on a diminishing marginal return curve.

    It was indeed the first product I could regard as a "reasonable downgrade" (going down the ladder is what I'm interested in these days). Very likely I will be getting one for myself.
     
    Last edited: Nov 2, 2019
  18. pure5152

    pure5152 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2018
    Likes Received:
    1,595
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Southern California
    The fact that Asgard 3 is compared this favorably/closely to the 3F (one of the best SS amps on the market now it seems) is a huge complement to the Asgard 3, rightfully so. This thing at $199 is insane value.

    On a whim, I decided to pull out my pmx2 to see how the asgard might handle efficient planars. And holy freak, it sounds _fantastic_. Soundstage opens, the pmx2's lovely timbre just sings, the high is extended without sounding harsh (like it does on the THX 789). I think this is my favorite amp pairing with the pmx2 (more enjoyable/engaging than with the lyr 3 from memory, definitely more so than the thx 789).

    I still think Verite Open, with its better macro/micro dynamics, sounds better with the Asgard 3 than the pmx2 does, but at least goes to show this amp is pretty dang versatile.
     
  19. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

    Staff Member Pyrate Gearmaster
    Joined:
    Dec 6, 2018
    Likes Received:
    10,826
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    The Complex
    It's been a while since I posted my "quick" early impressions here. I thought I'd give an update, as well as give a rundown on the cans that I've used with it (especially since the Asgard 3 has spent most of its life out of my hands at the time of writing).

    The short story is that it still impresses me, despite having a Starlett and properly auditioning 3F. No, it's not on that level and I've mellowed out a bit from my initial excitement. However, I still find it satisfying and do think it serves as a wonderful jack-of-all-trades amp that pairs well with all headphones I have in my stable.

    By stage alone, it's very much forward, typical of Schiit products from what I gather here. It has good width, but I'm not completely sold on the depth of the stage compared to the TOTL stuff; in direct comparison it's a touch on the flat side, but is by no means squashed and left-right. I'm really meh about this stage on the Utopia and HD 6XX, but on Verite and Auteur I have no real complaints (again, still worse than the TOTL amps). I prefer the Asgard 3's stage over the ZDT Jr.

    In terms of dynamics and transients, it's a little less athletic and a bit more round than 3F, but not quite as round as the Starlett (but closer to Starlett). I hear the transient speed roughly equivalent to Starlett. Asgard 3 trails in both macrodynamics and microdynamics, but dynamics are not bad and conveys scale quite well; music remains engaging. The decay isn't as finely controlled either; just lacks those percentage points to push it over.

    As far as tonality, I stand by what I said before and will reiterate here; it's mid-centric. The mids are pushed forward compared to Starlett, with the bass and treble sounding a bit back in comparison to the mids (with certain recordings and headphones, the upper mids can get a bit too forward and strident). The treble is smooth and surprisingly refined, almost as good as 3F. There is just a touch of looseness in the bass that's reminiscent of tube amps, but it doesn't have the tube bloom of the ZDT Jr (worth noting despite the bloom, the Starlett does have tighter bass. Not sure if this makes sense or if I'm deaf).

    Timbre is almost like a tube amp (not as much as 3F, but still close). There's no mistaking it's a solid state though. It doesn't have the delicacy and nuance of the top amps, and if you want tubes near this price point, I'll point you to ZDT Jr or Shortest Way.

    I think where the Asgard 3 separates itself from the other mid-tier amps is its resolve and details; it's actually quite superb in these categories and does get quite close to the 3F. However, it does clearly lose out in layering.

    With all that being discussed, I'll now mention headphone pairings in no particular order:
    • Sennheiser HD 6XX: Great synergy, although the ZDT Jr is better for the HD 6XX in particular (I surmise the Shortest Way will also be better for this headphone). Top end sounds slightly less rolled on Asgard 3, and it might be a touch more even in tonality. Just doesn't have the "magic." Either that or I'm too used to hearing the 6XX out of Euforia and Starlett.
    • Focal Utopia: I don't think I'd really recommend this from a tonality perspective. The midrange shout present in Focals becomes a little too prominent (not anything that I couldn't acclimate to, but if you already think the Focals sound a bit shouty do not apply). Other than that, the Asgard 3 does a decent job in conveying technicalities and does dynamics well enough to do favors to the Utopia. The sweet timbre of the Asgard 3 ensures the Utopia doesn't stray towards sounding too thin.
    • ZMF Verite: A good pairing. Brings the Verite's stage closer and like with the Utopia, does enough justice to the technicalities of Verite. I'd say if you like the Verite's timbre and sins of commission, this should be on the list for a more budget amp. This is the headphone where the Asgard 3 reminded me most of 3F.
    • ZMF Auteur: Similar story to above. It's a great tonal and timbral match. The Asgard 3 doesn't exacerbate the harmonic richness of the Auteur (this can be a bit much out of something like ZDT Jr, although some may still enjoy that sound like me).
    • Hifiman HE560: I actually really liked this pairing. The HE560 can exhibit some weirdness in the highs and the Asgard 3 does a good job in making it sound smoother there while retaining a lot of the good qualities. Still a bit plasticky in timbre (I don't think any amp fixes that), but does gain a bit of euphonic character that I find pleasing.
    • Verum 1: An easy-going, rich-timbred listen. Essentially, the Asgard 3 conveys its rich tone to the Verum. Transients are relaxed (a character of Asgard 3). Great pair to kick back and relax with; jack-of-all-trades setup assuming you like the laid-back character.
    I'd classify Asgard 3 as a very strong general-purpose mid-tier amp that works well with a wide variety of different headphones. It does compare pretty favorably to the 3F especially considering its price; I'd say it gives you about 60% of the 3F's performance. What it won't give you that the 3F can is the oustanding driver control, super dynamic and transient performance, "I almost can't believe it's a solid state" timbre, and slam. Don't take this as a knock though; the fact that it can even be reasonably compared to 3F is a huge win and I really like my little Asgard 3 (for reference, I prefer it over the Lyr 3 loaner that I have on-hand).
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2020
  20. jnak00

    jnak00 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2017
    Likes Received:
    608
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Canada
    if Asgard 3 at $199 doesn't fall on its face compared to the $2K Starlett and $4K 3F, I think that's pretty high praise. I'm not expecting it to be close to that TOTL level but even 60% of the 3F at 5% of the price seems pretty damn good value
     

Share This Page