Schiit Jotunheim 2

I posted some listening impressions of Modi 3+ via the Jotunheim 2 in the Modi thread.

In short, Sir Purr1n is right in that the J2 will give and give and give, and quality in = quality out. This is true to an extent that I'm finally starting to think a DAC upgrade may be in order. I've heard some pretty expensive-ass amps with my Bifrost Multibit and loved it all the way, and it even improved with Unison, but for the first time I can hear my DAC kind of 'giving out'. There is a hint of not-quite-natural-raspiness to microplankton that I've never detected before. (I don't think I've ever even used the word 'plankton' before because I didn't need it. Now I do. M3+ doesn't have much -- BF has it, but now I hear that plankton's shortcomings.)

Jason was spot-on. Jot 2 is special... or did he merely call it "different"? It's somehow revealing and forgiving; visceral, yet not fatiguing (so far... I'm hoping it remains that way). Certain recordings that some amps render unlistenable -- with Jot 2 I feel like I can pinpoint why they're unlistenable, except... they're totally listenable. (Just still not good.)

...and to think a mere year ago I came to the conclusion I don't like solid state.

 

I'll keep these impressions brief for now because I'm tired: synergy is really good with the HD800 SDR -- they're not (more) harsh or sibilant or anything, but also, like... nothing is happening.

Like you know, every other amp ever has seemed like there's some kind of an interaction between the 800's and the amp itself. Like you're almost hearing the amp more than the headphones, oddly. And so for with J2 it's like it manages to get out of the way and all you hear is the 800's.

This sounds stupid but it's just difficult to convey. Like, SDR mod makes the 800's really midbass prominent, to my ear (I was going to take the SDR out of mine for this reason actually.) So right now the midbass is really present and slappy and visceral, it kind of dominates the mix. But everywhere else, that spread out analytic quality of the 800s is really really stark. I only listened to a few songs and one of them was a rock/metal ditty ('Can't Sleep' by Black Peaks) and it felt like the singer was merely in the same room as me, screaming into a microphone... and it actually made the song sound a little ridiculous. That's what I mean by observational.

So I say it's a good synergy but with the asterisk that it's not good the way 800's are good with tubes good... which is a good thing. I think.

I'll post more impressions on this pair after some listening and sleep.

 

Curious, How would the jot2 with multibit Dac balanced out to hd650 compare to modi multibit + vali 2+ HD650 SE out? I currently have the Modi Multibit/ Cth & HD650/580 stack and am considering updating my gear

 

Great question. I would also be interested to hear impressions and opinions about running SE vs balanced headphones from the Jotunheim 2. Does it make sense to buy for SE use only?

 

SE out is... softer?... sounding. Not by a bunch, but noticable. The stellar impact and dynamics of the balanced out seem a bit muted. The same is true of going from high to low gain. This seems on par with most Schiit amps I've owned. Lyr 3 changed a bit with gain. Mj2. Etc.

It does create a bit of a stepping system for how forceful it sounds. Softest = SE/low gain. Soft SE/high gain. Gravy = Balanced/low. All the gravy, mashed potatoes, carrots, onions, pot roast, and chocolate ice cream and black cherries for dessert = Balanced/high gain.

This may benefit some headphones like Utopia, at least for those of us who think the detail on it is a bit artificial or forced.

I'm hungry again.

Edit: Tone/timbre doesn't seem to change tho, that I can tell.

 

wow

 

Did you try your RS2e with the Jot2?

 

Thanks for the insights! What would be an example of a dac that you would recommend over the MM/multibit dac module, to get more out of the jot2?

 

Apparently, I spent the mid 70’s through late 80’s as a J2......

 

Adding to above, since I can't seem to edit it -

It is starting to sound like the J2 might be the worthy low(er) budget successor to my departed and beloved (but just too much $$$ to tie up in a rig for a cheapskate like me) Cavalli Liquid Crimson. The SW51+ is the other contender, but Schiit is USA, well supported and solid state is much less fussy. I've never had more than 1 tube to roll, and I'm tired of it....

Next bit of business is the DAC. @purr1n has recommended a few just above, but they seem to exceed my budget (at least the 2541 does). Schiit Bifrost 2 is at a slightly uncomfortable but attainable price tag, just for reference, and seems a viable contender. Also for reference, my last DAC was an OG Gungnir MB, and it suited me quite well (with the L.C.). The OG Bifrost MB was good, but missing what the OG Gungnir added - more plankton, definition and less "fuzziness". Yep, I speak tourist audiophile. Much like my Spanish and German, just enough to make someone fluent in either, laugh at me or punch me....

Oh, and for the record, my headphones are the HD800S, which don't suit me perfectly, but well enough, and they are bullet-proof and rebuildable and comfortable, which makes up 25.3% of my needs. They hit 75% on audio, so they suit me.

Anyway, apologies for a mild derail. I'm hoping is that there is enough relevance via soliciting input to properly pair a DAC that is in the price range (say under $800? 2x the price for a good DAC?) of the base (no module) J2 to warrant this post being here.

 

The Bifrost 2 is a great DAC to pair with the Jot 2. It has enough warmth and good treble energy. I tried the Matrix Sabre Pro DAC with it and it set off my tinnitus, so personally there’s too much top end energy with that pairing. Very square and edgy but works fine with headphones like the HD650.

I think the SW51+ is a better pairing with the HD800s (haven’t listened to them together). Hopefully someone else can chime in on that pairing.

 

Thanks for your feedback.

I just pulled the trigger on the Jot 2. I will do a comparison of the Jot 2 with my Liquid Platinum and eventually (3 months?) with the SW51+, but I don't think I will keep the 3 amps at the end. (With the ZMF Verite Closed, the Grado Hemp, the HE-6SE and the Bifrost 2)

 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Jot 2 compared to the Liquid Platinum. I’m hoping by the time the loaner gets to me I’ll have my SW51+ to compare it to as well.

 

Throw down the gauntlet. Schiit needs to make a better ESS dac than Matrix.