Schiit Mjolnir 3 Impressions

I used to own a BW 2, I agree with this, but from memory, the BW2 was a bit more brash (and grainy) in the upper range, the MJ3 is smoother and more coherent top to bottom. The BW2 was a blast with ZMF Auteur, but ultimately I wanted a more balanced rendering. In a way, MJ3 interpolates nicely between 3F (watercolors) and BW2 (thick oil paint). The MJ3 can't reach the 3F on Utopia (no surprise given the 3F's inception), and arguably with Atrium open. But MJ3 works extremely well with VC, and in a different but even more compelling way with Caldera.

 

Just not the amps with 6C33-B tubez

 

I knew I was doing something wrong.

 

Thanks for that cocomparison. It was interesting going down that rabbit hole of tuning the LCD-XC by removing a screw. I finally decided to switch from the Mjolnir 1 to a McIntosh MHA200. I wanted to try a tube amp. Now I need to upgrade the LCD-XC to something equal to MHA200.

 

I was using the LiM dac. Upon @purrins suggestion, I had it upgraded to MiB. As usual, his suggestions and knowledge were spot-on.

 

PSA: I was just reading the Schiit Stjarna chapter on Head-Fi and near the end I noticed that Jason said:

So if you want an MJ3 it might be time to grab one.

 

So you are saying I should buy an extra one?

J/K but the more I live with this thing, the more stunningly great I think it is.

 

I love my MJ3. Such an awesome amp! This stack (with Yggdrasil MiB) could pretty easily be considered "end game" for many headphone listeners.

 

I may have to finally order that silver top for mine before they disappear. This is the best Schiit amp I’ve owned - time to get the outside looking as good as it sounds.

 

Yet dumbass headfiers with soft hands keep burning their fingers on it and hence stack 27 computer fans around it so Schiit decides to kill it. C'est la vie. Apparently a good, hot vibrator scares the children.

 

Never burnt my fingers on it, but I still run a small fan on the heatsinks. Mainly just to keep board temps down and capacitors healthy. All good.

Also helps get temperature stable very quickly and sounds great immediately due to transistors working in their sweet spot right away. Whatever. Everyone runs their stuff as desired.

 

If the MJ3 scares them then EC Zana Deux would terrify them with the temps the 6C33B-C tubes reach.

 

Then just sell those MJ3's to SBAF ppl. They were supposed to be a limited run anyway.

 

I bought another one recently (after I sold my original one). Such a good amp!

This new unit seems to vibrate less than the first unit I had. It seems to be from a newer run (updated capacitors), so maybe they revised the chokes or the way they are mounted? Either that or I'm just not as sensitive to vibrations anymore. I did have to crank up my dildo lately, so there's that

 

We moved the transformers away from the chokes slightly (like 1/4"), which helps a lot with the vibes.

 

I sent my 2nd run MJ3 in for service after the caps failed in July 2024. Would Schiit have moved the transformers away from the chokes during that maintenance?

 

No, the transformers are mounted on the PC board. It's not a "mod" you can do.

2nd run had transformers moved anyway.

 

@schiit yall build some great amps! Love my MJ3. The MiB rocks too...

 

The MJ3 is arguably the best amp Schiit has made to date. Are there plans for a MJ mkIV? I’d be sad if the MJ line is no more.

 

Ah, we're still making MJ3...