Matrix M-stage vs Schiit Asgard...has anyone compared them yet?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by dpippel 

I've got both showing up next week. I have the Valhalla too. Stay tuned, although I'm not going to do anything in-depth as far as comparisons go. Impressions only.

By comparing the three, you would do us a great favor mate

Thanks in advance  

Quote:

Originally Posted by daltonlanny 

I compared both and posted the results.

See the "Matrix M-stage amp review: simple, cheap, and excellent" thread, page 59 post #872.

Thanks very much for the comparison. Good write-up, but you reviewed a modded M-Stage. I'm sure most folks here won't be getting out their soldering irons and would be more interested in the sound of the stock amp.

Thanks for the very helpful comparison lanny. I enjoyed reading it. On the other hand, I tend to agree with dpippel about us simple folks not knowing enough about modding

I finally got to listen to the M-Stage, literally a day and night difference between the two on my RS1. The soundstage I'm hearing is massive, way more expansive than the Asgard yet it doesn't lose its midrange energy. I'm still shocked at what I'm hearing, this is no placebo at work. I had no clue my RS1 could sound like this at all.

This thread needs more impressions. How about Matrix M-Stage vs Asgard when paired with HD 650 playing trance and orchestral music.

Quote:

Originally Posted by daltonlanny 

I compared both and posted the results.

See the "Matrix M-stage amp review: simple, cheap, and excellent" thread, page 59 post #872.

Also, here's a link to the post, for those who like easy solutions.

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/475618/matrix-m-stage-amp-review-simple-cheap-and-excellent/870#post_6923163

hmm "placebo" word of the day for me, second time I've seen it on this forum in one day, anyhow carry on folks.

Yeah its weird that a word traditionally used in the context of medicine is used so much in audio. But it makes sense when so much of audio is both subtle and subjective.

Well I think I can chime in a bit. I had the Asgard for the 15 day trial, and had it burning in the whole time, with only a coupla breaks. There's a few things I didn't like about it. It made my k702s HARSH. Yes, it had plenty of power, but it was definitely more harsh and grating on my ears than I had ever heard it, and it was the only time (after burnin) that I didn't like the AKG. It actually sounded smoother straight out of the uDac-1 and also the Maverick D1 to me, even though fairly underpowered on both. The M-Stage for me (modded with PLUG AND PLAY browndog/op627 combo unit) sounds mindblowingly incredible, out of the gate. It is VERY smooth with the 702s, has huge power in it, tames the highs and harshness brilliantly,and brought new life to the bass. I thought there was no contest between these 2 amps for the AKGs, unlike the poster in the link above. Another thing that I was concerned about with the Asgard, is that it developed MANY MANY white spots all over the unit the more I used it. They were clearly 'fingerprints', but looked like chalk marks, and would not come off. I personally think it may have been natural skin oils burning onto the unit or something, cause I have no other explanation for it.

As for the Asgard/DT880s, I can't say specifically, but I did pair the DT990/600s with it for 2 weeks. It was nice because they were grossly anemic and weak from the uDac-1 and D1, but sounded plenty powered and good out of the Schiit. I noticed a great amout of seperation and details from the combo, and I enjoyed them thoroughly. My .02

-Daniel