I recently decided to upgrade my Schitt Asgard. Following is a brief summary of several amplifiers for future reference.
The Asgard was purchased along with HD650 about a year ago. I chose it after an extended comparison against a Channel Island Audio VHP-2 + VAC-1, Elekit Tu-880 (with NOS WE396A) and Firestone Cute Beyond (OPA627 upgrade) + Supplier. This was my transition from 2-channel stereo into headphone audio. Since that time I've tried many other headphones with the Asgard (see current system below). My entrance into headphones was facilitated by the fact that two channel stereo can be frustrating for many reasons (e.g., high cost, questionable review ethics, lack of demo/return policy, room acoustic issues, etc.). Ultimately I felt that it was an alchemist's dream, whereas headphone audio is wide open vistas.
For reference, I have a different evaluation approach than most. I am probably a “flat earther”. I won't bother with a lengthy description, google it if you're interested. I owned a very serious Naim system for many years, for example. When I evaluate audio components. I do not dissect its sound quality or even consider soundstaging. Mainly, I look for three things. First, the build quality, ergonomics and design must be commensurate (it generally is but not always). Second, a component must follow the aural equivalent of the “Hippocratic oath,” i.e., it must do no harm. It shouldn't sound obviously “hi fi”, induce fatigue or have obvious sonic anomalies like brightness or piercing treble. This is an area particularly problematic with me in digital gear. Finally, I go by my feelings when listening. It should sound like music (if that's the right way of phrasing it). By that I mean it should have adequate tonality and resolution and be able to convey pacing, rhythm, intent and emotion.
As an aside, one unique thing about headphone systems is the ability to try vastly different amplifier topologies directly. In 2-channel stereo, amplifier topologies create religions and vast amounts of marketing contention, e.g., tube versus solid state, discrete versus opamp, global feedback versus none, single ended versus push-pull. I think headphone listeners take this for granted since 2-channel stereo demands appropriate speaker matching, meaning one generally cannot compare a large solid state amplifier versus a low power single ended triode amplifier because loudspeaker requirements are so different for them as to render the comparison meaningless. As you'll read below, in my experience topology has no obvious correlation to sound quality.
My system is as follows:
Amplifier: Schitt Asgard
Front end: Virtue Audio Piano M1, Ack Dack 2.0
Headphones: Grado RS-2i, Sennheiser HD600
Miscellaneous: Quadraspire Q4 equipment rack, Zu Birth power cords, Black Cat Veloce digital cable and Cardas Quadlink interconnect, Cablepro Revelation 2 power bar (unfiltered)
Asgard
I'll discuss the Asgard first since it is the reference or benchmark here. Based on reviews and feedback to date, I think Schitt ironically doomed the Asgard to mediocrity or obscurity by pricing it too low. Obviously I think it's a very good amplifier regardless the cost since I chose it over 3 other amplifiers, all more expensive. In my experience, audiophiles often subliminally associate cost with sound quality. I find the Asgard soft, smooth, grainless and laidback, albeit a bit gray tonally and indistinct in the treble and bass. Overall, it's inoffensive and forgiving. It has a uniquely natural flow and pacing, almost like the description people use to convey the superiority of analog (or non-oversampling digital) versus digital. It is a very good amplifier for a variety of musical genres and longer listening sessions. I also found it very synergistic with every headphone I paired it with (K701, HD600, HD650, Denon D2000, Grado RS2i). I think the Asgard is the ideal solid state amplifier for those who dislike solid state, although against tubes they may find it a bit too lean or gray.
Scherzo Andande
The Andante is the sleeper in this comparison (hence the weblink for reference). I found it doing an internet search. There is very little information on it other than a few scattered reviews and a very minor amount of forum commentary. It is a solid state, battery powered, pure discrete amplifier with inputs and outputs for both home and portable use. Apparently it also has a somewhat unusual circuit design. The Andante is prototypically solid state (for better or worse depending on your preferences and the rest of your system). It is thus sort of the "anti-Asgard". My immediate and lasting impression is that it's upfront, fast and resolving. It is great for faster music and has a very “Naim-like” presentation (Olive Naim at that for those of you familiar). It is neutral and extended overall, which means some may find it either bright and/or lean but I didn't. However, it was never fatiguing. That said, like the Headamp GS-1 to be discussed below, it didn't do anything for me. I didn't find it musical in my system, especially with the HD600.
Headamp GS-1
As expected, build quality is incredible and it is very refined, airy and resolving, although detail isn't “thrust at you” as with the Andante. However, I also found it somewhat lean, cerebral, austere and analytical. Given the cost, I felt that it was too far removed from what I was looking for musically. If I were to sum up the GS-1 would consider like the Sennheiser HD800, i.e., “reference quality” in that it is almost ruthlessly revealing, albeit elegantly so. Some really want this but I prefer a more forgiving balance.
Grado RA-1 (battery model)
The Grado is the most colored, unusual and tube-like solid state amplifier (headphone or stereo) I've heard. It is smooth, fast, forgiving, warm and slightly lacking in resolution. The bass, in particular, was very good. Note that given its synergy with Grado headphones (and potential lack thereof with the the high-impedance HD600), I only tried it with Grado RS-2i headphones. Two deal breakers existed, though. First, I immediately began to worry about the longterm durability of the 9V standard battery leads. Second, the potentiometer had severe channel inbalance just below the listening level I normally use (I tend to listen at lower levels). Having seen internal pictures of this now controversial amplifier, I know the potentiometer is rather inexpensive. Parts quality is irrelevant to me but, as I mentioned previously, ergonomics are always the first thing I consider in audio components.
Firestone Cute Beyond (with Supplier and stock OPA2604 opamp)
Overall it is very similar to the Andante but slightly less resolving and less clear in the treble region. I really like the low cost, form factor, minimalism and ability to roll opamps, which is why I have now tried it twice (the first time with OPA627, even). It just doesn't do it for me sonically, though.
Channel Island Audio VHP-2 + VAC-1 power supply
Like the Cute Beyond, this is the second time I've tried this amplifier. And like the Cute Beyond, I like its form factor and minimalism. For some reason, I found it slightly bright and “dead sounding” with the HD650 when I tried it the first time (with the same front end, cables and equipment rack). This time, with the HD600 and RS-2i, I found it preferable to the other amplifiers here. I find it very similar to the Asgard overall but slightly more resolving, airy and clean. It also has, like the Grado RS-1, excellent tonality. It just feels “right” to my ears. I kept it and sold the Asgard. Note that I have only tried the VHP-2 with the VAC-1 upgrade power supply. For the additional $180 or so I think the VAC-1 is a no brainer (maybe that's my Naim power supply indoctrination speaking).
Edited by greg788 - 5/14/11 at 5:28am
