Schiit Magni Headphone Amplifier - Page 67

The further you turn the volume control potentiometer down, the worse the channel balance will get. The ideal volume range would be somewhere around 10 to 2 o'clock.

To get a more usable range:

- lower the gain (dunno if possible with magni, no reply from Jason yet)

- lower the level of your source

- get less sensitive headphones

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vader2k 

I've only had a chance to use my setup with the Magni a few times since receiving it (darn life!), but last night I had the displeasure of running clearly into the channel imbalance.  Earlier, I thought I only noticed it up to about 8 o'clock on the volume pot, maybe 8:30.  But while watching a movie last night I kept feeling the sound was a bit left heavy.  I glanced at the pot and noticed I was at about 9:15.  It wasn't until I got around 10 that I got even balance.

 

So, that got me thinking about the attenuators ninjames picked up, which sound promising.  I'm wondering, though, if they wouldn't be beneficial due to my current setup?  I don't have a DAC; I'm just using a Mixamp with the Magni for games and movies.  My question is, doesn't using my Mixamp's volume knob kinda act as an attenuator?  If I turn it down a bit to help the Magni push higher on it's pot, am I compromising the quality any?

You seem to have more imbalance than what is considered "normal" for the Magni. Getting it past whisper volumes means you should probably shoot Jason an email and get a replacement.

in my computer rig, the channel imbalance is a non-issue for me. It is very minor; as in, under 9 o'clock. I listen between the range of ~10-1 o'clock position.

Musical Fidelity VDAC mkII >Magni> AKG k701
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninjames 

You seem to have more imbalance than what is considered "normal" for the Magni. Getting it past whisper volumes means you should probably shoot Jason an email and get a replacement.

Yikes, didn't realize that was worse than "normal."  Ok, will do.  Appreciate the feedback.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vader2k 

Yikes, didn't realize that was worse than "normal."  Ok, will do.  Appreciate the feedback.

Yeah, mine's balanced starting around 8 (if not a little bit before).

Also, if you're running it through a surge protector or something give it a try straight out of the wall. When at the meet I had some weird imbalance going on once everyone else plugged in their stuff and it went away after others had left.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defiant00 

 

Yeah, mine's balanced starting around 8 (if not a little bit before).

 

Also, if you're running it through a surge protector or something give it a try straight out of the wall. When at the meet I had some weird imbalance going on once everyone else plugged in their stuff and it went away after others had left.

No surge protector, but I do have the wall wart plugged into a basic white extension cord.  I suppose I'll try it straight into the wall and see if that changes anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vader2k 

No surge protector, but I do have the wall wart plugged into a basic white extension cord.  I suppose I'll try it straight into the wall and see if that changes anything.

Yeah, I sort of doubt it will then, but doesn't hurt to try that first before getting it replaced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Defiant00 

 

Yeah, I sort of doubt it will then, but doesn't hurt to try that first before getting it replaced.

Sure, and I'll probably still give it a go.

Good news, though, is I already heard back from Jason and he's arranging a replacement.  That was fast!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vader2k 

 

Sure, and I'll probably still give it a go.

 

Good news, though, is I already heard back from Jason and he's arranging a replacement.  That was fast!

Doesn't surprise me, Schiit has excellent service.

I know you'll think i'm nuts, but if you use a massive surge protector with your Magni, try it without. Don't think about it, just do it.

Unplug it when not in use.

People can say i'm hearing things all they want, but the Magni and all my other amps sound best without one

The differences are much easier to hear on closed and somewhat bassy/warm headphones.

I switched surge protectors and thought I fixed the problem, but apparently not.

BTW it's not an issue with the amp. All my amps degrade with a surge protector. Don't know why.

Some more than others. I can't detect an ounce of difference with my Q710 or fairly neutral open headphones.

When I have my Micro plugged into a surge protector and use the HD-650, the low mids are too forward and the soundstage is compressed.

The bass gets a bit bloated too. Sounds noticeably less clear.

Don't know if you're speaking specifically to me or not tdock, but no, no surge protector in my setup.  Your earlier posts on the subject made me steer clear of using one!

First up sorry if this is covered already in this thread and yes it's a pretty dull source setup question (is that the sound of forum members sighing?).

Along side a pair of orthos like most people on this forum I also have some 32ohm HPs. I'm thinking that I may at times use the iPhone4 as the source for the Magni using the 30pin line level audio output to RCA. My understanding however is that I won’t be able to very volume of the iPhone source because I’d be bypassing the iPhone’s internal amp. Is this correct??

If so I’m guessing that I wont be able to comfortably use the iPhone4 > Magni > 32ohm HPs because of the x5 gain.

Hmmm, maybe the Harrison Labs 12 dB attenuators are the fix