NEW - Schiit Asgard 2
Jul 31, 2014 at 1:32 PM Post #1,906 of 2,741
I've been using the Asgard 2 a lot over the past month or so (moved my Lyr to another system) and I've not found the A2 to sound bright. I've used the HE-400 and 500's with it along with the B&W P7's and Westone W40's (Gungnir Gen2 USB DAC) and thus far I'm very pleased with it. I'd give it some time and see if you warm up to it. Good luck. 
 
Jul 31, 2014 at 7:21 PM Post #1,907 of 2,741
Hi all
Mine was dropped off today. Out of the box it sounds great maybe a bit bright have you guys found that they have a burn in even though it's a SS not tube and if so what's the sound like after? By the way I'm using a set of HE-400 so the brightness maybe them.
Thanks

Yes let them burn in for at least 100 hours.
 
Jul 31, 2014 at 8:58 PM Post #1,909 of 2,741
  I couldn't wait four days. Mine sounded purrfect right out of the box.

I remember mine needed at least 48 hours but I said 100 because I wasn't sure.
 
Aug 2, 2014 at 8:11 PM Post #1,912 of 2,741
OK it has been 3 days now and I'm very pleased with the Asgard 2. It brings clarity and richness to the music that I was not expecting. Some songs I thought I knew well this adds depth that I have missed in the past. In short $250 well spent.
 
Aug 3, 2014 at 1:46 PM Post #1,913 of 2,741
OK it has been 3 days now and I'm very pleased with the Asgard 2. It brings clarity and richness to the music that I was not expecting. Some songs I thought I knew well this adds depth that I have missed in the past. In short $250 well spent.

I love that the components inside the Asgard 2 are all top notch. It has an Alps volume pot, very nice caps, a basic amp topography that works to deliver a good analog signal.
 
Aug 5, 2014 at 2:32 AM Post #1,914 of 2,741
Guys, for me the A2 is on the wanted list, however, I have read some reviews where some people have said that the A2 is just " good enough but there are better amps out there" this has put some doubt in my audiophile over priced is always better head about the A2's ability. Here is what I listen for 
1. to be musical and tuneful and Fun
2. not be be harsh at the top end
3. controlled and musical Bass
4. great on vocals
the front end will be PC win 8.1>JRiver>Bifrost Uber>A2 or Burson Soloist SL> VMODA XS
 
if i get the A2 and it is as good as the Schiits DAC then i have a lot left for a really good set of cans like Audeze 2.2, Alpha Dogs, TH 900 or TH 600 and i am not sure on the cans at all ie which ones will work best with the A2
 
Aug 5, 2014 at 8:16 AM Post #1,915 of 2,741
if i get the A2 and it is as good as the Schiits DAC then i have a lot left for a really good set of cans like Audeze 2.2, Alpha Dogs, TH 900 or TH 600 and i am not sure on the cans at all ie which ones will work best with the A2


A2 isn't just good enough - it's as good as it gets. It's a well-designed pure class A amplifier with top notch components and high end specs - what else to wish for? Its biggest problem is the low price, which kinda shoots it in the foot in terms of buyers perception.

I've just ordered myself an LCD-2 and I'm sure it's going to be great with my A2. As it is with my HD650.
 
Aug 5, 2014 at 10:29 AM Post #1,916 of 2,741
A2 isn't just good enough - it's as good as it gets. It's a well-designed pure class A amplifier with top notch components and high end specs - what else to wish for? Its biggest problem is the low price, which kinda shoots it in the foot in terms of buyers perception.

I've just ordered myself an LCD-2 and I'm sure it's going to be great with my A2. As it is with my HD650.


With all due respect, as good as it gets is a little high praise. Don't get me wrong I love Schiit gear, owned the Valhalla, the Asgard 2 and still own the Gungnir, but the A2 is not as good as it gets. At the price point it is a very good headphone amplifier and it is difficult to not see the excellent price/performance value it brings to the table. However, I sold mine soon after as I needed more capability and drive for my 560. The A2 was good, but as much as I love Schiit gear, and I do, the Yulong A18 I replaced the A2 with is certainly a more capable amplifier pretty much across the board. My Auditor was also another solid state amp that was clearly a better performer than the A2 as well across the board. That said, these are subjective view points and I would never for a moment say that the A2 isn't a great amp at a very good price, but it is not as good as it gets.
 
Aug 5, 2014 at 10:39 AM Post #1,917 of 2,741
 
With all due respect, as good as it gets is a little high praise. Don't get me wrong I love Schiit gear, owned the Valhalla, the Asgard 2 and still own the Gungnir, but the A2 is not as good as it gets. At the price point it is a very good headphone amplifier and it is difficult to not see the excellent price/performance value it brings to the table. However, I sold mine soon after as I needed more capability and drive for my 560. The A2 was good, but as much as I love Schiit gear, and I do, the Yulong A18 I replaced the A2 with is certainly a more capable amplifier pretty much across the board. My Auditor was also another solid state amp that was clearly a better performer than the A2 as well across the board. That said, these are subjective view points and I would never for a moment say that the A2 isn't a great amp at a very good price, but it is not as good as it gets.

I'd have to agree with that after trying out the AURALiC Taurus mk2 and others.  Again it's a wonderful amp at it's price point (even at twice it's price point it's a great amp).
 
Aug 5, 2014 at 11:25 AM Post #1,918 of 2,741
I have a several headphone amps including the Lyr and Asgard 2, but the A2 is the one I end up using most as it not only makes for a very, very nice headphone amp, but a sweet sounding preamp feeding a stereo amp as well. You'll always be able to find something better out there, but I've yet to find a better sounding (to me) headphone amp/preamp for the A2's retail price. 
 
Aug 5, 2014 at 12:42 PM Post #1,919 of 2,741
  Guys, for me the A2 is on the wanted list, however, I have read some reviews where some people have said that the A2 is just " good enough but there are better amps out there" this has put some doubt in my audiophile over priced is always better head about the A2's ability. Here is what I listen for 
1. to be musical and tuneful and Fun
2. not be be harsh at the top end
3. controlled and musical Bass
4. great on vocals
the front end will be PC win 8.1>JRiver>Bifrost Uber>A2 or Burson Soloist SL> VMODA XS
 
if i get the A2 and it is as good as the Schiits DAC then i have a lot left for a really good set of cans like Audeze 2.2, Alpha Dogs, TH 900 or TH 600 and i am not sure on the cans at all ie which ones will work best with the A2

I'd really question putting the money into a Bifrost Uber and an Asgard 2 to use with a V-Moda XS. Not to say the XS isn't good, as it probably is, but it was likely designed for use with smartphones and isn't going to benefit as much as some other headphones will. You might be better off investing in a different pair of headphones first. 
 
Also, I heard the Grado amplifier that retails for $500 briefly, and the sound wasn't any better that I remembered. I only listened to it briefly so I don't want to comment much on the sound. What I will comment on is that the Asgard 2 is way more durable, has a way better volume pot, has a way better warranty and also has outputs for speakers. At half the price of the Grado Schiit is able to deliver similar audio quality (in my opinion) and way more features (fact). I'm sure there are better amps out there but I doubt there are any for under $500. 
 
It saddens me to think that people dismiss this product because the price isn't astronomical. Schiit should be getting props for delivering products at reasonable prices, not lost sales.
 
Aug 5, 2014 at 1:07 PM Post #1,920 of 2,741
I think you'll be very pleased with the Asgard 2 and down the road if you feel the need to upgrade you can always pickup the $899 Yulong A18, the $1899 AURALiC Taurus MK2 (I've read great things about both these amps) or another offering from Schiit Audio. 
 
I don't think you'll find the A2 lacking in any of the categories you listed when used with headphones that will allow it to shine. If down the road you find that you'd like to have more power on tap you may want to give the Lyr 2 a listen...or one of the amps mentioned above by other members. Good luck! 
 
As an aside, the Asgard 2 runs nice and warm/hot just like a real Class A amp is supposed to. 
 

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