Disappointing problems.
 
Received my Fulla yesterday. Ear-splitting snap, crackles and pops on plugin and during volume adjustment. Fear of destroying my headphones (Sennheiser Momentums, HD 598s) will force me to return this if I can't find a solution. I am by no means an expert. Suggestions welcome.
 
Here's my experience on a new Lenovo Yoga Pro 2 running Windows 8:
 
1. Device would not detect when plugged into USB 2.0 port. Nada, zip. Swapped out the included USB cable for another -- that solved the detection problem so it looks like the device shipped with a dead cable.
 
2. With a new USB cable I had to fiddle with the Fulla volume control but finally the device was detected. Then I got an immediate "Malfunction error". The device was drawing too much power. This is extremely disappointing as I'm running a laptop, not a mobile player. There's no reason why a standard USB 2.0 port should not be able to deliver sufficient juice. (This error occurred when the laptop was powered, so it shouldn't be a battery-saver issue).
 
The device became immediately hot to the touch and I removed it quickly.
 
3. I went out and bought an overpriced powered (5v) USB 3.0 hub (backward compatible) to solve the problem. With the device plugged in to the hub, it was detected by the laptop with no error. Fulla software downloaded and music was then output through the device. (Now I was streaming music through Spotify and there was a sync issue with the Fulla where the music was played at a higher speed and everything sounded high-pitched. This appears to be caused by the fact that data is cached whenever Spotify is paused for any significant time. I relaunched the app and problem solved).
 
4. Fulla sounded decent. Then I tried to adjust the volume and boom!!! A huge pop in my left ear cup. After a few minuets of terror I got brave enough to try to turn the volume down and ... boom, snap, crackle!!!. I unplugged my headphones which resulted in an electrical buzzing noise.  Thinking it was a compatibility problem with my headphones, I tried a second pair ... same issue.
 
I've been in touch with the nice customer service folks at Schiit (they were very responsive) but we haven't solved the problem. Here's what I've done without improvement:
 
- Changed wall outlets in case I wasn't getting clean/consistent power.
- Unplugged the Fulla and turned the volume control a few dozen times to clear any dust or debris in the volume pot that might cause an audio problem.
- Tried the Fulla in different ports on the hub.
- Tried the laptop plugged in and on battery power.
- Tried my laptop with other USB devices. No issues with the ports.
- Removed the Fulla from laptop and hub and plugged it into the USB 2.0 input on my TV soundbar. Obviously, I wasn't going to get audio from an input but I wanted to hear whether there would be any popping when the device was plugged into another USB 2.0 charging source -- there was. There was the same popping and snapping through the headphones when plugging/unplugging or adjusting volume. Thus, it appears the problem is electrical.
 
I think I can rule out a USB port problem on my laptop and the hub.  And I believe I'm hearing electrical surges through the Fulla audio jack. It doesn't appear that the Fulla is properly managing the power input from standard USB ports.
 
Any help ... or is it time to junk this Fulla?

jigglyp said:

  Thanks buds. Guess I'll go for the Fulla since it's pretty close to the magni/moda. I know I'm a wierdo, but I just can't justify spending double the cash on the magni/modi for a small difference in SQ, especially if the fulla comes close for half the price lol. Plus it can fit in your pocket, if need be! 

Click to expand...

Fulla is a great place to start. Once you get used to the sound signature and start to crave an upgrade (it will happen, sorry  ), IMO you will appreciate the magni/modi more, if that's the way you choose to go. That extra 20% may not seem like much now, but as you train your ear, it really becomes apparent 

jv3jd said:

  Disappointing problems.
 
Any help ... or is it time to junk this Fulla?

Click to expand...

Can you try it on a different computer? A desktop preferably but another laptop would work.  I have used mine on a tablet w/Docking keyboard (no extra power), an older laptop (USB 2.0), and my desk top with none of these issues.
 
However, thinking about it a little more, I think that after all of that you should just send it back to them and get a replacement.

jv3jd said:

  Disappointing problems.
 
Received my Fulla yesterday. Ear-splitting snap, crackles and pops on plugin and during volume adjustment. Fear of destroying my headphones (Sennheiser Momentums, HD 598s) will force me to return this if I can't find a solution. I am by no means an expert. Suggestions welcome.

Click to expand...

 
I'm experiencing the same thing with my Fulla (serial no. ending in 1*5 so it's one of the earlier ones). And there's only 3 "zones" in the volume pot where I can hear sound from both channels without any crackles or noises. I'm pretty sure it's a problem with the potentiometer because the issue is present with all the PCs (desktops and laptops) I've tried it with.
 
Emailed Laura at Schiit and they immediately shipped me a replacement unit. I should have it next week (long transit time due to my location, Philippines).
 
But seeing that you have a fairly recent unit (one without the oscillator problem, I assume), I'm now kinda worried that the volume pot issue might be more prevalent. Hoping that my replacement unit is perfect this time around because after paying for international shipping (for both the original and replacement units), I'll be out more than $135 when all is said and done. 
 

  Here's my experience on a new Lenovo Yoga Pro 2 running Windows 8:
 
1. Device would not detect when plugged into USB 2.0 port. Nada, zip. Swapped out the included USB cable for another -- that solved the detection problem so it looks like the device shipped with a dead cable.
 
2. With a new USB cable I had to fiddle with the Fulla volume control but finally the device was detected. Then I got an immediate "Malfunction error". The device was drawing too much power. This is extremely disappointing as I'm running a laptop, not a mobile player. There's no reason why a standard USB 2.0 port should not be able to deliver sufficient juice. (This error occurred when the laptop was powered, so it shouldn't be a battery-saver issue).
 
The device became immediately hot to the touch and I removed it quickly.
 
3. I went out and bought an overpriced powered (5v) USB 3.0 hub (backward compatible) to solve the problem. With the device plugged in to the hub, it was detected by the laptop with no error. Fulla software downloaded and music was then output through the device. (Now I was streaming music through Spotify and there was a sync issue with the Fulla where the music was played at a higher speed and everything sounded high-pitched. This appears to be caused by the fact that data is cached whenever Spotify is paused for any significant time. I relaunched the app and problem solved).

Click to expand...

 
On my main desktop PC, it's the complete opposite. No go with my Plugable powered USB 3.0 hub (which is puzzling) but no problems with any of the onboard USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports. And now that you mentioned it, the mini-USB cable that comes with the Fulla doesn't seem to be of good quality at all.
 
But even after 3-4 hours of use, I've yet to have my Fulla become hot to the touch, just a bit warm.
 

  I think I can rule out a USB port problem on my laptop and the hub.  And I believe I'm hearing electrical surges through the Fulla audio jack. It doesn't appear that the Fulla is properly managing the power input from standard USB ports.
 
Any help ... or is it time to junk this Fulla?

Click to expand...

 
Like what bearFNF suggested, I think the best thing to do is to email Laura and ask for a replacement. 

Would this be enough to power the AKG 7xx. Sorry if this has been asked before, but I am pretty new to this audiophile hobby.
 
Thanks.

eten said:

  Would this be enough to power the AKG 7xx. Sorry if this has been asked before, but I am pretty new to this audiophile hobby.
 
Thanks.

Click to expand...

 
Yup, the Fulla will be able to drive the AKG K7XX with power to spare.

Interesting.. I might have to jump on this. Anyone try these with the HD598 and HD600?

wildcatsare1 said:

I don't know if anybody responded, but the higher price on Amazon covers the Prime, "free" shipping costs. I thought Amazon lost a lawsuit on jacking up the cost to cover the "free" shipping, but still going on.

Click to expand...

I dunno. I recently checked out Schiit's selection of products on the Amazon page & the pricing seemed to be exactly same. Shipping usually not covered by Prime.

eten said:

  Would this be enough to power the AKG 7xx. Sorry if this has been asked before, but I am pretty new to this audiophile hobby.
 
Thanks.

Click to expand...

I'm using the Fulla with the AKG K7XX right now. Powers it just fine, even does OK with Beyerdynamic 600 ohm cans for my tastes in listening levels. 
 
However, it's been a roller coaster week for me between the Fulla and AKG K7XX, both being new products and each with birthing "issues" (in parenthesis because I'm not convinced the reported K7XX rattle and distortion are legitimate problems). So I've spent a fair amount of time trying different configurations and chasing down various gremlins to verify whether or not my units suffer from any of these conditions.
 
Long and short of it, I've arrived at a good news/bad news situation:
 
GOOD NEWS - I love the sound of the Fulla and in particular through the new K7XX cans. Been going back and forth with the K7XX, Beyer DT880 and DT990. And I keep returing to the K7XX/Fulla as my preference. This is my first pair of AKGs and my first Schiit, so perhaps I'm just reacting to new and different, but I'm quite impressed on both fronts, especially considering the combo set me back less than $300. 
 
BAD NEWS - I'm getting some serious RF noise interference when using the K7XX with the Fulla. At times I can flat out listen to radio stations in the right channel (WCSX FM 94.7 in Detroit to be specific as I could easily make out the call sign). And the really annoying thing is that it modulates and rides along with the music, or the music modulates the noise, which comes across as an annoying static distortion in the right channel. Making matters worse and difficult to track down is that it is intermittent depending upon the exact position of the Fulla, cables, headphones. At first I thought I had a problem with the Fulla, then with the K7XX, then with the Fulla, then with... ARGGGH!
 
This problem does not happen with any of my other headphones including lower impedance IEM (cheap Skullcandy Ink'd) or Koss PortaPro. I've found I can "tune" the interference depending upon how I position the Fulla, lay the cables, tilt my head, move my arms, rotate the cat, etc. At times, I can even induce some noise/static in the left channel, and it is there even when music is not playing. If I lay my hands on wire hoops of the AKGs, which carry the signal to the right cup, I can make the interference disappear if positioned just right. And don't laugh, but I even tried wrapping the hoops with aluminum foil (didn't do anything).
 
CONJECTURE: those goofy AKG hoops that carry the signal to the right cup are acting as an antenna when hooked up to the Fulla.
 
For awhile, this led me to believe I had a defective K7XX, but it ONLY occurs with the Fulla (other amps tried include a bevy of JDS cMoy tins and a Wyred mPre... still need to test with my silver-era Pioneer stuff). And likewise, the Fulla only exhibits this with the K7XX. Seems like a compatibility issue to me.
 
So...
 
CALLING ALL AKG K7-SERIES USERS - anyone else having RF interference issues when using them with your Fulla?

krikor said:

  I'm using the Fulla with the AKG K7XX right now. Powers it just fine, even does OK with Beyerdynamic 600 ohm cans for my tastes in listening levels. 
 
However, it's been a roller coaster week for me between the Fulla and AKG K7XX, both being new products and each with birthing "issues" (in parenthesis because I'm not convinced the reported K7XX rattle and distortion are legitimate problems). So I've spent a fair amount of time trying different configurations and chasing down various gremlins to verify whether or not my units suffer from any of these conditions.
 
Long and short of it, I've arrived at a good news/bad news situation:
 
GOOD NEWS - I love the sound of the Fulla and in particular through the new K7XX cans. Been going back and forth with the K7XX, Beyer DT880 and DT990. And I keep returing to the K7XX/Fulla as my preference. This is my first pair of AKGs and my first Schiit, so perhaps I'm just reacting to new and different, but I'm quite impressed on both fronts, especially considering the combo set me back less than $300. 
 
BAD NEWS - I'm getting some serious RF noise interference when using the K7XX with the Fulla. At times I can flat out listen to radio stations in the right channel (WCSX FM 94.7 in Detroit to be specific as I could easily make out the call sign). And the really annoying thing is that it modulates and rides along with the music, or the music modulates the noise, which comes across as an annoying static distortion in the right channel. Making matters worse and difficult to track down is that it is intermittent depending upon the exact position of the Fulla, cables, headphones. At first I thought I had a problem with the Fulla, then with the K7XX, then with the Fulla, then with... ARGGGH!
 
This problem does not happen with any of my other headphones including lower impedance IEM (cheap Skullcandy Ink'd) or Koss PortaPro. I've found I can "tune" the interference depending upon how I position the Fulla, lay the cables, tilt my head, move my arms, rotate the cat, etc. At times, I can even induce some noise/static in the left channel, and it is there even when music is not playing. If I lay my hands on wire hoops which of the AKGs, which carry the signal to the right cup, I can make the interference disappear if positioned just right. And don't laugh, but I even tried wrapping the hoops with aluminum foil (didn't do anything).
 
CONJECTURE: those goofy AKG hoops that carry the signal to the right cup are acting as an antenna when hooked up to the Fulla.
 
For awhile, this led me to believe I had a defective K7XX, but it ONLY occurs with the Fulla (other amps tried include a bevy of JDS cMoy tins and a Wyred mPre... still need to test with my silver-era Pioneer stuff). And likewise, the Fulla only exhibits this with the K7XX. Seems like a compatibility issue to me.
 
So...
 
CALLING ALL AKG K7-SERIES USERS - anyone else having RF interference issues when using them with your Fulla?

Click to expand...

 
I am having a very similar issue with my Fulla when hooked up to my HE-400i.
 
I am getting static through the right channel that modulates with the music. It doesn't resolve into a radio station though, just static. It only happens with the HE-400i when driven by the Fulla. Every other headphone I own produces clean sound through the Fulla; every other source I own produces clean sound through the HE-400i.
 
I'm having Schiit exchange my Fulla to see if there's any magic voodoo going on, or if it is the combo that's causing it.

shoot..I just ordered a Fulla yesterday without reading this thread. I just assumed Fulla would be fine like other schiit products. I just wanted something convenient for my Etymotic IEMs. I had no idea there were so many complaints.

Just out of curiosity, can we take a poll of how many satisfied Fulla owners versus problematic Fulla owners?

I hope mine turns out ok...

emremusic said:

shoot..I just ordered a Fulla yesterday without reading this thread. I just assumed Fulla would be fine like other schiit products. I just wanted something convenient for my Etymotic IEMs. I had no idea there were so many complaints.

Just out of curiosity, can we take a poll of how many satisfied Fulla owners versus problematic Fulla owners?

I hope mine turns out ok...

Click to expand...

Very satisfied owner here

I will probably use a Dremel to cut some texture into the volume knob, but besides that, I am extremely satisfied.

tbish said:

   
I am having a very similar issue with my Fulla when hooked up to my HE-400i.
 
I am getting static through the right channel that modulates with the music. It doesn't resolve into a radio station though, just static. It only happens with the HE-400i when driven by the Fulla. Every other headphone I own produces clean sound through the Fulla; every other source I own produces clean sound through the HE-400i.
 
I'm having Schiit exchange my Fulla to see if there's any magic voodoo going on, or if it is the combo that's causing it.

Click to expand...

 
I contacted Schiit and they got back to me within minutes. On a Saturday! Great customer service.
 
First question asked was if I live near a radio tower. I did a little research and what do you know, I'm about a mile from a 13,500 watt transmitter broadcasting WCSX (the one I can make out in the right channel) along with four other stations. One possibility suggested by Schiit tech support is that it could be due to the low output impedance and wide bandwidth of the driver IC combined with cable/wiring design of my AKGs.
 
They offered to swap out my Fulla, but I don't see the point if it will just do the same thing. I've already spent enough on shipping (my wife accidentally bought the Magni after they pulled the initial release of the Fulla off the website link I sent her as a gift "suggestion", so we got hit to ship that back and forth already).
 
I'll run the Fulla with the K7XX at work on Monday and see if getting away from that tower eliminates the problem. I plan to eventually rewire the K7XX and bypass those antenna hoops anyway, which will hopefully eliminate the interference.

Ok fellow Schiit heads, listen up. Here are some technical measurements of this small wonder, the Fulla.
 
Here is a picture of the test setup:

The sound level metering in the dummy head was calibrated to a Bruel & Kjaer 4231 type 1 sound level calibrator.

How hot does it get? After an hour of playing Daft Punk's Instant Crush at 90 dBC SPL (very loud), in an ambient of 67° F it was 96° F on top and 94° F on the bottom:

 
Here are a few of the technical results measured. All measurements made with a PrismSound dScope III using an HE-500 load driven at 200 mVrms producing 90 dBC at the dummy head ear mic except for the square wave tests which were at 100mVpp as noted.
 
frequency response (highly expanded y-axis):

 
THD+N:

 
jitter spectrum:

 
20 Hz square wave response at 100 mVpp:

 
20 Hz square wave expanded x-axis:

 
I have spent some time listening with Beyerdynamic T90, HiFiMan HE-500 and NAD HP50 headphones. The Fulla can drive them all to excruciating sound levels to my ears, though the HE-500 won't go as absurdly loud as the T90 and HP50. It appears to top out the Fulla at 105 dB SPL. Still clean sounding but VERY LOUD.
 
A Fulla, NAD HP50 and a netbook running JRiver would make a very good combination for a high quality, portable sound system. Portable, not mobile. 
 
-AB