Speaking for myself, the VC sounds superb on the MJ3. I don’t know how they sound compared to the Atriums though. Ever since getting the MJ3 I’ve been wondering whether I should get another pair of headphones. Originally I was thinking high end planar (like the Calderas maybe), but the more I...

Latest one I’m working on. Just finished the handle which is some crazy looking maple I found). The finish is many, many coats of tung oil (or at least what Minwax calls tung oil).

I tried a Theaudio Monarch 3 and Moondrop Variations on mine. It was overkill, sure, but it was glorious. There is a huge difference in sound quality between my $700 DAP and the combination of a Yggy and the MJ3. More detail, more holographic, more microdynamics, you name it- the desktop gear...

Sorry to hear you have a problem with the MJ3. Schiit supports their products well so it will get worked out, even if it’s going to be a while before you can enjoy your MJ3. I sent back my Folkvangr and Saga for warranty repair in the last 2 months. Both were shipped back to me fully repaired...

It’s a significant step up from the Jot, but that’s just how audio gear is. There’s always something more expensive that’s a step up. If you have the common sense to stop at the Jot, more power to you.

Good question. I’d say they’re getting fairly equal use at the moment. I’m still trying to figure out if I like the VC better with MJ3 Or FV. The Yggy was purchased about the same time as the MJ3 and it’s really complicated the decision. If you’re thinking you want a top notch SS amp, I can say...

Didn’t realize it’s a desktop. You’re probably not losing anything in terms of power. My experience with FIIO is they are very competitive in terms of performance per dollar, so you’ll probably need to spend a lot to really upgrade the sound and I would definitely look at the DAC

I’ve found the same re highly resolving metal drivers, but it appears to be an amp problem as much as a driver problem. In other words, I hear it on some amps but not others with SS amps far more prone to it than tube amps. That said, the Schiit Mjolnir 3 is the first 100% solid state amp I’ve...

Re the amp: In my experience the VC isn’t particularly power hungry or amp picky. My Schiit Folkvanger also puts out 1.4W at 32 Ohms and has zero problems driving the VC. If I did my math right, you should be able to drive the VC at around 150 mW (300 ohms) using your FIIO, which is plenty...

I’m not sure (corrrect me if I’m wrong) but I think most amps power output is measured at a single frequency (1Khz). Could be that some amps put out less power at lower frequencies, or deliver that low freq power with high levels of distortion. In any case, if an amp puts out an honest 2W across...

Is it just me, or has Hifiman jumped the shark with $8k headphones? $8k. For headphones. When does it stop being about the music and instead become about bragging rights? I think sometimes people expect super expensive headphones to bring magic that doesn’t exist with less expensive phones, but...

Great explanation. That makes a lot of sense, though I would have figured the output impedance would need to be a little higher.

I’ve never heard the MJ3 with any other source than the Yggy, so can’t really comment on which amp benefits more. Not surprisingly, the FV sound is a little creamier, a little thicker and a little wetter. The MJ3 is more detailed, more resolving and is a touch less euphonic. I haven’t really...

I’ve had my Yggy LIM for few weeks now after upgrading from a Bifrost2 OG. The difference I’ve come to appreciate the most is the imaging. Really adds to the sense of being there, especially if I close my eyes. I’ve been spending time exploring new tracks just for the imaging.

I don’t see wall hanging as a good solution. Audio gear can be heavy and you really want to screw it into studs to be safe. However, it’s unlikely the owner will be able to put it right where (s)he wants it and hit a pair of studs. I like the modular floor standing idea better. Also, the top...

Those are my two favorite tubes for the WA6SE (though the 13FD & DE versions for my gen 2). I eventually settled on the FD, but it’s dependent on the phones of course.

Glad you’re enjoying it. As you say, it’s built like a tank and despite being around for a while it’s still a great sounding amp that can hold its own against the newer competition.

I have to admit, I thought a lot about getting a Cayin. In the end I went a different way but the Cayin tube amps are no joke. I also thought about going upscale with Woo, but the step up in price to a WA5 LE was further than I was willing to go. I also thought long and hard about getting a WA2...

I kind of followed a similar path to you. I had a Lyr3 + PSvane CV181 TII, upgraded my DAC to a Bifrost 2, upgraded my amp to a WA6 SE, upgraded my amp again to a Folkvangr, Upgraded my DAC to a Yggdrasil, bought another SS amp. IMHO the upgrade from the Lyr to the WA6SE will be clearly audible.

I have a gen 2 and it’s a really great amp. To my taste it prefers headphones with at least 80 ohms impedance, but it’s going to have some magic with the Brimar

What do you feel is lacking with the Utopia? From what I’ve read it’s a bit on the bright side and is very dynamic, which I would guess works well with the MJ3, but I’ve never actually heard the Utopia so I’m guessing. I like a little smoothing of the treble as long as it doesn’t take away the...

For those interested, I wrote up a comparison of the Mjolnir 3 to the Folkvangr. I also compare how the VC sounds on each amp. Long story short, I think the VC is a great match with either. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-folkvangr-impressions-thread.963929/post-18154939

WA6 Vs WA6SE- In my opinion, It depends on what direction interests you. If you’ve got really efficient headphones, the extra power of the WA6-SE may not matter. Sound wise they’re pretty similar if you have easy to drive headphones and the same tubes in both amps. You can plug in a wider array...

Or bite the bullet (because you know you will eventually) and spring for a Yggy.

I don’t see the 80 ohm impedance of the utopia as an issue for the MJ3. It’s a pretty efficient headphone and that’s not going to tax the MJ3 in any way. That doesn’t mean everyone should like the MJ3 / Utopia combination, but I think I might. Then again, I might like the Atrium or Caldera...