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...

Great advice. Thanks!

You are correct- I have the OG Clear. The slightly metallic sound on SS amps was annoying until the MJ3. I’ve been thinking about getting a high end planar for the MJ3, so it’s nice to see you like the HEKSE and LCD-5 with it. I haven’t really figured out what I’m going to get, but those are...

Nice looking system. Looks like it’s grown in the last year

I was looking at the gold lion for the next replacement. Given how often I’m listening to the FV, I figure I’ll end up replacing them about every 2-3 years so I’m hoping I can find something I really like in the less than $50 range

The aluminum all came from a company called 80/20. Google it and you’ll get an idea of what’s involved.