So I currently have modius already with valhalla2 and was curious about magnius. I understand that Magnius performance on SE is not that great. But what about in "half" balanced if that's the right language.
If I connect Modius --> Magnius using XLR --> SE headphones
Just because "Fully balanced" has separate ground and negative throughout the entire analogue circuit doesn't mean there's such a thing as "half-balanced." There's just balanced connection for the line output, but then there's no "balanced/differential drive" going on there. For example: Violectrics can take a balanced line input, but they only have single ended amplifiers. This is for noise rejection when you're using the source and amp far from each other or when you have a lot of other equipment and cables near them both, ie it's all noise rejection and maintaining line voltage, and nothing to do with actual balanced drive.
The only way that can help is that balanced line signals tend to have higher voltage without adding noise, and can maintain that noise level over longer cable runs, but again the amplifier performance is just working off a louder but at minimum not noisier signal. Otherwise the amplifier's balanced drive circuit is not being utilized.
Think of it like having a Mazda where you use premium fuel so the ECU doesn't knock back the power output, but you're still not using the more powerful engine and AWD models much less driving an Audi with an even bigger engine (ie more power) paired to that AWD system.
If I connect Modius --> Magnius using XLR --> SE headphones: will I get the Balanced or Non balanced performance from the Magnius?
It will be running in regular SE, and on balanced circuits that can run SE, that means lower power. Which, going back to the car example, would be like buying the AWD Skyactive X Mazda or even an Audi, then putting 87 octane (or lower cetane US diesel) in it.
Meaning should I get magnius or go for the hersey or asgard since I have no intention on changing to XLR headphones.
Well if I'm not planning on driving fast (just city driving) nor driving out in the snow then I'd have no use for the extra horses and lb/ft of torque on a Mazda Skyactive X model let alone an Audi RS6 Avant. In that particular example it's a lot more like getting a Tesla Model S Plaid then manually disabling one of the electric engines because you don't need 750hp...which begs the question, why get the Plaid? Get the regular Model S or the Model 3.
I mean why would you even consider balanced drive amps if you'll only run single ended anyway? That's not even because balanced drive is the only way to go...I'm saying you can get better performance running a dedicated SE amp than running a balanced amp in SE mode. Don't need AWD but you actually want speed without somehow hobbling the second electric motor? Just get a Mustang (not the Mach-E, the actual Mustang).
I didn't want to bother with XLR cables either and I got an active ground SE amp. I'm completely happy with it. Just get the Asgard.
Only reason I'm considering this is to use 2 amps with my modious
Modius RCA Valhalla
Modius XLR Magnius
I can understand using two amps if one is an OTL for high impedance headphones then have one for low impedance headphones, but why would the second amp be a balanced amp that you can't fully utilize for delivering power from a balanced circuit into headphones wired to maximize that circuit?
And besides you can just get a Lyr and still get more power for high impedance heapdhones than what the Valhalla can give, and have enough power for planars with low sensitivity and low impedance. You can skip the Modius for that too since it only uses RCA.