Neck Deep in Schiit: Gungir Balanced DAC and Mjolnir Balanced Amp Announced!

[Anaxilus]

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That's pretty brilliant.  So if you're an r-tard and/or illiterate, you won't blow up your amp.  Then again, if you're either/both of those things, you probably shouldn't be playing with amps to begin with.

 
Probably best for those folks to use something more objective.  Jason, could you develop an anti-stub toe circuit?  I'm getting tired of it.

 

[livewire]

It's already been done. They are called "shoes".
Use them and rejoice!

 

[Anaxilus]

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It's already been done. They are called "shoes".
Use them and rejoice!

 
Yeah, but how am I supposed to build a KGSSHV w/o using my toes?

 

[Jason Stoddard]

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Yeah, but how am I supposed to build a KGSSHV w/o using my toes?

 
My heart skipped a beat just thinking about 600V or so going from finger to toe.
 
That said, yes, we are investigating adding "full scale protection" to all future amps, including intelligence sensor, talking user manual, video tutorials for setup and usage, airbags, crash helmet, call-home alert via wi-fi if the owner tries to do something not recommended in the owner's manual, hermetically sealed environmental bubble, protective non-removable titanium plates covering all inputs and outputs, including the power cord socket--it will definitely make it impossible to hurt yourself or your headphones. . . the only problem is, well, you know, actually making the amp usable.

 

[Maxvla]

Minor details.

 

[O8h7w]

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..., hermetically sealed environmental bubble, ...

 
 
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Minor details.

 
I don't know about that, Maxvla. Running in a controlled environment would probably be quite good for amps, especially for the tubes... I'm pretty sure that with a sensitive tube amp environment can make an audible difference, however, the safer bet would be that no one is even able to test it...
 
Huh, this is starting to sound like a bar conversation. Cheers!

 

[.Sup]

Jason will you also offer an amp with two inputs? I like to switch between DACs depending on which flavour I like at the time and not many amps offer that.

 

[Solude]

Technically its has single ended and balanced input so you can use two sources.  Or you could use a passive switch box, GoldPoint has some.

 

[.Sup]

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Technically its has single ended and balanced input so you can use two sources.  Or you could use a passive switch box, GoldPoint has some.

I didn't know it has single ended inputs thanks for that. I am aware of the goldpoint products but they cost as half of this amp.
 
I don't understand this part from their website: 
 

No-Excuses, End-Game Balanced Amp
You won’t find any balanced-to-single-ended conversion or vice-versa in Mjolnir. It’s balanced in and balanced out, with a 4-gang RK27 Alps volume pot--providing end-game performance for a mid-level price.

 

[Solude]

Its means that circlotron is balanced by nature of the output stage.  Feed it single ended or balanced and balanced is what you get... without using a phase splitter which is how normal audiophile companies do it so they can get away with 2 channel pots.

 

[O8h7w]

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Jason will you also offer an amp with two inputs? I like to switch between DACs depending on which flavour I like at the time and not many amps offer that.

 
 
Earlier in this thread, Jason stated this:
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... We also originally planned to have the top amp be a conventional volume-pot and input-switch design, now it's relay-switched stepped attenuation and relay-switched inputs. Fair warning: if you don't like clicking, steer well clear of the statement amp. It'll have 24 relays inside. ...

 
Which clearly implies the statement amp will have multiple inputs.
 
It's also been stated that there is electrically only one input on the Mjolnir. Jasons post on that:
 
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To clarify further: 
 
1. There are two inputs on the back of the amp--RCA, and one XLR. 
2. Both of them are tied together.
3. There's a switch to short the inverting inputs to ground so you can use the RCA inputs. It does not select between inputs, it only shorts to ground.
4. While it's possible to have two inputs connected, it's not a good idea. If the source equipment is on, you'll be trying to drive the output of one source to another. If the alternate source is off, you have no idea what the state of the output is. It might be disconnected via a relay, or you could have a relatively low-impedance path to ground. Hence, "choose one."
 
As to why we chose to do it this way--simplicity. This is an amp, not a source selector. The balanced/se switch is on the back of the amp.
 
If we went on adding a ton of features, like switchable gain, or a real input selector, or single-ended outputs, we'd end up with a more complex, sonically compromised, more expensive product. That isn't what Mjolnir is about. It's about maximum balanced performance at minimum price. Period.

 
Sorry if this is too much explanation going on here (and not even by me), I just want to make sure no fine fine equipment gets hurt when it can be avoided 

 

[.Sup]

Thanks for this O8. Admittedly I haven't read the whole thread so posts like this are extremely helpful!

 

[sridhar3]

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I am aware of the goldpoint products but they cost as half of this amp.

 
Mapletree Audio makes some good quality switchboxes that won't break the bank.
 
Prices for the LR1 (RCA switchbox) and LR1 Pro (XLR switchbox) at the following link (Link: http://hollowstate.netfirms.com/prices.htm).  They can be configured with how many ever inputs/outputs you want.  

 

[Solude]

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Which clearly implies the statement amp will have multiple inputs. It's also been stated that there is electrically only one input on the Mjolnir. Jasons post on that:

 
For anyone unclear... the Mjolnir IS NOT the statement amp.  How this thread went there I'm not sure.  But lets not confuse the two.

 

[O8h7w]

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For anyone unclear... the Mjolnir IS NOT the statement amp.  How this thread went there I'm not sure.  But lets not confuse the two.

 
I don't think the thread ever was there. The question at hand was about multiple inputs, which is one of the key differences between the two. Sorry if I contributed to confusion rather than clearing it up. I'll go put another line break in there, to be on the safe side.