[disastermouse]

What kind of upgrade would I hear with an Asgard 2? 
 
I'm currently running iMac/Tidal ->HRT MusicStreamer ii+ -> original Schiit Magni -> HiFiMan HE-500 or Sennheiser HD650 (purchased used in 2010). I'm trying to decide between a Magni 2 Uber, a Vali 2, or an Asgard 2.

 

[Kozic]

  What kind of upgrade would I hear with an Asgard 2? 
 
I'm currently running iMac/Tidal ->HRT MusicStreamer ii+ -> original Schiit Magni -> HiFiMan HE-500 or Sennheiser HD650 (purchased used in 2010). I'm trying to decide between a Magni 2 Uber, a Vali 2, or an Asgard 2.

The HD-650 would work well with any of them but with the HE-500 the Asgard 2 would be the best. With thats said I would save up a bit more and go with the Gustard H10 or even the Lyr 2 they both are just fantastic with planars so if you are thinking about keeping them or getting new planars HE-560 LDC 2 ext.... and you may never "need" to upgrade your amp again.  

 

[disastermouse]

  The HD-650 would work well with any of them but with the HE-500 the Asgard 2 would be the best. With thats said I would save up a bit more and go with the Gustard H10 or even the Lyr 2 they both are just fantastic with planars so if you are thinking about keeping them or getting new planars HE-560 LDC 2 ext.... and you may never "need" to upgrade your amp again.  

I ended up going with a Project Polaris. This thing is unreal with my HE-500!

 

[Capt369]

Sub'd

 

[earnmyturns]

Loving the asgard 2

Now you just need a Bifrost Multibit to stack the Asgard 2 on  

 

[MarcelE]

  Now you just need a Bifrost Multibit to stack the Asgard 2 on  

Now that is something I'm still considering (having an Asgard 2 and Modi 2 Uber too).
If only for stacking/matching them.
Do you think there could be something settled/exchanged with Schiit? Do they do that?

 

[Defiant00]

  Now that is something I'm still considering (having an Asgard 2 and Modi 2 Uber too).
If only for stacking/matching them.
Do you think there could be something settled/exchanged with Schiit? Do they do that?

 
If you're within your trial period then I believe they waive the restock fee if you upgrade.
 
Outside of that your best bet is probably to just sell the Modi here.

 

[Capt369]

Does anyone drive the alpha primes with the asgard 2? If so, is it enough power? My understanding is that the AP's need at least 1.5 watts to get the most out of the base.

 

[sheldaze]

 
Does anyone drive the alpha primes with the asgard 2? If so, is it enough power? My understanding is that the AP's need at least 1.5 watts to get the most out of the base.

HE1K require about twice the voltage and four times the current relative to the Alpha Prime.
Asgard 2 drives HE1K, so it'll be just fine with the AP.

 

[Kozic]

Does anyone drive the alpha primes with the asgard 2? If so, is it enough power? My understanding is that the AP's need at least 1.5 watts to get the most out of the base.

I had the mad dog pro and the Asgard 2 worked OK with them but once I got the Gustard H10 with 2.5 watts I never used a planar headphone (LCD-2F,ZMF Blackwoods or the MDP) with the Asgard again. The H10 just is fantastic with planars, now with dynamic headphones T90 DT-880 AKG545 TH-X00 I could not find much of a difference if any between them.
Just my 2 cents

 

[Capt369]

Thanks guys. I really wanted the AP's but not to the extent of buying a stronger amp for reaching it's full potential. I guess I'll cross it off my list.

 

[bixby]

I had the mad dog pro and the Asgard 2 worked OK with them but once I got the Gustard H10 with 2.5 watts I never used a planar headphone (LCD-2F,ZMF Blackwoods or the MDP) with the Asgard again. The H10 just is fantastic with planars, now with dynamic headphones T90 DT-880 AKG545 TH-X00 I could not find much of a difference if any between them.
Just my 2 cents

Are you saying you PREFER the sound of the planars through your Gustard over the Asgard 2?  Or are you ADVISING the person that the Asgard 2 does not have adequate power to drive the Alpha Primes?
 
 

  Thanks guys. I really wanted the AP's but not to the extent of buying a stronger amp for reaching it's full potential. I guess I'll cross it off my list.

From Inner Fidelity measurements of the Alpha Prime.  50 ohms at almost all frequencies, power required for 90 db,  ahem............Power Needed for 90d BSPL 0.61 mW.
 
So do the math, every 3 db is a doubling of power ergo 93 db=1.22 milliwatts, 96 db=2.44, 99db=4.88, 102db=4.88, and on.
 
Am I missing something?  My Asgard 2 drove my Mad Dogs just fine.  And the Asgard 2 is rated at 1,000 milliwatts at 50 ohms.
 
Carry on!

 

[Capt369]

  Are you saying you PREFER the sound of the planars through your Gustard over the Asgard 2?  Or are you ADVISING the person that the Asgard 2 does not have adequate power to drive the Alpha Primes?
 
 
From Inner Fidelity measurements of the Alpha Prime.  50 ohms at almost all frequencies, power required for 90 db,  ahem............Power Needed for 90d BSPL 0.61 mW.
 
So do the math, every 3 db is a doubling of power ergo 93 db=1.22 milliwatts, 96 db=2.44, 99db=4.88, 102db=4.88, and on.
 
Am I missing something?  My Asgard 2 drove my Mad Dogs just fine.  And the Asgard 2 is rated at 1,000 milliwatts at 50 ohms.
 
Carry on!

Thanks for your input, Bixby. My interest in the AP`s is once again active.

 

[Koolpep]

Are you saying you [COLOR=FF0000]PREFER[/COLOR] the sound of the planars through your Gustard over the Asgard 2?  Or are you [COLOR=FF0000]ADVISING[/COLOR] the person that the Asgard 2 does not have adequate power to drive the Alpha Primes?


From Inner Fidelity measurements of the Alpha Prime.  50 ohms at almost all frequencies, power required for 90 db,  ahem............Power Needed for 90d BSPL 0.61 mW.

So do the math, every 3 db is a doubling of power ergo 93 db=1.22 milliwatts, 96 db=2.44, 99db=4.88, 102db=4.88, and on.

Am I missing something?  My Asgard 2 drove my Mad Dogs just fine.  And the Asgard 2 is rated at 1,000 milliwatts at 50 ohms.

Carry on!

I understand what the op meant with the H10. It's not ncessary the power and volume delivery. It's just a different level of engagement with that amp and these headphones.

Once I had my H10 and listened to my LCD-2 and HE560 on it, I couldn't go back to my Asgard. Though it was the original version of the Asgard.

Th asgard is an amazing amp for my dynamic headphones and I enjoyed it a lot, but there is just some special synergy with the H10 and planars.

Cheers.

 

[MarcelE]

Not sure what the difference between the Asgard 1 and Asgard 2 is, but I thoroughly enjoy the Asgard 2 with my planars.
With the HE-400 and on low gain the soundscape is somewhat wider, more space, on high gain the midst come more forward and it's a more in your face sound.
I'm sure other amps/dacs give their own signature to the sound, but for me this works and is end-game for me.
(though I'm not ruling out getting another dac like the Bifrost, if only it would fit below the Asgard 2).