[hodgjy]

You make good points.  However, my ears let me make my decisions.  From many accounts, the Magni is on the bright side while the Asgard (and Asgard 2 most likely) is on the smoother, laid back side.  I don't particularly like bright sound.
 
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With all due caveats about comparing specifications, it seems that even after the Asgard upgrade, Magni remains a compelling offering in the Schiit lineup, particularly based on its distortion performance.
 
The publicly available specifications on the Asgard were more limited than the current amp lineup, as I recall, but looks like Asgard 2 delivers an order of magnitude improvement in THD to 0.008%. But that's still higher than Magni's THD of 0.005%, and Asgard 2 has higher IMD of 0.010%, compared with Magni's 0.007%. Magni's distortion specs are even superior to Mjolnir! 
 
Where Magni comes up short is on SNR and crosstalk. Asgard 2 bests Magni's 100 dB with 102 dB, and Mjolnir delivers 104 dB. Similarly, Magni's crosstalk is -70 dB, Asgard 2 -72 dB, and Mjolnir -75 dB. 
 
Stepping aside of evaluating the practical performance differences of a few thousandths of a percentage of distortion or 2 dB of SNR or crosstalk, it stands to reason that Magni holds its own quite well on the basic specs.

 

[Glam Bash]

Preamp outputs! I just ordered one. Will it be safe to pull out the headphone jack and switch to the preamp output while the amp is powered on? 

 

[hodgjy]

I imagine as long as you turn the volume all the way down before making the switch, you won't damage anything.
 
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Preamp outputs! I just ordered one. Will it be safe to pull out the headphone jack and switch to the preamp output while the amp is powered on? 

 

[bearFNF]

My order status went from backordered till Feb 6th to 'Asgard 2 Ships 2/15'

 

[Tuco1965]

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My order status went from backordered till Feb 6th to 'Asgard 2 Ships 2/15'

Sometimes backorders have benefits. 

 

[bearFNF]

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Sometimes backorders have benefits. 

Except that I ordered it through paypal and the authorization for the payment expires the 13th...oh well we will deal with it when we need to.
If it was easy every one would be doing it...
 
Jason emailed that he would start shipping on the 12th, so I might be okay???

 

[snip3r77]

Would like some Asgard2 vs Lyr impressions before making the plunge

 

[Currawong]

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Does that mean Asgard 2 loves the big ohms headphones more than ever before?

 
Oops, missed this one.
 
I'll skip to huge technical explanation, but--no, wait, let's do it.
 
Bottom line: there are really three basic ways to reduce distortion:
 
1. Feedback--or, say, error correction, which is technically not feedback, it has an entirely different s-domain description, but let's lump them together for brevity.
2. More complex topologies which allow the active devices to have a more linear area of operation.
3. Running the active devices in a small part of their linear area of operation.
 
Asgard 2 uses #2 and #3--cascode topology, and much higher voltage rails (80V, as opposed to Asgard 1's 32V rails) to reduce distortion. It also uses a small amount of feedback in the low gain mode. So, distortion and output impedance are even lower in the low-gain mode (0.005%-ish and 0.6 ohms--ish).
 
Now, this all has nothing to do with driving high-impedance headphones, which typically want lots of voltage.
 
But, to get to the point with a relevant answer: Yes, Asgard 2 has significantly higher voltage output capability into high impedances. Asgard topped out at about 20V p-p. Asgard 2 tops out at about 30V p-p, much like a Valhalla. The only reason it doesn't have higher output power into low impedances is that its maximum output is set by the amount of current flowing in the Class-A output stage, which is fixed by a current source.

 
Great post. I've been looking for a summary such as this for a while now. 

 

[hodgjy]

Whohoo!  Mine ships on 2/15.  Can't wait!

 

[Tuco1965]

I'm looking forward to some reviews on this.  Better yet would be someone with some HD 600s.  

 

[hodgjy]

I will have this combo and will be happy to put it through the paces.  I'll compare the HD600s driven by the Asgard 1 and 2 for you!
 
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I'm looking forward to some reviews on this.  Better yet would be someone with some HD 600s.  

 

[Tuco1965]

That would be great.  My next purchase will be an amp (not sure exactly when) and the Schiit line has me very interested.

 

[MattTCG]

Wow...this is what I've been hoping for since the mojo came out. I loved the technology there but I didn't want to go balanced, nor could I afford the price of admission. Now I just have to sell off some stuff to be able to buy the Asgard 2, come on people I've got some great gear for sale!! 

 

[apollinaris]

Jason, how does A2 compare to A1 in terms of heat generation? Did you manage to contain the same level of heat despite increase of voltage, or does it get even hotter? Thanks.

 

[zac_in_ak]

I was so excited about the Magni and Modi but now you have upped the stakes! Here is my question I listen to my music out of my Mac mini or Linux box would it be better to by the M/M combo or buy the Asgard 2 with an eye towards buying a bifrost or the Modi later?