Schiit Asgard: Unboxing and First Impressions

[fishski13]

 
Quote:

Expectations are an odd thing. Perhaps the Sugden was extremely overpriced?
 
And don't discount MOSFETs based on one single piece of equipment....... many DIY designs including but not limited to M3, B22 and DynaFET use them with excellent results.

 
x2.  also, Nelson Pass - enough said.  it's all in the circuit design.  Ti's B22 is a wonderful amp by any stretch.  i can't say i miss toobs.
 

 

[Roscoeiii]

cheesebert, 
 
good to that you will be able to hear yourself and post back your actual impressions. Look forward to reading them.

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

Neither class A nor MOSFET is the problem here.  It's the implementation of single ended operation using zero feedback and sub-premium parts (compared to the best). It's already tough to make single-ended amp with no feedback behave well into different types of loads. When you add the price constraint . . . I hope this amp is one of those accidental high-performers.

 

I will hear one soon enough and judge for myself.

Perhaps we have an occidental high-performer here.  I frankly don't get it.  These guys from Schiit have a pretty good pedigree, and you're saying they haven't a clue about what they're doing, and that they are being deceptive?  Where do you get off adopting that attitude?  Skepticism, ok, but derision?  Really?  Wow!  

 
After you actually listen to it, and you still think is sounds like crap, fine, you're entitled to your opinion.  You can't have any opinion without any experience.

 

[chesebert]

wooo slow down there partner...I never said it will sound like crap; nor did I say the amp is not well-designed/made for $250.  I don't know where you got that from.   
 
I am only pointing out that this topology is sufficiently idiosyncratic, and that all those uber-positive (borderline marketing fluff) comments need to be tamed down and pared back.

This topology certainly has its merits, but to successfully implement it in a $250 amp requires considerable compromises. Let's try to not get carried away with our honey-moon impressions.
 
Plus, if I didn't think I would like it, I wouldn't have bought it (it's burning in)
 
Quote:

Perhaps we have an occidental high-performer here.  I frankly don't get it.  These guys from Schiit have a pretty good pedigree, and you're saying they haven't a clue about what they're doing, and that they are being deceptive?  Where do you get off adopting that attitude?  Skepticism, ok, but derision?  Really?  Wow!  

 
After you actually listen to it, and you still think is sounds like crap, fine, you're entitled to your opinion.  You can't have any opinion without any experience.

 

[Steve Eddy]

 
Quote:

This topology certainly has its merits, but to successfully implement it in a $250 amp requires considerable compromises.

 

I don't see why that would be the case.
 
se
 
 
 

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

wooo slow down there partner...I never said it will sound like crap; nor did I say the amp is not well-designed/made for $250.  I don't know where you got that from.   
 
I am only pointing out that this topology is sufficiently idiosyncratic, and that all those uber-positive (borderline marketing fluff) comments need to be tamed down and pared back.

This topology certainly has its merits, but to successfully implement it in a $250 amp requires considerable compromises. Let's try to not get carried away with our honey-moon impressions.
 
Plus, if I didn't think I would like it, I wouldn't have bought it (it's burning in)

 
Quote:

Sugden integrated - class A single ended zero feedback MOSFET output.  Asgard should be a much inferior version of the Sugden amp, as suggested by the price.  I know it's apples and oranges (integrated v. headamp), but I have my expectations.

I'm sorry if I misinterpreted what you were saying.  It seemed to me that you were saying the Asgard should sound much inferior to the Sudgen.  Sorry if I misinterpreted you.

 

[kite7]

A quick note here,
 
I got my HDP and Asgard today, right off the bat I noticed the HDP's headphone amplifier is better in terms of bass depth and pure amount but no by means is the HDP's bass bloated in anyway either.The song I used to do the test was Infected Mushroom - Vicious Delicious. This is through a Grado RS1 and I matched both amplifier's volume by trusting my ears. If I made the Asgard slightly louder, HDP still is more prominent in the bass department. I will give them both more time and hopefully the Asgard can improve in that area.
 
The right side of the Asgard is indeed hot and I can barely keep my hand on it (borderline so it is hot). Heat wise from greatest to least would be bottom side near right (scorching hot),right side ,top side, front side, left side then back side. Overall the right side is where you do not want to keep your hand on for long.Do not attempt to lift or move the amp around without letting it cool off a bit in its off state, it is that hot. I'm impressed at the build quality, it really looks great and feels extremely solid. The manual says do not use this as a coffee warmer

 
Nuforce HDP is a DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-amp with RCA input/output, 3.5mm and digital optical input - $449
 
Schiit Asgard is well, just an amp  - $249
 
Keep that in mind

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

A quick note here,
 
I got my HDP and Asgard today, right off the bat I noticed the HDP's headphone amplifier is better in terms of bass depth and pure amount but no by means is the HDP's bass bloated in anyway either.The song I used to do the test was Infected Mushroom - Vicious Delicious. This is through a Grado RS1 and I matched both amplifier's volume by trusting my ears. If I made the Asgard slightly louder, HDP still is more prominent in the bass department. I will give them both more time and hopefully the Asgard can improve in that area.
 
The right side of the Asgard is indeed hot but I can still keep my hand on it (borderline so it is hot). Heat wise from greatest to least would be right side,bottom side ,top side, front side, left side then back side. I'm impressed at the build quality, it really looks great and feels extremely solid. The manual says do not use this as a coffee warmer

 
Nuforce HDP is a DAC/Headphone Amp/Pre-amp with RCA input/output, 3.5mm and digital optical input - $449
 
Schiit Asgard is well, just an amp  - $249
 
Keep that in mind

Listen again after the Asgard has 40 hours on the clock.  And when you compare the two amps again, make sure you are using the same DAC for each, and you must make sure your interconnects are up to snuff.
 

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

Listen again after the Asgard has 40 hours on the clock.

But BEFORE it gets its paycheck and spends the night boozing it up at the clubs. I'm told little sounds worse than an Asgard with a nasty hangover.

 
se
 

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

But BEFORE it gets its paycheck and spends the night boozing it up at the clubs. I'm told little sounds worse than an Asgard with a nasty hangover.

 
se

LOL!  

 

[sokolov91]

Quote:

Listen again after the Asgard has 40 hours on the clock.  And when you compare the two amps again, make sure you are using the same DAC for each, and you must make sure your interconnects are up to snuff.
 

interconnects up to snuff for a 250$ amp? I loled.  

 

[kwkarth]

Quote:

interconnects up to snuff for a 250$ amp? I loled.  

Cost has nothing to do with this, it's quality that counts. 

 

[sokolov91]

Quote:

Cost has nothing to do with this, it's quality that counts. 

True enough I suppose! If I wasn't saving every penny to get myself a pair of LCD-2, I would most likely have bought one myself haha.

 

[Nebby]

I lol'd as well, given that the cable included with the amp is a monoprice cable.
Quote:

interconnects up to snuff for a 250$ amp? I loled.  

 

[chesebert]

Here is what i have so far:
 
1) it's not DOA
2) 4.5mv DC offset on either channel
3) does not run as hot as Dynahi (which is good)
4) yes the buzz is there