[hodgjy]

There was some undesirable grain in the aluminum pressings.  
 
Quote:

are you refering to the additional venting holes?
i sure would love to see some current pics... 

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

I'm very happy with the solution the chassis guys came up with.

 
Hey Jason!
 
Did you find out what their "secret sauce" was for dealing with the pre-grained material?
 
se
 

 

[hodgjy]

I'm no expert, but metal grain happens a lot when pre-fab blocks are pressed into sheet metal and the temperature and pressure are not evenly applied.
 
Quote:

 
Did you find out what their "secret sauce" was for dealing with the pre-grained material?
 
 

 

[Thaddy]

I noticed my Asgard had some pretty bad grain at the bend points.  I didn't notice it in the pictures Jude posted but was still surprised.  However, for a $250 amp, sacrifices will be made.

 

[Steve Eddy]

Quote:

I'm no expert, but metal grain happens a lot when pre-fab blocks are pressed into sheet metal and the temperature and pressure are not evenly applied.
 

I wasn't talking about the metal's natural grain, but rather applied graining (a/k/a "brushed aluminum").
 
se
 

 

[dpump]

My B-Stock Asgard also has grain at the front top and bottom bends. Sort of looks like a mild case of alligator skin. Don't know if this was the reason for it being B-Stock but it doesn't bother me. Can't see it in the dark!
 
The only thing I don't like about the Asgard is the bright power on led. It's not as bright as a lot of the Chinese amps but it's still too bright for me. I normally replace the blinding blue leds on amps like the Matrix and Cute Beyond with a low intensity red led from Radio Shack. Don't know why designers feel the need to use those eye piercing leds.

 

[hodgjy]

Gotcha.  That could be rather cool.
 
Quote:

I wasn't talking about the metal's natural grain, but rather applied graining (a/k/a "brushed aluminum").
 
se
 

 

[Jason Stoddard]

 
Quote:

are you refering to the additional venting holes?
i sure would love to see some current pics... 

 
Actually, the problem was that the grain was too inconsistent and wavy, caused by a production process with way too much hand-work involved. The new process has all the machining done on the flat sheet (before bending) and we're using pre-grained metal that is protected by plastic. Then it's bent in a new, teflon-coated die. No more handwork before anodizing.
 
No photos of the new chassis yet, but here's one of the (bad) chassis--defects really can't be seen at this resolution, but they're definitely there. Yeah, messy bench too . . .
 

 

 

[debitsohn]

Stop making such beautiful schiit

 

[Steve Eddy]

 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Stoddard /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 
Then it's bent in a new, teflon-coated die.
 

So it was Teflon, eh? Figured it had to be that or Delrin.
 
Quote:

Yeah, messy bench too . . .

 
If you think that's a messy bench, then you've obviously never seen a messy bench.

 
se
 
 

 

[wgb113]

The teaser pics of the Valhalla are brutal...two weeks until shipping!!
 
Jason & Co nailed the Wired review.  The more "mainstream" folk that we can get into this hobby the better off we'll all be.
 
I had a guy here at work as me about some headphones to get since he was tired of the stock iPod buds.  I gave him a few recommendations in his price bracket, he chose to go with AT-AD700s.  He likes what he's no hearing out of them and he's heard me discussing amps/DACs with another co-worker and now he's kicking around the idea of getting an amp too.
 
Bill

 

[Clayton SF]

Quote:

The teaser pics of the Valhalla are brutal...two weeks until shipping!!
 
Jason & Co nailed the Wired review.  The more "mainstream" folk that we can get into this hobby the better off we'll all be.
 
I had a guy here at work as me about some headphones to get since he was tired of the stock iPod buds.  I gave him a few recommendations in his price bracket, he chose to go with AT-AD700s.  He likes what he's no hearing out of them and he's heard me discussing amps/DACs with another co-worker and now he's kicking around the idea of getting an amp too.
 
Bill

Yes! Spread the WORD! They shall be converted!

 

 

[doctorandrew]

Have the B-Stock Asgards started shipping already?

 

[sampson_smith]

Unsubscribe! Let's get this back on track, people...

 
...
 
Any further impressions on how the Asgard actually performs with specific mention to particular cans and DAC's? I assume that there are many out there that have put this amp through its paces and now have a pretty good idea about its strengths and weaknesses after a healthy 'break-in' period.
 
I am hoping that it will be a good match for my pair of HD600's and V-DAC. Times are tough and I may have to sell my GLite + DPS, but only after I am sure that the Asgard will drive these cans in this setup well. I do understand that it "likes Sennheisers", but I am particularly curious about how it compares to the GLite in terms of detail and bass depth. The V-DAC provides some warmer 'tubey' flavor, but if the Asgard is more shrill than the GLite, I may be in trouble. That said, I do not seek roll-off in the higher frequencies. Further bass 'heft' would also be most appreciated. 

 

[Clayton SF]

^ Sorry. Just a little levity here. We're just smitten. No harm done.