Schiit Happened: The Story of the World's Most Improbable Start-Up

Feb 23, 2022 at 1:17 PM Post #88,666 of 194,496
+1

I hate Fed Ex too...! :angry:

Also, I don't even spin LPs any longer, but the Mani 2 sounds cool enough to make me want to order one. Jason's psychology is definitely working. I wonder if he codes video game updates in his spare time...? Another addiction like Schiit. :confused:

You and I must be serviced by the same FedEx hub…

I don't have any issues with regular FedEx, they are awesome. It's only the Home Delivery side that ALWAYS holds my stuff 3 extra days and tries to say that I wasn't at home etc... even though I've seen them drive right by and not even try stopping. Now I always make sure it doesn't go through them, even if I have to pay extra.
 
Feb 23, 2022 at 1:29 PM Post #88,667 of 194,496
Then you could buy an Asgard and a Modi 3E, for 20$ below your proposed 399$.

Granted, it's two boxes of differing dimensions, which would admittedly offend even my own sensibilities quite a bit.
But what you want is in essence a completely new product: It would require a larger footprint, something closer to Freya, to make the room needed for the additional ports in the back, and because it would require quite a lot more additional internals than just an added DAC chip (i.e. everything that sits between the different inputs that you want to see and the DAC chip itself, as the incoming signals need to be prepped for the DAC chip depending on the signal type you feed into the thing - which is likely the reason why the extension card Schiit sells only offers USB and nothing else), and once you're done, that new product would end up covering a comparably small niche of the headphone amp market.
A product like that would make slightly more sense if you made it fully balanced, but even single-ended I doubt that it could be done anywhere near your 400$ mark. Considering the larger metal and much longer bill of parts, it would probably end up somewhere between 600 to 750, especially when fully balanced. But even single-ended I doubt it could be done for under 500$.

I completely get your point, you're not wrong that a product like that doesn't really exist. At least not in Schiit's lineup. But at least to me, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense from a business perspective. Especially when you can already get what is essentially the same thing for relatively little money by just buying an Asgard and a Modi 3E.
Hel is great. Cheap and drives most HP’s
But lack some power,cheap vol pot.
Anyway. Will probably buy some stuff from schiit soon. But I am most fan of all in one.
On my list:
Hel 2E
Asgard with ESS card
Valhalla2 with modi
 
Feb 23, 2022 at 2:18 PM Post #88,669 of 194,496
I'd be way more on board with the black housings if the knobs/buttons were the same colors. Fulla, Hel, Magni, and Magnius all have nice matching knobs/buttons. The satin silver knob on the front of an Asgard or Ragnarok etc stick out like a sore thumb.

Purely personal preference, of course.

I like the silver on black, reminds me of Mark Levinson and Counterpoint equipment I always wanted but could never afford.
 
Feb 23, 2022 at 2:50 PM Post #88,670 of 194,496
I shed a Tyr when i realized we weren't getting new power amps this morning. I'm all for vinyl i just wish they Sol-d a turntable of their own. Either way, i've also h-Urd that they are coming out with a CD transport.
Keep that up and we're going to deport you to Texas. 😎
 
Feb 23, 2022 at 3:16 PM Post #88,671 of 194,496
Timing is everything :wink:
Discovering all my "new" vinyl has me thinking that I should try the Mani. The Pioneer Spec 3 pre amp has a configurable phono amp built in.
1645646808546.jpeg


Sounds OK but... it is old and most likely could stand some attention (excuse for GAS). The effort and expense to have "my guy" do so is not happening any time soon. Thus, maybe I should try Mani and find out for myself if the Pioneer is "ass".

I almost ordered the Mani a couple days ago. Simply did not get around to it. Now this announcement. Glad I held off. GAS is very strong with this one.
 
Feb 23, 2022 at 4:11 PM Post #88,674 of 194,496
Then you could buy an Asgard and a Modi 3E, for 20$ below your proposed 399$.

Granted, it's two boxes of differing dimensions, which would admittedly offend even my own sensibilities quite a bit.
But what you want is in essence a completely new product: It would require a larger footprint, something closer to Freya, to make the room needed for the additional ports in the back, and because it would require quite a lot more additional internals than just an added DAC chip (i.e. everything that sits between the different inputs that you want to see and the DAC chip itself, as the incoming signals need to be prepped for the DAC chip depending on the signal type you feed into the thing - which is likely the reason why the extension card Schiit sells only offers USB and nothing else), and once you're done, that new product would end up covering a comparably small niche of the headphone amp market.
A product like that would make slightly more sense if you made it fully balanced, but even single-ended I doubt that it could be done anywhere near your 400$ mark. Considering the larger metal and much longer bill of parts, it would probably end up somewhere between 600 to 750, especially when fully balanced. But even single-ended I doubt it could be done for under 500$.

I completely get your point, you're not wrong that a product like that doesn't really exist. At least not in Schiit's lineup. But at least to me, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense from a business perspective. Especially when you can already get what is essentially the same thing for relatively little money by just buying an Asgard and a Modi 3E.

This is why I paired my Asgard 3 with the Modius... waiting patiently for a Mimbius either single ended or balanced.
 
Feb 23, 2022 at 4:15 PM Post #88,675 of 194,496
Transducers are often the weakest link in an audio playback chain. I recommend that if you have only ~1000 USD to spend on upgrades and want another DAC, best to purchase a Modi Multibit instead of a Yggy GS, and put the remaining $750 towards a used (discounted) set of top tier headphones (e.g. HD800, DCA Ether series, Audeze, Beyer T1/T5, ZMF). If you plan to upgrade the amp as well, then it might make sense to jump on the Yggy GS--- while it does not have Unison USB, the GS should be equipped with Gen 5 which also has electromagnetic isolation, IIRC.

(added)
my planar headphones cost more than any other single component (Bifrost OG Multibit, Asgard 3, Lokius). no regrets.
I'm going to jump in here (from the peanut gallery). My D-to-A kit is as good as it's going to get. If I want to get a significantly more enjoyable experience, then it's time to pick up another pair of headphones (whenever I see the term transducers... I think about headphones). Am I happy with my $2K hand-made cans (Ether C)...? Hell yes. Do I want to pick up another pair of some hoity toity 'phones? Yes! I rotate through my collection of headphones.
 
Feb 23, 2022 at 4:18 PM Post #88,676 of 194,496
best to audition them before buying to see if the planar sound is OK to your ears (or buy from a retailer with a longer trial period and return policy). Magni 3 has sufficient power to drive most planars that have 90dB/mW or higher efficiency. HFM stuff with low 80dB/mW efficiency needs a more robust amp.

In the past, some HFM cans used plastic components for cost savings in the headband / yoke assembly, and were susceptible to cracking / failure. Not sure about current models.
Cracked cans. My head oozes some kind of xenomorph goo that destroys inferior plastic components. Senheisser plastic - good. PSB Audio - disappointingly bad. Leather & weirdo-alloy (Dan Clark Audio) wire - fantastic. :o2smile:
 
Feb 23, 2022 at 4:24 PM Post #88,677 of 194,496
Grado's sound good plugged into an Asgard 3.
Grado's have a quirky look (they're the ones that sit on top of the ears, no?)... and they're assembled in NY? I might consider a pair later. :)
 
Feb 23, 2022 at 4:41 PM Post #88,678 of 194,496
Feb 23, 2022 at 5:20 PM Post #88,680 of 194,496
@Jason Stoddard now you're just f-ing with us, as if power switches on the back wasn't enough:
mani_2_blk_bottom_1920.jpg :stuck_out_tongue::stuck_out_tongue::stuck_out_tongue:
I like the silver on black, reminds me of Mark Levinson and Counterpoint equipment I always wanted but could never afford.
+1
 

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