[sixergixer]

AEGIR 2 vs 2x GHorns

OK. So it’s time to give some of MY thoughts on GHorn mono-blocks vs 1x Aegir 2 amplifier.

I’ll try to be to the point. The mono-block GHorns are very good amps. Aegir 2 is a very, very good amp. I’ll focus on the commonalities and then the differences that I experienced in my room, with my gear, using my ears, and my music. (Spoiler: The Aegir 2 wins).

Things in common:

• Both drive my speakers to my typical listening levels which is typically 86dB peak.
• Both have a nice wide soundstage (sorry Ableza) with good placement of instruments.
• Both had a solid center stage, placing vocalists right in the center (recording dependent of course).
• Both exhibit the Schiit ‘House Sound’, which I perceive as being a tad bit north of neutral (aka warm) but not to the point of being colored or dark.
• Both have good timbre and tonality with acoustic instruments.
• Both give instruments their own ‘space’ resulting in an open an uncongested presentation (recording dependent of course).
• Both amps are quiet with no noise at the speaker or coming from the enclosure.
• Both have excellent bass extension and open/airy highs.

Where the Aegir 2 wins (IMHO):

• It just does all of the above better.
• The soundstage (sorry Ableza) is a bit more holographic and while equally as wide as GHorns, offered a bit more depth and height. A bit more holographic.
• Timbre and tonality is a step-up, with a more notable expression of acoustic instruments. It became easier for me to hear the contribution the whole instrument made (ex: the wood in a stand-up bass, the skin on a drum, or even the wood of the stick in a rim-shot or the felt on a timpani mallet or the felt pads on piano hammers. It became easier to identify the unique sounds the different cymbal types. I could better identify the finger sound in the finger pluck. Just more detail. The phrase “hearing deeper into the music” keeps coming to mind.
• The Aegir 2 seemed to give more space to the instruments. Sure the GHorns did too, but the Aegir 2 just did it better and in width/height/depth. It honestly felt like the instruments had their own 3D space as opposed to the 2D space (H x W) of the GHorns.
• The Aegir 2 seemed ‘quieter’. Sounds came from what seems like a blacker background (sorry Ableza). It’s hard to describe as the GHorns were quiet, but the contrast between silence and sound was not as great. (I’m struggling to describe this one, if you can’t tell.)
• The highs were a tad airier and things such as cymbals, bells, etc., hung out in air longer having a bit more decay into silence.
• Bass sounds more extended. Aegir 2 has a better grip presenting a more controlled and impactful bass. At first, I thought it was ‘more’ bass, but I’ve come to realize it is really just ‘better’ bass. The speakers (not the sub) were delivering a tight, controlled punch and bass presence I’d never heard before with any amp. (Was it Halo? Halo if I know.)

Summary:

Well, the summary is not going to be Earth shattering. The Aegir 2 is better. Does it deliver notable improvements over 2x GHorns? I think so. Is it leaps and bounds better or 33% more $$ better? Depends on how much you value what it delivers over and above the GHorns. If I had to think of a line that describes why I think Aegir sounds so good and better than the GHorns, it would be how it reproduces outstanding music in an effortless fashion. It never comes across as working hard. Everything comes with a level of effortlessness, ease, and liquidity. I’m really having a tough time identifying why the GHorns don’t deliver this level of perceived effortlessness because they do not sound bad by a longshot. Aegier 2 just says “Pffft. Hold my beer.” and then proceeds to effortlessly deliver wonderful music like I’ve not heard it previously. (Yeah, I’m struggling to communicate this, too.)

I think it is safe to say that I won’t be amp shopping for a long time.


*Disclaimers: I am not a professional reviewer as can be seen by my grammar, spelling, etc. This is all IMHO, YMMV, IME and AFAIK.


My setup:

• Schiit Frey+ N preamp
  • Connected to Yggy via Snake Oil XLR cables
  • SE outputs are via World’s Best Cables (Uni-directional Canare cable)
  • Matched pair 1960s Foton 6N6P Gold Grid tubes (cathode follower - left sockets)
  • Matched pair Raytheon 7728 (ruggedized 12AT7) tubes (gain - right sockets)
• Yggdrasil GS2 with Unison upgrade and the original Analog 1 cards
• Raspberry Pi 4B (8GB) running RoPieee as a Roon Endpoint
  • USB to Yggy using Pangea USB cable
  • Network connection via TPLInk USB wireless dongle/ antenna
• Intel Core i5 headless computer as my Roon server.
  • Windows 10 Pro
  • Running Fidelizer Pro to essentially lower and/or stop non-audio processes and dedicate resources (RAM and CPU) to Roon server and any audio services.
  • Internal SATA SSD drive for OS and applications (Roon and Fidelizer)
  • USB SSD connected using AQ Jitterbug USB line and power filter. (I know)
  • TPLInk USB wireless dongle/ antenna using AQ Jitterbug USB line and power filter. (I know)
• Tekton Designs Lore Reference speakers
  • Upgraded crossover and binding posts
  • Solid billet copper Cardas inputs
  • Mil-spec internal wiring
  • Mundorf or ClarityCap for the tweeter section
  • Oversized Jantzen or Erse Sledgehammer inductor for the woofer/mid section.
  • Perfect impulse time-alignment
  • 8″ transducer (woofer/mid)
  • Hybrid HF transducer (ring tweeter)
  • Dual front-facing ports
  • 96dB 1W@1m
  • 8 Ohm impedance
  • 37Hz-40kHz frequency response
  • 400 watts power handling
  • Height 36″ x Width 10.25″ x Depth 11.75″
• Ryhthmik L12 powered servo sealed enclosure subwoofer
• All Power Cords are Pangea AC-14 cables
• Speaker cables are 2x 6’ runs of SUPRA Ply 3.4 WIDE cables with Blue Jean Cables screw lock banana connectors.
• Listening space
  • 12’ x 12’ room with 8 foot ceilings
  • Speakers are 2’ from the front wall
  • A diffuser panel is on the front wall behind and between the speakers
  • Foam absorption and diffuser panels are near the corners behind the speakers
  • A diffuser / absorption panel is at the point of 1st reflection on the side wall
  • Foam absorption and diffuser panels along with acoustic tile panels are located at various spots along the rear wall
  • 6’ foam corner bass traps are located on the rear listening room corners
  • Seating position is at approx. ear-level between woofer/mid and tweeter (tweeters are below the woofer/mid on this speaker)
  • Speakers are a tad over 6’ feet apart and my listening position is 6’ from each speaker
  • Speakers are toed in where the tweeter direct line is pointed to each shoulder (left speaker to left shoulder, etc.)
• Listening
  • All my listening was via Roon (16/44.1 or higher) and was a mixture of classic rock, Jazz (acoustic and electric).

Brief as promised but quite thorough in its delivery. Very nice review, @Ripper2860! Thank you.

I'm thinking Aegir 2 is gonna grip some Zu DW6 very nicely. Ugh! If I could just scrounge up the dang money for them. Adulting sucks sometimes.

 

[dreed]

Does anyone think my wife will notice the new Gungnir? I tried hiding it under the Freya N

(And yes, it's not a great picture, the sun is not helping at the moment.)

Now see, if you’d gotten a silver Freya, then the Gungnir would blend right in.

 

[jonathan c]

Does anyone think my wife will notice the new Gungnir? I tried hiding it under the Freya N

(And yes, it's not a great picture, the sun is not helping at the moment.)

..... put a few Neiman-Marcus gift certificates in front of Freya / Gungnir .

 

[OldRoadToad]

$20 says I can do both way worse than you.

LOL! Well, I tried to learn the trumpet and wound up one day in the intermediate school band just blowing random notes. The teacher asked me just what it was I thought I was doing and I said I was impersonating Miles Davis. I was out of the school band.

The same happened with our school choir and I told the teacher I was a doing my version of "Big Brother and the Holding Company". No more choir practice for me. I have zero musical ability and so I refuse to listen to those that sound almost as bad as I did then and doubtless still do.

ORT

 

[Slackaveli]

In general does Halo tech work as pre-amp?

 

[Ohno Schiitizen]

AEGIR 2 vs 2x GHorns

OK. So it’s time to give some of MY thoughts on GHorn mono-blocks vs 1x Aegir 2 amplifier.

I’ll try to be to the point. The mono-block GHorns are very good amps. Aegir 2 is a very, very good amp. I’ll focus on the commonalities and then the differences that I experienced in my room, with my gear, using my ears, and my music. (Spoiler: The Aegir 2 wins).

Things in common:

• Both drive my speakers to my typical listening levels which is typically 86dB peak.
• Both have a nice wide soundstage (sorry Ableza) with good placement of instruments.
• Both had a solid center stage, placing vocalists right in the center (recording dependent of course).
• Both exhibit the Schiit ‘House Sound’, which I perceive as being a tad bit north of neutral (aka warm) but not to the point of being colored or dark.
• Both have good timbre and tonality with acoustic instruments.
• Both give instruments their own ‘space’ resulting in an open an uncongested presentation (recording dependent of course).
• Both amps are quiet with no noise at the speaker or coming from the enclosure.
• Both have excellent bass extension and open/airy highs.

Where the Aegir 2 wins (IMHO):

• It just does all of the above better.
• The soundstage (sorry Ableza) is a bit more holographic and while equally as wide as GHorns, offered a bit more depth and height. A bit more holographic.
• Timbre and tonality is a step-up, with a more notable expression of acoustic instruments. It became easier for me to hear the contribution the whole instrument made (ex: the wood in a stand-up bass, the skin on a drum, or even the wood of the stick in a rim-shot or the felt on a timpani mallet or the felt pads on piano hammers. It became easier to identify the unique sounds the different cymbal types. I could better identify the finger sound in the finger pluck. Just more detail. The phrase “hearing deeper into the music” keeps coming to mind.
• The Aegir 2 seemed to give more space to the instruments. Sure the GHorns did too, but the Aegir 2 just did it better and in width/height/depth. It honestly felt like the instruments had their own 3D space as opposed to the 2D space (H x W) of the GHorns.
• The Aegir 2 seemed ‘quieter’. Sounds came from what seems like a blacker background (sorry Ableza). It’s hard to describe as the GHorns were quiet, but the contrast between silence and sound was not as great. (I’m struggling to describe this one, if you can’t tell.)
• The highs were a tad airier and things such as cymbals, bells, etc., hung out in air longer having a bit more decay into silence.
• Bass sounds more extended. Aegir 2 has a better grip presenting a more controlled and impactful bass. At first, I thought it was ‘more’ bass, but I’ve come to realize it is really just ‘better’ bass. The speakers (not the sub) were delivering a tight, controlled punch and bass presence I’d never heard before with any amp. (Was it Halo? Halo if I know.)

Summary:

Well, the summary is not going to be Earth shattering. The Aegir 2 is better. Does it deliver notable improvements over 2x GHorns? I think so. Is it leaps and bounds better or 33% more $$ better? Depends on how much you value what it delivers over and above the GHorns. If I had to think of a line that describes why I think Aegir sounds so good and better than the GHorns, it would be how it reproduces outstanding music in an effortless fashion. It never comes across as working hard. Everything comes with a level of effortlessness, ease, and liquidity. I’m really having a tough time identifying why the GHorns don’t deliver this level of perceived effortlessness because they do not sound bad by a longshot. Aegier 2 just says “Pffft. Hold my beer.” and then proceeds to effortlessly deliver wonderful music like I’ve not heard. Yeah, I’m struggling to communicate this, too. It's a feeling I get when listening to Aegir 2 -- one that is hard to express. I'm just more at-ease and relaxed. I'm hearing more without forcing my brain and ears to hear it? I'm at the point where my musical enjoyment and critical listening converge.

I think it is safe to say that I won’t be amp shopping for a long time.


*Disclaimers: I am not a professional reviewer as can be seen by my grammar, spelling, etc. This is all IMHO, YMMV, IME and AFAIK.


My setup:

• Schiit Frey+ N preamp
  • Connected to Yggy via Snake Oil XLR cables
  • SE outputs are via World’s Best Cables (Uni-directional Canare cable)
  • Matched pair 1960s Foton 6N6P Gold Grid tubes (cathode follower - left sockets)
  • Matched pair Raytheon 7728 (ruggedized 12AT7) tubes (gain - right sockets)
• Yggdrasil GS2 with Unison upgrade and the original Analog 1 cards
• Raspberry Pi 4B (8GB) running RoPieee as a Roon Endpoint
  • USB to Yggy using Pangea USB cable
  • Network connection via TPLInk USB wireless dongle/ antenna
• Intel Core i5 headless computer as my Roon server.
  • Windows 10 Pro
  • Running Fidelizer Pro to essentially lower and/or stop non-audio processes and dedicate resources (RAM and CPU) to Roon server and any audio services.
  • Internal SATA SSD drive for OS and applications (Roon and Fidelizer)
  • USB SSD connected using AQ Jitterbug USB line and power filter. (I know)
  • TPLInk USB wireless dongle/ antenna using AQ Jitterbug USB line and power filter. (I know)
• Tekton Designs Lore Reference speakers
  • Upgraded crossover and binding posts
  • Solid billet copper Cardas inputs
  • Mil-spec internal wiring
  • Mundorf or ClarityCap for the tweeter section
  • Oversized Jantzen or Erse Sledgehammer inductor for the woofer/mid section.
  • Perfect impulse time-alignment
  • 8″ transducer (woofer/mid)
  • Hybrid HF transducer (ring tweeter)
  • Dual front-facing ports
  • 96dB 1W@1m
  • 8 Ohm impedance
  • 37Hz-40kHz frequency response
  • 400 watts power handling
  • Height 36″ x Width 10.25″ x Depth 11.75″
• Ryhthmik L12 powered servo sealed enclosure subwoofer
• All Power Cords are Pangea AC-14 cables
• Speaker cables are 2x 6’ runs of SUPRA Ply 3.4 WIDE cables with Blue Jean Cables screw lock banana connectors.
• Listening space
  • 12’ x 12’ room with 8 foot ceilings
  • Speakers are 2’ from the front wall
  • A diffuser panel is on the front wall behind and between the speakers
  • Foam absorption and diffuser panels are near the corners behind the speakers
  • A diffuser / absorption panel is at the point of 1st reflection on the side wall
  • Foam absorption and diffuser panels along with acoustic tile panels are located at various spots along the rear wall
  • 6’ foam corner bass traps are located on the rear listening room corners
  • Seating position is at approx. ear-level between woofer/mid and tweeter (tweeters are below the woofer/mid on this speaker)
  • Speakers are a tad over 6’ feet apart and my listening position is 6’ from each speaker
  • Speakers are toed in where the tweeter direct line is pointed to each shoulder (left speaker to left shoulder, etc.)
• Listening
  • All my listening was via Roon (16/44.1 or higher) and was a mixture of classic rock, Jazz (acoustic and electric).

Thank you so very much for the detailed review and description.

 

[Rensek]

AEGIR 2 vs 2x GHorns

OK. So it’s time to give some of MY thoughts on GHorn mono-blocks vs 1x Aegir 2 amplifier.

I’ll try to be to the point. The mono-block GHorns are very good amps. Aegir 2 is a very, very good amp. I’ll focus on the commonalities and then the differences that I experienced in my room, with my gear, using my ears, and my music. (Spoiler: The Aegir 2 wins).

Things in common:

• Both drive my speakers to my typical listening levels which is typically 86dB peak.
• Both have a nice wide soundstage (sorry Ableza) with good placement of instruments.
• Both had a solid center stage, placing vocalists right in the center (recording dependent of course).
• Both exhibit the Schiit ‘House Sound’, which I perceive as being a tad bit north of neutral (aka warm) but not to the point of being colored or dark.
• Both have good timbre and tonality with acoustic instruments.
• Both give instruments their own ‘space’ resulting in an open an uncongested presentation (recording dependent of course).
• Both amps are quiet with no noise at the speaker or coming from the enclosure.
• Both have excellent bass extension and open/airy highs.

Where the Aegir 2 wins (IMHO):

• It just does all of the above better.
• The soundstage (sorry Ableza) is a bit more holographic and while equally as wide as GHorns, offered a bit more depth and height. A bit more holographic.
• Timbre and tonality is a step-up, with a more notable expression of acoustic instruments. It became easier for me to hear the contribution the whole instrument made (ex: the wood in a stand-up bass, the skin on a drum, or even the wood of the stick in a rim-shot or the felt on a timpani mallet or the felt pads on piano hammers. It became easier to identify the unique sounds the different cymbal types. I could better identify the finger sound in the finger pluck. Just more detail. The phrase “hearing deeper into the music” keeps coming to mind.
• The Aegir 2 seemed to give more space to the instruments. Sure the GHorns did too, but the Aegir 2 just did it better and in width/height/depth. It honestly felt like the instruments had their own 3D space as opposed to the 2D space (H x W) of the GHorns.
• The Aegir 2 seemed ‘quieter’. Sounds came from what seems like a blacker background (sorry Ableza). It’s hard to describe as the GHorns were quiet, but the contrast between silence and sound was not as great. (I’m struggling to describe this one, if you can’t tell.)
• The highs were a tad airier and things such as cymbals, bells, etc., hung out in air longer having a bit more decay into silence.
• Bass sounds more extended. Aegir 2 has a better grip presenting a more controlled and impactful bass. At first, I thought it was ‘more’ bass, but I’ve come to realize it is really just ‘better’ bass. The speakers (not the sub) were delivering a tight, controlled punch and bass presence I’d never heard before with any amp. (Was it Halo? Halo if I know.)

Summary:

Well, the summary is not going to be Earth shattering. The Aegir 2 is better. Does it deliver notable improvements over 2x GHorns? I think so. Is it leaps and bounds better or 33% more $$ better? Depends on how much you value what it delivers over and above the GHorns. If I had to think of a line that describes why I think Aegir sounds so good and better than the GHorns, it would be how it reproduces outstanding music in an effortless fashion. It never comes across as working hard. Everything comes with a level of effortlessness, ease, and liquidity. I’m really having a tough time identifying why the GHorns don’t deliver this level of perceived effortlessness because they do not sound bad by a longshot. Aegier 2 just says “Pffft. Hold my beer.” and then proceeds to effortlessly deliver wonderful music like I’ve not heard. Yeah, I’m struggling to communicate this, too. It's a feeling I get when listening to Aegir 2 -- one that is hard to express. I'm just more at-ease and relaxed. I'm hearing more without forcing my brain and ears to hear it? I'm at the point where my musical enjoyment and critical listening converge.

I think it is safe to say that I won’t be amp shopping for a long time.


*Disclaimers: I am not a professional reviewer as can be seen by my grammar, spelling, etc. This is all IMHO, YMMV, IME and AFAIK.


My setup:

• Schiit Frey+ N preamp
  • Connected to Yggy via Snake Oil XLR cables
  • SE outputs are via World’s Best Cables (Uni-directional Canare cable)
  • Matched pair 1960s Foton 6N6P Gold Grid tubes (cathode follower - left sockets)
  • Matched pair Raytheon 7728 (ruggedized 12AT7) tubes (gain - right sockets)
• Yggdrasil GS2 with Unison upgrade and the original Analog 1 cards
• Raspberry Pi 4B (8GB) running RoPieee as a Roon Endpoint
  • USB to Yggy using Pangea USB cable
  • Network connection via TPLInk USB wireless dongle/ antenna
• Intel Core i5 headless computer as my Roon server.
  • Windows 10 Pro
  • Running Fidelizer Pro to essentially lower and/or stop non-audio processes and dedicate resources (RAM and CPU) to Roon server and any audio services.
  • Internal SATA SSD drive for OS and applications (Roon and Fidelizer)
  • USB SSD connected using AQ Jitterbug USB line and power filter. (I know)
  • TPLInk USB wireless dongle/ antenna using AQ Jitterbug USB line and power filter. (I know)
• Tekton Designs Lore Reference speakers
  • Upgraded crossover and binding posts
  • Solid billet copper Cardas inputs
  • Mil-spec internal wiring
  • Mundorf or ClarityCap for the tweeter section
  • Oversized Jantzen or Erse Sledgehammer inductor for the woofer/mid section.
  • Perfect impulse time-alignment
  • 8″ transducer (woofer/mid)
  • Hybrid HF transducer (ring tweeter)
  • Dual front-facing ports
  • 96dB 1W@1m
  • 8 Ohm impedance
  • 37Hz-40kHz frequency response
  • 400 watts power handling
  • Height 36″ x Width 10.25″ x Depth 11.75″
• Ryhthmik L12 powered servo sealed enclosure subwoofer
• All Power Cords are Pangea AC-14 cables
• Speaker cables are 2x 6’ runs of SUPRA Ply 3.4 WIDE cables with Blue Jean Cables screw lock banana connectors.
• Listening space
  • 12’ x 12’ room with 8 foot ceilings
  • Speakers are 2’ from the front wall
  • A diffuser panel is on the front wall behind and between the speakers
  • Foam absorption and diffuser panels are near the corners behind the speakers
  • A diffuser / absorption panel is at the point of 1st reflection on the side wall
  • Foam absorption and diffuser panels along with acoustic tile panels are located at various spots along the rear wall
  • 6’ foam corner bass traps are located on the rear listening room corners
  • Seating position is at approx. ear-level between woofer/mid and tweeter (tweeters are below the woofer/mid on this speaker)
  • Speakers are a tad over 6’ feet apart and my listening position is 6’ from each speaker
  • Speakers are toed in where the tweeter direct line is pointed to each shoulder (left speaker to left shoulder, etc.)
• Listening
  • All my listening was via Roon (16/44.1 or higher) and was a mixture of classic rock, Jazz (acoustic and electric).

Sounds like you found a new side hustle, great review, just talk about some of the music you listened too, and you will be better then 99 percent of reviewers out there....

You also used to sell stereo equipment, and have heard lots of different stuff. Steve G will be quaking in his pants...

 

[Plautus001]

AEGIR 2 vs 2x GHorns

OK. So it’s time to give some of MY thoughts on GHorn mono-blocks vs 1x Aegir 2 amplifier.

I’ll try to be to the point. The mono-block GHorns are very good amps. Aegir 2 is a very, very good amp. I’ll focus on the commonalities and then the differences that I experienced in my room, with my gear, using my ears, and my music. (Spoiler: The Aegir 2 wins).

Things in common:

• Both drive my speakers to my typical listening levels which is typically 86dB peak.
• Both have a nice wide soundstage (sorry Ableza) with good placement of instruments.
• Both had a solid center stage, placing vocalists right in the center (recording dependent of course).
• Both exhibit the Schiit ‘House Sound’, which I perceive as being a tad bit north of neutral (aka warm) but not to the point of being colored or dark.
• Both have good timbre and tonality with acoustic instruments.
• Both give instruments their own ‘space’ resulting in an open an uncongested presentation (recording dependent of course).
• Both amps are quiet with no noise at the speaker or coming from the enclosure.
• Both have excellent bass extension and open/airy highs.

Where the Aegir 2 wins (IMHO):

• It just does all of the above better.
• The soundstage (sorry Ableza) is a bit more holographic and while equally as wide as GHorns, offered a bit more depth and height. A bit more holographic.
• Timbre and tonality is a step-up, with a more notable expression of acoustic instruments. It became easier for me to hear the contribution the whole instrument made. Ex: the wood in a stand-up bass, the skin on a drum, or even the wood of the stick in a rim-shot or the felt on a timpani mallet or the felt pads on piano hammers. It became easier to identify the unique sounds the different cymbal types. I could better identify the finger sound in the finger pluck. Just more detail. The phrase “hearing deeper into the music” keeps coming to mind.
• The Aegir 2 seemed to give more space to the instruments. Sure the GHorns did too, but the Aegir 2 just did it better and in width/height/depth. It honestly felt like the instruments had their own 3D space as opposed to the 2D space (H x W) of the GHorns.
• The Aegir 2 seemed ‘quieter’. Sounds came from what seems like a blacker background (sorry Ableza). It’s hard to describe as the GHorns were quiet, but the contrast between silence and sound was not as great. (I’m struggling to describe this one, if you can’t tell.)
• The highs were a tad airier and things such as cymbals, bells, etc., hung out in air longer having a bit more decay into silence.
• Bass sounds more extended. Aegir 2 has a better grip presenting a more controlled and impactful bass. At first, I thought it was ‘more’ bass, but I’ve come to realize it is really just ‘better’ bass. The speakers (not the sub) were delivering a tight, controlled punch and bass presence I’d never heard before with any amp. (Was it Halo? Halo if I know.)

Summary:

Well, the summary is not going to be Earth shattering. The Aegir 2 is better. Does it deliver notable improvements over 2x GHorns? I think so. Is it leaps and bounds better or 33% more $$ better? Depends on how much you value what it delivers over and above the GHorns. If I had to think of a line that describes why I think Aegir sounds so good and better than the GHorns, it would be how it reproduces outstanding music in an effortless fashion. It never comes across as working hard. Everything comes with a level of effortlessness, ease, and liquidity. I’m really having a tough time identifying why the GHorns don’t deliver this level of perceived effortlessness because they do not sound bad by a longshot. Aegier 2 just says “Pffft. Hold my beer.” and then proceeds to effortlessly deliver wonderful music like I’ve not heard. Yeah, I’m struggling to communicate this, too. It's a feeling I get when listening to Aegir 2 -- one that is hard to express. I'm just more at-ease and relaxed. I'm hearing more without forcing my brain and ears to hear it? I don't have to look for and find the subtle details in music, Aegir 2 just says "Here you go." and delivers it. My listening for musical enjoyment and critical listening have converged.

I think it is safe to say that I won’t be amp shopping for a long time.


*Disclaimers: I am not a professional reviewer as can be seen by my grammar, spelling, etc. This is all IMHO, YMMV, IME and AFAIK.


My setup:

• Schiit Frey+ N preamp
  • Connected to Yggy via Snake Oil XLR cables
  • SE outputs are via World’s Best Cables (Uni-directional Canare cable)
  • Matched pair 1960s Foton 6N6P Gold Grid tubes (cathode follower - left sockets)
  • Matched pair Raytheon 7728 (ruggedized 12AT7) tubes (gain - right sockets)
• Yggdrasil GS2 with Unison upgrade and the original Analog 1 cards
• Raspberry Pi 4B (8GB) running RoPieee as a Roon Endpoint
  • USB to Yggy using Pangea USB cable
  • Network connection via TPLInk USB wireless dongle/ antenna
• Intel Core i5 headless computer as my Roon server.
  • Windows 10 Pro
  • Running Fidelizer Pro to essentially lower and/or stop non-audio processes and dedicate resources (RAM and CPU) to Roon server and any audio services.
  • Internal SATA SSD drive for OS and applications (Roon and Fidelizer)
  • USB SSD connected using AQ Jitterbug USB line and power filter. (I know)
  • TPLInk USB wireless dongle/ antenna using AQ Jitterbug USB line and power filter. (I know)
• Tekton Designs Lore Reference speakers
  • Upgraded crossover and binding posts
  • Solid billet copper Cardas inputs
  • Mil-spec internal wiring
  • Mundorf or ClarityCap for the tweeter section
  • Oversized Jantzen or Erse Sledgehammer inductor for the woofer/mid section.
  • Perfect impulse time-alignment
  • 8″ transducer (woofer/mid)
  • Hybrid HF transducer (ring tweeter)
  • Dual front-facing ports
  • 96dB 1W@1m
  • 8 Ohm impedance
  • 37Hz-40kHz frequency response
  • 400 watts power handling
  • Height 36″ x Width 10.25″ x Depth 11.75″
• Ryhthmik L12 powered servo sealed enclosure subwoofer
• All Power Cords are Pangea AC-14 cables
• Speaker cables are 2x 6’ runs of SUPRA Ply 3.4 WIDE cables with Blue Jean Cables screw lock banana connectors.
• Listening space
  • 12’ x 12’ room with 8 foot ceilings
  • Speakers are 2’ from the front wall
  • A diffuser panel is on the front wall behind and between the speakers
  • Foam absorption and diffuser panels are near the corners behind the speakers
  • A diffuser / absorption panel is at the point of 1st reflection on the side wall
  • Foam absorption and diffuser panels along with acoustic tile panels are located at various spots along the rear wall
  • 6’ foam corner bass traps are located on the rear listening room corners
  • Seating position is at approx. ear-level between woofer/mid and tweeter (tweeters are below the woofer/mid on this speaker)
  • Speakers are a tad over 6’ feet apart and my listening position is 6’ from each speaker
  • Speakers are toed in where the tweeter direct line is pointed to each shoulder (left speaker to left shoulder, etc.)
• Listening
  • All my listening was via Roon (16/44.1 or higher) and was a mixture of classic rock, Jazz (acoustic and electric).

Great review... Now to hide my wallet

 

[Ohno Schiitizen]

Jeff Lorber is a God.

 

[Ohno Schiitizen]

Does anyone think my wife will notice the new Gungnir? I tried hiding it under the Freya N

(And yes, it's not a great picture, the sun is not helping at the moment.)

She will, but to make her "speechless", let her listen to it ....

 

[PBraith]

Does anyone think my wife will notice the new Gungnir? I tried hiding it under the Freya N

(And yes, it's not a great picture, the sun is not helping at the moment.)

"It's just a case dear, it's empty, they were sell'in-em' cheap, honest. Don't forget to pull the plug when she walks into the room.

 

[PBraith]

Now, now, settle down. People have been waiting months for theirs. You can wait a while before buying another one.

But yeah. 5 stars only? I'd give it 7 on a scale of 1-5...

I only have one piece of Schitt, the much-revered MJ3. Over the last 10 years, I have added a fair amount of jazz recordings, on vinyl, digital download and occasionally CD, to my collection, and I did wonder at times why I had veered away from pop recordings. The MJ3 changed that. I just finished listening to the digital anniversary edition of Moan'in by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder. Now, it all makes sense.

 

[Slackaveli]

I only have one piece of Schitt, the much-revered MJ3. Over the last 10 years, I have added a fair amount of jazz recordings, on vinyl, digital download and occasionally CD, to my collection, and I did wonder at times why I had veered away from pop recordings. The MJ3 changed that. I just finished listening to the digital anniversary edition of Moan'in by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, recorded by Rudy Van Gelder. Now, it all makes sense.

"Moanin' is probably the jazziest jazzy jazz ever jazzed in the history of jazz."
-Youtube comment ftw

 

[Timster]

no one that I know of has ever violated a law of physics.

Some do try ... Darwin Awards spring to mind

 

[Andrew Randle]

Depends on photography. Maybe tomorrow, maybe Thursday.

Punchline on the NY CanJam trip--it's quite possible that I wouldn't have made it anyway, since flights were monumentally boned out of Dallas on Friday. In the meantime, I'm back in CA for a bit, and I should be able to start talking about some of the busy-ness that has been occupying my time. Again, not getting acquired, not acquiring a company, nothing bad, just overall a heck of a lot of stuff to do.

Any chance of Schiit being represented at this year’s London CanJam?

Andrew