[winders]

Based on Herb Reichert's CanJam photo it looks like it's possible to stack Ragnarok 2 on top of Yggdrasil.

You can do that if you want, but here is what Jason said:

Oh, and stacking? These are rack products, not stack products.

So, based on that, I would not stack them.

 

[Jason Stoddard]

Jason -Can you share the Ragarok 1 vs Ragnarok 2 dimensions and weight?

Ragnarok 2 is 1" deeper than Ragnarok 1. It weighs about 5 lbs more, not sure about the total, due to more steel, heavier heatsinks, and potted transformer.

Between [Saga + Vidar + Bifrost Multibit] and Ragnarok 2 Multibit, where would you spend your money, Jason? I have had the former in my cart for a couple weeks on the Schiit site, and am pretty sold on going that route, but this announcement changes things. In case it matters to your answer, I have no interest in going balanced.

I can't really comment on that--that's a purely personal decision. You're basically comparing a system with a lot more power output and flexibility in digital inputs, at the cost of more boxes, if that helps a bit.

 

[JohnnyCanuck]

Running it to the front hasn't been a problem on Vidar, anyway. The potted transformer (in a welded steel box with mu-metal shielding inside) is probably a story in itself!

I'll look forward to that story, Jason. Is this transformer a laminated EI type similar to Vidar's? Also, will The Ragnorak 2 be using light pipes or is it sticking with the old LEDs?

Cheers,
JC

 

[Jason Stoddard]

So, based on that, I would not stack them.

Bingo. One slip and you're gonna have 4 very large 1/4-20 screw heads sliding across your Yggdrasil. When one comes in for upgrade with a bunch of deep shiny gouges on the top, I'll know immediately what happened.

 

[Jason Stoddard]

I'll look forward to that story, Jason. Is this transformer a laminated EI type similar to Vidar's? Also, will The Ragnorak 2 be using light pipes or is it sticking with the old LEDs?

Cheers,
JC

Yep, EI. We tried a couple of custom toroid designs, but in the end, we liked the EI design enough to go the shielding/potting route.

And yep, it uses light pipes.

 

[FrivolsListener]

Don't flip out about the board to the left, that's just an internal thing we use for simulating headphone loads in testing, not a product.

PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!

 

[mp29k]

Ragnarok 2 is 1" deeper than Ragnarok 1. It weighs about 5 lbs more, not sure about the total, due to more steel, heavier heatsinks, and potted transformer.



I can't really comment on that--that's a purely personal decision. You're basically comparing a system with a lot more power output and flexibility in digital inputs, at the cost of more boxes, if that helps a bit.

Features aside (the extra flexibility vs. multiple boxes is apparent just reading features on your site), which do you believe will sound better. I.e. is the topology of Vidar better than the Nexus topology sound quality wise (either 60 WPC or 100 WPC will drive my efficient speakers extremely well at 98 db efficient), and is the slimmed down multibit card for the rag 2 a sonic compromise over the one in Bifrost? Number of boxes doesn't bother me, sound quality is paramount. I assume the three separate components will sound better, but since Nexus is new, I thought maybe you had am impression on sound quality comparison,

 

[Ableza]

Running it to the front hasn't been a problem on Vidar, anyway. The potted transformer (in a welded steel box with mu-metal shielding inside) is probably a story in itself!

Sounds like a great design. A shielded Xfrmr makes design layout simpler that's for sure! I was thinking of noise on the low-level side, which Vidar has far less of I'm certain. But if I'm reading your PCB layout correctly it looks like the AC run will be away from the line level circuits. Nice work.

 

[audio philestine]

So, yeah, a fan.

OMG, the Schiit almost hit the fan!

 

[dmckean44]

Don't flip out about the board to the left, that's just an internal thing we use for simulating headphone loads in testing, not a product.

I bet a chapter about all the boards you guys have created over the years for internal use could be interesting.

 

[flargosa]

The Ragnarok 1 sounds great already. Can’t wait to read comparisons with the new Rag 2. I hope the input lights are labeled. It makes it much easier selecting inputs.

 

[Rattle]

Saga-Vidar-Mimby is so great sounding but I still lust after Rag2 now... thanks a lot guys...

 

[Mike-WI]

Saga-Vidar-Mimby is so great sounding but I still lust after Rag2 now... thanks a lot guys...

Agree

Bingo. One slip and you're gonna have 4 very large 1/4-20 screw heads sliding across your Yggdrasil. When one comes in for upgrade with a bunch of deep shiny gouges on the top, I'll know immediately what happened.

Argh. Keep Rag1 (stacked and fits nicely) vs. Rag2 and move things around to not stack. Dilemmas.

The Ragnarok 1 sounds great already. Can’t wait to read comparisons with the new Rag 2. I hope the input lights are labeled. It makes it much easier selecting inputs.

Agree. I am not using the potential of the Rag1 for near-field speakers. But it is great. No complaints -- other than the ones Jason outlined (remote, speaker/headphone selector, etc).

 

[mp29k]

Saga-Vidar-Mimby is so great sounding but I still lust after Rag2 now... thanks a lot guys...

I am looking at a very similar system, but Bimby vs. Mimby. Couple questions, do you use Eitr with your setup, and what speakers do you use? I will be driving high efficiency, Tekton Lore speakers.

 

[Rattle]

I am looking at a very similar system, but Bimby vs. Mimby. Couple questions, do you use Eitr with your setup, and what speakers do you use? I will be driving high efficiency, Tekton Lore speakers.

Feeding mimby via coax, never used the USB on it. Oppo 103 for all files and discs as transport.
http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/image/Image-T6-Tower