[rutter]

Inputs: Balanced XLR and Single-Ended RCA, selectable via front switch

So if you're plugging in a headphone balanced but using an unbalanced DAC do you still select unbalanced from the front switch? What happens if you select balanced xlr?

 

[sup27606]

I assume you've compared with unbalanced in the same set-up and heard a significant difference? What was that difference? By the way, Bimby is what again?

Balanced has more pronounced bass, wider soundstage.

 

[rutter]

So what's up with all the people claiming balanced just provides more power? This community appears literally split down the middle on whether balanced improves sound quality. I find this exceedingly strange given it's one of the actual significant central questions. Cables and burn in to a much lesser extent are also strange.

 

[sup27606]

So if you're plugging in a headphone balanced but using an unbalanced DAC do you still select unbalanced from the front switch? What happens if you select balanced xlr?

You select unbalanced (rca). The input selector refers to the input, not the headphone outputs. Both the unbalanced and balanced outputs are always on, no matter what input is selected.

If you select balanced xlr, no sound will be produced unless a balanced dac is connected to the xlr inputs in the back.

 

[rutter]

Do you agree that the input difference - whether the DAC is balanced or not - is less significant than using a headphone with a balanced cable/using the balanced output? To put it better perhaps, if balanced DAC balanced cable yielded 100% sound quality, what is the percentage without the balanced DAC?

 

[sup27606]

So what's up with all the people claiming balanced just provides more power? This community appears literally split down the middle on whether balanced improves sound quality. I find this exceedingly strange given it's one of the actual significant central questions. Cables and burn in to a much lesser extent are also strange.

More power can improve the sound depending on the headphone type. For the Sennheiser 650 in jot , it definitely has an effect when using balanced, opening up the soundstage. It depends on the amp architecture, whether balanced and SE will sound different or similar, but cannot comment beyond that.

 

[sup27606]

Do you agree that the input difference - whether the DAC is balanced or not - is less significant than using a headphone with a balanced cable/using the balanced output? To put it better perhaps, if balanced DAC balanced cable yielded 100% sound quality, what is the percentage without the balanced DAC?

I would agree that way. The only balanced input I have tested is from a ponoplayer, and it’s worse than from Mimby (Modi Multibit) in about everything, details, soundstage, and Mimby is single ended. I haven’t tested any high quality desktop amp with balanced architecture like gungnir or yiggdrasil, so someone else has to comment on that.

 

[rutter]

Anyone here objective enough to put the Jot in proper context as an amp? For $400 it actually seems like very good value, let alone with a DAC module for say $500. Any skeletons in this closet? The only reason I came here is because someone claimed to have preferred the Jot to the Mjolnir2 or whatever it's called, and then I also read that it was released more recently.

 

[jimmers]

I assume you've compared with unbalanced in the same set-up and heard a significant difference? What was that difference? By the way, Bimby is what again?

A Bimby is a Bifrost Multibit.
I haven't compared single ended to balanced, I converted a short lead to balanced and have used it thus ever since - just lazy I guess - all my other headphones are single ended so I can plug one of them in at the same time as the HD650 in case I fancy a change for a while (I always go back to the HD650)

 

[MWSVette]

"I do love tubes:"



Very nice setup! I also have the Fostex TH-x00, with Lawton mod, alpha pads, and the PeterEK detachable cable mod. Very fun sounding, but harsh treble that kills me on most tracks. Afraid they don't get much use these days.

If I'm every going to try tubes, it will have to be something that sounds great with the included tubes. I have no desire to get into tube rolling, too much effort and seems to be a lot of hit or miss on the tubes. Any suggestions on tube amp that would warm up the HD800S without requiring tube rolling?

Me too, Gotta love tubes...



But I love my Jot too....

 

[abirdie4me]

Me too, Gotta love tubes...



But I love my Jot too....

Damn, that is a lot of Schiit!

 

[rutter]

A Bimby is a Bifrost Multibit.
I haven't compared single ended to balanced, I converted a short lead to balanced and have used it thus ever since - just lazy I guess - all my other headphones are single ended so I can plug one of them in at the same time as the HD650 in case I fancy a change for a while (I always go back to the HD650)

So how do you even know that balanced makes a significant difference?

Let's say I get the balanced DAC module. That gets bypassed when I use the Jot with a Modi Multibit or another DAC, correct? Comments on the balanced DAC? Half the price of the Modi Multibit equivalent, what gives?

 

[abirdie4me]

So how do you even know that balanced makes a significant difference?

Let's say I get the balanced DAC module. That gets bypassed when I use the Jot with a Modi Multibit or another DAC, correct? Comments on the balanced DAC? Half the price of the Modi Multibit equivalent, what gives?

I have balanced Jot 4490 DAC and I think it sounds good. However, it only has 1 USB input, so I can't use it with multiple sources or use the optical out from my pc. Can't comment on sound comparison with Mimby as I haven't heard it.

 

[rutter]

I think the sole USB connection is just Jot's design independent of which DAC you pick, looking at an image of its backside. I still don't understand the pricing and what that means for that module. It's $500 when selecting "Balanced DAC".

By the way, anyone aware of Audio Science Review? They take a big dump on a lot of this Schiit, quantitatively speaking.

 

[kevlar51]

By the way, anyone aware of Audio Science Review? They take a big dump on a lot of this Schiit, quantitatively speaking.

They realized they get a lot more traffic with over-the-top negative reviews of schiit products, rather then drown it the slew of positive reviews.