Schiit Magni Unity - Impressions Thread

[MindBreak]

Either the Magni or Vali 3 paired with the Modi. All 3 are at a slight discount in the B-Stock section on the Schiit website right now.

If you don't want to go down the tube rabbit hole, then the answer is Magni. Otherwise they are both exceptional at their sub $200 price points.

 

[cats4cans]

I have to ask because there is just way too much information. I am looking to get an amp/dac. It could be one unit.. aka magni with the internal dac or with the modi. I want to spend ideally under $300. What would you guys recommend is the best bang for your buck.

It’s going to depend on your use case. I don’t have the DAC card in my Magni because my source isn’t USB. For more versatility a stand alone is better. Makes upgrading easier too. You might also look at the Vali 3. For IEMs the negative gain on the Magni makes it the clear winner, but for most headphones I’d give the Vali 3 the edge. It punches way above its weight. If you get sucked into tube rolling it might get expensive, but it’s still really good with even with the OEM tube.

 

[jclyle]

@sofakingpunk88 I have a Magni Unity for sale:
https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/schiit-magni-unity.86608/


You cold use the money saved and put it towards a Modi.

 

[Miiksu]

I have to ask because there is just way too much information. I am looking to get an amp/dac. It could be one unit.. aka magni with the internal dac or with the modi. I want to spend ideally under $300. What would you guys recommend is the best bang for your buck.

Take Magni Unity without DAC and get SMSL PS200 for a hundred. It would be difficult to get any better than that. I haven't heard personally PS200 but it's well reviewed.

 

[HWB3]

I’d give the Vali 3 the edge. It punches way above its weight. If you get sucked into tube rolling it might get expensive, but it’s still really good with even with the OEM tube.

Lol. And that is very easy to get sucked into!

 

[sofakingpunk88]

Thanks for the information. I was just curious since most people usually talk about ifi, xduoo, topping, jds labs.

I'll also take a look at the magni you are selling. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[schmalgausen]

I was just curious since most people usually talk about ifi, xduoo, topping, jds labs.

I would recommend choosing Schiit over Chi-Fi brands. To my mind they produce great measurments and dead sound.

 

[MindBreak]

I would recommend choosing Schiit over Chi-Fi brands. To my mind they produce great measurments and dead sound.

While I am a Schiit Head, I have to admit that some Chi-fi brands have come a long way in developing a better sounding product. Some are less measurement focused than others, and once you get into the Tube Amp offerings measurements go out the window.

I buy Schiit Audio products because I like the way they sound, and how they are built. That being said, everyone has their own tastes in audio/sound signatures. Even Schiit Audio admits that not everyone will like their products, and that is okay too.

If someone is buying gear within the USA, then it might make sense from a practical standpoint due to tariffs to buy from Schiit Audio. There is also the great warranty that they offer on their products (5 years for the higher end ones).

As with any purchase, there is a lot to consider prior to dropping money on the item in question. I would suggest that anyone in the market for a particular piece of gear jot down a list of specifications you are looking for. You should also assign a priority level to each one. This will help you narrow down your list of options to a more manageable number.

Well, enough lecturing from me (sorry for being long-winded ).

Happy Listening!

 

[HWB3]

I would recommend choosing Schiit over Chi-Fi brands. To my mind they produce great measurments and dead sound.

If you ever need service, they are there for you. There's seven pieces of Schiit gear scattered around my listening space. I recently bought a piece of equipment from China that was getting a lot of good reviews. While I like it, I have to send it to China if it ever needs repair. That's looks like a long turnaround time and probably not cheap.

 

[schmalgausen]

I leave in East Europe so service is not a question for both cases, so I can comment only sound quality. I own some popular Aliexpress gadgets and I can say their sound is not in the same league as Schiit.

 

[frkasper]

There is no doubt Schiit will benefit (in some areas) from all this trade war season. I am curious about the whole...

 

[MindBreak]

There is no doubt Schiit will benefit (in some areas) from all this trade war season. I am curious about the whole...

Its a mixed bag, as tariffs seem to change constantly as of late. I guess it would depend on the week as to whether or not it would still be the best bang for your buck in a particular country. The majority of sales I would assume consists of Magni, Modi, and Vali 3 units. In the UK for example, they have always been had at a premium. Depending on the consumer it might still be worth the extra cost to import Schiit products.

 

[SchwizzelKick66]

Just got the Magni Unity in. First want to acknowledge the awesome customer support from Schiit, as my first unit had a faulty left RCA input. They had a replacement to me within a few days!

I got the black unit without dac, as I'm connecting to a Modi+.

Dang, this thing sounds GOOD. Like, I'm pretty surprised that I not only notice a difference from my Magni Heretic, Magni+ and FiiO K7, but that the difference is as large as it is. The difference between the other 3 is tiny, but this Unity stands out.

Stage is wider than all of them- probably the most obvious difference. Highs are silky smooth. Low end feels more natural, maybe faster or something? Also this is going to sound like BS, but I feel like the very small nuances of the sound are brought out- stuff that I don't really hear on the K7 for example, I can hear it on the Unity.

I don't listen loudly, 65-70db, and I still can notice a difference. The best way I can describe it is- for those that love the 6xx/650, you know how if you use other headphones and come back to the 6xx/650 its always this comfy feeling? Almost like an "ahhh" relief. That's how the Unity sounds to me. I switch back to it and it just feels relaxing and enveloping.

Also I don't know what the heck this thing is doing but I've never heard drums sound so good. High hats are smoothed but still detailed, and I feel like I can hear more detail in drum hits and such. Really hard and weird to describe.

Did I mention orange is my fav color? The LED pleases me.

And to answer your question, yes. The Unity sounds better than the Magni+ and Heretic...somehow.

I'll echo my thoughts on most of their products- this thing is ridiculous for the money lol.

 

[MindBreak]

Just got the Magni Unity in. First want to acknowledge the awesome customer support from Schiit, as my first unit had a faulty left RCA input. They had a replacement to me within a few days!

I got the black unit without dac, as I'm connecting to a Modi+.

Dang, this thing sounds GOOD. Like, I'm pretty surprised that I not only notice a difference from my Magni Heretic, Magni+ and FiiO K7, but that the difference is as large as it is. The difference between the other 3 is tiny, but this Unity stands out.

Stage is wider than all of them- probably the most obvious difference. Highs are silky smooth. Low end feels more natural, maybe faster or something? Also this is going to sound like BS, but I feel like the very small nuances of the sound are brought out- stuff that I don't really hear on the K7 for example, I can hear it on the Unity.

I don't listen loudly, 65-70db, and I still can notice a difference. The best way I can describe it is- for those that love the 6xx/650, you know how if you use other headphones and come back to the 6xx/650 its always this comfy feeling? Almost like an "ahhh" relief. That's how the Unity sounds to me. I switch back to it and it just feels relaxing and enveloping.

Also I don't know what the heck this thing is doing but I've never heard drums sound so good. High hats are smoothed but still detailed, and I feel like I can hear more detail in drum hits and such. Really hard and weird to describe.

Did I mention orange is my fav color? The LED pleases me.

And to answer your question, yes. The Unity sounds better than the Magni+ and Heretic...somehow.

I'll echo my thoughts on most of their products- this thing is ridiculous for the money lol.

Welcome to Schiit Audio's current generation aka "Magic" Gen.

Happy Listening!

 

[Miiksu]

@SchwizzelKick66 That's why I like Magni Unity too. So velvet upper range and still resolving. Topping does a slightly better job at resolving but it's way too sterile and I focus too much treble only than the whole sound.