Schiit Mjolnir 2 Listening Impressions

[Nayyte]

The OTL is a Eufonkia H22M ordered to 12AT7 and 6080 tube spec. It's in pieces right now, going back to the maker to be rebuilt. It was train wreck with hum and channel imbalance, and I'm dealing with a seller that doesn't believe the amp could possibly be failing at all. So I hope he fixes his crap I mean jeez, already basically bricking two sets of 12AT7s.

My headphones are LCD-2, LCD-3, Zmf auteur, and HD600. Impressions not complete with the OTL but it does have flexibility with output impedance for planars. The mjolnir 2 is nice for all of them but it's an aggressive sound, I like it best with the matsu/Mullard 12AT7s.

 

[ShortBtwnHdset]

Cool configuration for an amp, sure hope you get it sorted out, as it looks to be a great, flexible all a rounder.

 

[Nayyte]

Well good news is that the Brimar 6060's are seriously good. I didn't use them in the OTL thank god so they are safely in the MJ2. I really like the chain I have now. I've had my endgame DAC for a month and I knew it would stay the first listen, the Bel Canto 2.8 DAC. When I enjoyed the Matsu/Mullard 12AT7s I was using an Adcom dac that uses the PCM1702. With this Belcanto those tubes weren't complimenting it, too melow of a sound. These Brimar 6060's are really a full resolution euphoria wall of sound! I'd love to try more Matsu/Mullard tubes because they looked really pretty in the MJ2, we will see.

I do feel like I'm obligated to get the gungnir 2 when it drops, to build the ultimate schiit stack. But I don't want to in fear that it won't sound this good. The bel canto has A2D converterter so maybe I'll smoke some crack and run the gungnir 2 into the belcanto A2D and then to the MJ2 lmao.

 

[ShortBtwnHdset]

I've got a pair of yellow T 6060's as well, I just generally love the 12at7 Brimar types. I'm liking their rectifier tubes too, EZ81 and derivatives. My Gungnir did me well, but I really liked a tube DAC in the chain more. I've got one tube DAC doing well, another that has a fried DA converter chip, I'm slowly getting better at surface mount soldering, hoping to fix it.

Hope the Gungnir 2 is as solid as the Mjolnir 3 in its bracket!

 

[Blindranger]

I moved my MJ2 down to my basement office setup. The shelf I have it in is tighter than my upstairs rack and I noticed it’s definitely running warmer because of it. I just measured and there is just under 2” between the top of the MJ2 and the next shelf up and less than a half inch from the top of the tubes and the shelf.

I know hot is subjective and I would say after running all day it’s quite warm but not burning/sculling hot to the touch.

Am I doing harm to my MJ2 in this space?

 

[Mike-WI]

I moved my MJ2 down to my basement office setup. The shelf I have it in is tighter than my upstairs rack and I noticed it’s definitely running warmer because of it. I just measured and there is just under 2” between the top of the MJ2 and the next shelf up and less than a half inch from the top of the tubes and the shelf.

I know hot is subjective and I would say after running all day it’s quite warm but not burning/sculling hot to the touch.

Am I doing harm to my MJ2 in this space?

Can you put it on top shelf.
Do you have an IR thermometer?

 

[Nayyte]

It's fine where it is. The tubes have good space but the more important part is the chassis as it's the heatsink for the entire amp. Tubes do not need maximum air flow as they are designed to operate with basic convection. There is plenty of air gap around the case. If you think it's too hot then get a portable fan or laptop cooler.

 

[Nayyte]

deleted

 

[Diraan]

I’ve got a question that seems silly, but I’ve never done it before.

While I’m without my usual options, how safe is the Mjolnir 2 to use with particularly sensitive IEMs like the EE Odins and CA Andromedas? I’d be using the balanced out through an xlr -> 4.4 adapter for both sets.

Am I asking for trouble?

 

[Guidostrunk]

I’ve got a question that seems silly, but I’ve never done it before.

While I’m without my usual options, how safe is the Mjolnir 2 to use with particularly sensitive IEMs like the EE Odins and CA Andromedas? I’d be using the balanced out through an xlr -> 4.4 adapter for both sets.

Am I asking for trouble?

Just turn it on low gain and be careful with the volume control. You should be fine.

 

[Diraan]

Just turn it on low gain and be careful with the volume control. You should be fine.

Well, I'm glad to report that neither of my IEMs blew up. Though I'm currently listening at about 3 degrees off zero, or around 7 o'clock. At low gain, of course. Makes me wish there was an attenuated lower gain mode for this exact use case.

Interestingly enough, I can still distinctly listen to music with the volume reduced to zero.

Something satisfying about listening to Odins amped by a Mjolnir, fed by a Gungnir.

 

[Guidostrunk]

Well, I'm glad to report that neither of my IEMs blew up. Though I'm currently listening at about 3 degrees off zero, or around 7 o'clock. At low gain, of course. Makes me wish there was an attenuated lower gain mode for this exact use case.

Interestingly enough, I can still distinctly listen to music with the volume reduced to zero.

Something satisfying about listening to Odins amped by a Mjolnir, fed by a Gungnir.

You can get more volume single ended. It may sound a lot better in that configuration, given the iem sensitivity. If you can try it I'd give it a go.

 

[Blindranger]

My Meze 109’s have a similar challenge of being too easy to drive on the MJ2, even on the low gain setting. While I get more volume going single ended, I find that it doesn’t sound as good as the Balanced out. The upshot is I rarely run my 109’s on the MJ2. Interestingly the lowest gain setting on my Ragnorak 2 is dead silent and a great pairing with the 109’s.

 

[evexMicle]

My Meze 109’s have a similar challenge of being too easy to drive on the MJ2, even on the low gain setting. While I get more volume going single ended, I find that it doesn’t sound as good as the Balanced out. The upshot is I rarely run my 109’s on the MJ2. Interestingly the lowest gain setting on my Ragnorak 2 is dead silent and a great pairing with the 109’s.

It seems like the 109’s are a bit too efficient for the Mojo 2 on low gain. The balanced output does offer better sound, and it’s great that the Ragnarok 2 pairs so well with them on the lowest gain setting. Have you tried other amps with the 109’s, or is the Ragnarok 2 your go-to for now?

 

[Blindranger]

It seems like the 109’s are a bit too efficient for the Mojo 2 on low gain. The balanced output does offer better sound, and it’s great that the Ragnarok 2 pairs so well with them on the lowest gain setting. Have you tried other amps with the 109’s, or is the Ragnarok 2 your go-to for now?

My favorite pairing with the 109’s is my Mojo 2. It’s my go to combo when traveling for work.