Schiit Mjolnir 3 - Impressions Thread

[MattTCG]

Hey all,

I'm trying to make up my mind whether to get a MJ3 or not, and hoping someone can chime in here to help me with that decision

I currently have a Lyr+, and while its been a great amp my interest in tubes has pretty much disappeared and I've been using it in SS mode for the last year.
I also received a somewhat faulty unit and been too lazy to get it replaced, the volume control relays are non-linear and just around my listening level it jumps massively up and down in volume making it hard to find the right listening spot (like it goes 1-2-3-7-5-10 or so)... so that's been a source of annoyance.

I just upgraded my Bifrost 2/64 to a Gungnir 2 (getting it later this week!), and honestly wondering if now is the right time to jump on the amp upgrade as well and get something that really can last and is solid state. I just want something that sounds amazing and is reliable over many years to come.

I own both the Senn HD800 (10+ years old) and Hifiman HE-1000SE which I'm currently using.. my first planars and I absolutely love them.

Things I've been considering:
- Will I notice difference in sound with my HE-1000 (compared to Lyr+)?
- Heat was a concern, but reading MattTCG's impression above makes me less so
- Why does Jason often say it "doesnt measure that well" ?
- Future FOMO.. like will MJ4 come along with Forkbeard and whatnot?

Would love to hear impressions from people who have also owned the Lyr+

Reading your comments and what it seems that you are after, this amp should be a very good fit for you. First, m3 is a pretty substantial step up from lyr+ across the board IMO (I owned the lyr+ for a year). The headphone that you want to drive are well suited for this amp. I don't have the he1k anymore but while I'm not finished writing comments about the pair with hd800s, let me say this...VERY good.

Now that I've added a perfectly silent fan behind the amp it runs just a little over room temperature. I would be comfortable now running it for days at a time without worry. I've owned lot's of amps more expensive this the m3. That being said this amp punches way over it's price point...like 2x as much. I don't really get into measurements so I'll leave that one to someone else. I do however, have decently trained ear and I know when I hear something special. This amp is special.

 

[SJ4E]

Hey all,

I'm trying to make up my mind whether to get a MJ3 or not, and hoping someone can chime in here to help me with that decision

I currently have a Lyr+, and while its been a great amp my interest in tubes has pretty much disappeared and I've been using it in SS mode for the last year.
I also received a somewhat faulty unit and been too lazy to get it replaced, the volume control relays are non-linear and just around my listening level it jumps massively up and down in volume making it hard to find the right listening spot (like it goes 1-2-3-7-5-10 or so)... so that's been a source of annoyance.

I just upgraded my Bifrost 2/64 to a Gungnir 2 (getting it later this week!), and honestly wondering if now is the right time to jump on the amp upgrade as well and get something that really can last and is solid state. I just want something that sounds amazing and is reliable over many years to come.

I own both the Senn HD800 (10+ years old) and Hifiman HE-1000SE which I'm currently using.. my first planars and I absolutely love them.

Things I've been considering:
- Will I notice difference in sound with my HE-1000 (compared to Lyr+)?
- Heat was a concern, but reading MattTCG's impression above makes me less so
- Why does Jason often say it "doesnt measure that well" ?
- Future FOMO.. like will MJ4 come along with Forkbeard and whatnot?

Would love to hear impressions from people who have also owned the Lyr+

I borrowed the Lyr+ from my friend for a good while and it really wasn't for me. I'm not into hybrid amps. It's in a noticeably lower tier compared to the MJ3, as it should be for the price. What i like the most about the MJ3 is that it sounds great with everything you pair it with. It always enhances the sound and never takes anything away. I have tried it with the Gungir2 and it sounds wonderful and noticeably better then Bifrost 2/64. I have amps that cost way more then MJ3 and with some Headphones(He1000se included) I prefer the MJ3. I'm not saying it's the best amp in the world but for the price, for me, it's an awesome product. As far as FOMO goes, there will always be something better down the line but if you for by that logic then you should never purchase anything because it will eventually be obsolete.

 

[MindBreak]

I borrowed the Lyr+ from my friend for a good while and it really wasn't for me. I'm not into hybrid amps. It's in a noticeably lower tier compared to the MJ3, as it should be for the price.

Lyr+ seems to have mixed reviews from owners in general, but some have said that they like the Vali 3 more. More recent Schiit amps in general have been performed, and sounded a lot better than prior models (in my opinion). Mjolnir 3 does top all of them in my opinion, but I find all of my 3x3 Schiit amps enjoyable for different reasons.

Mjolnir 3 x Valhalla 3 x Vali 3

In that order.

 

[PopZeus]

I’m surprised to hear the Lyr+ can’t approach the Mj3, even with a tube upgrade. Not that I would expect it to, just more like most people seem to like the Mj3 a lot more than the Lyr+ to the point to wanting to replace it altogether.

 

[MindBreak]

I’m surprised to hear the Lyr+ can’t approach the Mj3, even with a tube upgrade. Not that I would expect it to, just more like most people seem to like the Mj3 a lot more than the Lyr+ to the pink to wanting to replace it altogether.

Personal preferences will play a roll in this as well, but the Mjolnir 3 having 2 watts of Class A might play into it. I haven't owned a Lyr+ myself, so I can only go by other owners comparisons. The source gear differences will also contribute to individual conclusions, as Mjolnir 3 is quite a revealing amp (in my opinion).

 

[j0val]

Hey all,

I'm trying to make up my mind whether to get a MJ3 or not, and hoping someone can chime in here to help me with that decision

I currently have a Lyr+, and while its been a great amp my interest in tubes has pretty much disappeared and I've been using it in SS mode for the last year.
I also received a somewhat faulty unit and been too lazy to get it replaced, the volume control relays are non-linear and just around my listening level it jumps massively up and down in volume making it hard to find the right listening spot (like it goes 1-2-3-7-5-10 or so)... so that's been a source of annoyance.

I just upgraded my Bifrost 2/64 to a Gungnir 2 (getting it later this week!), and honestly wondering if now is the right time to jump on the amp upgrade as well and get something that really can last and is solid state. I just want something that sounds amazing and is reliable over many years to come.

I own both the Senn HD800 (10+ years old) and Hifiman HE-1000SE which I'm currently using.. my first planars and I absolutely love them.

Things I've been considering:
- Will I notice difference in sound with my HE-1000 (compared to Lyr+)?
- Heat was a concern, but reading MattTCG's impression above makes me less so
- Why does Jason often say it "doesnt measure that well" ?
- Future FOMO.. like will MJ4 come along with Forkbeard and whatnot?

Would love to hear impressions from people who have also owned the Lyr+

I had owned a Lyr+ since it was released and switched to the Mjolnir 3 earlier this year.

It’s a pretty substantial upgrade in my opinion. I didn’t tube roll that much with the Lyr+ but I feel like it would be tough to find something that could match the MJ3 in soundstage, detail, layering, and just overall presence. The MJ3 has been a great amp. I also wanted to get away from the constant itch of finding the right tube (so much for that because I just got the Valhalla 3).

There are some quirks with the MJ3 such as heat, but it really isn’t too bad. It’s like a very weak space heater if you put your hand over the top ventilation. Also, there are some occasional creaks/pops I hear from the chassis.

I also have the Gungnir 2 paired with the MJ3 is it is a great match. The MJ3 really allows the G2 to shine.

 

[SJ4E]

I’m surprised to hear the Lyr+ can’t approach the Mj3, even with a tube upgrade. Not that I would expect it to, just more like most people seem to like the Mj3 a lot more than the Lyr+ to the point to wanting to replace it altogether.

The thing about the MJ3 is that you have to spend more then double the price to find something that is superior. If it were to cost $2000 it would still be a great deal.

 

[MindBreak]

The thing about the MJ3 is that you have to spend more then double the price to find something that is superior. If it were to cost $2000 it would still be a grat deal.

I like you your enthusiasm, but please don't give Jason any ideas.

 

[MattTCG]

How good is this amp? It has me rethinking my DAC. I have an older gumby with Unison. Now I'm wondering about the G2....

 

[MindBreak]

How good is this amp? It has me rethinking my DAC. I have an older gumby with Unison. Now I'm wondering about the G2....

For what it is worth, I upgraded from my Bifrost 2/64 to a Yggdrasil+ MIB late last year, and I had yet another Holly Schiit moment when I flipped it on.

No pressure.

 

[SJ4E]

How good is this amp? It has me rethinking my DAC. I have an older gumby with Unison. Now I'm wondering about the G2....

It really is good. Also as a bonus, if you live in a cold climate it doubles as a small space heater.

 

[MindBreak]

It really is good. Also as a bonus, if you live in a cold climate it doubles as a small space heater.

If I still lived in Queens NY, then this would keep me warm during the cold winters. Those old Coop buildings have crappy insulation.

 

[MattTCG]

For what it is worth, I upgraded from my Bifrost 2/64 to a Yggdrasil+ MIB late last year, and I had yet another Holly Schiit moment when I flipped it on.

No pressure.

I like your style. Why not get an end game DAC and use it for the next 20 years?

 

[MindBreak]

I like your style. Why not get an end game DAC and use it for the next 20 years?

Exactly, great minds think alike.

Schiit stating 10 years or so of upgrades, also helps as well if I ever want a different flavor.

 

[collectbab]

How good is this amp? It has me rethinking my DAC. I have an older gumby with Unison. Now I'm wondering about the G2....

You probably dealing with a very resolving, transparent amp that’s revealing the DAC’s limitations.