Schiit Mjolnir 3 - Impressions Thread

[cgb3]

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+

The Gungnir 2, MJ3, Hifiman HE 1000 SE is my end game. I'm satisfied. Nothing more to upgrade. It's a very satisfying sound.

Will this last? Who knows?

 

[MindBreak]

The Gungnir 2, MJ3, Hifiman HE 1000 SE is my end game. I'm satisfied. Nothing more to upgrade. It's a very satisfying sound.

Will this last? Who knows?

What about a companion to the Mjolnir 3 in the form of a Valhalla 3.

 

[cgb3]

What about a companion to the Mjolnir 3 in the form of a Valhalla 3.

I love tubes. If I want to introduce tubes in a pre, it would be with a same size unit. Freya+ F is on my radar. My current system sounds so good, why change?

I may include my Lyr 3 as a pre at some point.

 

[MindBreak]

I love tubes. If I want to introduce tubes in a pre, it would be with a same size unit. Freya+ F is on my radar. My current system sounds so good, why change?

I may include my Lyr 3 as a pre at some point.

Not as a pre, but as another Amp to complement your Mjolnir 3, but I get your point.

 

[Rayski]

Yeah at this point, I’m considering eventually finding the best R2R DAC I can afford and using that as a source for the Mjolnir 3. Tbh, the Ladder Schumann is such a solid performer, I end up having to look at much higher end stuff I need to save up for, like the Laiv Harmony, or something that outperforms the Schumann by several degrees.

If you have an opportunity to borrow, try a Chord Qutest with your MJ3. I find the combination works really good. I might be biased to the Chord DACs but if you can they're worth a listen. Also, Chord Qutests can usually be found on the classifieds for a good price (that's how I got mine).

 

[MindBreak]

If you have an opportunity to borrow, try a Chord Qutest with your MJ3. I find the combination works really good. I might be biased to the Chord DACs but if you can they're worth a listen. Also, Chord Qutests can usually be found on the classifieds for a good price (that's how I got mine).

Whichever DAC sounds good to you will be presented in all its glory through the Mjolnir 3. That is why I always say that Mjolnir 3 is very revealing of the source, and to take that in mind prior to purchasing it. I got my Mjolnir 3, and then started planning for my DAC upgrade (Yggdrasil+ MIB) to get the most out of the amp. Many combinations out there that will work well, but personal preference will always dictate which combo sounds best.

 

[cgb3]

I love tubes. If I want to introduce tubes in a pre, it would be with a same size unit. Freya+ F is on my radar. My current system sounds so good, why change?

I may include my Lyr 3 as a pre at some point.

Pulled the trigger on Freya+ F with 6SN7 tubes. Should be delivered Monday.

Purchased 4 Ray Select matched tubes from their website. No shipping info after several days. I can wait. I'm familiar with the Tung Sol tubes shipped with the Freya. They're good valves.

 

[Siggi]

Got my Mjolnir 3 today, happy days Thank you all for the recommendations, it really was worth the upgrade!

Since I had already gotten my Gungnir 2 (using with Lyr+) I wasn't expecting a big difference, maybe a tighter base? but boy, this feels like another step up.. and the amp is still brand new out of the box with only a few hours in use!

Base is much tighter and thicker, and details/resolution feels like another step up. Biggest sound stage I have ever experience, that's for sure!

Having fun listening to a catalog of albums I've treasured for many years, and hearing new details! That is something I did not expect to experience again
This stack really makes it clear what albums are well mixed+mastered, and which ones received less of an effort.

One happy customer here, really glad I made the jump!

btw does anyone have a good binaural / "Dummy's head" recording they can recommend? Something that has good 3d positional cues.

 

[jinu117]

I find bubbles by Yoshi Hirokawa is for position and staging really.

 

[j0val]

Got my Mjolnir 3 today, happy days Thank you all for the recommendations, it really was worth the upgrade!

Since I had already gotten my Gungnir 2 (using with Lyr+) I wasn't expecting a big difference, maybe a tighter base? but boy, this feels like another step up.. and the amp is still brand new out of the box with only a few hours in use!

Base is much tighter and thicker, and details/resolution feels like another step up. Biggest sound stage I have ever experience, that's for sure!

Having fun listening to a catalog of albums I've treasured for many years, and hearing new details! That is something I did not expect to experience again
This stack really makes it clear what albums are well mixed+mastered, and which ones received less of an effort.

One happy customer here, really glad I made the jump!

btw does anyone have a good binaural / "Dummy's head" recording they can recommend? Something that has good 3d positional cues.

Congrats. It’s a great stack. I felt the same way going from Lyr+ to MJ3.

For staging and layering, I have been using the first minute of “Only in Dreams (2024 Remaster)” by Weezer. Really cool as each instrument is introduced. I have also been using Samba Pa Ti by Kyoshi Sugimoto for something more instrumental.

 

[adydula]

Got my Mjolnir 3 today, happy days Thank you all for the recommendations, it really was worth the upgrade!

Since I had already gotten my Gungnir 2 (using with Lyr+) I wasn't expecting a big difference, maybe a tighter base? but boy, this feels like another step up.. and the amp is still brand new out of the box with only a few hours in use!

Base is much tighter and thicker, and details/resolution feels like another step up. Biggest sound stage I have ever experience, that's for sure!

Having fun listening to a catalog of albums I've treasured for many years, and hearing new details! That is something I did not expect to experience again
This stack really makes it clear what albums are well mixed+mastered, and which ones received less of an effort.

One happy customer here, really glad I made the jump!

btw does anyone have a good binaural / "Dummy's head" recording they can recommend? Something that has good 3d positional cues.

This is very very good...

Danny Boy cut will surprise you...

@cgb3 HE1000 Se a great can, I have one as well and it pairs with the MJ3 extremely well.
For its low cost point its a steal compared to the mega buck versions from the same house IMO.

Enjoy!

 

[MattTCG]

I continue to be more and more impressed with the m3. First of all, it's my favorite schiit amp and there is really not a close second for myself at least. Secondly, it's almost as comfortable with dynamic driver headphones as it is with planars (I would give a nod to planars though). But most certainly could be a jack of all trade amps for even a large collection of headphones with power hungary planars included.

Very revealing of source, so choose your DAC wisely, as this will allow you to dial in the sound profile to your liking.

The voicing of the amp, the effortless nuance of old school power and the confident control of driver grip on my entire headphone collection is working a hold over me. I'm putting the m3 up there with top tier SS amps. In fact, I'm having a hard time thinking of another top tier amp that I've owned or auditioned where I thought, "this is easily better than m3." And the crazy thing is the realization of just how much less expensive the m3 is than other big boy, top tire amps. At this stage of performance, there is really no clearly better than m3, just different. Disclaimer: I have not hear the Folksvanger.

Indeed, to my ears this is a flagship solid state headphone amp with the soul of a hand built tube amp. It just does so many things correctly. It's a toe tapper and head bobber for sure. And possibly most importantly, it imparts an emotional engagement to the music which is the very reason that I'm in the hobby at all. My hat is off to the gang at Schiit...it's a homerun boys! I'm sorry that I waited this long to get the m3 in house.

 

[bagwell359]

I continue to be more and more impressed with the m3. First of all, it's my favorite schiit amp and there is really not a close second for myself at least. Secondly, it's almost as comfortable with dynamic driver headphones as it is with planars (I would give a nod to planars though). But most certainly could be a jack of all trade amps for even a large collection of headphones with power hungary planars included.

Very revealing of source, so choose your DAC wisely, as this will allow you to dial in the sound profile to your liking.

The voicing of the amp, the effortless nuance of old school power and the confident control of driver grip on my entire headphone collection is working a hold over me. I'm putting the m3 up there with top tier SS amps. In fact, I'm having a hard time thinking of another top tier amp that I've owned or auditioned where I thought, "this is easily better than m3." And the crazy thing is the realization of just how much less expensive the m3 is than other big boy, top tire amps. At this stage of performance, there is really no clearly better than m3, just different. Disclaimer: I have not hear the Folksvanger.

Indeed, to my ears this is a flagship solid state headphone amp with the soul of a hand built tube amp. It just does so many things correctly. It's a toe tapper and head bobber for sure. And possibly most importantly, it imparts an emotional engagement to the music which is the very reason that I'm in the hobby at all. My hat is off to the gang at Schiit...it's a homerun boys! I'm sorry that I waited this long to get the m3 in house.

What amps (Schiit and otherwise) do you know well? BHC? Echo 2? Ragnarok?

Planars? Which, were any HE-6 included?

 

[MattTCG]

What amps (Schiit and otherwise) do you know well? BHC? Echo 2? Ragnarok?

Planars? Which, were any HE-6 included?

I've owned, or borrowed all the Schiit amps over the past 15 years or so. The Ragnorok is a good amp. I enjoyed the mjo2 with some good glass. I owned the original lyr with the he-5 way back in the day. And while I've enjoyed all of them to varying degrees, I've not felt for any of them the way that I do about the m3. There is technical performance, and then there is being in pulled in on another level. The m3 is special.

Does really good things with planars, but I have not owned the hd-6 as it's just way too heavy for me to enjoy. I have ETHER 2 and Aeon Noire x and soon may have the xo to audition.

 

[Smoothstereo]

Got my Mjolnir 3 today, happy days Thank you all for the recommendations, it really was worth the upgrade!

Since I had already gotten my Gungnir 2 (using with Lyr+) I wasn't expecting a big difference, maybe a tighter base? but boy, this feels like another step up.. and the amp is still brand new out of the box with only a few hours in use!

Base is much tighter and thicker, and details/resolution feels like another step up. Biggest sound stage I have ever experience, that's for sure!

Having fun listening to a catalog of albums I've treasured for many years, and hearing new details! That is something I did not expect to experience again
This stack really makes it clear what albums are well mixed+mastered, and which ones received less of an effort.

One happy customer here, really glad I made the jump!

btw does anyone have a good binaural / "Dummy's head" recording they can recommend? Something that has good 3d positional cues.

Welcome to the MJ3 club ! I upgraded from a Jot2 to MJ3 and was very happy and satisfied with the purchase.