Schiit Mjolnir vs Bryston BHA-1 (and Schiit Gungnir vs Bifrost)

[basman]

Quote:

 
Why worry about what I think? You are the one that counts and if you are happy with the way Bryston designed, fine. I am not you and I have a different opinion. A product that is compromised in the eyes of one person is not compromised in the eyes of someone else. It all depends on your perspective and your expectations. To me adding something like a balance control that actually makes it more expensive to manufacture and does nothing to improve the sound quality is counterproductive. It would be very surprising if passing the audio signal through it does not degrade the quality. Do you realize that even cheap receivers where often fitted with a switch called source direct or something like that for those who wanted to bypass things like balance controls? Of course the thing sounded better if you had the source direct switch selected. No brainer.

 
No worries here, I find it entertaining to see people critisicing the design without owning the amp or at least heard it in the first place. I know that we have different opinions and to me "hear it first before you complain or buy" and you can't have the perfect amp on your perspective unless you have capability to do it yourself. let's keep this thread on track and sorry to the op. peace on earth.

 

[Hooster]

Please don't take this too seriously. I am a perfectionist and I have gone to lengths that most people would not consider. I have designed my own equipment and had it custom built for me when I could not find exactly what I was after. I don't have the skills to build electronics but I know exactly what I want...
 
By all accounts the Bryston is a fantastic sounding amp and a piece of equipment most would be happy and proud to own, me included, even if I see a beauty spot on it's pretty face.

 

[basman]

Quote:

Please don't take this too seriously. I am a perfectionist and I have gone to lengths that most people would not consider. I have designed my own equipment and had it custom built for me when I could not find exactly what I was after. I don't have the skills to build electronics but I know exactly what I want...
 
By all accounts the Bryston is a fantastic sounding amp and a piece of equipment most would be happy and proud to own, me included, even if I see a beauty spot on it's pretty face.

 
I wish I have the skills and funds to do the amp the way I want it to be or we have a builder that will accept an order of the amp we want

.

 

[mackat]

I haven't been able to figure this out: Is the Bryston really balanced like the Mjolnir or is it Balanced-to-Single Ended-Then-Balanced?

 

[paradoxper]

Quote:

I haven't been able to figure this out: Is the Bryston really balanced like the Mjolnir or is it Balanced-to-Single Ended-Then-Balanced?

A bit different. Tthe Bryston has balanced input that converts the input into Single ended.

 

[Chris J]

I haven't been able to figure this out: Is the Bryston really balanced like the Mjolnir or is it Balanced-to-Single Ended-Then-Balanced?

The input stage can accept balanced or SE inputs and converts the input signal to SE.
The output reconverts the signal back into balanced.

Personally,
I like the versatility of the input stage, i.e. accepts balanced or SE signals, and I like the versatlity of the output stage, i.e. can drive either balanced or SE.

 

[paradoxper]

Quote:

The input stage can accept balanced or SE inputs and converts the input signal to SE.
The output reconverts the signal back into balanced.
Personally,
I like the versatility of the input stage, i.e. accepts balanced or SE signals, and I like the versatlity of the output stage, i.e. can drive either balanced or SE.

Even better said.

 

[Chris J]

Even better said.

Hey, thanks!

 

[kLevkoff]

A balance control is a passive potentiometer. I can't imagine it's having ANY significant effect on the sound quality.
It's debatable whether it would ever prove useful but I can't see its being a negative.
 
 
Quote:

 
It seems you're having a bad day today...
 
1. I've asked this question myself without getting any answer. But remember BHA-1 is also for studio use, maybe if you're monitoring a rough mix or something it could be handy. Or listen to some 60s vinyl... I guess the balance control doesn't degrade SQ, otherwise they wouldn't have put it there.
2. There is a line output now, their homepage isn't updated yet though. Male XLR pre out at the back connected in parallell with the front XLRs, i.e. after volume control.
3. What are you talking about? There are 2 x 3 pole XLRs, 4 pole XLR + a standard 1/4" SE output on the front, always has been. Check the photo. Are you mixing this up with Mjolnir? Check facts before posting.
 
Edit: I'm so slow answering, sorry... 

 

[ardilla]

Yeah - strange thing to put on a pire head-amp. I cannot really think of any trakcs I ever listened to that needed balance adjustement with a headphone. But maybe when watching a movie with headphones with your head turned aside?
Quote:

A balance control is a passive potentiometer. I can't imagine it's having ANY significant effect on the sound quality.
It's debatable whether it would ever prove useful but I can't see its being a negative.
 
 

 

[Maxvla]

There are people with hearing imbalances that require a balance control.

 

[ardilla]

Very good point. 
Quote:

There are people with hearing imbalances that require a balance control.

 

[YtseJamer]

Great review!

 

[Hooster]

Quote:

A balance control is a passive potentiometer. I can't imagine it's having ANY significant effect on the sound quality.
It's debatable whether it would ever prove useful but I can't see its being a negative.
 
 

 
If you had any idea of the lengths that high end pre amp manufacturers will go to to eliminate passive pots from the circuits and why they do that... I am not going to write  treatise on it but have a look at what manufacturers like Mark Levinson, Nelson Pass, Jeff Rowland do. For example:
 
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/Technology/SynergyTechnology.pdf
 
"A digitally controlled analog volume control is used to
provide exact matching between both channels at every volume setting, as well as
allowing the absolute simplest signal path possible. For each volume setting, the audio
signal passes unscathed through only a single resistor. This unique system never suffers
from the numerous problems found in conventional potentiometer controlled volume
controls, including varying impedance and tracking accuracy"
 
If they could just stick a passive pot into their pre amps without it degrading the sound quality they would. Much cheaper like that.

 

[Jand]

Ok dumb question, and I likely missed this in the original post -- but what headphone cables did you use with the HD800 to connect to the Mjolnir?  It's only bundled with a 1/4" terminated cable isn't it?  Thanks