Schiit Ragnarok Amplifier

[bagwell359]

Two headphones - one in SE and one in XLR? I run my Rag 1 with speakers and XLR headphones briefly at times and no issues. Seems like the amp is telling you it's not something to do.... but would like to hear it. I never run my Rag 1 with SE headphones, its less power and higher output impedance - certainly not good for planars. Maybe some other types might want slightly higher output impedance.

 

[bagwell359]

OK, just ordered an amp only Rag 2. I've heard 3 R 2's before but only one briefly in comparison to my Rag 1.5. Going to test the crap out of both of them with speakers and cans, and all 3 gain settings. I know that the Rag 2 bass is a bit more impactful on speakers and cans - but the 1 (all versions) do have a higher bias before it goes into Class AB (4 vs 1 wpc @ 8 ohms) - so efficient speakers and headphones on the docket.

If there is a conclusive winner, the loser probably gets mothballed, if not - specially if one wins headphone and the other speaker - they both will be on the stack.

Reports forthcoming.

 

[bagwell359]

The Eagle has landed. Physical impressions vs Rag 1:

It's heavy, it's about 1" deeper, the back plane and overall exterior construction is less solid, but not in a way that is likely to be a problem. It's more modular in design. The buttons now have labels (albeit small) that make it easier to navigate for new users (after a few days its not an issue). The extra ability for more fine tuning of volume is a nice advantage over the Rag 1. It looks sharp in black/silver. It's got a remote (haven't tried it yet). Its got those little dinky rubber feet like the Rag 1, but since it runs cool thats not an issue, the Rag 1 appreciates very much the extra height added with my custom duro 70 sorb/fender washer feet.

It's been on for a day, I'm listening to it, but avoiding trying to make any determinations on sound until its been on for 4-5 days to break in the caps a bit. It does seem brighter by memory vs my Rag 1 - a slight emphasis on 'ssh' vs 'ahh' in the treble - a good reason to give it more time. VAC in is 120 and its very dry and comfortable - so env seems good. Pretty sure any findings are liable to be non dramatic - but - open mind, and get out the test tones and mic to be sure the levels are matched just to be sure.

EDIT: The Volume knob on the 2 is really nicely made, but it comes right off when you apply a very minimum amount of pressure pulling it out... it appears to be designed that way... guess if it needs service its easier that way.

 

[valkyrieorion]

Question on the ESS 9028 module, is it essentially getting the modius for your ragnarok?

 

[michael2v]

Question on the ESS 9028 module, is it essentially getting the modius for your ragnarok?

I would say so (I could never really discern a difference between the Modi 3+, Modius and the ESS card).

 

[bagwell359]

About 1/3 of the way through the comparisons. They are different from each other. I'm going to formalize the review and list music used when done in the next post.

So far the 2 is/has:

* more fundamental note forward. but the trailing harmonics are clear (not always the case with the former trait)
* a wider and deeper stage
* more information on recording errata and more 3D at the far edges of the stage
* the treble is more coherent from 3-15k (that mid treble whiteness of the Rag 1 around 6k is gone)
* more bass
* more immediate/dynamic/aggressive - aka pace.
* In Gain 1 the lack of push at the extremes isn't as notable as the Rag 1

So for most folks that's the end, winner declared. My HE-6 SE likes it better (that extra bass and coherent treble). Note: all cans used w/o EQ, but w/ my mods in place)
However the HEK Stealth - 2 has too much midbass (PEQ would likely fix that) and the treble can seem hot more often then 2 vs the 1. Steely Dan 'Black Cow' 24/192 & Joe Jackson 'Another World' 16/144 are two cuts that are clean but overly sharp (to me). EDIT ADD: My HD-600 (saved from the CC copper ring mod) likes the 2 as well, a little snappier pace wise with a hair more solid 40-80 hz area (but not as much as my BHCs adds).

My bias is an audiophile type sound, and I like lower volumes so my hearing can go to the music and not have loud brash music pressing on me - which is quite counter to the tastes of those not weaned on live classical and the subtlety of Quad ESL's. So horn speakers - no - but better w/ Cary amps (or similar tubes), R2R DAC's, MC cartridges, etc.

2nd review will be with each pre-amp and amp section compared. I noted before the Rag 1 vs my departed Pass P/Adcom GFP-750 & Pass X-150 set-up that the side to side wasn't as wide and the mid treble issues. I suspect most of the difference is in the pre-amp section from my prior testing.

In favor of the 1 - more of a Class A sound - the 2 even in Gain 2 (headphones or speakers) seems like a Class AB amp (think a slightly more subtle Adcom GFA-545). Probably attributable to the Rag 1 going up to 4 wpc in Class A before its slides into Class AB vs the 1 wpc of the Rag 2 (and yes I did some level matched blind testing). There is a certain slightly warm subtlety that I would miss if I moved the Rag 1 totally. Could be that I keep both and use what I feel is the better pre-amp to drive both. If I had a Rag 1 I would not sell it just to get a 2. But at the current close out - the Rag 2 at $999 in black vs the price in 2016 of the Rag 1 at $1699 - no brainer. I have not heard the phono section one could get with Rag 2, but I know the DAC, and I wouldn't advise it unless price was the major issue. I predict that when the Rag 2 is no longer available new that the used price will go up over $1k because it offers so much. The Rag 1 is remains scarce used. Both classics - and clearly related, but not identical.

 

[Blindranger]

I am about two weeks away from being able to purchase a new Rag2. How long do products usually sit in the Last Chance section of Schiits' website before they are all gone? I'm trying to decide whether to buy it on my CC and be done with it or if I will likely be OK with waiting.

 

[brankin]

I am about two weeks away from being able to purchase a new Rag2. How long do products usually sit in the Last Chance section of Schiits' website before they are all gone? I'm trying to decide whether to buy it on my CC and be done with it or if I will likely be OK with waiting.

I don't know the answer to to your question, but do you follow Jason Stoddard's posts and get alerts when he adds content? That is a great way to not miss a new product, discontinuation of a product or a warning that a Last Chance item has a short shelf life left should he choose to post an update.

Did you read the chapter on Ragnarok 2 moving to the Last Chance list in June? It may provide some insight that they may have quite a few available, at least back then
I went through the same FOMO with Yggy GS2 when people started to post a bunch about getting them. I caved early and shot one. Not a single regret, just enjoyment!

Ragnarok 2 chapter

 

[Blindranger]

Thank you @brankin! I hadn't seen that post before, and now my FOMO is even worse .

Picture this: I'm lounging on my couch, a good 8 feet from my beloved Schiit MJ2 (my current headphone nirvana machine), when suddenly... I need to adjust the volume. Oh, the horror, I have to get move from my place of comfort! First-world problem? Absolutely. But we're all here because we care about these "little" things, right?

Enter the Rag2 with its magical remote control! I'm considering replacing the MJ2 with the Rag2 in my main system, which brings up the question has anyone compared the headphone output of the MJ2 to the Rag2? I'd love to hear your thoughts on how they stack up. Is this more of a side-grade than upgrade or downgrade? I am confident that for my speakers, the Rag2 will be a noticeable upgrade, so I am Ok if I am not gaining more than better ease of use while listening to my headphones.

If I make this switch, I'll need to relocate the MJ2. I'm torn between my office and the sunroom (though I have some concerns about the latter).

 

[tutetibiimperes]

Thank you @brankin! I hadn't seen that post before, and now my FOMO is even worse .

Picture this: I'm lounging on my couch, a good 8 feet from my beloved Schiit MJ2 (my current headphone nirvana machine), when suddenly... I need to adjust the volume. Oh, the horror, I have to get move from my place of comfort! First-world problem? Absolutely. But we're all here because we care about these "little" things, right?

Enter the Rag2 with its magical remote control! I'm considering replacing the MJ2 with the Rag2 in my main system, which brings up the question has anyone compared the headphone output of the MJ2 to the Rag2? I'd love to hear your thoughts on how they stack up. Is this more of a side-grade than upgrade or downgrade? I am confident that for my speakers, the Rag2 will be a noticeable upgrade, so I am Ok if I am not gaining more than better ease of use while listening to my headphones.

If I make this switch, I'll need to relocate the MJ2. I'm torn between my office and the sunroom (though I have some concerns about the latter).

I haven’t to the MJ2, but compared to the MJ3 the Rag2 is more slam happy and feels like it has more bass impact, but it loses to the MJ3 when it comes to soundstage and imaging.

You could go with a Saga 2 ahead of the MJ2 if you just want to add remote control.

 

[Blindranger]

I thought about the Saga 2, but I prefer to stay fully balanced from my Gumby to amp to headphones.

 

[bagwell359]

It's a Hobson's choice - Very well recorded music seems to win with the 2 - but lesser recordings on the bright side get fatiguing. So Rag 1 easier to listen to, but less revealing. I'm liable to keep both and use them as applicable. My HE-500 is on loan and I'd like to see how that works with both. I'd also like to get my hands on the ZMF Auteur again because it could be big time match with the 2.

I adjusted the Xover in my mini monitors with the ribbons to sound right on the Rag 1 and my Gumby a few years ago - using the BMR Philharmonic as a target) It's the worst match vs the 3 cans in hand now (HD-600, HE-6 SE, HEK Stealth) with the 2 in the treble. The Columbia era Miles Davis recordings in general at anything but very low levels is the not doable. Snappy pop like Joe Jackson's "Night and Day" likewise. Mids and bass good - very good. I could throw a switch on the crossover to suit both, but I've lavashed a lot of time on them the past 10 years, so probably not.

I haven't done the pre-amp / amp switch between Rag 1 and Rag 2, that might be insructional - we will see. Adjusting PEQ could help. If my Rag 1 ever dies, that

I'm pretty sure most here would want the Rag 2 on closeout at $999 with the remote, and lower temps, and a bit more bass kick than a Rag 1 - but not everyone.

Final thoughts and some recordings coming later.

 

[Blindranger]

Oh my, I wonder what is in these boxes?

 

[Hawson]

Oh my, I wonder what is in these boxes?

Exciting! I remember being really surprised at how heavy it is even after hearing other people say so. Just built like a tank.

 

[michael2v]

Oh my, I wonder what is in these boxes?

I’ve said it before, but make sure you warm up before trying to lift these things!