Schiit Ragnarok Amplifier

[Yoga]

Rag just arrived. Ice cold so it's sitting near the radiator getting warm.
 
3F / Abyss testing imminent, there goes the rest of today :¬)

 

[Barry S]

  Rag just arrived. Ice cold so it's sitting near the radiator getting warm.
 
3F / Abyss testing imminent, there goes the rest of today :¬)

O happy day! Should sound nice with your 3F.

 

[Yoga]

 
O happy day! Should sound nice with your 3F.

 
Straight off the bat - 3F bass is tighter using the Rag and balanced cables. Very impressive indeed!

 

[BDM-Fi]

 

[Yoga]

To anyone who's used the Rag with Abyss - volume.
 
On the highest gain (third setting), I'm seeing the volume at 3 o'clock for nice and loud (but not overly so) levels (balanced).
 
Does that seem normal, I would have expected it to be less.

 

[johnjen]

  To anyone who's used the Rag with Abyss - volume.
 
On the highest gain (third setting), I'm seeing the volume at 3 o'clock for nice and loud (but not overly so) levels (balanced).
 
Does that seem normal, I would have expected it to be less.

I ran into a similar situation but learned that where the moar knob winds up is irrelevant, which is very different than a 'normal' amp.
 
On my 800's I usually wind up between 1:30 and 3:30 all the time on gain=1.
If I run gain=20 that drops it down to 10:30 to 1:30
 
I took quite a while to un-learn the deep seated command, 'Thou Shalt Keep The MOAR Knob Between 10:00 and 2:00'.
 
JJ

 

[Yoga]

  I ran into a similar situation but learned that where the moar knob winds up is irrelevant, which is very different than a 'normal' amp.
 
On my 800's I usually wind up between 1:30 and 3:30 all the time on gain=1.
If I run gain=20 that drops it down to 10:30 to 1:30
 
I took quite a while to un-learn the deep seated command, 'Thou Shalt Keep The MOAR Knob Between 10:00 and 2:00'.
 
JJ

 
Haha! Yes, I have that too; the higher the volume, the higher the chances of distortion.
 
Is this related to the Rag being an 'intelligent' amp?

 

[johnjen]

   
Haha! Yes, I have that too; the higher the volume, the higher the chances of distortion.
 
Is this related to the Rag being an 'intelligent' amp?

I'm not sure I follow what you're saying…
Could you say that a different way?
 
JJ

 

[Yoga]

  I'm not sure I follow what you're saying…
Could you say that a different way?
 
JJ

 
I thought I read somewhere that the Rag has some kind of intelligence/control over what power was delivered. Upon further research, I it seems I was wrong, it's just the usual gain switch :¬)

 

[Argo Duck]

^ I think it does have a lot of intelligence but its dedicated to maintaining the Rag at its optimum operating points, and detecting malfunctions. IIRC

 

[johnjen]

   
I thought I read somewhere that the Rag has some kind of intelligence/control over what power was delivered. Upon further research, I it seems I was wrong, it's just the usual gain switch :¬)

Ah, I see now.
 
My understanding is that the cpu is involved with the change of gain, in that it shuts off the inputs & outputs, changes the gain circuitry, then adjusts all operating parameters and makes sure the amp is stable, then turns everything back on.
 
So the 'computer' is involved with, changing the coarse gain, along with input and output switching, and the Moar knob…
 
JJ

 

[knowhatimean]

Has anyone compared the Rag to a Sennheiser HDVA 600 for use w/ the HD800 (as these headphones just keep getting more
transparent with every new mod I add to them.I really can't think of anything that I listen to that I would be interested in using another headphone for . If my HE-6 were cosmetically in better condition I would probably try selling them.)
 
I can run my Metrum Hex DAC balanced to either one of these amps . 6 Moons seemed to prefer running the Hex balanced & as much as I love running this DAC single ended if running it balanced is a notch better I definitely want that.                                                                

 

[freddy1201]

  Has anyone compared the Rag to a Sennheiser HDVA 600 for use w/ the HD800 (as these headphones just keep getting more
transparent with every new mod I add to them.I really can't think of anything that I listen to that I would be interested in using another headphone for . If my HE-6 were cosmetically in better condition I would probably try selling them.)
 
I can run my Metrum Hex DAC balanced to either one of these amps . 6 Moons seemed to prefer running the Hex balanced & as much as I love running this DAC single ended if running it balanced is a notch better I definitely want that.                                                                

The only comparison i've found is from jude in his rag review there http://www.head-fi.org/a/head-fi-buying-guide-ultra-high-end-headphones-summit-fi
 
But he does not say which one is the best. I think the rag will be superior if you run it balanced.

 

[atubbs]

 
The only comparison i've found is from jude in his rag review there http://www.head-fi.org/a/head-fi-buying-guide-ultra-high-end-headphones-summit-fi
 
But he does not say which one is the best. I think the rag will be superior if you run it balanced.

 
I know this topic has come up numerous times, but I still feel pretty strongly that you're paying a lot for this amp and there's really no point if you're just going to use it single-ended. Doesn't make sense to me, just from a fiscal standpoint; might as well spend less (or more) on a single-ended amp.

 

[knowhatimean]

 

 
The only comparison i've found is from jude in his rag review there http://www.head-fi.org/a/head-fi-buying-guide-ultra-high-end-headphones-summit-fi
 
But he does not say which one is the best. I think the rag will be superior if you run it balanced.

 
I know this topic has come up numerous times, but I still feel pretty strongly that you're paying a lot for this amp and there's really no point if you're just going to use it single-ended. Doesn't make sense to me, just from a fiscal standpoint; might as well spend less (or more) on a single-ended amp.

I'm of the belief that all DACs are not equal (It's not even close, as far as I'm concerned). I'm sure I will run "fully" balanced at
some point, but at this point I'd rather spend the money I'd be spending on a (Non Sennheiser) HD800 balanced hp cable on a
pair of balanced Analog interconnects so I will be running my Hex balanced. (For the amt I'd spend for the Sennheiser balanced)
 
I want to take maximum advantage of what my DAC can give me first. The HD800 will just have to wait for the next "fiscally opportune"
occasion that arises for their balanced cable. ("fiscal standpoint".... that's a good one; that consideration "went down the rabbit hole"
when we started this hobby !!!)