Schiit Ragnarok Amplifier

[Exacoustatowner]

Some activity on the webpage. They are estimating 2-4 for the first back ordered and 4-6 for those who order now

 

[lukeap69]

Some activity on the webpage. They are estimating 2-4 for the first back ordered and 4-6 for those who order now

Nice. What DAC and HP are  you going to pair the Rag to?

 

[Exacoustatowner]

Hi Luke,
The OppoBDP-105D via balanced XLR to Ragnarok to HiFIMan HE-560 via balanced cable
How about you?

Nice. What DAC and HP are  you going to pair the Rag to?

Hi

 

[lukeap69]

Hi Luke,
The OppoBDP-105D via balanced XLR to Ragnarok to HiFIMan HE-560 via balanced cable
How about you?
Hi

Nice. I use Audio-gd NFB-1 (2015) via XLR. Mainly use HD800 and PM-2.

 

[Exacoustatowner]

I'll bet that sounds great! Right now I'm using a Lyr with some NOS tubes while I wait for the Ragnarok. Loving the sound!

Nice. I use Audio-gd NFB-1 (2015) via XLR. Mainly use HD800 and PM-2.

 

[lukeap69]

I'll bet that sounds great! Right now I'm using a Lyr with some NOS tubes while I wait for the Ragnarok. Loving the sound!

I have Lyr 2 also with Amperex OG. It's good but my least favourite (compared to Gustard H10 and of course the Rok!) 

 

[Exacoustatowner]

I hope to be "Rokking" in a month or so!
quote name="lukeap69" url="/t/731221/schiit-ragnarok-amplifier/585#post_11474586"]I have Lyr 2 also with Amperex OG. It's good but my least favourite (compared to Gustard H10 and of course the Rok!) 
[/quote]

 

[lukeap69]

Exciting times!

 

[johnjen]

Ok so have any of the existing Rok owners performed any testing to determine if there is any SQ difference between Gain 1, or 2, or 3?
 
If so, what you’re your findings?
 
I ask because I'm in the middle of this experiment at the moment.
 
JJ  :thumb 

 

 

[Exacoustatowner]

  Ok so have any of the existing Rok owners performed any testing to determine if there is any SQ difference between Gain 1, or 2, or 3?
 
If so, what you’re your findings?
 
I ask because I'm in the middle of this experiment at the moment.
 
JJ  :thumb 

 

Existing Rok Owners- you shall henceforth be dubbed "The Royal First Batchers!" I'm in line to be a Second Batcher.

 

[dglow]

  Ok so have any of the existing Rok owners performed any testing to determine if there is any SQ difference between Gain 1, or 2, or 3?
 
If so, what you’re your findings?
 

 
My impressions thus far: gain 1 resolves better; it is slightly cleaner and more open. With the attack of a slap bass I can more clearly hear the envelope on 1, whereas 2 and 3 muddy that up a bit. Soundstage is damn-near identical between all three, though it does close in just a touch with gain 3.
 
This is tricky to compare well, given I'm not blindly A-B'ing it and returning to a common volume between each gain change is imperfect. Overall, I'd say there's a noticeable difference moving between 1 and 2, then less so between 2 and 3. Gain 2 and 3 present a slightly warmer, smoother sound on the low end, which some might like, actually.

 

[johnjen]

   
My impressions thus far: gain 1 resolves better; it is slightly cleaner and more open. With the attack of a slap bass I can more clearly hear the envelope on 1, whereas 2 and 3 muddy that up a bit. Soundstage is damn-near identical between all three, though it does close in just a touch with gain 3.
 
This is tricky to compare well, given I'm not blindly A-B'ing it and returning to a common volume between each gain change is imperfect. Overall, I'd say there's a noticeable difference moving between 1 and 2, then less so between 2 and 3. Gain 2 and 3 present a slightly warmer, smoother sound on the low end, which some might like, actually.

Excellent!
 
Right now I'm adding to the time spent in G-2 & G-3, since the hours spent were all in G-1 mode.
 
At first the differences were so slight I couldn't identify just what they were, but there were differences.
Now as I add more hrs to G-2 & G-3 these differences are becoming 'clearer' and 'preferences' are starting to emerge.
 
From one ""Royal First Batchers!" to another…  :thumb
HAhahahahahahahaha
 
JJ

 

[Chris F]

I think the choice of gain is depends on which headphones you are using.  
 
To me LCD-3F sounds best with gain 2.  Gain 1 everything is soft and mushy like the headphone isn't getting enough power. Gain 3 the sound is too aggressive and the midrange takes on a unpleasant metallic timbre.  Gain 2 has the best balance; the bass is tight and controlled, the transient attack/decay is great and the timbre is pretty good. 

 

[Exacoustatowner]

This humble (eagerly awaiting) Second Batcher is waiting to try this with his HE-560's...I did not know Schiit until March and ordered on March 21st. Does that make me a Third Batcher?
quote name="Chris F" url="/t/731221/schiit-ragnarok-amplifier/585#post_11477613"]I think the choice of gain is depends on which headphones you are using.  

To me LCD-3F sounds best with gain 2.  Gain 1 everything is soft and mushy like the headphone isn't getting enough power. Gain 3 the sound is too aggressive and the midrange takes on a unpleasant metallic timbre.  Gain 2 has the best balance; the bass is tight and controlled, the transient attack/decay is great and the timbre is pretty good. 
[/quote]

 

[lukeap69]

I think the choice of gain is depends on which headphones you are using.  

To me LCD-3F sounds best with gain 2.  Gain 1 everything is soft and mushy like the headphone isn't getting enough power. Gain 3 the sound is too aggressive and the midrange takes on a unpleasant metallic timbre.  Gain 2 has the best balance; the bass is tight and controlled, the transient attack/decay is great and the timbre is pretty good. 

Pretty much the same with my HD800. This is running balanced input. If I fed the Rok with an SE input, I had to change the gain to 3. I like the play the volume marker from 11AM to 2-3PM depending on the song.