Schiit Ragnarok Amplifier

[bagwell359]

I'm still debating on either a Rag 2 or Mjolnir 3.

I heard both at meets sponsored by Schiit when they were just coming out of development. I had issues with both - the Rag 2 had a wild treble which the two later ones I heard did not. Found the M3 quite bright on my 3 cans I tried (my HD-600 w/ the regrettable copper ring mod), HD-800S, HEK Stealth. But lots of folks seem to really like it, so maybe its the same situation with an early version.

If you ever plan on running speakers and dont have something else/better - the Rag 2 is quite nice for both headphones and speakers.

 

[mtenga]

Struggling with low volume from my PCs.

3 Windows PCs connected to KVM —> Creative Soundblaster X5 (via USB) —> RCA from Soundblaster to Rag 2 —> Monitor Apex A10

I’ve got the Rag on high gain and PC and Sounblaster maxed out. I still have to turn the Rag to nearly 4 O’clock on the dial to get decent volume. That would be ear blasting on the Yamaha AU670 it replaced.

Any ideas or comments?

 

[MacMan31]

I heard both at meets sponsored by Schiit when they were just coming out of development. I had issues with both - the Rag 2 had a wild treble which the two later ones I heard did not. Found the M3 quite bright on my 3 cans I tried (my HD-600 w/ the regrettable copper ring mod), HD-800S, HEK Stealth. But lots of folks seem to really like it, so maybe its the same situation with an early version.

If you ever plan on running speakers and dont have something else/better - the Rag 2 is quite nice for both headphones and speakers.

So you were listening to early versions of these amps? My current headphones are the ZMF Bokeh, HD600 and HD6XX. I'm looking for another good open back though.

 

[michael2v]

I'm still debating on either a Rag 2 or Mjolnir 3.

I haven't heard the MJ3, but if you know you never plan to buy speakers or need to switch between multiple source components, probably go with the MJ3.

That said, some have claimed that the latest Rag 2 is the best headphone amp that Schiit has ever made...

 

[MacMan31]

I haven't heard the MJ3, but if you know you never plan to buy speakers or need to switch between multiple source components, probably go with the MJ3.

That said, some have claimed that the latest Rag 2 is the best headphone amp that Schiit has ever made...

Well I could use the Rag 2 in my living room for both headphones and speakers. But in my bedroom I just use headphones.

 

[bagwell359]

So you were listening to early versions of these amps?

Yes to both, but got the Rag 2 later (two different ones), the M3 just the early one. I have read some comments about the newer Schiit stuff being brighter than earlier pieces - but I don't have enough experience with the new models to weigh in myself.

 

[Hawson]

I haven't heard the MJ3, but if you know you never plan to buy speakers or need to switch between multiple source components, probably go with the MJ3.

That said, some have claimed that the latest Rag 2 is the best headphone amp that Schiit has ever made...

How do you tell which version of the Ragnarok you have? Didn’t they change the transformer or something in the newer ones? I remember reading something like that on the post Jason made announcing its being discontinued.

 

[bagwell359]

How do you tell which version of the Ragnarok you have? Didn’t they change the transformer or something in the newer ones? I remember reading something like that on the post Jason made announcing its being discontinued.

To be safe - just buy a new one!

 

[mtenga]

I have a Jotunheim 2 which I’m happy with so decided to buy the Ragnarok2 amp only for another system.

There is obvious noise on Gain 2 and Gain 3 when you go past 12 o’clock. Can get to about 2 o’clock on gain 1. I’m trying to run Monitor Audio Apex A10 speakers so if I want noiseless I end up with gain 3 12 o’clock which is low noise but also too low volume for my PC setup which I described a few posts above..

So that’s not useable so have to limit myself to using as a headphone amp in another system in low gain which is doable but not what I intended.

I am in the UK and bought in the knowledge that I wouldn’t be sending back to the US. Gamble didn’t pay off and I now have a limited use amp. Very disappointing and obviously not recommended even at the lower price.

 

[michael2v]

How do you tell which version of the Ragnarok you have? Didn’t they change the transformer or something in the newer ones? I remember reading something like that on the post Jason made announcing its being discontinued.

The sticker on mine ends in an "-2," so I'm guessing that corresponds to the revisions number. I'm not sure how v1 vs v1.5 models (which as I understand wasn't technically an official revision) would look though...

 

[michael2v]

I have a Jotunheim 2 which I’m happy with so decided to buy the Ragnarok2 amp only for another system.

There is obvious noise on Gain 2 and Gain 3 when you go past 12 o’clock. Can get to about 2 o’clock on gain 1. I’m trying to run Monitor Audio Apex A10 speakers so if I want noiseless I end up with gain 3 12 o’clock which is low noise but also too low volume for my PC setup which I described a few posts above..

So that’s not useable so have to limit myself to using as a headphone amp in another system in low gain which is doable but not what I intended.

I am in the UK and bought in the knowledge that I wouldn’t be sending back to the US. Gamble didn’t pay off and I now have a limited use amp. Very disappointing and obviously not recommended even at the lower price.

I found that mine was sensitive to which circuit in my house it was on. Previously I was hearing some barely audible hum on gain 2 through headphones, and quite noticeable hum on gain 3 (but not over speakers). After moving it to another room the noise was completely gone on any volume level.

You could also try an Equi=Core 600, which did a great job of eliminating noise on that same circuit (I have another tube amp in the same spot where the Rag 2 previously was).

I realize that's not an inexpensive outlay, but just wanted to share my experience that it was actually my noisy wiring to blame, not the Rag 2.

 

[mtenga]

I found that mine was sensitive to which circuit in my house it was on. Previously I was hearing some barely audible hum on gain 2 through headphones, and quite noticeable hum on gain 3 (but not over speakers). After moving it to another room the noise was completely gone on any volume level.

You could also try an Equi=Core 600, which did a great job of eliminating noise on that same circuit (I have another tube amp in the same spot where the Rag 2 previously was).

I realize that's not an inexpensive outlay, but just wanted to share my experience that it was actually my noisy wiring to blame, not the Rag 2.

Thanks for sharing.

I previously had a Yamaha amp in exactly the same system which was noiseless. It’s the amp not the wiring.

 

[magiccabbage]

Hey guys. Been a while since I was on here. So I will be using the Ragnarok 2 today with speakers for the first time. I have a set of zu druid 6 which are very sensitive @ 101db 1 watt.... So I'm just wondering if anyone here can tell me if the gain stages / switches work for the speaker setting as well as the headphone setting?

 

[michael2v]

Hey guys. Been a while since I was on here. So I will be using the Ragnarok 2 today with speakers for the first time. I have a set of zu druid 6 which are very sensitive @ 101db 1 watt.... So I'm just wondering if anyone here can tell me if the gain stages / switches work for the speaker setting as well as the headphone setting?

Yes, it controls both.

 

[michael2v]

Thanks for sharing.

I previously had a Yamaha amp in exactly the same system which was noiseless. It’s the amp not the wiring.

Truly sorry to hear that! Even if it’s something Schiit would RMA, just going through the process with these large items is a bit painful (especially overseas).