[Grado Diesel]

I've been hearing nothing but good stuff about Schit amps and decided to order my first headphone amp. I'm a Grado guy and own an almost 20 year old pair of SR-60s and a 4 year old pair of SR-80is. I ordered the Magni 2 to use with my FIIO X3 2nd gen and the 80is. Should this be a good combination? I'm thinking if I like it of getting the matching Schit DAC, Modi down the line too.

 

[Mightygrey]

The Magni 2 is pretty powerful, and being SS it'll be pretty 'clear' sounding. Your Grados are super-efficient, and it won't have any trouble pushing them. I've tried using the Schiit Asgard 2 with my Grados, it sounds great but not 'different' - don't expect anything drastic in terms of perceived sonic difference, aside from volume! A tube might give you a slightly different sound, Little Dot amps are renowned for pairing well with Grados. Your Magni 2 will last you through many, many headphone upgrades however. 

 

[Grado Diesel]

Sounds good. Schit seem like a good company. 15 day return policy.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

The X3 can hit hearing damage levels on Grados without distorting. It's not going to be a lot of difference as Grados have very high sensitivity as well as low impedance. You'll be at the impedance range where most amps produce the most power, which they won't even need. There will be some improvements as even DAPs might not have the capacitance that good amps (including portables) have but don't expect anything drastic.

The Vali2 might be something to consider over the Magni though as it has enough tube coloration to smooth out a few rough edges. And while it doesn't have the Magni's monster power output it will still be enough for most other headphones you might upgrade to.

 

As for the Modi, you already have the X3 - you can use that as a DAC with a PC. Or you can get the DK1 dock/stand so you can get a line out signal out of the USB port on the bottom (it has some pins where the signal can be rerouted, kind of like the iPod except it has a dedicated 3.5mm line out), so any Fiio DAP can be propped up with cables running behind the DK1 and the desktop amplifier.

 

[Grado Diesel]

The X3 can hit hearing damage levels on Grados without distorting. It's not going to be a lot of difference as Grados have very high sensitivity as well as low impedance. You'll be at the impedance range where most amps produce the most power, which they won't even need. There will be some improvements as even DAPs might not have the capacitance that good amps (including portables) have but don't expect anything drastic.


The Vali2 might be something to consider over the Magni though as it has enough tube coloration to smooth out a few rough edges. And while it doesn't have the Magni's monster power output it will still be enough for most other headphones you might upgrade to.

As for the Modi, you already have the X3 - you can use that as a DAC with a PC. Or you can get the DK1 dock/stand so you can get a line out signal out of the USB port on the bottom (it has some pins where the signal can be rerouted, kind of like the iPod except it has a dedicated 3.5mm line out), so any Fiio DAP can be propped up with cables running behind the DK1 and the desktop amplifier.

I definitely would like to smooth out the rough edges. Since switching from driving my grados with iPods to the FIIO X3 I'm now hearing ALL the frequencies in the recordings and the highs are particularly abrasive now.