Schiit Happens

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Fretless
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Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

Recent enquiries on HFS about headphone amps got a blip registering on my attention radar - the Schiit Magni 3 headphone amp which has been getting much praise in the land of Trump.

Image

Schiit's engineers have designed a new circuit for their entry-level headphone/pre-amp the Magni, based on experience gained from their more esoteric higher-end models. It is supposedly a giant-killer and sells in the States for only 99 dollars.
Well I am a sucker for this sort of thing and have saved up my pocket-money to order one (it's only 110 pounds / 125 euro). The initial supply of the new amp should start distribution next week - I'll be posting my comments when it arrives.

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Fretless
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

Another note on things headphone-wise:

It looks as if Audioquest have ceased production of their NightHawk series headphones and prices of remaining stock have been drastically reduced.

Image

The sound of theses phones is sumptuous, gorgeous, rich and enveloping - but not for those who like a dry and punchy approach, imagine the opposite of Grado's. The NightHawk has often been compared to high-end models from the likes of Audeze. A real bargain for the music-loving audiophile.
They are also the most comfortable cans that you can imagine. :music-listening:

One word of caution - the original, wood-finish NightHawk has a rather stiff 'audiophile' cable that breaks much too easily at the plug connection. This was corrected with a different lead for the second 'Carbon' series, which have a black finish and a slightly tighter, more dynamic sound. There is also a closed model called the NightOwl.

Go for it ... :dance: :dance: :dance:

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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Pianist~Envy
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Pianist~Envy »

Fretless wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:45 am Another note on things headphone-wise:

It looks as if Audioquest have ceased production of their NightHawk series headphones and prices of remaining stock have been drastically reduced.

Image

The sound of theses phones is sumptuous, gorgeous, rich and enveloping - but not for those who like a dry and punchy approach, imagine the opposite of Grado's. The NightHawk has often been compared to high-end models from the likes of Audeze. A real bargain for the music-loving audiophile.
They are also the most comfortable cans that you can imagine. :music-listening:

One word of caution - the original, wood-finish NightHawk has a rather stiff 'audiophile' cable that breaks much too easily at the plug connection. This was corrected with a different lead for the second 'Carbon' series, which have a black finish and a slightly tighter, more dynamic sound. There is also a closed model called the NightOwl.

Go for it ... :dance: :dance: :dance:
Found them for £350 in a couple of shops, down from £500 - 600. Does that sound right?

EDIT

"Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art." ~ Frederic Chopin

Amps/cables: NVA P50sa (48 step), A40 mk3, LS6, SSP
Digi/source: ARCAM CDS50
PaS: Troels Gravesen Scanspeak Discovery 3-Way Classic (homemade)

Music lover and piano dork.

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Fretless
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

As far as I know the new, reduced RRP is 349 ponds.

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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wiicrackpot
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by wiicrackpot »

Edit: found it,Is the Carbon better or is it just cosmetics?, both are same price.
Frank...made me do it.

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Fretless
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

The NightHawk Carbon (I haven't heard one - but I think George Hincapie has it) was, I believe, slightly tweaked for improved dynamics. Reading a review of the closed NightOwl - that appears to have more bass punch and a marginally narrower soundstage (the NightHawk has such a huge soundstage you can feel like you are floating in space).

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

George Hincapie
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by George Hincapie »

Nice one Fretless! I've read really good things about the Magni; Schiit seem to be a great company - similar business ethos to the Doc. I shall look forward to reading your thoughts when you have had the time to form a conclusion! :guiness;

George Hincapie
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by George Hincapie »

Fretless wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 4:47 pm The NightHawk Carbon (I haven't heard one - but I think George Hincapie has it) was, I believe, slightly tweaked for improved dynamics. Reading a review of the closed NightOwl - that appears to have more bass punch and a marginally narrower soundstage (the NightHawk has such a huge soundstage you can feel like you are floating in space).
Yes, wonderful headphones bought on your recommendation! Beautiful, natural detail. Really lovely to listen to and comfortable to wear; I've fallen asleep in mine at least eleventy billion times now.

Come with two different set of pads (vinyl and velour), which apparently alter the presentation but I can't comment as I have only ever used the vinyl ones. The cable is flexible and does a great job, but I have often wished it were longer (as with many things).

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Fretless
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

The short (really short) cable for the Carbon series was what I ended up with as a free replacement from Audioquest. Adding the extension cable from Grado (5m) works a treat.
Great cable, sensible price. :grin: :guiness;

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

User avatar
Fretless
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

Oh Schiit !!! The Magni 3 has arrived. :o

First impression: it is absurdly small and sounds huge. :dance:

Now some listening needs to be done ..... :music-listen: :music-listen: :music-listen:

Upstairs:
Vinyl
Pro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: P50sa - Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a (x2)
Downstairs:
Vinyl
Logic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 - BMU+ Aiyima A07 MAX (x2) + Arcam One
HP: HifiBerry Digi+ PRO + Sabaj A10d
Office:
Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith THX AAA 887
Headphones: German Maestro, Monolith & AQ

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