Schiit Happens

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George Hincapie
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by George Hincapie »

Nice one mate; super interested to read your presentation comparisons to your other head amps.

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Fretless
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

Image

Not a great photo, I know - but intended to give an idea of the size of the Magni 3 which really is tiny. Ideal for desktop use beside a PC and then partnered by Schiit's matching Modi USB DAC. One point to note is that the unit does run quite hot - so it needs to have some ventilation space.

Soundwise this is an impressive piece of equipment. I have been using the vintage Sansui amp in the picture for headphones for a while and that does a good job of providing nice, musical listening. However the step up from a headphone socket on an integrated amplifier to something specifically designed only to drive headphones is a major one.

On the back of the Magni is a Hi/LO impedance switch which alters the volume attenuation for different cans. It does change the sound a bit and experimentation is needed to work out personal preferences.

The NightHawks are sensitive, easy-to-drive cans that sometimes sound a bit flabby - certainly with mobile devices - and it feels like the Magni 3 grabs them by the balls and tightens them up into precision audio reproducers. Information is crisply defined without being harsh, bass comes in as tight and deep but natural.

Listening to Laurie Anderson's 'Mister Heartbreak' album with awesome production from bass-guru Bill Laswell. The unusual instrumentation and weird effects are well-presented, an album that can be messy and jumbled comes across here as logical and intriguing.

Laurie Anderson - Sharkey's Day - Mister Heartbreak [1984]

Then I plugged in my difficult-to-drive AKG K601's. These are dull and unfocussed when not powered well but the Magni had them singing sweetly and sounding pleasantly dynamic. There is a sound-signature from the little amp that does get different headphones sounding rather similar, but that similar is a non-fatiguing, detailed and dynamic performance which can't be all bad. B&W P7 also is a great, involving listen with this.

For comparison I tried the headphone socket on my Cambridge DacMagic Plus (which is used here as the DAC that feeds the headphone amp). Now the headphone section of the DacMagic is no slouch and produces pleasant and detailed SQ. But the Magni has far more grip on the headphones and gives a different dimension of life and space to the music, audio versus audiophile.

There are other comparisons I might do soon - for instance against my MF X-CanV3 with its tube output section, and other headphones lying around (Grado's and Meze 99) but for now if you only have 110 pounds over for a decent headphone unit for PC/desk use then this piece of Schiit might just get you dancing! :grin: :dance: :music-listening:

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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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

At least on a (very) hot day, lying around under a fan and testing different pairs of headphones with the Schiit Magni isn't too taxing.

To begin - a word of caution, the Magni isn't too kind with brighter headphones. It is okay with the Grado SR80 & SR225e, giving a wide and tremendously airy soundstage with buckets of detail but with restricted bass and little body. The Meze 99 Classic sounded harsh and anaemic, although bass was extremely solid and tight. The Meze works marvellously with tube amps providing some sharpness and clarity as contrast to a valve's woolly warmth.

Temperature here has just hit 34C and still rising - I'm off for a swim in the local gravel-pit (now disused, really deep and good fresh water).

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 »

I meant to reply to this days ago, sorry. Great write up, looks like a compelling purchase for the cost.

I am really happy with the Aurix performing headphone duties, but I would been keen to audition the Amethyst, which, as you know, is essentially a Musette and Aurix in one box.

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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by savvypaul »

George Hincapie wrote: Wed Aug 01, 2018 10:44 pm I meant to reply to this days ago, sorry. Great write up, looks like a compelling purchase for the cost.

I am really happy with the Aurix performing headphone duties, but I would been keen to audition the Amethyst, which, as you know, is essentially a Musette and Aurix in one box.
I'm currently trying an Amethyst at home. The Amethyst boards are an advance on The Musette according to Metrum - a £250ish upgrade to change the Musette boards to Amethyst spec is offered.
I am in the hi-fi trade
Status: Manufacturer
Company Name: NVA Hi-Fi
https://nvahifi.co.uk/

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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

George already has that - he got a prototype chip-set from Metrum (lucky sod!).

I have been waiting for this for a while - hadn't spotted it.

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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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

Can't find that info Savvy - do you have a link, please?

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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savvypaul
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by savvypaul »

Cees quoted in 1st paragraph of review: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews2/metrum5/1.html

Seen a couple of forum posts saying they've upgraded the boards - including George. Some say £150, some say 250 euros.

According to forum posts, the principle is the same as upgrading Pavane to Adagio boards: https://metrumacoustics.com/upgrades/

Hope this helps.
I am in the hi-fi trade
Status: Manufacturer
Company Name: NVA Hi-Fi
https://nvahifi.co.uk/

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Fretless
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Re: Schiit Happens

Unread post by Fretless »

Ta muchly

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 »

savvypaul wrote: Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:13 amI'm currently trying an Amethyst at home.
How are you getting on with it?

I upgraded my Transient modules to DAC2 last year. I think there's a post on here showing the process.

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