Headphone AMP/DAC Combo

[rids57]

Delivery would be on top.

It's really unclear on their website whether the DAC is included or not but on the American site they are going for $399 for the amp only and $499 with the balanced DAC. So considering the UK price includes VAT I would say that it's the amp only price, which puts it way out of range and probably close to £500 for the combined DAC & Amp.

Another option would be to get the Modi 2 and Magni 2 Uber and stack them. You'd have the same RCA pre-outs and a very nice DAC and headphone amp for £245 (£100 + £145) with another few quid for short RCA interconnects.

I use their own Pyst cables which are nice and short (15cm) but cost £15 and I am sure you could find cheaper on the rain forest.

You could also get longer interconnect RCA cables and have the Modi 2 hidden out of sight and just have the Magni 2 Uber on your desktop.

 

[rene.agac]

Have you looked at SoundBlaster x7 ?
I am really impressed with mine

 

[Things change I've changed]

Thank you very much for the advice, I might consider the Modi 2 and Magni 2 Uber combo, although my heart says save a bit more and grab the Schiit Jotunheim with DAC module, that seems to do everything I want, also having a balanced output to headphones is a really nice extra.

 

[rids57]

It looks like a hell of a DAC too, with dual AK4490 DAC chips so the balanced output should be ridiculously good.

 

[seanyc5]

It looks like a hell of a DAC too, with dual AK4490 DAC chips so the balanced output should be ridiculously good.

I wish you could get the phono stage and DAC in one unit though! Currently using a DacMagicPlus. Im not sold on the whole balanced output though? I always thought balanced connections are for long cable runs, not sure it would make much difference apart from being more powerful. Has anyone A/B tested balanced vs single ended?

 

[Rroff]

Was someone who posted here awhile about enthusing about their setup after switching to balanced - my own experiences are kind of limited but didn't really notice much difference - but you do really need a fully balanced setup from end point to end point to best experience it and I believe as you said the main gains are in integrity of the signal in long distance signal transmission.

 

[RSR]

How does the DAC on the Jotunheim compare to the Modi Multibit one?

Edit: After reading about it the DAC add-on for the Jotunheim is not a multibit DAC so in theory the Modi Multibit would be the better DAC.

I've also emailed Schitt EU to see about the DAC add-on for the Jotunheim availability.

WOW that was a quick reply: "We hope to have stock within the next two weeks the option is not showing as we are out of stock."

 

[james.miller]

The Jotenhiem would be end-game for me. I dont think i'd ever want anything else.

I use their own Pyst cables which are nice and short (15cm) but cost £15 and I am sure you could find cheaper on the rain forest.

I made my own 6" cables. TBH it's just easier to get PYST though

 

[RSR]

Well these arrived today....

Still looking at the DAC / AMP Combo's at the moment.

 

[RSR]

I've been doing a lot more research via the various audio forums and you tube reviews and ended up with and few options and a bit more confused.

These are my current options I am looking to order.

1. Modi 2 MB + Vali 2
2. Modi 2 MB + Lyr 2 (This gives a option to update to the Bifrost MB at later date)
3. Modi 2 Multibit + Vallhalla 2 (This gives a option to update to the Bifrost MB at later date)
4. Oppo HA-1

The my current order of preference it's:

2 > 3 > 1 > 4

 

[rids57]

If you go for the Modi Multibit, I can't really see much point in throwing more cash at the Bifrost MB, as there isn't a lot between them.

As for the amps, it all depends on just how tubey you want the sound to be. Personally, I went the other way with my HD650s, very much preferring the smoothness of tubes first, to preferring the more punchy bass of solid state.

 

[RSR]

I like the idea of the Modi MB as its quite small and its possible I can put it under my desk.

It's the amp, where I am getting myself a little confused. Here are my current thoughts:

1. Vahalla 2 seems to be very highly praised with the HD650's but in its stock configuration it looks to be a very neutral tube amp. However, it does allow for tube rolling

2. Lyr 2 seems to be a half-way house option, as it gives you options to ether make it a SS desktop amp or Tube amp. That's my main reason for it being top on my list (I guess it’s the options which I find appealing).

3. Oppo is a lovely unit but reading about it maybe a little bright for my tastes but you can never know without a demo. However, the unit is a little large for a desktop amp.

4. Vali 2 very much the same as the Valhalla in many respects a little less open in its reproduction than the Valhalla.

However, there is also the Jotunheim to add to the mix as well.

 

[Ryanr1987]

I like the idea of the Modi MB as its quite small and its possible I can put it under my desk.

It's the amp, where I am getting myself a little confused. Here are my current thoughts:

1. Vahalla 2 seems to be very highly praised with the HD650's but in its stock configuration it looks to be a very neutral tube amp. However, it does allow for tube rolling

2. Lyr 2 seems to be a half-way house option, as it gives you options to ether make it a SS desktop amp or Tube amp. That's my main reason for it being top on my list (I guess it’s the options which I find appealing).

3. Oppo is a lovely unit but reading about it maybe a little bright for my tastes but you can never know without a demo. However, the unit is a little large for a desktop amp.

4. Vali 2 very much the same as the Valhalla in many respects a little less open in its reproduction than the Valhalla.

However, there is also the Jotunheim to add to the mix as well.

The Valhalla2 is a great match for the HD650 showing how resolving and capable of bringing out the micro detail but I found it a little light on impact and a bit too dry even with different tubes.

Lyr2 is warm, a bit too warm for the HD650 making it lack a bit of bite but I liked it better than the Val2 but the Val2 is a technically better amp.

Vali 2 was a great in between better resolution than the Lyr2 but not quite as good as the Val2 in that area. Smoother treble than both amps but can be a little soft in the bass but it's up there with a lot of expensive tube/hybrid amps even costing 5 times as much.

I really like the Chord Mojo with everything it has fantastic impact, great extension and is fairly resolving. It sounds great with everything I put it on even the HD800 and Audioquest Nighthawk which can be source picky. Headfi overate it a little bit but it's a good device.

 

[RSR]

Thank you for the detailed reply and it pretty much echo's what I have been reading about on Head-Fi. The Modi 2 MB is defiantly on the cards, as that will replace my on-board sound card.

Its finding the right amp which is proving to be difficult or ive overloaded myself with information.

 

[rids57]

Honestly, I think you will be extremely happy with any of them, you're talking subtle signature differences, all of them will sound very good.

The Mojo is a good shout as it would save you a LOT of money because it takes care of both DAC and Amp.

 

[rids57]

Just to stir things up again....

Zeos falls in love with the Jotunheim