Schiit Gjallarhorn objective review

[NTK]

I get a kick out of people saying to buy the little chifi TI chip amps over something rated at "10wpc" when no one really ever says what the el cheapo chifi amps produce in full bandwidth power. I could care less that it says "300 watts for only $89!!!" which reminds me of BS car audio ratings 30 years ago. Why does everyone get such a woody over SINAD ratings that you can't really hear it anyway? Test one of these little chifi amps like how real amplifiers are tested and let's see what these things can't do.

@restorer-john Have you got the goods to test one of these little disposable turds to see what they actually do? Would love to see specs done like reputable amp companies do.

Typical under-informed audiophool thinking. The FTC power measurement method/rating has no resemblance to real life use cases. It is just different BS that emphasizes some artificial metrics that have no practical meaning. Who listen to single frequency sine tones? And who listening to 20 kHz sine tone at 100 W?

See Charles Spinkle (of Kali) on amplifier power measurements.

Kali IN-5 Studio Monitor Review

Finally saw it. Looks like we finally got a good and "cheap" monitor. H2 is a bit high, but who cares, H3 stays under 0.5% at 96 dB and under 0.2~0.3% after 500 Hz; not even changing with SPL! And as already said, the diffraction is moved in a much more benign area and with a lower level. Will...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[ITguyAR]

Typical under-informed audiophool thinking. The FTC power measurement method/rating has no resemblance to real life use cases. It is just different BS that emphasizes some artificial metrics that have no practical meaning. Who listen to single frequency sine tones? And who listening to 20 kHz sine tone at 100 W?

See Charles Spinkle (of Kali) on amplifier power measurements.

Kali IN-5 Studio Monitor Review

Finally saw it. Looks like we finally got a good and "cheap" monitor. H2 is a bit high, but who cares, H3 stays under 0.5% at 96 dB and under 0.2~0.3% after 500 Hz; not even changing with SPL! And as already said, the diffraction is moved in a much more benign area and with a lower level. Will...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Funny. It's this "group" that are more thought as the "audiphool" as you speak of. The ones who live by the specs first and and then listening second. But it's fun to see everyone substantiate the ratings.

 

[staticV3]

Looks like single frequency testing.

Multitone is also part of Amir's measurement suite:

 

[ITguyAR]

Multitone is also part of Amir's measurement suite:
View attachment 377120 View attachment 377121

Maybe something more like this from these manufacturers for those who don't sit and read all the fluff.

 

[J.M. Noble]

When I was a mobile electronics installer, we called the power ratings on those swap meet amps "Watts ILS"

(If Lightning Strikes)

On topic: I have been using my Gjallarhorn to power my Dynaudio Evoke 20s at some "vinyl nights" at a local winery's tasting room. It has more than enough power to drive the medium-efficient speakers into the low/mid 80dB(A) range, measured anywhere in the 22' x 22' X 13' room--which is louder than necessary for this kind of event.

Excellent little amp and super easy to transport.

 

[ITguyAR]

When I was a mobile electronics installer, we called the power ratings on those swap meet amps "Watts ILS"

(If Lightning Strikes)

On topic: I have been using my Gjallarhorn to power my Dynaudio Evoke 20s at some "vinyl nights" at a local winery's tasting room. It has more than enough power to drive the medium-efficient speakers into the low/mid 80dB(A) range, measured anywhere in the 22' x 22' X 13' room--which is louder than necessary for this kind of event.

Excellent little amp and super easy to transport.

ILS...yep, said that many times through those years. Lol

 

[dzerig]

I use a pair to drive Focal floorstanders with 92 db rating / watt I think and louder than I would ever need.

I wish Revel's sale had been going on a month earlier! I would not own Focal.

 

[Joe Smith]

Still waiting on my G amp, after ordering three weeks ago, the black ones are back-ordered now to December 18. There was either a supplier shortage or there was a huge bump in orders for this little amp (before impact of tariffs)!

 

[Settembrini]

Has anyone tried using a Gjallarhorn as monoblock using an RCA to XLR cable?
(From a source that only has RCA outputs, a pre-pro)

Or maybe just using one of the RCA channels?

Does it imply a risk of damaging the amp?

 

[Joe Smith]

I see I'd written on here but not reported back. Got my Gj amp right when Schiit said I would, before Xmas. I like it, paired with the Saga 2 preamp. Perfect for my small-size workroom, currently paired with KEF Q 15.2 speakers. Normally using with the high gain setting on the preamp. Does not get very hot, even with that large transformer.

But...not much difference to my ear from a Class D Fosi or Aiyima amp paired with the P4 preamp, but they definitely look great. Probably the most expensive audio purchase I've made in a while.

Plan to rotate some different speakers through to see how they do, these KEFs are I think the most efficient ones I have, most are in the 87 dB range.

 

[Berwhale]

hard to give any objectivity on a audio amp without having listened to it

Actually, it's harder to 'give any objectivity' if you *have* listened to it - or rather 'it' connected to a source and speakers in a room, you can't actually listen to an amp, feel free to try connecting the speaker terminals directly to your ears.

 

[J.M. Noble]

Has anyone tried using a Gjallarhorn as monoblock using an RCA to XLR cable?
(From a source that only has RCA outputs, a pre-pro)

Or maybe just using one of the RCA channels?

Does it imply a risk of damaging the amp?

That won't work. It needs a true balanced input with both + and - signals.

 

[antcollinet]

That won't work. It needs a true balanced input with both + and - signals.

Is this documented anywhere? **. I'm always surprised when manufacturers implement an amp in this way. Especially when they only have balanced input (in this case for mono mode)

** never mind - I found it.

 

[Settembrini]

That won't work. It needs a true balanced input with both + and - signals

Would you happen to work for Schiit by any chance? Someone with the family name "Noble" answered my email once I contacted them.

 

[Settembrini]

That won't work. It needs a true balanced input with both + and - signals.

I just tried it a couple times and it seems to work just fine.
I asked because maybe someone had already tried this and burnt her/his amp.

 

[antcollinet]

I just tried it a couple times and it seems to work just fine.
I asked because maybe someone had already tried this and burnt her/his amp.

It will work but the output power will be limited to about 1/4 of maximum (bridged) power.

In fact since you are now only driving 1 half of the amp, it is no different than simply using it in stereo mode, but with only one input, and only connecting 1 speaker.

Even though. you think you are driving it in bridged mono - you are not, and you will still only get 10W out of it.

 

[J.M. Noble]

It will work but the output power will be limited to about 1/4 of maximum (bridged) power.

In fact since you are now only driving 1 half of the amp, it is no different than simply using it in stereo mode, but with only one input, and only connecting 1 speaker.

Even though. you think you are driving it in bridged mono - you are not, and you will still only get 10W out of it.

Concur. This is a longer version of "it won't work".

 

[J.M. Noble]

Would you happen to work for Schiit by any chance? Someone with the family name "Noble" answered my email once I contacted them.

Not me--but we are everywhere so you better watch yourself, buster!

 

[NTK]

Would you happen to work for Schiit by any chance? Someone with the family name "Noble" answered my email once I contacted them.

That's probably @T.M.Noble.