Schiit Magni Heresy Headphone Amp Teardown

[Rene]

It's not entirely the same power supply.
The differences are in the 3+ which has 1 Ohm added to the outputs (behind the caps after the regs) and a set of extra reservoir caps near the output devices.
Differences in hum could be caused by idle current differences and/or ground/wire routing differences as well as PSRR of the circuits itself.

From my observation of the pcb with only 4 of the 1 ohm build-out resistors per channel, it looks as though only one of the dual OPA1688 amps in each package is used. This would ease thermal stress.
An impressive little part for ~$0.50 in quantity!

 

[solderdude]

There is no thermal issue with this amplifier when used what it is intended for.
No one will ever draw 2W continuously listening to music.

There are 8 resistors per channel R106 to R113 and R206 to R213

Using only half of the opamps in one package would lower output power for 16 and 32 Ohm headphones
The output devices on one half of the chip would get hotter locally as well.

 

[Rene]

There is no thermal issue with this amplifier when used what it is intended for.
No one will ever draw 2W continuously listening to music.

There are 8 resistors per channel R106 to R113 and R206 to R213

Using only half of the opamps in one package would lower output power for 16 and 32 Ohm headphones
The output devices on one half of the chip would get hotter locally as well.

Yes, you are right!
Thanks.

 

[Kyle / MrHeeHo]

with multiple made in USA options that are both good and cheap importing has become way less appealing

 

[charleski]

I’ve just bought a Heresy, largely because of @amirm’s review, and the led is now internal, just as with the 3+. This design looks a lot cooler, with just a red glow coming out of the top vents, and means you don’t have yet another g-d- indicator light glaring at you if the room’s dark. It’s also a smart way to cut construction costs, as was mentioned.

But those lucky enough to have bought a first-run Heresy now have an OMG rare unit that’s probably worth three times what they paid for it. All they need is for someone to discover that the external led breaks up case resonances and leads to improved coherence and more solid imaging ...

 

[Fluffy]

and means you don’t have yet another g-d- indicator light glaring at you if the room’s dark

just put some duck tape on it

 

[odyo]

@Labjr margins are very tight on a $99 product. Expecting Schiit to make rolling hardware or major design changes on a product in production is not realistic. I am sure Schiit monitors these threads and customer feedback and may consider making changes in future products. However you can not please everyone. If you think the volume knob is too small or too close to the headphone jack the solution is easy. Just buy an Asgard at $199 instead or a competitive $99 amp.

Heresy seems better except the power and build. Imo they should just make the Asgard dac+amp combo at $249 so people can buy either magni modi stack for 99+99 or dac+amp in one box for 249, better build, more power but a bit less clean.

 

[odyo]

just put some duck tape on it View attachment 52722

Watercooling the modi... smart.

 

[Asylum Seeker]

How easy would it be to make a mobile, battery-powered version the size of a deck of cards with the enclosure as the heat sink? I'd name it the Apostasy.

 

[jae]

Hmm, wonder if it would be feasible to make a balanced version with two of these?

 

[solderdude]

Do you need 1.5W in 300 Ohm ?

 

[Xii-Nyth]

"wave solder residue"
come on, be a little more forgiving at least on Christmas... Schiit.. ehm... solder happens

with how far apart those solder joins are I dont see how it could be a problem, im not familiar with this method though maybe actual conductive parts of the solder form a really thin film and its not just flux