Schiit Magni Unity DAC/HP Amp Review

[IgorD]

For same money, 200$, it's better to get Topping DX3 Pro+ . More likely that even Topping DX1 (100$) performs better than this Schiit.

 

[Joe Smith]

You sure you searched for Unity version? I searched again and it is there and as I noted, it says it is end game product. No sign of being discontinued.

Yeah, this is a "bread and butter" item for Schiit. It is likely to go on for many more versions...

 

[David_M]

For same money, 200$, it's better to get Topping DX3 Pro+ . More likely that even Topping DX1 (100$) performs better than this Schiit.

...only if you can find the DX3+ to buy. Thought it was discontinued...

 

[Power Pop 23]

...only if you can find the DX3+ to buy. Thought it was discontinued...

17 units in stock as of now at Amazon USA

https://www.amazon.com/TOPPING-Headphone-Amplifier-ES9038Q2M-Bluetooth/dp/B0DDNQQFJQ/

 

[jimmyjames8]

You sure you searched for Unity version? I searched again and it is there and as I noted, it says it is end game product. No sign of being discontinued.

Read it somewhere. Could be a newer version coming out. "End game product" is very humorous since it is their entry level HPA.

 

[jimmyjames8]

Will say one thing for the little Magni, it worked with my desktop PC right out of the box. Cannot say that for one less expensive dac/hpa and for a 10X more expensive dac/hpa even after downloading their driver.

 

[johny_2000]

They keep trying 100 different ways to recreate the wheel, using all sorts of Proprietary Technologies™ with Funny Names™... Only to perform worst than common off the shelf solutions.

They are a designing company for sure with lots of marketing involved. And a cult following.

This looks like some kind of imitation of Apple's design philosophy, but the results are far inferior.
Although Apple has also had its share of failed designs and products.

 

[oleg87]

They keep trying 100 different ways to recreate the wheel, using all sorts of Proprietary Technologies™ with Funny Names™... Only to perform worst than common off the shelf solutions. To me it feels like it's the designer's hobby rather than designing a truly better competitive product. Same as Nelson Pass playing around with exotic designs in his First Watt amps.

Seems pretty savvy actually. They're not selling to the measurement crowd, they're selling to people who eat this stuff up, and all the local audiophiles I know in my area buy way more Schiit stuff than pretty much anything else. Each new wheel-reinvention with the attendant marketing spiel by Jason sets the stage for new sensory experiences for people who treat electronics like wine to be tasted.

 

[Steve Dallas]

For same money, 200$, it's better to get Topping DX3 Pro+ . More likely that even Topping DX1 (100$) performs better than this Schiit.

The DX1 is cleaner in many regards (some measurements here), but it is much less powerful. I have one on my desk at work. It is fine for many applications, but falls apart quickly with power / current hungry cans.

Happy to send mine to @amirm if he wants to test it.

 

[Roland301]

I feel like Schiit could definitely do better in this form factor, by their own designs and philosophy.

I have a (now discontinued) Rekkr that I bought to drive headphones out of curiosity, and I liked it so much I bought a second one after I heard it was being discontinued (which I now run dual mono with the first at work)

I think there's more to be achieved along that path if the product were aimed at headphones rather than sensitive near field speakers.

 

[Mocie]

Looks like this product is at "end of life". Schiit is listing it now as "last call". No longer in their product line up depending where and how you look (search engine).

Completely fake news, only thing that shows up there is the Lyr.

Surprised it had issues with the E3 honestly, as Amir said maybe blinding it would be warranted here to be sure since on paper it doesn't seem like it should be an issue?

 

[phoenixdogfan]

View attachment 505121
This looks like some kind of imitation of Apple's design philosophy, but the results are far inferior.
Although Apple has also had its share of failed designs and products.

That list of achievements didn't include how they brought scatological punning back to product nomenclature, did it?

 

[Billy Budapest]

For them, reaching above CD quality THD+N with a discrete circuitry and without resorting to a huge amount of negative feedback is preferable to just using OP amps and reaching 120dB SINAD.

Use of negative feedback is a good thing. Solid audio engineering hygiene.

 

[Soria Moria]

View attachment 505121
This looks like some kind of imitation of Apple's design philosophy, but the results are far inferior.
Although Apple has also had its share of failed designs and products.

Saved the world from delta-sigma? I assume they are just joking here given how all their marketing gimmicks are just about how silly and quirky they are.

 

[Curupira]

Use of negative feedback is a good thing. Solid audio engineering hygiene.

Tell them that

 

[Matias]

View attachment 505121
This looks like some kind of imitation of Apple's design philosophy, but the results are far inferior.
Although Apple has also had its share of failed designs and products.

I rest my case. LOL

 

[Sokel]

In a world where anyone replicates ESS,TI and AKM datasheets adding some sauce is kind of interesting to have outliers design-wise.
It still ends-up at the same inaudible "improvements" in their working range but breaks boredom I guess?

Never a fan of Schiit, its form-factor mainly and their weird underdog fixation secondary, which maybe be cute for a year or so but no more.

Thanks Amir!

 

[JayGilb]

Thanks for the review Amir.

 

[Joe Smith]

I feel like over the past five or seven years, in general, Schiit products have generally improved, so I am loath to dump on them from a design/engineering standpoint. The Magni Unity + DAC clearly had a bit of design compromise, for one reason or another, probably to keep price lower than $200, a high threshold for an "entry level but good" product.

I think the marketing they do - the whole scrappy iconoclastic thing - is very intentional, and it does help them stand out in a crowded field. You either kinda dig it or kinda hate it, and that's ok, to each their own.

 

[Soria Moria]

Given the fact it was not produced in a human rights hell-hole, and that majority of us do not use very hard to drive headphones, this amp is worth every cent.

Those who disparage this product are, IMO either Chinese bots, or simply individuals who still believe that us westerners can keep sending our money to China and continue enjoying out standards of living and citizen freedoms into the indefinite future.

Paranoid post.