Schiit Midgard Balanced Headphone Amp Review

[eyal1983]

my Midgard is now surplus since rhe arrival of my RME dac.

if anyone interested in UK, please pm.
will post proper ad in next couple of days

Why?
Isn't the Midgard the better AMP of the two?

 

[Jimster480]

I quite disliked the 'noisy' volume pot though. It's like you hear the dust inside of it over time .
Topping L30 or A90 for me! As a natural development after the 789 release, I mean OR the superb A20h but it seems it is end of life : (

I rarely touch the volume, it hasn't ever been an issue for me ;x

 

[Oldson]

Why?
Isn't the Midgard the better AMP of the two?

it has more power but thats it.
i didnt need the extra power over the RME

 

[eyal1983]

Question 1 -
If I also use sensitive IEMs (16 ohms and lower), is it better to have the Magni over the Midgard, because it has the "low" (-10dB) gain, which the Midgard does not have? (its "low" gain setting is 0dB).

Question 2 -
is it better to reduce the computer's digital volume and keep the amp's volume higher, or will that degrade the sound quality more than setting the computer's volume to max and using the amp's lowest possible analog volume, even if it's still a bit too loud?

Question 3 -
The "low" setting on the Drop HO150X is -12dB; will this give me even more volume option/headroom to play with IEMs, or that's negligible/~= compared to the Magni?
(I fear channel imbalance)

 

[Ahmonge]

Question 2 -
is it better to reduce the computer's digital volume and keep the amp's volume higher, or will that degrade the sound quality more than setting the computer's volume to max and using the amp's lowest possible analog volume, even if it's still a bit too loud?

As for volume control, in order of preference I set it on the amplifier, and if there is no other choice, on the DAC. Always at 100% on the PC or any other platform running the player application.

Ideally, the amplifier should have several gain levels, so that the volume potentiometer can be set outside the initial zone (i.e. after 9-10 o'clock) to avoid possible volume mismatches between both channels.

 

[eyal1983]

What happens if one would set the volume on the computer itself?

 

[Ahmonge]

What happens if one would set the volume on the computer itself?

it depends on the implementation. If the OS audio stack is not used to avoid resampling (like, in Windows, using WASAPI exclusive or ASIO audio protocols for connecting to the external DAC), then system volume is not available; the only volume control is the one provided by the player APP.

In theory, a digital volume control could cause loss of dynamic range if heavily applied. Also, a weaker analog audio signal is sent from the DAC to the amplificer, which in turn degrades signal to noise ratio compared to amp volume control. If this is audible or not in our particular environment is something we have to test.

 

[eyal1983]

OK
Thanks very much

 

[archerious]

Anyone that owns this amp can you answer two questions?

1. Does this get as warm/hot as Schiit’s other products?

Don’t want to add to my ambient room temp if I can avoid it. My Topping L30 died and it was fairly cool running.

2. How well does it measure and perform at say 50mW or other low loads for IEMs?

I had a Schiit Jotunheim in the past that not only got hot (added to the rooms ambient temp) but also had awful static noise for IEMs not much different from just using the built in amp on my old thinkpad.

As a result I had to have two setups, a dongle and a headphone amp for my planar cans. Would like to have one amp or combo that can do it all.

Been thinking of JDS Atom 2 Amp/DAC combo or going for SMSL Raw or something similar. Heat and how they do with both headphones and IEMs are my primary concern.

 

[oleg87]

Anyone that owns this amp can you answer two questions?

1. Does this get as warm/hot as Schiit’s other products?

Don’t want to add to my ambient room temp if I can avoid it. My Topping L30 died and it was fairly cool running.

Schiit makes lots of products... the official spec is 3W idle, which shouldn't be very warm at all.
Amir has 50mV measurements for it in the review - not cutting edge but solid enough.

 

[eyal1983]

Anyone that owns this amp can you answer two questions?

1. Does this get as warm/hot as Schiit’s other products?

Don’t want to add to my ambient room temp if I can avoid it. My Topping L30 died and it was fairly cool running.

2. How well does it measure and perform at say 50mW or other low loads for IEMs?

I had a Schiit Jotunheim in the past that not only got hot (added to the rooms ambient temp) but also had awful static noise for IEMs not much different from just using the built in amp on my old thinkpad.

As a result I had to have two setups, a dongle and a headphone amp for my planar cans. Would like to have one amp or combo that can do it all.

Been thinking of JDS Atom 2 Amp/DAC combo or going for SMSL Raw or something similar. Heat and how they do with both headphones and IEMs are my primary concern.

I had the JDS Labs Atom, and It was not that good with (ultra) sensitive IEMs.

On the other hand, its direct competitor, the Schiit Magni, was much better in that regard (because of the 3 gain settings).

SMSL Raw will be OK with IEMs, because of the digital volume (it has 99 steps).

BTW the Element 4 (JDS Labs) has 255 volume steps.

In conclusion:
Don't buy a "monster" of an amplifier if you plan to pair it with ultra sensitive IEMs...