@@rorilee9791 not much info out there but i think the consensus is that the internal multibit is more of a nice to have, but not as good as a separate dac. Can’t say i’ve tested it tho. Search head fi maybe!
Your comparative descriptions regarding differences in sound quality and sound signatures are truly very relevant and helpful to me. I feel as though I could possibly pick out some of these units in an actual blind listening test based solely on your review. Sort of like when I look at sheet music and mentally hear the gist of how a piece may actually sound. Your work is impressive in being able to convey that sense of sound without a sound demo to drive home and demonstrate your observations. Thank you.
Thanks for doing this type of review. Another Amp that has that slightly warmer lush sound is the Zen-Can, it's one of the best entry-level discrete Class A amp's at £149
Got the Zen Can just yesterday and I agree it is fantastic. Paired with 660S, the vocals are so life like, it is unbelievable at the price. Very good macro resolution, just a bit lacking in micro-details but at the budget it is way too good.
Asgard 3 owner here. You had mentioned in a prior comment response from your Bifrost 2 review that you really loved the Bifrost paired with the Asgard 3. Well, I finally made the pilgrimage to the Schitter here in California, Schiit's retail storefront, and was fortunate enough to spend several hours listening to the whole of the Schiit range in differing combinations. I expected to be blown away by some of the more expensive products in the range and want to replace the Asgard having heard them, but man, the Asgard is such a wonderful product and really does sound wonderful with the Bifrost 2. I asked for the Bifrost for Christmas as that was the product that impressed me the most having now heard most of Schitt's products first hand and I plan to keep my Asgard for a while yet. The Asgard has nearly all the resolution and power of other more expensive Amplifiers in the range, but the smoothness and tonality is just so wonderful for the money, and I found it much more musical sounding than just about any other products Schiit offers. Perhaps this amps sounds so wonderful because the Asgard was Schiit's first product, and Jason has tuned it more to his taste than an expected market segment, but it's so full, dynamic, vibrant, open and juicy sounding with a good DAC, not to mention insanely powerful. I literally couldn't believe how good it sounded compared to many peers in the range, some of which were a bit boxy and dry sounding, even at relatively high price points. I will say this; Skip the DAC module. It's not worth the money. Spend the extra 50 bucks over the internal multibit card and get the Modi Multibit. The internal card isn't terrible, but isn't even remotely comparable to the external DACs. I figured I was getting wholistic desktop solution and the badass linear power supply from the Asgard would be powering what was essentially an internal Modi Multibit, but the card is powered via USB. The multibit DAC card is a bit dull and grainy sounding and having used it for a year exclusively, I wasn't very happy with this wonderful amp. This amp deserves much better. I had contemplated selling this amp until stopped using the internal DAC card. Now having heard it with decent digital components, I wouldn't sell it for much of anything under a grand.
Thanks souch for sharing that, Ben! I often get asked about the onboard DAC so now I have a answer! Great to hear that the Asgard 3 stacks up so well against the more expensive Schiit gear too!
@@broccolee8250 It's not night and day better given the cost. The bass is fuller and punchier and there is a bit more openness and transparency. The lifelike nature of the midrange is pretty similar in my limited experience. The Modi Multi is a beast for the cost and I think it is a more significant step up from the internal multibit card than the Bifrost is from the Modi.
Bought this amp last week together with a Toppig E50 DAC (using the F2 filter setting) and the Sendy Audio Aiva headphones. Used EQ a bit to boost the bass slightly and reduce a trebble peak. I'm very happy with this combo. Thanks for your reviews. They helped with getting a better understanding of the products before I bought them.
That's a really nice setup! Glad I could help turn you into a great brand. Stay tuned for the Jotunheim 2 review. It might just be your next purchase 😉
Outstanding video! I have found myself searching out your channel for information on gear I am interested in investigating. I truly appreciate not only the level of descriptive detail of the component in question, but also the comparative opinion with a number of competitive products. I can't think of any other channel that presents such a wealth of very good information better than yours. Great job!
I'm so excited. ordered Asgard 3 November 27. expected from fed ex December 22, 2021. Less than 4 weeks wait. It was on back order. Said 6-8 weeks when ordered.
Another killer review. I love my Asgard 3 for it's price, I do have other gear that sounds better but at 5x the price it better! Schiit should send you one of their hybrid models for review ;) the Lyr 3 is very similar in topology to the Asgard 3 but more power, more power filtering capacitance and of course a tube stage! A lot of guys on the forums really have a lot of fun tube rolling that one (especially since it's just one tube it's less expensive than many other tube setups). That or the new Vali 2+ (which has really low noise but really high THD on purpose).
I just bought the Asgard 3 to use for my gaming PC headphone rig and have it paired with a Modi uber and a Loki using with drop 6xx cans. I am very satisfied with its performance for its chosen use. I also have a Mjolnir 2 and a Valhalla 2 but did not want to use a tube amp for my gaming rig set up. I am a big fan of Schiit products as far as being a top quality excellent purchase with many of their models punching well above their price point as compared to the competition in both build and sound quality offered for the money.
Sounds like I need to get myself a Lyr to try out... I'll reach out to Jason and co in the new year and see what we can arrange. I have the Monolith Liquid Platinum review coming up.so that would make for an interesting benchmark.
@@PassionforSound Lyr 3 vs Liquid Platinum would be a lot of fun. Schiit just announced the Jot 2 today, according to Jason it's ready to hang with the Asgard3/Lyr3 :D
Great review! You have very accurately noticed the essence of Asgard - a three-dimensional, deep sound. Very analog. This is what he bribed me with. Indeed, such a sound can only be obtained with discrete circuit elements, it is unattainable on microcircuits. I bought it without hesitation. I want to add Shiit Modi multibit to it, I think it will be a great stack.
That's an interesting question because I haven't tried the onboard Multibit DAC module. I expect the Element would win on DAC quality, but the Asgard 3 will run away with it on amp quality. I'd probably buy the Asgard setup and add a better DAC later if needed.
The Asgard is a wonderful amp. I did a month long test between the A3, Atom, 789, Magni, Heresy, and Liquid Spark and the A3 stayed. Just smoothed enough while keeping excellent detail and space.
Thanks very much for this review! It’s easily the most helpful one I’ve seen to date. Based on your feedback and the comments on some experienced owners below I placed an order today for an Asgard 3 and a Modi 3+. I have a feeling I’ll upgrade to a Multibit DAC in the near future but the 3+ should do nicely for now. I considered doing the internal card option but figured I could easily sell the Modi 3+ when I’m ready to move on, let somebody else enjoy it and recoup some of the sunk cost.
Hi Mark, glad it was helpful and I think you made the right decision going for the Modi over the onboard DAC because it should sound better by all accounts and, as you said, you can always sell it secondhand later. I hope you love the new setup 🙂
Great video! Informative and very enjoyable. And your opinions on the Asgard is exactly why I have been waiting for the bastard to be available in Europe (currently, still out of stock) Cheers!
What a thorough review. I have been looking for a new dac and amp, and now I am thinking that the Asgard 3 is the way to go. Thinking about getting it to pair with my HD6XX.
That will work beautifully! Glad you found the review helpful. Which DAC do you have in mind? I can recommend the Modius as a nice budget stack with the Asgard 3
@@PassionforSound I was thinking about getting the built-in dac module. Still trying to decide between the regular chip and the multibit, but watching your interview series with the guys from Schiit has kind of made me want to spring for the multibit and see what it’s all about. The modius looks like a good pairing though!
I have always enjoyed your detailed and thorough reviews. Jason Stoddard continues to give gems in his interviews. In his latest interview, he said that the Asgard 3 has a bit of a warm presentation (which he decided not to change in a product update) and that he has lately used the Asgard 3 as preamp. I wonder if you can confirm your opinion of the Asgard 3 as a preamp or if any other headphone amps would make a great preamp. Headphone amps may be a good and cost effective way to pair with power amps. Your thoughts or any recommendations here? Thanks for your assistance.
Headphone amps are definitely often great preamps too and the Asgard 3 is no exception. Keep on mind that you should match the quality of the headphone/preamp with the rest of your system so don't put a basic preamp before a great power amp or you'll rob it of some performance, but if you match them roughly and choose the sound you like (i.e. warm, neutral, etc.) then they are a great way to get both headphone P and preamp without needing two boxes and two sets of cost.
Subscribe to this Aus-some reviewer. He listens to audience suggestions and implements them if he can while also being very consistent and transparent. Your new mic plus the addition of allowing ambient noise in the audio recording makes a bigger difference than you'd think! You sound more natural and relaxed imo and the commentary flows much smoother now. (P.S. your mic being clipped on your zipper might be picking up some interference, a very sharp, EEEEEEE, like sound from the left channel that that faded when you'd lift your right arm. Other than that the audio sounded very natural. Keep it up!)
Thanks Dragon! The new mic is here now and it's SO much better! Just wait for the reviews near Christmas - I think you'll be shocked at the improvements. I still need to perfect my EQ for it, but straight out of the mic is already excellent
Passion for Sound Just a update on the ringing I commented about above. It’s non-existent when I’m using my HD280 Pros pushed with a BTR3K but I can hear it on my AirPods Pro and 660s🧐. They both have a 40kHz+ frequency response range, the 280s cut off at 20kHz. Am I a dog? 😂 I also really want an Asgard 3 instead of my magnius atm because I’m not using balanced right now; using my Element 2 because the magnius 1/4” was starting to sound blurry and bloated. Gotta put my 789 up for sale/trade eventuality. Merry Christmas
That's interesting about the ringing. My guess is that it's right at the edge of your audible range and the 280s are rolling off a little sooner so they're dropping it. 🙂 The Magnius SE isn't THAT far behind the Asgard 3, but I do agree with your overall sentiment of moving on from the 789 (nice amp) and getting something better... maybe the Jotunheim 2?
Glad i found your channel and another aussie reviewer. I was going to pair my HD800S's with a magnius/modius combo to run balanced but will definitely grab this instead now. Would you have a dac recommendation in the same price range which will pair well with the Asgard/HD800S?
Thx for this Asgard review. Hopefully I'll get one next year. If I got the Magnius, I'd run it with balanced headphones and then I might as well jump up to a Topping A90 balanced amp to justify the more expensive headphones.
You're welcome. I'd choose the Asgard 3 over both of those in most situations. All 3 are good amps, but only the Asgard 3 has a discrete design and therefore the depth of soundstage and realism in its presentation.
I still have my pair of 35 year old STAX electrostatic, but they have a transformer that hooks into the amp speaker terminals. Also have an older set of Koss ESP-9 electrostatics that need recapping.
As an electrical engineer, although my speciality is in digital design (music electronics is analog design), my guess that discrete sounds better than integrated is that you have more parts in discrete design to specialize in low pass, band pass, and high pass filters for the signals. And since music is a continuous/analog signal, it has infinite information compare to digital's 0s and 1s, it is hard to keep all those signal resolution without the help of more physics component such as inductors, capacitors, and resistors. More parts spreading out around or signal passing around is definitely more prone to electrical noise. But more noise does not mean it sounds worse than discrete one, because signal-to-noise ratio is not correlated to musicality. If I am a product designer, signal-to-noise ratio reaches say perhaps 90db is enough, it is perhaps not one of those requirement the higher definitely the better, because it becomes not discernible to the listening experience. Integrated chip or digital design is better at doing data processing, data here is only 0s and 1s, say if you have 0.97, you will be classified as a 1. So you lose 0.03 of that signal information here and there by only allowing 0s and 1s. What an integrated design is good at is delivering low power, low area, and high speed compare to analog circuits. By high speed I mean processing data, think of a CPU.
Hi Ay, thanks for the information. You might be right about the reasons for the sound difference. I hope to one day get a definitive answer, but the journey is kind of fun 🙂
The reason I prefer your reviews over others is because of the depth, knowledge, consistency and transparency. In my ears, I think this will pair well with a Dan Clark Aeon open (waiting for your review). Reason I think that is because this amp will give more body and meat to the bones of the headphones. Already planning that purchase in the near future. I just need more time to investigate and verify if what I'm thinking is how it will translate to my ears and not disappointment.
Thanks Karl! I've got some Aeon 2 Closed coming, but not the open models yet. I do think you're right though - any slightly leaner sounding headphone will be great with the Asgard 3. It's actually a great amp for any headphone because it's warmth is very well managed and never too much.
Thanks JD. I think I discussed the Modius as a great pairing with the Asgard 3 when I reviewed that. Also the Bifrost 2. The good thing with any quality amp and DAC is that they should play well together and a lot of it comes down to personal tastes in soundstage presentation / perception of detail retrieval, etc. It's hard to provide recommendations with SO many potential great combinations, but I'm always happy to answer questions if I've heard the gear you're looking at. 🙂
What would really be interesting is if you reviewed the new schiit vali 2+ and buy a few tubes for it including the jj gold which is a good value since its among the best I tried on my older vali 2 then compare it with the asgard 3 using the hd6xx and other similar budget audiophile headphones. That mystery of the vali going up against the asgard has always intrigued me with the 300 ohm senns.
Another great review. I like the way you describe the sound from the Asgard 3. I'm considering buying it without the DAC module to use as a headphone amp only. Do you think it would be good paired with a DAC such as the Topping E50 for my Sennheiser HD660S headphones? I find that the HD660S is very detailed and neutral, which can sometimes be a bit cold, so the warmth of the Asgard 3 would be welcome here. Or is there a better value DAC+amp combination that you could recommend?
Thank you for the review!!! I've got one on the way. Would the slight warmth/body work for someone that would like a small tip of the hat to tube sound?
Great Review! Just purchased based on your recommendation. Now looking to upgrade my Topping D10 to either the Modius or Modi Multibit, or maybe the Topping E30 for $110 CAD less (incl. shipping).
@@PassionforSound Done! Ordering the Modius (backordered to Feb 19th), and purchased the E30 on Amazon for the time being. Will move the E30 to my living room set-up when the Modius arrives.
This is a great review... but I do want to know what you think would be a good dac pairing. Would you just go with the one they offer on the website? or if you have something like the E30 already, would that work with it?
Hi Tyler, the E30 is great and will do just fine. If you want something more similar-looking, the Modius is a really nice option or the Bifrost 2 if you want to be able to upgrade further in the future.
Sounds like the Magnius has that flat 2D sound I've heard in low-end balanced stuff from Drop, like the THX 789. That one has a similar sound signature. Every chip-amp design I've tried seems to flatten the soundstage.
Hi and welcome. Glad you're liking the content! I would personally take the Asgard 3 every single time over the original Jot. The Jot felt forced and a bit lacking in depth whereas the Asgard 3 does everything incredibly well, particularly for its price
@@PassionforSound hey passion! I really appreciate the response, also I was going to send you a rebel amp but had some issues and will be buying a new one (my mistake and no fault of the rebel). Anyways what’s your email again as I was going to buy it and send it over to you directly from the manufacturer.
I’ve ordered the Shiit Vali 2+ as my first headphone amp as I heard that it’s more fun than the Magnius but now it’s stuck in NZ customs. I don’t have much reference so I’d love to see your review - I’m fully accepting of the distortion from a hybrid tube, but maybe I should have gone solid state for my first amp. In the meantime I ordered a Topping A50s from a local retailer, only to discover they ship from their Australian office and they’re closed until Jan 5th. In desperation I’ve purchased a used Drop THX AAA 789. the downside is I’ve spent more money than I intended. The upside is that I’ll be learning more on my audiophile journey as I get to compare amps.
Oh wow, that will be a really nice start for you (but I'm sorry to hear about the delays and expense) Don't worry about the distortion factor with the Vali, distortion measurements are way over-emphasised in my opinion. They are somewhat helpful to understand an amp, but they really don't define what sounds good.
Thinking about picking one of these up! Got a pair of lcd2 classics so should I get the Asgard or the magni? I willing to pay the extra but would it be worth it? Also would you recommend the Asgard other the magnius for the lcd2 classics
I'd recommend Asgard all the way, but I've not yet heard the regular Magni (only Heresy). I definitely wouldn't get the Magnius though as the Asgard is clearly the better sounding amp (I have both). If you want to go balanced, check out the Geshelli Labs Erish which is marvelous at a similar price. Not better than Asgard so much as comparable and balanced.
@@PassionforSound unsure if it's in budget but if I can would getting the modius other the modi be worth it? Heard from people that who have used both that the modius is around 25% better and watched your review of it. Would be pairing with the asgard
I haven't heard the Modi, but I do know with all the Schiit gear I've tried, there's always an improvement with higher models. They don't make products without clear benifits/improvements for the extra $$
2 years later im in the market for my first amp for my dt 1990s that have been running on my pc's onboard amp/dac. ive seen now 2 recommendations from you and a fellow on a hifi forum as either the best budget value or in the forums case "best amp that competes enough with $500 amps". I believe they also referenced what you specifically said about the asgard feels like youre listening to music while others feel like listening to recordings. im just wondering two things: should i buy used? and would any of the top $100 dacs be sufficient until i feel the need for something more from a dac? im looking schiit, atom, ifi, and a few more, but ive just now finished spending time looking for an amp.
I think the Asgard 3 is a great starting point so you can buy that new or secondhand with confidence. As for DACs, I've got the new Schiit Modi+ and Modi Multibit 2 coming up for review soon so they might be a good option. The Topping E30 Mk2 that I reviewed recently is also a strong choice
Would you recommend multi-bit or AK4490 on the Asgard? I currently have Modi 3, not the 3+, I think it uses AK4490 as well. I plan to sell my Modi + Magni stack and go for all in one Asgard.
I would go Asgard 3 over THX 789 for both price and listening enjoyment. 789 measures well and sounds good, but it lacks the depth that the Asgard 3 does well. As for which DAC card, I haven't tried the internal DACs (other than in the original Jotunheim which added its own presentation) so I can't say for sure, but I would personally choose the Multibit card.
Passion for Sound- Thanks for the quick reply. ive been reading ALL the comments and replies-it seems that you get back and CARE about your channel and the people who rely on your recommendations. So- for me, this is important. do you recommend the Monoprice m1570c (closed) that recently came out over the Sundara? I'm assuming ill do better with planar magnetic than dynamics. i own hd560s and B-D 770 pro 32 ohm. my Asgard 3is arriving before 8pm today. i feel my headphones wont do the asgard 3 right.
Hi Ricky, yes I try to respond to every comment on the channel. I miss a few here and there, but mostly catch them all. I haven't yet heard the Monoprice planars other than the M1060 so I can't really help on that one - sorry! See how you enjoy the other cans with the Asgard 3 though. They might surprise you 🙂
How do you think this holds up today? Just got rid of my Monoprice THX 887 and want to move towards a more discrete amp. Was considering both the newer Magni+ and the Asgard 3. Would be pairing it up with either a Modi+ or Modius as well. What do you think would be the best pairing of those 4 components? Thank you! Have been watching all your Schitt videos to try and get a good feel for the products. After watching your interviews with Jason, I'd like to support their company.
I love the Asgard 3 - it's a brilliant amp. It's definitely a richer sound than the Magni+ so take that into account, but it's also more powerful and performs a little better too. My choice of setups would probably be the Modius and Asgard 3. Modi+ would also do great with the A3 too.
@@PassionforSound thank you for the response! I am kicking my own butt because I ordered both the magni and modi this morning. Will rock with this setup for a while, at least until I get some more headphones. I’ll pick up the Asgard+ if/when it drops!
@@PassionforSound So, it''s been a month, and I've already upgraded the Magni+ to a pre-owned Asgard 3. I ended up preferring the Magni+. The Asgard 3 is definitely punchier, wider, thicker with more bass impact, but is a little too warm/smoothed in the treble for me. Asgard already re-sold. Would the Jotunheim 2 have a little more to give in the treble/detail department, or is there any other solid state amp under $750 that you would recommend? (6xx and 800S as headphones) Sorry for all the questions! I just trust you, and I tend to agree with your opinions!
No problems with the questions. I think the Jotunheim 2 is a step up from the Asgard 3 (I did a comparison of these two in my Jotunheim 2 review IIRC). The Singxer SA-1 is another excellent option.
Nice review. Since I ordered one on Monday your review just helped with some nice confirmation bias. I am planning on pairing with a HD 660S (and 20 year old HD 590). I just need a dac now. Modi multibit or SMSL SU-9 (a bit more than I want to spend) are current contenders. .
It depends on your preferences. I’d totally go with Modi MB over coax (eitr, or some rPi based streamer) Edit: or consider Bifrost. That eliminates the need in Eitr. But a good streamer is always a plus.
@@oleksiifilippov68 Used Modi Multibit on way. Pi based streamer with optical and coax digital will be my next project. Any advice on components (Pi version, Spdif card, case, power supply) from anyone is welcome.
@@JimAnderson1 check pi2aes. There’s multiple ways to power it. People say it’s good enough with MeanWell smps. I prefer my 502DAC (previous to pi2aes model) powered by sbooster LPS. U also can plug 5V PSU directly to the board to override switching stab, but u need to understand what you’re doing Edit: start with Meanwell maybe. Don’t use optical if you want quality. And congrats on the Mimby! Make sure it’s on the latest firmware.
I made a RPi 3 setup with the Digi+ Pro board and soldered on a BNC socket for maximum quality (75 ohm end-to-end if you have BNC on your DAC). It outperformed poorer USB implementations, but I'm finding in recent times that USB implementations are much better so the quality is now comparable. That's to say it's very good sounding.
@@PassionforSoundlate update. 😂 But got asgard 3. Listening with 400se. Will most likely upgrade to edition xs cuz it's only 270 new on HiFiman website.
Hi MMK, I didn't try that combo, but I can see no reason why it wouldn't be an excellent combination. The MUSES02 brings more space to the D50S which will suit the Asgard 3 beautifully
Hi, is it a good pairing to hifiman ananda, since ananda is a little bright and this amp is a little warm? What do u think? And also, i have hd660s, what do u think about the pairing on hd660s and this amp/ ananda with this amp?
I think it will be a great pairing with both of those headphones. I haven't heard the HD660S personally, but was chatting to some patrons about it recently so I have a fair sense of its sound.
The only problem is, its a budget amp for American customers. in Aus, it costs 530AUD. In this range there are a lot of amps. Drop Thx 789, SP200, SU8, SU9, Zen Can, A50, L30, xduoo, Little dot. Some of these have the same power range and cost way less than asgard . Go for Asgard if u can get a second hand one.
There aren't many amps in that list that I'd choose over the A3, J PJ. Certainly none of the ones I've heard. Also, buying direct should be a fair bit cheaper than buying locally I think.
Good question and I don't remember what I was using back then. It was either the Chord Qutest or TT2, but I'm not sure which was my primary DAC for this review.
Hi, can I also connect speakers to this Asgard 3? I have Edifier r1700bt speakers that are connected to my pc, but I would like to increase the quality of my listening not only with headphones. Do you think it might be a good idea to combine the amplifier with the speakers? Thank you!
Hi Lailaihei, as I understand it, you could definitely connect the Asgard 3 to the Edifiers as a pre-amp and it should improve the sound compared to the Bluetooth connection. You'd just need to workout the right approach to volume adjustment because the Edifiers have volume control and so does the Asgard 3. Not sure the ideal approach, but a bit of experimenting should see you right.
Once again another great review! Thanks so much for the way you do these, great comparisons! I also agree with the comments below, I have had an iFi Zen for quite awhile it is a fantastic little Gem! Hope you get to check one out!
That's really interesting that despite you rating the L30 so highly but didn't prefer it in those tests. I think that shows the dangers of the way we often evealuate gear where we preference technical performance over tonality. I found the A3 too smmoth/polite when I had it. But my main headphones then were the AFO, which cry out for a more forward, aggressive amp.
Yeah, it's always about what else is in the comparison and which headphones are being used, but I consistently preferred the A3. DAC may also play a part.
I enjoyed your review so much I'm now very tempted to buy an Asgard 3. I'm just wondering how this would pair with a Chord Mojo as a DAC in line level mode?
Hi James, I seem to recall testing this recently for someone and IIRC it worked great. The Asgard 3 has the soundstage depth and layering or sounds (i.e. positioning in 3D space) to get the most from the Mojo's outputs.
Has anyone compared the Asgard 3 to the Asgard 2? I have the Asgard 2 and love it. It's a pure Class A so runs super hot while Asgard 3 is AB so runs much cooler from what i heard. I'm just curious how much of an improvement is the Asgard 3 over the 2.
Thank you, I was looking at the L30 or the Magnius. Did you test the Asgard 3 with any of the modules? If not which of the modules would you use or do you think there are other dacs in the 100-200 rage that would outperform the dac modules.
@@PassionforSound I was going to do the Asgard 3 plus multibit module. But Asgard + Modius +Sundara would work also. I did watch your review of the bifrost but that would be a little out of my budget. Unless I do the Asgard and SunDara now and then save towards the bifrost.
HI wanted to ask if this is a good pairing for the mimby? SInce that's a ladder dac that's on the warmer side of life, does this amp add to the warmness(ie making it a little boomy)? Schiit doesn't have a presence where i am so i have to rely on videos to distinguish if it's a good fit....i use the sundaras with them as my main driver
Hi Julian, I haven't tried Mimby, but I don't think it will be so warm as to be a problem. The Asgard 3 is only very slightly warm so it's not going to cause problems except extreme cases (which this isn't). I think you'll be happy with the combo
Hi Kamis, under $400 it's hard to go past the Asgard 3. The new Jotunheim 2 might go one better, but the Asgard 3 is exceptional value for money with it's performance for its price
Is this still your go too budget amp with the new price increase? The silver with shipping is over $300 U.S. would you recommend jumping up to the Jotunheim 2 now that the prices are much closer?
@@PassionforSound Thanks for the help, it’s hard trying to make decisions with so many options and so many opinions to choose from. You started my journey with your reviews of the E30 and L30. Your honest reviews and dedication to answering questions on your old videos is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
How would this amp pair with the Bifrost 2 and empyrean. I am planning to upgrade to a Bifrost 2 to use with the Asgard 3 and get a higher end amplifier down the line.
I have the asgard 3, but when plugged into my pc it constantly makes a buzzing and high pitch noise. Will the modius dac get rid of the sound? Also, the amp sound is gone when i plug the amp into my laptop.
That sounds like a power induced issue, Thuan. An external DAC like the Modius should absolutely fix this problem. It'll also be a big improvement in sound quality too!
@@PassionforSound i appreciate the reply. I ordered it with the pyst cable. However, do you recommend me connecting to the dac using optical, usb. Or coaxial? I just hope its not a grounding issue.
I found the Modius pretty consistent regardless of the input used so you should be fine either way. You may find optical slightly better if your PC has a power issue of some sort.
@@PassionforSound sounds good. My pc wasnt making this noise with the magni, which had a wall wart. So hopefully the dac helps for the asgard so I dont have to deal with all the shipping fees again. Love schiits build quality.
I would choose the Asgard 3. The Magnius is a bit of a measurement-led device to satisfy those who care more about having a balanced amp with great measurements (at the expense of some realism of sound IMO) whereas the Asgard 3 is more about just sounding great.
Currently I'm using a Modi 3 with a JDS Labs Atom, but I'm looking for a "one box solution" to declutter my Setup. I guess the Asgard 3 is the most attractive option for now. Any other ideas? (Headphones are HD660S)
Hi Barnson, the Asgard 3 with a DAC module is a good option. The Element 2 from JDS Labs is also very good (review coming very soon), but I think the Asgard 3 might be the better amp.
Interesting question. It depends a lot on what you're looking to achieve. The 3rd gen T1s are not a great headphone IMO so you might be better looking at the dt1990 (although I'm yet to hear it myself). The HD650 will be a very different sound - much more mid-focussed compared to the more v-shaped dt880. What are you looking for with the upgrade?
@@PassionforSound Thanks for the reply. I think i'm looking for more details, clarity, but i'm not sure. Been running my setup for years, so i've gotten used to it in a way. I'll look into the DT1990, thanks for the tip.
"This is an amplifier that makes me forget I'm listening to a recording and instead just enjoy the music." This is what I've been on a quest to find. I want to get lost in the music but still be able to pick out instruments if I want to enjoy their sound. My problem now is instruments feel like they're smooshed together. I'm guessing that's what lack of separation is. It's getting a bit tiresome searching, all I want to do is enjoy music. I hope I'm not asking for the impossible.
@@PassionforSoundI suspect Android might have something to do with it. I just downloaded the USB audio app you mentioned in another video. Most of my listening is with Earstudio ES100 Mk2 and the Ikko OH10 or Sennheiser HD 560S. As much as I want a nice dac/amp stack, it doesn't make much sense for the moment since I can't sit at a desk due to back surgery. I need something that I can put next to my bed and either use my phone or plug my wiim mini into.
Hopefully UAPP solves your issues with volume because you can set the number of volume steps. Good luck with your recovery - hope it goes faster than expected!
Why only use A3 with active speakers, though? I send my pre-amp RCA signal to my A-100 speaker amp, for my passive speakers. I almost feel like most powered/active speakers will have DACs built in, and want a digital signal.
Hi X-Tech, I'm only discussing actives because I don't have space for passives and power amps, but that's absolutely an option. Some actives do have DACs onboard, but they'll rarely match a good external DAC
The Asgard 3 is a wonderful amp $199 (so was/is the 2, class A with low impedance cans $119!). Great match and value with Philips X2HR and Sennheiser HD-660S. Get the True Multibit card and be done.
@@PassionforSound You're right, and there is an input for another DAC. It's versatile, it feeds my desktop system and the living room power amp/speaker too. I don't know if I live 5 or 10 more years? I'ts a priority, searching for the last percent or enjoying as much music before the end? Thanks for Your Great Reviews!
Apparently, the Jot 2 has been super popular and sold out. I'll get one soon I think and will try to prioritise it, but I've got SO much stuff in the queue already for this year that I don't want to promise anything...
Haha. Yeah, I don't have too much of that in the queue. It's more stuff like HiFiMan, some Shanling products (Chinese, but not crappy), EarMen DACs, and even the ZMF Atticus. I'll work some magic for the Jot once I get it though, don't worry.
Wondering if you could comment on asgard paired with modi3+ (not multibit). I was wondering if perhaps the 3 plus might actually be better because the multibit would push the asgard even more towards ultralush....
I'm afraid I haven't heard the Modi 3+ or Modi MB so I really can't comment with any specifics. What I can say is that the Schiit MB DACs I've heard aren't at all lush. They are forceful and 2-dimensional like many AKM/ESS DACs but they're certainly not thick, lush or overly warm so I would expect the same of the Modi MB
Like everyone else has said, the Asgard 3 is much better than the Jot, but don't get worried that it's thick and sludgy - it's just got richness to it that the SP200 and Not both lack due to their compressed presentations. I'd choose Asgard 3 every time over both of those.
Would this amp have too much gain in the low-gain setting, for my 38-ohm ATH-M50x headphones? I find with the Vali 2++, my phones get real loud with the volume at 10:00 o’clock, in the low-gain setting. If the Asgard is more powerful, I would think the volume control rotation restriction would be even worse.
I haven't found the Asgard 3 to be too gainy with most headphones. I haven't tried the M50s, but I have other easy-to-drive cans that are fine with the Asgard 3. What DAC are you using?
That should be fine then - not an overly hot output so I think the Asgard 3 would be ok, but I can't be 100% sure - sorry! You could see if Schiit publish the specs for the low gain level on each device (normally 0dB) and also check the input impedance of the amps as that could also influence the output levels. Ideally, you might be best served emailing Schiit directly because they'll know both products while I only know the Asgard 3 well.
I'm trying to figure out how many Wh my lake people g103p use. When looking up how you calculate, I found that you multiple amps with volts, so I did that! I think you calculate the operating volts, which is 85-195 V and it has a fuse of 13 amps. So I multiplied 13x195 and by 85 and that gives me a result of 1105-2535 watts. (The ac is 230V) Now am I doing this correctly? Cause this really doesn't seem right, feels like it should be in the 10s. I don't know, if there's different kinds of volts? DC and AC, Saw something like 96-240ac volts equals 12DC volts. That's does sound more realistic.
I'm not sure how you would calculate it because it depends on the current draw of the amp. Power is calculated from voltage and current, but the current draw and power draw might not be published
Hi Nick, that depends on your turntable. Some have built-in phono stages to increase the output ready for a regular amp. If you don't have that though, you'll need a phono stage
My plans started out with the Magni and Modi, then I figured I would save up and go for the Magnius and Modius. But I think all in one box, with the option to connect my mixer in as well via RCA is the way to go with the Asgard. For now at least 😄 I assume one can upgrade the DAC eventually when they release something newer and I feel like upgrading. I know they also have it with their True Multibit DAC card too, but that's not available here in Norway now, but maybe they can get that. I wonder how it would sound with the Meze 99 Neo. I am a fan of bass heavy sound, but maybe it would be too much 🤔
The Asgard 3 is brilliant, but be aware that the internal DAC is a bit average. As you said, though, you can start with the Asgard 3 and internal DAC and upgrade the DAC later. (In case this raises the question of whether you should buy a Modi+ to feed the Asgard instead of the internal DAC - yes that will be better)
I haven't tried it myself so can't really say. I just know that almost everyone says the internal DAC cards are so-so compared to separate DACs so I'd probably grab a Modi+ or Modi Multibit if you can.
@@PassionforSound Apparently the early models with the dac cards were running at only 1.4 volts but they have since corrected that so they're 2 volts now. I'd love to see an updated review of the Asgaurd 3 with the dac card.
Asgard 3 is nuts really. Unless you plan on spending well over 1000 dollars on headphones you will never need more powerful amp. Lyr 3 is even more nuts, but for the price Asgard 3 gives you much more.
You have reviewed soooo. Many products. For a beginner who is knew to hifi What is your recommendation for DAC and AMP? Seperate and not all one one combo OBVIOUSLY everyone has different budgets, but I want the best bang for buck. Something I can buy once, cry once. But also use for the next 5-10 years.
Hi Taylor, I'll give you a couple of options: 1) Endgame: Hugo TT2 (all-in-one) 2) High-end: Chord Qutest (DAC) and Burson Soloist 3X (amp) 3) Affordable: Schiit Bifrost 2 (DAC) and then stay tuned for my review of the Schiit Jotunheim 2 amp (my existing Jotunheim review is of the old version which isn't great)
It's always hard to gauge those things because people perceive/define them differently. The Asgard 3 is a fuller sounding amp that I would describe as more dynamic, but others might see the tighter, more controlled sound of the Magnius as punchier
@@PassionforSound I already own an Aune x1s that has a pretty good implementation of an ESS chip that I use as a DAC. Do you think its sharpness goes well with the Asgard or would getting a multibit DAC be a good idea? It already sounds good to me, but nearly everything sounds good to me, I like different things.
Hard to say because I haven't tried the X1S. I tend to prefer the sound of the Multibit DACs over chip based equivalents because they provide more space and layering without getting too warm or smooth. That's about the best I can tell you though - sorry!
I'm using a 650 which is supposed to be very laid back and easy to listen to. However, i find that with the setup i'm using right now (Old DacMagic from cambridge Audio and a magni 3) that the soundstage is rather flat and messy, the treble and high end is very fatiguing and overly bright. It may be the old dac, or the magni but i'm looking for something warmer, something to tame the highs a little bit. Seems like this would be the best fit for the price?
I think the Asgard 3 would be a great choice. I haven't heard a DACMagic for ages so not sure if that's playing a part and I haven't heard the Magni 3 so hard to say. Do you have any other source you could try like maybe a phone or computer feeding the Magni 3 to see if the DAC is the issue or the amp?
@@PassionforSound Thanks for replying, i'll try and test some other sources. As far as the DAC is concerned, do you think it's worth stepping up to the Modius for the Asgaard as opposed to a cheaper dac without balanced I/O, say a Modi 3+? I'm not going to step up to a bifrost or balanced Class A amp anytime soon so I'm not gonna worry about future proofing my setup really - but off course if there's a noticeable increase in fidelity, it does look and pair very nicely with the Asgaard 3 :)...
I'd be most inclined to go for the Modi Multibit if you are looking for smoothness and it's single-ended too so you're not buying balanced unnecessarily
Hi Marko, unfortunately JDS Labs declined to provide any review samples so I haven't yet heard their current products. I dare say the Asgard 3 and Modius would both be upgrades, but I'm only speculating based on the fact that the Asgard 3 is a discrete design vs the Atom using an op-amp (I believe) and the Modius was comfortably the best sounding budget DAC I've tried so far (i.e. vs Topping D10S, E30, D50S, Loxjie D30). Sorry that I can't give you anything more definitive.
@@PassionforSound thank you so much this is helpful :) Thank you for your hard work with these, I recently ordered a shanling up4 from your wonderful recommendation and can't wait to receive it
@@PassionforSound hello sorry to bother you again. I saw some of your chord videos and I was curious of your take on the chord MOJO. As that is also a class a amp, how much of an upgrade is it from the asgard. Is it worth the additional 300aud while losing the speaker output ability
Hi Marko, that's a very interesting question. I love the Mojo, but it's a very different product and doesn't work as well in a desktop setup due to its design (light, small, etc.) It's also a dedicated DAC/amp with no analog inputs so it really depends on what you're after and it's hard to compare the two because the Asgard 3 will work with any DAC, but the Mojo has to use its own. That also makes comparison difficult because if I feed the Mojo into the Asgard to test them both with the Mojo DAC, the Asgard 3 is receiving an analog signal that's already passed through the Mojo's amp/output stage. In short, both are fantastic devices. If you need a DAC and amp and you're ok with the little footprint (i.e. a touch clumsy when connecting/disconnecting), get the Mojo. If you only need an amp, go for the Asgard 3.
if u want a cheap audio combo, go for HD6xx or 58x and sybasonic. Sybasonic can power 300ohm headphones to ear-piercing level. and it costs only 50- 70AUD depending on the model. I also have Mayflower arc mk1. mk1 is clearly superior in audio quality, I think it has much more fuller midrange and sounds more pleasant than syba. But, I don't think anyone will buy 450AUD arc just for that improvement.
Thanks for the tip, J PJ, but if the sound quality isn't that good then it's probably false economy. That's what's great about the Asgard 3 - price and performance together.
I've heard many people say the external DACs are significantly better. The internal card is convenient, but go for the separate DAC if you want the best quality
@@PassionforSound im not terribly invested in the audiophile game yet so im looking to upgrade overtime. I suppose my question would be better phrased as would something the same price as the dac card perform much better? Like would the $99 modi be better than the $99 card option just because it's external? If I can get away with having 1 less box on my desk for now I'd like to.
I find it so much better than the 789 and actually sold my 789 as a result. The sound is more natural and more engaging from.the Asgard 3. The 789 may come across as more tonally neutral, but I don't find it more realistic in the overall presentation of sound.
So, A3 vs Mag bal. = big differences in dryness and dimensionality. A3 vs Mag SE = "differences much smaller", yet A3 is "clearly" better..? Sounds like both tests showed big differences.
The A3 is better in both cases. There are more pronounced tonal differences with the Magnius balanced output in addition to the general soundstage and spatial differences that are evident in both Bal and SE from Magnius. Does that make sense?
![Gunna - HIM ALL ALONG [Official Visualizer]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/HiCxoDeo0hc/mqdefault.jpg)
I love this amp! It pairs wonderfully with the modius, in my experience.
It definitely does, Jordan! 🙂
Thanks for posting! I am looking at the exact combination!
Is there an advantage to the Modius vs. getting the multibit dac built into the Asgard? Thanks!
@@rorilee9791 not much info out there but i think the consensus is that the internal multibit is more of a nice to have, but not as good as a separate dac. Can’t say i’ve tested it tho. Search head fi maybe!
@@jordanfish Thank you!!
Your comparative descriptions regarding differences in sound quality and sound signatures are truly very relevant and helpful to me. I feel as though I could possibly pick out some of these units in an actual blind listening test based solely on your review. Sort of like when I look at sheet music and mentally hear the gist of how a piece may actually sound. Your work is impressive in being able to convey that sense of sound without a sound demo to drive home and demonstrate your observations. Thank you.
So glad it's helpful, Jonathan. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
I love somebody saying the word Schiit in a such a lovely gentle voice
Haha. Glad I can provide some entertainment 🙂🙂
Thanks for doing this type of review.
Another Amp that has that slightly warmer lush sound is the Zen-Can, it's one of the best entry-level discrete Class A amp's at £149
No problems. I'd love to try some of the current iFi gear, but there's a bit of a problem with the local supplier ☹️
Got the Zen Can just yesterday and I agree it is fantastic.
Paired with 660S, the vocals are so life like, it is unbelievable at the price. Very good macro resolution, just a bit lacking in micro-details but at the budget it is way too good.
Have owned my Asgard 3 for nearly a year and I really like it.
Also have a Modius that I really enjoy. Nice review! 😊
Also forgot to mention that the Asgard 3 now costs $249
Yeah, someone mentioned that to me the other day. I need to update my notes!
Glad you're enjoying your Schiit! 😁
Asgard 3 owner here. You had mentioned in a prior comment response from your Bifrost 2 review that you really loved the Bifrost paired with the Asgard 3.
Well, I finally made the pilgrimage to the Schitter here in California, Schiit's retail storefront, and was fortunate enough to spend several hours listening to the whole of the Schiit range in differing combinations. I expected to be blown away by some of the more expensive products in the range and want to replace the Asgard having heard them, but man, the Asgard is such a wonderful product and really does sound wonderful with the Bifrost 2. I asked for the Bifrost for Christmas as that was the product that impressed me the most having now heard most of Schitt's products first hand and I plan to keep my Asgard for a while yet.
The Asgard has nearly all the resolution and power of other more expensive Amplifiers in the range, but the smoothness and tonality is just so wonderful for the money, and I found it much more musical sounding than just about any other products Schiit offers. Perhaps this amps sounds so wonderful because the Asgard was Schiit's first product, and Jason has tuned it more to his taste than an expected market segment, but it's so full, dynamic, vibrant, open and juicy sounding with a good DAC, not to mention insanely powerful. I literally couldn't believe how good it sounded compared to many peers in the range, some of which were a bit boxy and dry sounding, even at relatively high price points.
I will say this; Skip the DAC module. It's not worth the money. Spend the extra 50 bucks over the internal multibit card and get the Modi Multibit. The internal card isn't terrible, but isn't even remotely comparable to the external DACs. I figured I was getting wholistic desktop solution and the badass linear power supply from the Asgard would be powering what was essentially an internal Modi Multibit, but the card is powered via USB. The multibit DAC card is a bit dull and grainy sounding and having used it for a year exclusively, I wasn't very happy with this wonderful amp. This amp deserves much better.
I had contemplated selling this amp until stopped using the internal DAC card. Now having heard it with decent digital components, I wouldn't sell it for much of anything under a grand.
Thanks souch for sharing that, Ben! I often get asked about the onboard DAC so now I have a answer! Great to hear that the Asgard 3 stacks up so well against the more expensive Schiit gear too!
Thanks for this comment!! How big is the difference between Modi multibit and Bifrost 2 in term of SQ?
@@broccolee8250 It's not night and day better given the cost. The bass is fuller and punchier and there is a bit more openness and transparency. The lifelike nature of the midrange is pretty similar in my limited experience. The Modi Multi is a beast for the cost and I think it is a more significant step up from the internal multibit card than the Bifrost is from the Modi.
thanks for you comment, just what I wanted to know. the search goes on:)
@@peerloo6931 Cheers!
Perfect title for the video.👍
Powerful, Resolving, good looking amp on a budget no one is talking about!
Thanks Vidyabhushan!
Bought this amp last week together with a Toppig E50 DAC (using the F2 filter setting) and the Sendy Audio Aiva headphones. Used EQ a bit to boost the bass slightly and reduce a trebble peak. I'm very happy with this combo.
Thanks for your reviews. They helped with getting a better understanding of the products before I bought them.
So glad you're happy with your purchases!
yeah I became a Schiit fan after reviews from this channel and got myself Magnius and Modius stack. loving it daily.
That's a really nice setup! Glad I could help turn you into a great brand. Stay tuned for the Jotunheim 2 review. It might just be your next purchase 😉
@Male Sensitivity balanced
Outstanding video! I have found myself searching out your channel for information on gear I am interested in investigating. I truly appreciate not only the level of descriptive detail of the component in question, but also the comparative opinion with a number of competitive products. I can't think of any other channel that presents such a wealth of very good information better than yours. Great job!
Thanks so much! Glad you're finding the reviews helpful!
I'm so excited. ordered Asgard 3 November 27. expected from fed ex December 22, 2021. Less than 4 weeks wait. It was on back order. Said 6-8 weeks when ordered.
You're in for a treat - enjoy!
Another killer review. I love my Asgard 3 for it's price, I do have other gear that sounds better but at 5x the price it better!
Schiit should send you one of their hybrid models for review ;) the Lyr 3 is very similar in topology to the Asgard 3 but more power, more power filtering capacitance and of course a tube stage! A lot of guys on the forums really have a lot of fun tube rolling that one (especially since it's just one tube it's less expensive than many other tube setups). That or the new Vali 2+ (which has really low noise but really high THD on purpose).
I love my lyr 3 so damn much. That amp is magical. I have plenty of amps but that's hands down my favorite.
I just bought the Asgard 3 to use for my gaming PC headphone rig and have it paired with a Modi uber and a Loki using with drop 6xx cans. I am very satisfied with its performance for its chosen use.
I also have a Mjolnir 2 and a Valhalla 2 but did not want to use a tube amp for my gaming rig set up.
I am a big fan of Schiit products as far as being a top quality excellent purchase with many of their models punching well above their price point as compared to the competition in both build and sound quality offered for the money.
Sounds like I need to get myself a Lyr to try out... I'll reach out to Jason and co in the new year and see what we can arrange. I have the Monolith Liquid Platinum review coming up.so that would make for an interesting benchmark.
@@PassionforSound Lyr 3 vs Liquid Platinum would be a lot of fun. Schiit just announced the Jot 2 today, according to Jason it's ready to hang with the Asgard3/Lyr3 :D
Very exciting! I've prepped my Liquid Platinum review today for recording tomorrow. It's an interesting amp...
Great review. I bought one to upgrade from my asgard 2. I got the DAC inside this time to hear a good DAC with my headphones.
Glad you like the review (and your new setup by the sound of it)
Outstanding job - covering all possible aspects in the review
Glad you found it helpful! I always try to cover everything I can think of as a consumer 🙂
Great review! You have very accurately noticed the essence of Asgard - a three-dimensional, deep sound. Very analog. This is what he bribed me with. Indeed, such a sound can only be obtained with discrete circuit elements, it is unattainable on microcircuits. I bought it without hesitation. I want to add Shiit Modi multibit to it, I think it will be a great stack.
I think that will be an excellent stack! Glad you liked the review
Saying this is one of the biggest values under $500 is an understatement for sure. As someone with a Lyr 3, this amp is 70% of the way there.
It's certainly extremely good, isn't it? I haven't yet heard the Lyr, but I might have to change that...
Thanks for your detailed review!!
I have used the Modi3+ Magni 3 combo it was pretty solid, makes me even more interested in the Asgard 3!!
Yeah, the A3 is pretty amazing for the price. It even stacks up well against the Monolith Liquid Platinum which costs 3-4x more!
Trying to find a single unit with those functions might be tricky though...
Ah, in that case it's time for an upgrade! 😃
Hi Lachlan, fantastic review! How do you think this compares to the Element II (if you get the Asgard with multibit DAC). Thanks!
That's an interesting question because I haven't tried the onboard Multibit DAC module. I expect the Element would win on DAC quality, but the Asgard 3 will run away with it on amp quality. I'd probably buy the Asgard setup and add a better DAC later if needed.
The Asgard is a wonderful amp. I did a month long test between the A3, Atom, 789, Magni, Heresy, and Liquid Spark and the A3 stayed. Just smoothed enough while keeping excellent detail and space.
Wow! What a great comparison list. Thanks for sharing the outcome!
I'd choose Asgard over Magnius, but I can't comment on the JDS options
Love to see asgard 3 vs lyr 3 comparision 😊
Hi Ahmed, I'm hopeful that I'll review the Lyr in future so stay tuned 🙂
Thanks very much for this review! It’s easily the most helpful one I’ve seen to date. Based on your feedback and the comments on some experienced owners below I placed an order today for an Asgard 3 and a Modi 3+. I have a feeling I’ll upgrade to a Multibit DAC in the near future but the 3+ should do nicely for now. I considered doing the internal card option but figured I could easily sell the Modi 3+ when I’m ready to move on, let somebody else enjoy it and recoup some of the sunk cost.
Hi Mark, glad it was helpful and I think you made the right decision going for the Modi over the onboard DAC because it should sound better by all accounts and, as you said, you can always sell it secondhand later. I hope you love the new setup 🙂
Great video! Informative and very enjoyable. And your opinions on the Asgard is exactly why I have been waiting for the bastard to be available in Europe (currently, still out of stock) Cheers!
Yeah, I gather getting them over there is difficult. Glad the video was helpful and sorry I can't help with the stock availability!
@@PassionforSound ahhaha that'd be like magic!! Have a good one ;)
That it would. Take care 🙂🙂
What a thorough review. I have been looking for a new dac and amp, and now I am thinking that the Asgard 3 is the way to go. Thinking about getting it to pair with my HD6XX.
That will work beautifully! Glad you found the review helpful. Which DAC do you have in mind? I can recommend the Modius as a nice budget stack with the Asgard 3
@@PassionforSound I was thinking about getting the built-in dac module. Still trying to decide between the regular chip and the multibit, but watching your interview series with the guys from Schiit has kind of made me want to spring for the multibit and see what it’s all about. The modius looks like a good pairing though!
The MB option should sound better than the equivalent chip option in Schiit's range, but I haven't actually heard the two to say for sure.
Great review! You really summarised my issue with Topping L30 that I found doesn't sound as good (engaging?) as its measurement results.
Yeah. No doubt it's a phenomenal amp for the price, but for just that little bit more you can have something like the Asgard 3.
Same here, I don't found topping L30 engaging, I prefer the amp section of my HRT microstreamer portable dac/amp over it
Interesting! Thanks for sharing that, Midori
I have always enjoyed your detailed and thorough reviews. Jason Stoddard continues to give gems in his interviews. In his latest interview, he said that the Asgard 3 has a bit of a warm presentation (which he decided not to change in a product update) and that he has lately used the Asgard 3 as preamp. I wonder if you can confirm your opinion of the Asgard 3 as a preamp or if any other headphone amps would make a great preamp. Headphone amps may be a good and cost effective way to pair with power amps. Your thoughts or any recommendations here? Thanks for your assistance.
Headphone amps are definitely often great preamps too and the Asgard 3 is no exception. Keep on mind that you should match the quality of the headphone/preamp with the rest of your system so don't put a basic preamp before a great power amp or you'll rob it of some performance, but if you match them roughly and choose the sound you like (i.e. warm, neutral, etc.) then they are a great way to get both headphone P and preamp without needing two boxes and two sets of cost.
Subscribe to this Aus-some reviewer. He listens to audience suggestions and implements them if he can while also being very consistent and transparent.
Your new mic plus the addition of allowing ambient noise in the audio recording makes a bigger difference than you'd think! You sound more natural and relaxed imo and the commentary flows much smoother now.
(P.S. your mic being clipped on your zipper might be picking up some interference, a very sharp, EEEEEEE, like sound from the left channel that that faded when you'd lift your right arm. Other than that the audio sounded very natural. Keep it up!)
Thanks Dragon! The new mic is here now and it's SO much better! Just wait for the reviews near Christmas - I think you'll be shocked at the improvements. I still need to perfect my EQ for it, but straight out of the mic is already excellent
Passion for Sound
Great to hear, and merry Christmas to you guys!
You too, Dragon!
Passion for Sound
Just a update on the ringing I commented about above. It’s non-existent when I’m using my HD280 Pros pushed with a BTR3K but I can hear it on my AirPods Pro and 660s🧐. They both have a 40kHz+ frequency response range, the 280s cut off at 20kHz. Am I a dog? 😂
I also really want an Asgard 3 instead of my magnius atm because I’m not using balanced right now; using my Element 2 because the magnius 1/4” was starting to sound blurry and bloated. Gotta put my 789 up for sale/trade eventuality. Merry Christmas
That's interesting about the ringing. My guess is that it's right at the edge of your audible range and the 280s are rolling off a little sooner so they're dropping it. 🙂
The Magnius SE isn't THAT far behind the Asgard 3, but I do agree with your overall sentiment of moving on from the 789 (nice amp) and getting something better... maybe the Jotunheim 2?
Glad i found your channel and another aussie reviewer. I was going to pair my HD800S's with a magnius/modius combo to run balanced but will definitely grab this instead now. Would you have a dac recommendation in the same price range which will pair well with the Asgard/HD800S?
Hi Clinton, the Modius would be a great choice. Same footprint and great sound (even using the single ended output only)
That's true, however, I've had multiple viewers say the sound quality of the onboard module is noticeably poorer than an external DAC like the Modius.
Thx for this Asgard review. Hopefully I'll get one next year. If I got the Magnius, I'd run it with balanced headphones and then I might as well jump up to a Topping A90 balanced amp to justify the more expensive headphones.
You're welcome. I'd choose the Asgard 3 over both of those in most situations. All 3 are good amps, but only the Asgard 3 has a discrete design and therefore the depth of soundstage and realism in its presentation.
@@PassionforSound Still looking at the Sundara. I love electrostatics, so maybe it will be the same with planars.
They're very different, but do have some similarities in the way the transients sound (or something - I'm not sure exactly what it is)
I still have my pair of 35 year old STAX electrostatic, but they have a transformer that hooks into the amp speaker terminals. Also have an older set of Koss ESP-9 electrostatics that need recapping.
I don't know either of those to comment on specifics, but I expect you'll find that the Sundaras have less speed, but better bass and note weight.
As an electrical engineer, although my speciality is in digital design (music electronics is analog design), my guess that discrete sounds better than integrated is that you have more parts in discrete design to specialize in low pass, band pass, and high pass filters for the signals.
And since music is a continuous/analog signal, it has infinite information compare to digital's 0s and 1s, it is hard to keep all those signal resolution without the help of more physics component such as inductors, capacitors, and resistors. More parts spreading out around or signal passing around is definitely more prone to electrical noise. But more noise does not mean it sounds worse than discrete one, because signal-to-noise ratio is not correlated to musicality. If I am a product designer, signal-to-noise ratio reaches say perhaps 90db is enough, it is perhaps not one of those requirement the higher definitely the better, because it becomes not discernible to the listening experience.
Integrated chip or digital design is better at doing data processing, data here is only 0s and 1s, say if you have 0.97, you will be classified as a 1. So you lose 0.03 of that signal information here and there by only allowing 0s and 1s. What an integrated design is good at is delivering low power, low area, and high speed compare to analog circuits. By high speed I mean processing data, think of a CPU.
Hi Ay, thanks for the information. You might be right about the reasons for the sound difference. I hope to one day get a definitive answer, but the journey is kind of fun 🙂
The reason I prefer your reviews over others is because of the depth, knowledge, consistency and transparency.
In my ears, I think this will pair well with a Dan Clark Aeon open (waiting for your review). Reason I think that is because this amp will give more body and meat to the bones of the headphones.
Already planning that purchase in the near future. I just need more time to investigate and verify if what I'm thinking is how it will translate to my ears and not disappointment.
Thanks Karl! I've got some Aeon 2 Closed coming, but not the open models yet. I do think you're right though - any slightly leaner sounding headphone will be great with the Asgard 3. It's actually a great amp for any headphone because it's warmth is very well managed and never too much.
Great video. Would also love your thoughts on DAC pairings with the Asgard or even entire chain pairings (dac, amp, headphone).
Thanks JD. I think I discussed the Modius as a great pairing with the Asgard 3 when I reviewed that. Also the Bifrost 2. The good thing with any quality amp and DAC is that they should play well together and a lot of it comes down to personal tastes in soundstage presentation / perception of detail retrieval, etc.
It's hard to provide recommendations with SO many potential great combinations, but I'm always happy to answer questions if I've heard the gear you're looking at. 🙂
What would really be interesting is if you reviewed the new schiit vali 2+ and buy a few tubes for it including the jj gold which is a good value since its among the best I tried on my older vali 2 then compare it with the asgard 3 using the hd6xx and other similar budget audiophile headphones. That mystery of the vali going up against the asgard has always intrigued me with the 300 ohm senns.
I hope to try the Vali and Lyr in the future so stay tuned 🙂
Another great review. I like the way you describe the sound from the Asgard 3. I'm considering buying it without the DAC module to use as a headphone amp only. Do you think it would be good paired with a DAC such as the Topping E50 for my Sennheiser HD660S headphones? I find that the HD660S is very detailed and neutral, which can sometimes be a bit cold, so the warmth of the Asgard 3 would be welcome here. Or is there a better value DAC+amp combination that you could recommend?
That would be an excellent combination. There aren't any DACs at the price that I've found to beat the E50
Thank you for the review!!! I've got one on the way. Would the slight warmth/body work for someone that would like a small tip of the hat to tube sound?
Hi Bill, congrats! Yes, it has the bit of warmth that many equate to tubes. I think you'll be very happy!
Great Review! Just purchased based on your recommendation. Now looking to upgrade my Topping D10 to either the Modius or Modi Multibit, or maybe the Topping E30 for $110 CAD less (incl. shipping).
Thanks Brett! Glad I could help! I'd recommend the Modius for sure if you've got the budget. 🙂
@@PassionforSound Done! Ordering the Modius (backordered to Feb 19th), and purchased the E30 on Amazon for the time being. Will move the E30 to my living room set-up when the Modius arrives.
Great choices on both counts! Enjoy your new setups!
Ooh. That's not good! What were you powering it with?
That's not good at all! Should have no such issues with Modius 🙂
This is a great review... but I do want to know what you think would be a good dac pairing. Would you just go with the one they offer on the website? or if you have something like the E30 already, would that work with it?
Hi Tyler, the E30 is great and will do just fine. If you want something more similar-looking, the Modius is a really nice option or the Bifrost 2 if you want to be able to upgrade further in the future.
Sounds like the Magnius has that flat 2D sound I've heard in low-end balanced stuff from Drop, like the THX 789. That one has a similar sound signature. Every chip-amp design I've tried seems to flatten the soundstage.
Yeah, it's rare for an IC-based amp to excel with depth, but some are worse than others
Hey there new subscriber and loving your video format and reviews! How would this compare to the first gen Jotunheim?
Hi and welcome. Glad you're liking the content! I would personally take the Asgard 3 every single time over the original Jot. The Jot felt forced and a bit lacking in depth whereas the Asgard 3 does everything incredibly well, particularly for its price
@@PassionforSound hey passion! I really appreciate the response, also I was going to send you a rebel amp but had some issues and will be buying a new one (my mistake and no fault of the rebel). Anyways what’s your email again as I was going to buy it and send it over to you directly from the manufacturer.
That would be awesome - thank you! You can reach me at passionforsound@lachlanfennen.com
I find my Asgard 3 to be a really good pairing to my HD 600. The little bit of extra warmth is great.
I agree, BB!
Hi do you think this would work with Grado headphones? Or would one of Schiit’s other amps be a better match?
This would so great with them! (I have Alessandro MS1s)
I’ve ordered the Shiit Vali 2+ as my first headphone amp as I heard that it’s more fun than the Magnius but now it’s stuck in NZ customs. I don’t have much reference so I’d love to see your review - I’m fully accepting of the distortion from a hybrid tube, but maybe I should have gone solid state for my first amp. In the meantime I ordered a Topping A50s from a local retailer, only to discover they ship from their Australian office and they’re closed until Jan 5th. In desperation I’ve purchased a used Drop THX AAA 789. the downside is I’ve spent more money than I intended. The upside is that I’ll be learning more on my audiophile journey as I get to compare amps.
Oh wow, that will be a really nice start for you (but I'm sorry to hear about the delays and expense)
Don't worry about the distortion factor with the Vali, distortion measurements are way over-emphasised in my opinion. They are somewhat helpful to understand an amp, but they really don't define what sounds good.
IN Desperation you bought a drop thx AAA 789? thats quite a capable amp! are you useing balanced headphones? did your shipment come yet?
Thanks for all this info, you deserve more subs!!
Thanks Alvaro! Feel free to share with your friends! 😉
Thinking about picking one of these up! Got a pair of lcd2 classics so should I get the Asgard or the magni? I willing to pay the extra but would it be worth it? Also would you recommend the Asgard other the magnius for the lcd2 classics
I'd recommend Asgard all the way, but I've not yet heard the regular Magni (only Heresy). I definitely wouldn't get the Magnius though as the Asgard is clearly the better sounding amp (I have both).
If you want to go balanced, check out the Geshelli Labs Erish which is marvelous at a similar price. Not better than Asgard so much as comparable and balanced.
@@PassionforSound unsure if it's in budget but if I can would getting the modius other the modi be worth it? Heard from people that who have used both that the modius is around 25% better and watched your review of it. Would be pairing with the asgard
I haven't heard the Modi, but I do know with all the Schiit gear I've tried, there's always an improvement with higher models. They don't make products without clear benifits/improvements for the extra $$
Hi, Does the Asgard 3 have the compressed/wall of sound feeling of the Jotunheim and the Magni amplifier? Tks
Hi HO, no it doesn't at all and I know exactly what you mean because I didn't like the original Jotunheim for exactly that reason.
2 years later im in the market for my first amp for my dt 1990s that have been running on my pc's onboard amp/dac. ive seen now 2 recommendations from you and a fellow on a hifi forum as either the best budget value or in the forums case "best amp that competes enough with $500 amps". I believe they also referenced what you specifically said about the asgard feels like youre listening to music while others feel like listening to recordings.
im just wondering two things: should i buy used? and would any of the top $100 dacs be sufficient until i feel the need for something more from a dac? im looking schiit, atom, ifi, and a few more, but ive just now finished spending time looking for an amp.
yea i am seeing some decent deals on the asgard 3 with the amp module. theres just so many options, ill have to hunker and read around
I think the Asgard 3 is a great starting point so you can buy that new or secondhand with confidence.
As for DACs, I've got the new Schiit Modi+ and Modi Multibit 2 coming up for review soon so they might be a good option. The Topping E30 Mk2 that I reviewed recently is also a strong choice
Amazing review. Thanks!
You're welcome!
Would you recommend multi-bit or AK4490 on the Asgard? I currently have Modi 3, not the 3+, I think it uses AK4490 as well. I plan to sell my Modi + Magni stack and go for all in one Asgard.
or should I keep my existing Modi 3, and buy a THX AAA 789 amp? Thanks.
I would go Asgard 3 over THX 789 for both price and listening enjoyment. 789 measures well and sounds good, but it lacks the depth that the Asgard 3 does well. As for which DAC card, I haven't tried the internal DACs (other than in the original Jotunheim which added its own presentation) so I can't say for sure, but I would personally choose the Multibit card.
@@PassionforSound And how about the Multibit card vs Modius DAC? They are the same price ($200). Thanks for your valuable input.
I'd go for the Modius I think, but again I haven't compared them directly - sorry.
Passion for Sound- Thanks for the quick reply. ive been reading ALL the comments and replies-it seems that you get back and CARE about your channel and the people who rely on your recommendations. So- for me, this is important. do you recommend the Monoprice m1570c (closed) that recently came out over the Sundara? I'm assuming ill do better with planar magnetic than dynamics. i own hd560s and B-D 770 pro 32 ohm. my Asgard 3is arriving before 8pm today. i feel my headphones wont do the asgard 3 right.
Hi Ricky, yes I try to respond to every comment on the channel. I miss a few here and there, but mostly catch them all.
I haven't yet heard the Monoprice planars other than the M1060 so I can't really help on that one - sorry!
See how you enjoy the other cans with the Asgard 3 though. They might surprise you 🙂
How do you think this holds up today? Just got rid of my Monoprice THX 887 and want to move towards a more discrete amp. Was considering both the newer Magni+ and the Asgard 3. Would be pairing it up with either a Modi+ or Modius as well. What do you think would be the best pairing of those 4 components? Thank you! Have been watching all your Schitt videos to try and get a good feel for the products. After watching your interviews with Jason, I'd like to support their company.
I love the Asgard 3 - it's a brilliant amp. It's definitely a richer sound than the Magni+ so take that into account, but it's also more powerful and performs a little better too. My choice of setups would probably be the Modius and Asgard 3. Modi+ would also do great with the A3 too.
@@PassionforSound thank you for the response!
I am kicking my own butt because I ordered both the magni and modi this morning. Will rock with this setup for a while, at least until I get some more headphones. I’ll pick up the Asgard+ if/when it drops!
Hey, still a great choice so don't feel bad at all. You might be in a position to step even higher up in the future and bypass the A3 altogether 😉
@@PassionforSound So, it''s been a month, and I've already upgraded the Magni+ to a pre-owned Asgard 3. I ended up preferring the Magni+. The Asgard 3 is definitely punchier, wider, thicker with more bass impact, but is a little too warm/smoothed in the treble for me. Asgard already re-sold. Would the Jotunheim 2 have a little more to give in the treble/detail department, or is there any other solid state amp under $750 that you would recommend? (6xx and 800S as headphones)
Sorry for all the questions! I just trust you, and I tend to agree with your opinions!
No problems with the questions. I think the Jotunheim 2 is a step up from the Asgard 3 (I did a comparison of these two in my Jotunheim 2 review IIRC). The Singxer SA-1 is another excellent option.
Nice review. Since I ordered one on Monday your review just helped with some nice confirmation bias.
I am planning on pairing with a HD 660S (and 20 year old HD 590). I just need a dac now. Modi multibit or SMSL SU-9 (a bit more than I want to spend) are current contenders. .
Glad I could help 😉
I haven't heard the SU-9 yet so I can't advise on that one. The Modius will do great though if you choose to save some $$
It depends on your preferences. I’d totally go with Modi MB over coax (eitr, or some rPi based streamer)
Edit: or consider Bifrost. That eliminates the need in Eitr. But a good streamer is always a plus.
@@oleksiifilippov68 Used Modi Multibit on way.
Pi based streamer with optical and coax digital will be my next project. Any advice on components (Pi version, Spdif card, case, power supply) from anyone is welcome.
@@JimAnderson1 check pi2aes. There’s multiple ways to power it. People say it’s good enough with MeanWell smps. I prefer my 502DAC (previous to pi2aes model) powered by sbooster LPS. U also can plug 5V PSU directly to the board to override switching stab, but u need to understand what you’re doing
Edit: start with Meanwell maybe. Don’t use optical if you want quality. And congrats on the Mimby! Make sure it’s on the latest firmware.
I made a RPi 3 setup with the Digi+ Pro board and soldered on a BNC socket for maximum quality (75 ohm end-to-end if you have BNC on your DAC). It outperformed poorer USB implementations, but I'm finding in recent times that USB implementations are much better so the quality is now comparable. That's to say it's very good sounding.
I am torn between this and ifi zen can. Leaning towards zen can because of the size. Wish you'd review it soon! ❤️
I wish I could too, but the local supplier won't provide loan units ☹️
@@PassionforSound well thats terrible. Hope it works out. 😁
Yeah, me too
@@PassionforSoundlate update. 😂 But got asgard 3. Listening with 400se. Will most likely upgrade to edition xs cuz it's only 270 new on HiFiman website.
Did you get a chance to try the Asgard 3 with the d50s? With the muses02 opamp. I’m curious to hear if they’re a good match.
Hi MMK, I didn't try that combo, but I can see no reason why it wouldn't be an excellent combination. The MUSES02 brings more space to the D50S which will suit the Asgard 3 beautifully
Hi, is it a good pairing to hifiman ananda, since ananda is a little bright and this amp is a little warm? What do u think? And also, i have hd660s, what do u think about the pairing on hd660s and this amp/ ananda with this amp?
I think it will be a great pairing with both of those headphones. I haven't heard the HD660S personally, but was chatting to some patrons about it recently so I have a fair sense of its sound.
The only problem is, its a budget amp for American customers. in Aus, it costs 530AUD. In this range there are a lot of amps. Drop Thx 789, SP200, SU8, SU9, Zen Can, A50, L30, xduoo, Little dot. Some of these have the same power range and cost way less than asgard . Go for Asgard if u can get a second hand one.
There aren't many amps in that list that I'd choose over the A3, J PJ. Certainly none of the ones I've heard.
Also, buying direct should be a fair bit cheaper than buying locally I think.
What DAC you have used for testing / comparison? Thank you.
Good question and I don't remember what I was using back then. It was either the Chord Qutest or TT2, but I'm not sure which was my primary DAC for this review.
Hi, can I also connect speakers to this Asgard 3? I have Edifier r1700bt speakers that are connected to my pc, but I would like to increase the quality of my listening not only with headphones. Do you think it might be a good idea to combine the amplifier with the speakers? Thank you!
Hi Lailaihei, as I understand it, you could definitely connect the Asgard 3 to the Edifiers as a pre-amp and it should improve the sound compared to the Bluetooth connection. You'd just need to workout the right approach to volume adjustment because the Edifiers have volume control and so does the Asgard 3. Not sure the ideal approach, but a bit of experimenting should see you right.
Once again another great review! Thanks so much for the way you do these, great comparisons! I also agree with the comments below, I have had an iFi Zen for quite awhile it is a fantastic little Gem! Hope you get to check one out!
Thanks X Country, I'd like to check them out too. It's a shame I can't ☹️
That's really interesting that despite you rating the L30 so highly but didn't prefer it in those tests. I think that shows the dangers of the way we often evealuate gear where we preference technical performance over tonality. I found the A3 too smmoth/polite when I had it. But my main headphones then were the AFO, which cry out for a more forward, aggressive amp.
Yeah, it's always about what else is in the comparison and which headphones are being used, but I consistently preferred the A3. DAC may also play a part.
I enjoyed your review so much I'm now very tempted to buy an Asgard 3. I'm just wondering how this would pair with a Chord Mojo as a DAC in line level mode?
Hi James, I seem to recall testing this recently for someone and IIRC it worked great. The Asgard 3 has the soundstage depth and layering or sounds (i.e. positioning in 3D space) to get the most from the Mojo's outputs.
That’s really good to know. Thanks for your help 🙂👍
You're very welcome!
Has anyone compared the Asgard 3 to the Asgard 2? I have the Asgard 2 and love it. It's a pure Class A so runs super hot while Asgard 3 is AB so runs much cooler from what i heard. I'm just curious how much of an improvement is the Asgard 3 over the 2.
I haven't tried the Asgard 2 - sorry
Thank you, I was looking at the L30 or the Magnius. Did you test the Asgard 3 with any of the modules? If not which of the modules would you use or do you think there are other dacs in the 100-200 rage that would outperform the dac modules.
I'd go with an external DAC based on what other viewers have said. I haven't tried it myself with the modules.
@@PassionforSound do you have any ext dac in mind that would pair well.
A lot depends on your budget, but something like the Topping E30, Schiit Modi or Modius would do well
@@PassionforSound I was going to do the Asgard 3 plus multibit module. But Asgard + Modius +Sundara would work also. I did watch your review of the bifrost but that would be a little out of my budget. Unless I do the Asgard and SunDara now and then save towards the bifrost.
Modius and Asgard will be a great setup. You can always sell the Modius later and by the Bifrost if you feel like you want a little bit more
Hello, how is the Asgard 3 compared to the Soloit 3x? Is it worth $800 priced gap? Tks
Easily. I really like the Asgard 3, but the Soloist is on a different level altogether
Is the Jotenheim just an Asgard 3 + balanced?
No, it's a completely different circuit design as I understand it.
HI wanted to ask if this is a good pairing for the mimby? SInce that's a ladder dac that's on the warmer side of life, does this amp add to the warmness(ie making it a little boomy)? Schiit doesn't have a presence where i am so i have to rely on videos to distinguish if it's a good fit....i use the sundaras with them as my main driver
Hi Julian, I haven't tried Mimby, but I don't think it will be so warm as to be a problem. The Asgard 3 is only very slightly warm so it's not going to cause problems except extreme cases (which this isn't). I think you'll be happy with the combo
@@PassionforSound thank you so much 😀
Hey man. What you thinking it pairs perfectly with hifiman he560v4? Thanks in advance
I haven't tried the HE560, but I believe it's a cooler/leaner sounding headphone so the Asgard 3 should pair beautifully with it
@@PassionforSound thanks a lot man
I got sennheiser HD 650 & hd600. Which amplifier do you recommend under the price of $400. I look forward to your recommendations. Thank you
Hi Kamis, under $400 it's hard to go past the Asgard 3. The new Jotunheim 2 might go one better, but the Asgard 3 is exceptional value for money with it's performance for its price
@@PassionforSound Thank you very much
You're welcome 🙂
I just bought the Asgard 2 on clearance from Schiit for $119. Have you been able to compare this to the 2?
Hi Jerry, I haven't - sorry. I have no doubt it's a very good amp though, particularly at the price you got it for.
Is this still your go too budget amp with the new price increase? The silver with shipping is over $300 U.S. would you recommend jumping up to the Jotunheim 2 now that the prices are much closer?
The Asgard 3 is still the best discrete amp I've found at the price, but if the Jot 2 is within reach I would go for that - it's the same but better
@@PassionforSound Thanks for the help, it’s hard trying to make decisions with so many options and so many opinions to choose from. You started my journey with your reviews of the E30 and L30. Your honest reviews and dedication to answering questions on your old videos is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
So glad I could help!
My 2 cents is if you don't need the Balanced and Power of the Jot 2 for hard to drive HP's.... Just get the Asgard 3 🤷🏻♂
How would this amp pair with the Bifrost 2 and empyrean. I am planning to upgrade to a Bifrost 2 to use with the Asgard 3 and get a higher end amplifier down the line.
It works beautifully. You'll definitely benefit from an upgrade later as you say, but in the short term you'll be enjoying some sweet, sweet sounds! 🙂
I have the asgard 3, but when plugged into my pc it constantly makes a buzzing and high pitch noise. Will the modius dac get rid of the sound? Also, the amp sound is gone when i plug the amp into my laptop.
That sounds like a power induced issue, Thuan. An external DAC like the Modius should absolutely fix this problem. It'll also be a big improvement in sound quality too!
@@PassionforSound i appreciate the reply. I ordered it with the pyst cable. However, do you recommend me connecting to the dac using optical, usb. Or coaxial? I just hope its not a grounding issue.
I found the Modius pretty consistent regardless of the input used so you should be fine either way. You may find optical slightly better if your PC has a power issue of some sort.
@@PassionforSound sounds good. My pc wasnt making this noise with the magni, which had a wall wart. So hopefully the dac helps for the asgard so I dont have to deal with all the shipping fees again. Love schiits build quality.
I think you'll be fine. Fingers crossed for you.
Nice and enjoyable sound by this schiit with my DT990s
Yeah, that would be a nice combo
Should i get the Modius/asgaard 3 or the modius/magnius for the DT 1990 Pros? Or any other configs at around 400-500 usd?
I would choose the Asgard 3. The Magnius is a bit of a measurement-led device to satisfy those who care more about having a balanced amp with great measurements (at the expense of some realism of sound IMO) whereas the Asgard 3 is more about just sounding great.
@@PassionforSound Thanks for the reply! :D
You're welcome!
Currently I'm using a Modi 3 with a JDS Labs Atom, but I'm looking for a "one box solution" to declutter my Setup. I guess the Asgard 3 is the most attractive option for now. Any other ideas? (Headphones are HD660S)
Hi Barnson, the Asgard 3 with a DAC module is a good option. The Element 2 from JDS Labs is also very good (review coming very soon), but I think the Asgard 3 might be the better amp.
So, for someone who owns an Asgard 2 and a pair of DT880Pros, what a sensible upgrade path? T1s? HD650s?
Interesting question. It depends a lot on what you're looking to achieve. The 3rd gen T1s are not a great headphone IMO so you might be better looking at the dt1990 (although I'm yet to hear it myself). The HD650 will be a very different sound - much more mid-focussed compared to the more v-shaped dt880. What are you looking for with the upgrade?
@@PassionforSound Thanks for the reply.
I think i'm looking for more details, clarity, but i'm not sure. Been running my setup for years, so i've gotten used to it in a way.
I'll look into the DT1990, thanks for the tip.
Sounds like a good idea if you're after details and precision
"This is an amplifier that makes me forget I'm listening to a recording and instead just enjoy the music."
This is what I've been on a quest to find. I want to get lost in the music but still be able to pick out instruments if I want to enjoy their sound. My problem now is instruments feel like they're smooshed together. I'm guessing that's what lack of separation is. It's getting a bit tiresome searching, all I want to do is enjoy music. I hope I'm not asking for the impossible.
That's exactly what separation is. The challenge is working out where the lack of separation is coming from. What DAC and headphones are you using?
@@PassionforSoundI suspect Android might have something to do with it. I just downloaded the USB audio app you mentioned in another video. Most of my listening is with Earstudio ES100 Mk2 and the Ikko OH10 or Sennheiser HD 560S.
As much as I want a nice dac/amp stack, it doesn't make much sense for the moment since I can't sit at a desk due to back surgery. I need something that I can put next to my bed and either use my phone or plug my wiim mini into.
Hopefully UAPP solves your issues with volume because you can set the number of volume steps.
Good luck with your recovery - hope it goes faster than expected!
Why only use A3 with active speakers, though? I send my pre-amp RCA signal to my A-100 speaker amp, for my passive speakers. I almost feel like most powered/active speakers will have DACs built in, and want a digital signal.
Hi X-Tech, I'm only discussing actives because I don't have space for passives and power amps, but that's absolutely an option. Some actives do have DACs onboard, but they'll rarely match a good external DAC
The Asgard 3 is a wonderful amp $199 (so was/is the 2, class A with low impedance cans $119!).
Great match and value with Philips X2HR and Sennheiser HD-660S. Get the True Multibit card and be done.
It's definitely a nice option. You can do better than the onboard MB card, but it is very convenient!
@@PassionforSound You're right, and there is an input for another DAC. It's versatile, it feeds my desktop system and the living room power amp/speaker too. I don't know if I live 5 or 10 more years? I'ts a priority, searching for the last percent or enjoying as much music before the end? Thanks for Your Great Reviews!
I agree, Michael - enjoy the music first and foremost! Glad you find the reviews helpful! 🙂
looking forward to hear your review of the joutenheim 2
I'm excited for it, particularly having disliked the original Jotunheim, I'm excited for Schiit to (hopefully) get some redemption on the Jot 2.
@@PassionforSound when is it coming? before feb. maybe? thanks again!
Apparently, the Jot 2 has been super popular and sold out. I'll get one soon I think and will try to prioritise it, but I've got SO much stuff in the queue already for this year that I don't want to promise anything...
@@PassionforSound easy, do not review the uber krappy chinese iem and similar ackward stuff and you just got yourself a heck of a lot of free time.
Haha. Yeah, I don't have too much of that in the queue. It's more stuff like HiFiMan, some Shanling products (Chinese, but not crappy), EarMen DACs, and even the ZMF Atticus. I'll work some magic for the Jot once I get it though, don't worry.
Would the Asgard or the L30, be the better Amp for driving the dt990 600 ohm Edition?
I'd choose the Asgard 3 - it's a better amp regardless of the headphones
Thank you for the advice!
Wondering if you could comment on asgard paired with modi3+ (not multibit). I was wondering if perhaps the 3 plus might actually be better because the multibit would push the asgard even more towards ultralush....
I'm afraid I haven't heard the Modi 3+ or Modi MB so I really can't comment with any specifics. What I can say is that the Schiit MB DACs I've heard aren't at all lush. They are forceful and 2-dimensional like many AKM/ESS DACs but they're certainly not thick, lush or overly warm so I would expect the same of the Modi MB
Great review once again! Do you think this amp is an upgrade to the Jotunhein?
@phillip martin thanks mate. Do you think the Asgard is warmer?
@phillip martin wow... I have a smsl sp200 here... Between the two the jot is the rich warm one lol... That's valueble info for me, thank's!
I've had both. Asgard is a good bit better.
@@c_o_l_m guess I'll have to buy one in the near future and hear for myself. Thanks!
Like everyone else has said, the Asgard 3 is much better than the Jot, but don't get worried that it's thick and sludgy - it's just got richness to it that the SP200 and Not both lack due to their compressed presentations. I'd choose Asgard 3 every time over both of those.
Would this amp have too much gain in the low-gain setting, for my 38-ohm ATH-M50x headphones? I find with the Vali 2++, my phones get real loud with the volume at 10:00 o’clock, in the low-gain setting. If the Asgard is more powerful, I would think the volume control rotation restriction would be even worse.
I haven't found the Asgard 3 to be too gainy with most headphones. I haven't tried the M50s, but I have other easy-to-drive cans that are fine with the Asgard 3. What DAC are you using?
I’m using an OG Modi Multibit.
That should be fine then - not an overly hot output so I think the Asgard 3 would be ok, but I can't be 100% sure - sorry!
You could see if Schiit publish the specs for the low gain level on each device (normally 0dB) and also check the input impedance of the amps as that could also influence the output levels. Ideally, you might be best served emailing Schiit directly because they'll know both products while I only know the Asgard 3 well.
I'm trying to figure out how many Wh my lake people g103p use. When looking up how you calculate, I found that you multiple amps with volts, so I did that! I think you calculate the operating volts, which is 85-195 V and it has a fuse of 13 amps. So I multiplied 13x195 and by 85 and that gives me a result of 1105-2535 watts. (The ac is 230V)
Now am I doing this correctly? Cause this really doesn't seem right, feels like it should be in the 10s. I don't know, if there's different kinds of volts? DC and AC, Saw something like 96-240ac volts equals 12DC volts. That's does sound more realistic.
I'm not sure how you would calculate it because it depends on the current draw of the amp. Power is calculated from voltage and current, but the current draw and power draw might not be published
Can I plug a turntable directly into the Asgard without the phono add on?
Hi Nick, that depends on your turntable. Some have built-in phono stages to increase the output ready for a regular amp. If you don't have that though, you'll need a phono stage
My plans started out with the Magni and Modi, then I figured I would save up and go for the Magnius and Modius. But I think all in one box, with the option to connect my mixer in as well via RCA is the way to go with the Asgard. For now at least 😄 I assume one can upgrade the DAC eventually when they release something newer and I feel like upgrading. I know they also have it with their True Multibit DAC card too, but that's not available here in Norway now, but maybe they can get that.
I wonder how it would sound with the Meze 99 Neo. I am a fan of bass heavy sound, but maybe it would be too much 🤔
The Asgard 3 is brilliant, but be aware that the internal DAC is a bit average. As you said, though, you can start with the Asgard 3 and internal DAC and upgrade the DAC later. (In case this raises the question of whether you should buy a Modi+ to feed the Asgard instead of the internal DAC - yes that will be better)
@@PassionforSound How is the multibit DAC for the Asgard compared to the other one?
I haven't tried it myself so can't really say. I just know that almost everyone says the internal DAC cards are so-so compared to separate DACs so I'd probably grab a Modi+ or Modi Multibit if you can.
@@PassionforSound Apparently the early models with the dac cards were running at only 1.4 volts but they have since corrected that so they're 2 volts now. I'd love to see an updated review of the Asgaurd 3 with the dac card.
I might be able to help with that fairly soon... 😉
Asgard 3 is nuts really. Unless you plan on spending well over 1000 dollars on headphones you will never need more powerful amp. Lyr 3 is even more nuts, but for the price Asgard 3 gives you much more.
I agree. The Asgard 3 is absolutely wonderful.
Awsome review. Very very rich.!
Glad you liked it!
You have reviewed soooo. Many products.
For a beginner who is knew to hifi
What is your recommendation for DAC and AMP? Seperate and not all one one combo
OBVIOUSLY everyone has different budgets, but I want the best bang for buck. Something I can buy once, cry once. But also use for the next 5-10 years.
Hi Taylor, I'll give you a couple of options:
1) Endgame: Hugo TT2 (all-in-one)
2) High-end: Chord Qutest (DAC) and Burson Soloist 3X (amp)
3) Affordable: Schiit Bifrost 2 (DAC) and then stay tuned for my review of the Schiit Jotunheim 2 amp (my existing Jotunheim review is of the old version which isn't great)
@@PassionforSound you are amazing !!!
Thanks for replying to all my comments/questions!!
You're very welcome 🙂
You think this amp will pair well with the Sennheiser HD660S?
It should be a great match. You'll be able to get even better sound with a higher quality amp, but this will still be excellent
How is the built in dac?
I didn't have one in the unit I bought, Tiger.
how is macrodynamics/slam compared to magnius?
It's always hard to gauge those things because people perceive/define them differently. The Asgard 3 is a fuller sounding amp that I would describe as more dynamic, but others might see the tighter, more controlled sound of the Magnius as punchier
Hey, my HD600 are really good on it, and my LCD2C too, even though they are already warm.
It's a strangely versatile amp like that. Glad you're enjoying it!
@@PassionforSound I already own an Aune x1s that has a pretty good implementation of an ESS chip that I use as a DAC. Do you think its sharpness goes well with the Asgard or would getting a multibit DAC be a good idea? It already sounds good to me, but nearly everything sounds good to me, I like different things.
Hard to say because I haven't tried the X1S. I tend to prefer the sound of the Multibit DACs over chip based equivalents because they provide more space and layering without getting too warm or smooth. That's about the best I can tell you though - sorry!
@@PassionforSound I appreciate it thank you.
My pleasure
I'm using a 650 which is supposed to be very laid back and easy to listen to. However, i find that with the setup i'm using right now (Old DacMagic from cambridge Audio and a magni 3) that the soundstage is rather flat and messy, the treble and high end is very fatiguing and overly bright. It may be the old dac, or the magni but i'm looking for something warmer, something to tame the highs a little bit. Seems like this would be the best fit for the price?
I think the Asgard 3 would be a great choice. I haven't heard a DACMagic for ages so not sure if that's playing a part and I haven't heard the Magni 3 so hard to say. Do you have any other source you could try like maybe a phone or computer feeding the Magni 3 to see if the DAC is the issue or the amp?
@@PassionforSound Thanks for replying, i'll try and test some other sources. As far as the DAC is concerned, do you think it's worth stepping up to the Modius for the Asgaard as opposed to a cheaper dac without balanced I/O, say a Modi 3+? I'm not going to step up to a bifrost or balanced Class A amp anytime soon so I'm not gonna worry about future proofing my setup really - but off course if there's a noticeable increase in fidelity, it does look and pair very nicely with the Asgaard 3 :)...
I'd be most inclined to go for the Modi Multibit if you are looking for smoothness and it's single-ended too so you're not buying balanced unnecessarily
What would you recommend to use with the Ananda*?
I don't know those and a Google search didn't show me anything. Can you tell me more about them?
@@PassionforSound sorry I meant the hifiman Anandas.
Gotcha. Figured that when I saw your other post 🙂
Hello would this be a great upgrade from the jdslab atom. Would pairing this with the jdslab atom dac be good or would the modiusdac be better
Hi Marko, unfortunately JDS Labs declined to provide any review samples so I haven't yet heard their current products. I dare say the Asgard 3 and Modius would both be upgrades, but I'm only speculating based on the fact that the Asgard 3 is a discrete design vs the Atom using an op-amp (I believe) and the Modius was comfortably the best sounding budget DAC I've tried so far (i.e. vs Topping D10S, E30, D50S, Loxjie D30). Sorry that I can't give you anything more definitive.
@@PassionforSound thank you so much this is helpful :)
Thank you for your hard work with these, I recently ordered a shanling up4 from your wonderful recommendation and can't wait to receive it
Glad to help. Good choice on the UP4. I've got the dedicated review coming to hopefully reinforce your choice
@@PassionforSound hello sorry to bother you again. I saw some of your chord videos and I was curious of your take on the chord MOJO. As that is also a class a amp, how much of an upgrade is it from the asgard. Is it worth the additional 300aud while losing the speaker output ability
Hi Marko, that's a very interesting question. I love the Mojo, but it's a very different product and doesn't work as well in a desktop setup due to its design (light, small, etc.) It's also a dedicated DAC/amp with no analog inputs so it really depends on what you're after and it's hard to compare the two because the Asgard 3 will work with any DAC, but the Mojo has to use its own. That also makes comparison difficult because if I feed the Mojo into the Asgard to test them both with the Mojo DAC, the Asgard 3 is receiving an analog signal that's already passed through the Mojo's amp/output stage.
In short, both are fantastic devices. If you need a DAC and amp and you're ok with the little footprint (i.e. a touch clumsy when connecting/disconnecting), get the Mojo. If you only need an amp, go for the Asgard 3.
if u want a cheap audio combo, go for HD6xx or 58x and sybasonic. Sybasonic can power 300ohm headphones to ear-piercing level. and it costs only 50- 70AUD depending on the model. I also have Mayflower arc mk1. mk1 is clearly superior in audio quality, I think it has much more fuller midrange and sounds more pleasant than syba. But, I don't think anyone will buy 450AUD arc just for that improvement.
Thanks for the tip, J PJ, but if the sound quality isn't that good then it's probably false economy. That's what's great about the Asgard 3 - price and performance together.
Anyone here know if the dac card options are good enough for the price they ask or if I should go for a seperate dac if I get this.
I've heard many people say the external DACs are significantly better. The internal card is convenient, but go for the separate DAC if you want the best quality
@@PassionforSound im not terribly invested in the audiophile game yet so im looking to upgrade overtime. I suppose my question would be better phrased as would something the same price as the dac card perform much better? Like would the $99 modi be better than the $99 card option just because it's external?
If I can get away with having 1 less box on my desk for now I'd like to.
I hear you. I believe people have said that the equivalent external DAC is better, but best to ask around about that on a couple of forums.
How would this compare to the 789?
I find it so much better than the 789 and actually sold my 789 as a result. The sound is more natural and more engaging from.the Asgard 3. The 789 may come across as more tonally neutral, but I don't find it more realistic in the overall presentation of sound.
So, A3 vs Mag bal. = big differences in dryness and dimensionality.
A3 vs Mag SE = "differences much smaller", yet A3 is "clearly" better..?
Sounds like both tests showed big differences.
The A3 is better in both cases. There are more pronounced tonal differences with the Magnius balanced output in addition to the general soundstage and spatial differences that are evident in both Bal and SE from Magnius. Does that make sense?
How does this compare with the Jot2?
Review coming very soon, R00s. I can't say in detail yet because I haven't done thorough comparisons, but the Jot 2 is noticeably better.