Roscoeiii
1000+ Head-Fier
Press releases went out for a new contennder in the headphone amplifier world: Schiit Audio. (http://schiit.com/)
They are starting off with a high current $250 Class A SS amp (the Asgard) which is fully discrete, and a $350 SET tube amp (Valhalla).
I've ordered an Asgard to pair with my HE-5LE headphones, and in their FAQ section Schiit says that the Asgard loves Sennheisers, and that it can drive cans with an impedance as low as 8 ohms. The Valhalla they say (again, in the FAQ section) is a great match with AKG headphones.
15 day trial period (no restocking fee), 5 year transferable warranty.
I'll report back on my findings.
Lastly, here's their press release:
Schiit Introduces Asgard and Valhalla Headphone Amplifiers
Newhall, CA USA. Schiit Audio introduced its first products today, the Asgard and Valhalla headphone amplifiers. Designed for use with audiophile headphones, Asgard and Valhalla set new standards for performance and aesthetics at their price points.
Asgard is a fully discrete, Class A, single-ended FET headphone amplifier with no overall feedback and a noninverting circuit topology. Its high-current design makes it uniquely suitable for low-impedance headphones. It is priced at $249, direct from the manufacturer.
Valhalla is a fully discrete, Class A, single-ended triode headphone amplifier with no overall feedback and noninverting circuit topology. It provides classic tube sound and can drive headphones with impedances as low as 32 ohms. It is priced at $349 direct from the manufacturer.
“We think we’ve reset the price-performance bar with these products,” said Jason Stoddard of Schiit. “We are designing and manufacturing in the USA, providing innovative circuit topologies which deliver amazing performance, and selling at super-competitive prices.”
Both Asgard and Valhalla are covered by a limited 5 year warranty, with the exception of the Valhalla tubes, which are covered by a 90-day warranty. Replacement tubes are available from the manufacturer for $20 for a pair of matched input tubes and $30 for a pair of matched output tubes.
Asgard and Valhalla are made in the USA, primarily of USA-sourced components. Innovative engineering has allowed Schiit Audio to keep the overall prices of their products similar to those from Chinese companies manufacturing in China.
About Schiit Audio
Schiit Audio is a US-based manufacturer of headphone amplifiers. Founded by Jason Stoddard, formerly of Sumo, and Mike Moffat, formerly of Theta, Schiit is dedicated to providing great-sounding, high-quality products made in the USA for highly competitive prices.
They are starting off with a high current $250 Class A SS amp (the Asgard) which is fully discrete, and a $350 SET tube amp (Valhalla).
I've ordered an Asgard to pair with my HE-5LE headphones, and in their FAQ section Schiit says that the Asgard loves Sennheisers, and that it can drive cans with an impedance as low as 8 ohms. The Valhalla they say (again, in the FAQ section) is a great match with AKG headphones.
15 day trial period (no restocking fee), 5 year transferable warranty.
I'll report back on my findings.
Lastly, here's their press release:
Schiit Introduces Asgard and Valhalla Headphone Amplifiers
Newhall, CA USA. Schiit Audio introduced its first products today, the Asgard and Valhalla headphone amplifiers. Designed for use with audiophile headphones, Asgard and Valhalla set new standards for performance and aesthetics at their price points.
Asgard is a fully discrete, Class A, single-ended FET headphone amplifier with no overall feedback and a noninverting circuit topology. Its high-current design makes it uniquely suitable for low-impedance headphones. It is priced at $249, direct from the manufacturer.
Valhalla is a fully discrete, Class A, single-ended triode headphone amplifier with no overall feedback and noninverting circuit topology. It provides classic tube sound and can drive headphones with impedances as low as 32 ohms. It is priced at $349 direct from the manufacturer.
“We think we’ve reset the price-performance bar with these products,” said Jason Stoddard of Schiit. “We are designing and manufacturing in the USA, providing innovative circuit topologies which deliver amazing performance, and selling at super-competitive prices.”
Both Asgard and Valhalla are covered by a limited 5 year warranty, with the exception of the Valhalla tubes, which are covered by a 90-day warranty. Replacement tubes are available from the manufacturer for $20 for a pair of matched input tubes and $30 for a pair of matched output tubes.
Asgard and Valhalla are made in the USA, primarily of USA-sourced components. Innovative engineering has allowed Schiit Audio to keep the overall prices of their products similar to those from Chinese companies manufacturing in China.
About Schiit Audio
Schiit Audio is a US-based manufacturer of headphone amplifiers. Founded by Jason Stoddard, formerly of Sumo, and Mike Moffat, formerly of Theta, Schiit is dedicated to providing great-sounding, high-quality products made in the USA for highly competitive prices.
