Schiit Jotunheim Review / Preview - Head-Fi TV

[Tuneslover]

I'm still interested in hearing further Jotunheim versus Magni2Ü comparisons.

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

Yeah ditto. Also, Asgard and Valhalla.

 

[i20bot]

Anyone tried putting a tube buffer between the Jotunheim?

 

[earnmyturns]

 
So a definite upgrade in your opinion to the internal DAC on the Jot using a balanced HP jack?  

I don't have the Jot's internal DAC, so I can't answer. I have a Bifrost Multibit DAC, which is SE, but I take advantage of the Jot's balanced output for my Ether C Flow headphones. Definitely better balanced than SE. Summary: Asgard 2 (SE) < Jot (SE) < Jot (balanced). I'm getting a Liquid Carbon this week so I'll finally run an LC vs Jot bakeoff. The LC has a different topology, with a phase splitter for SE inputs before its balanced amplification. It will be interesting to test different source materials on these.

 

[earnmyturns]

  Yeah ditto. Also, Asgard and Valhalla.

Jot (SE) > Asgard 2 (SE) for Ether C Flow headphones (sourced with microRendu->Bimby). Louder piano passages could sound a bit "rough" with Asgard 2 compared with Jot, for example (I hear live jazz piano pretty often so I have some sense of how it sounds). Not that Asgard 2 is bad, I had a great time with mine for the 15 months I owned it, but Jot brings sound quite a bit closer to what I hear live. Going balanced is another step up, especially for soundstage and bass clarity (jazz double bass really pops out beautifully).

 

[BarDash]

I don't have the Jot's internal DAC, so I can't answer. I have a Bifrost Multibit DAC, which is SE, but I take advantage of the Jot's balanced output for my Ether C Flow headphones. Definitely better balanced than SE. Summary: Asgard 2 (SE) < Jot (SE) < Jot (balanced). I'm getting a Liquid Carbon this week so I'll finally run an LC vs Jot bakeoff. The LC has a different topology, with a phase splitter for SE inputs before its balanced amplification. It will be interesting to test different source materials on these.

Ordered the Modi Multibit today I have the Ether C's but didn't have the chance to upgrade to the Flows. Did you start out with the Ether C's and upgrade to the Ether C Flows out of curiosity?

 

[earnmyturns]

Ordered the Modi Multibit today I have the Ether C's but didn't have the chance to upgrade to the Flows. Did you start out with the Ether C's and upgrade to the Ether C Flows out of curiosity?

I was planning to get the C's, but before I did, the C Flows were announced, so I waited.
 

 

[BarDash]

I'm envious. Good decision!

 

[bosiemoncrieff]

Waiting on the E-Stat—or an SR009.

 

[jchandler3]

I'm still interested in hearing further Jotunheim versus Magni2Ü comparisons.

My quick, non-flowery comparison:

Aside from the Jodie having more power, I'm noticing much more control of dynamics. "Slam" seems faster. It's also a cleaner sound with a lower noise floor. And while they're both SS, the Jodie has a slightly warmer sound.

Simply put, the Jodie has brought out the best in my headphones. Noticably better than the M2U, despite that being a great amp.

 

[CarlosUnchained]

So the extra 200$ are worth... damn. Need more money. ******* expensive hobby.

 

[Andrew Rieger]

Anyone compare the Jot to the Ifi Ican SE?

 

[Mr Rick]

  Yeah ditto. Also, Asgard and Valhalla.

 
I recently received my Jot, and put my Vali 1 and M2U in storage.  I've kept my Asgard on line for it's class A capabilities. I've also maintained my Valhalla  because it is much more capable driving SE 600 ohm cans.
 
Proper tool for the job and all that.......

 

[Allanmarcus]

 

Duh. That's what the smiley face is for. I'm not an idiot. 

The Jodie compares directly to the Fostex. If I only had $400, I would consider the Fostex as well. Since i have more money, I will be looking at high priced amps that I thought were better. The Questyle CMA600i and possibly the Pro iCan, which was also very good. The Questyle might be best value for all in one at any price, whereas the Fostex and Jodie are pretty darned good values at under $500. The Pro iCan with its tube stage, variable bass boost, and 3D holo sound (sort of a very advanced, analog crossfeed like effect) is pretty good. If the iCan SE were balanced, I really consider that.

I feel it is better (amp only) than my Questyle CMA 800R. They are quite close actually, but the Questyle has a bit of a stretched sound, almost as if there was a DSP applied to widen the soundstage. It's always been ever so slightly unrealistic to me. In contrast the Jot is stark and very clear for better or worse like an old Weegee crime scene photo.

It's a holiday here, so some extra time to do some listening. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

 
After listening to some questyle amps, I am sorely temped to get one. According to Bruce from Questyle, the 800 was specifically designed to drive the HD800. I think that is what you have there.
 
I tried the 600i with the HD800 and the Ether C, and I was very impressed. Much more impressed than with the Jot and the Jot DAC. Very big price difference, and quite possibly due to the DACs in the Questyle equipment. If Questyle made an $800 CMA600R it would be killer. 
 
I do not understand why Schiit doesn't stack a bimby and or mimby with the jodie on their tables. 
 
Well, I will be getting a loaner Jodie from some friends soon, so I'll have the opportunity to try it at home, which is the only way to really get to know equipment.

 

[showme99]

  Anyone compare the Jot to the Ifi Ican SE?

 
I did, a week ago

:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/818323/schiit-jotunheim-review-preview-head-fi-tv/1665#post_12913568