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I recently bought a Schiit Midgard headphone amp and just wanted to pass on a few early impressions. On this particular setup I had been using a Schiit Vali 2++ with my HiFiMan Sundara open-back phones. I've also tried the phones with my Lyr 3 (which I primarily use as a preamp for my main speaker system.)
The interesting thing about the just recently released Midgard is that it offers a conventional 1/4" headphone jack but also has an XLR jack. The latter offers a slightly different circuit which Schiit calls the "Halo" connection. This circuit includes the headphones themselves in the amp's feedback loop. The XLR connection is required because the circuit needs the left/right ground returns kept separate -- Halo won't work with a common ground.
I've tried my Sundaras with both types of connections. With the conventional 1/4" jack the Midgard sounds pretty much like the Vali and Lyr -- very good. However, the Halo connection seems to improve the bass and lower midrange -- the best description I can offer is that it seems a bit more "3-D" than the normal connection.
The Midgard is only $220 which is a heck of a deal for something that offers a unique option like Halo. In my book Schiit continues to offer some of the best sounding headphone amps out there and at great prices. However, the Midgard does not have the option to include a DAC card like the Asgard and a few of their other headphone amps. You will need an external DAC. I use their Modi Multibit 2 DAC which I also really like. I have a general preference for R2R/multibit DACs over the Delta-Sigma options.
Follow Ups:
I've had a Midgard for a few weeks, replacing a THX Drop AAA 789 amp. It has smoother highs than its predecessor, and plenty of power for Sennheiser HD600 headphones (as well as less demanding Focal Clear OG's). With the Focals, I have only briefly compared the single-ended and Halo outputs--maybe I heard a small difference... I wish the amp had a remote control a well as a power switch on the front, where it belongs. But I have no complaints about the sound.
The desire for a front panel power switch has been an issue for some people on virtually every product Schiit's ever made -- I can't think of an item they've ever released with a power switch that doesn't have it on the back. I don't know if that relates to production cost efficiency, keeping the length of internal AC wiring runs short to reduce noise, or something else, but it doesn't appear its going to change after all these years.
A remote is not a big deal for me but I understand it is for some, but there goes the $219 price if they start adding every feature anyone asks for. As for the TRS v. Halo outputs, you're right, any difference is subtle, but in my book it's there. I notice it most in the midbass -- Halo just sounds more realistic to me.
In the winter, there is so much static electricity in my listening room that when I walk over to it, it is a danger to the amp when I have to touch it either to flip the on/off switch or adjust the volume. I have taken to using rubber finger cots to avoid zapping the amp.
Just curious -- is a static discharge less dangerous to a device if you spark the front panel instead of the rear?
that Schiit can continue to offer these made-in-USA products at Chi-Fi prices. It's a mystery to me.
On the other hand, one can find many posts regarding reliability issues, so make sure warranty is active when buying second-hand, both Schiit and Hifiman.
I think the secret to their performance for price is a combination of the direct sales model along with figuring out a very simple, standardized case design that is cost effective. Case work is often one of the most expensive parts of electronics. Lots of companies spend a ton on bling -- perhaps prettier to look at but bling adds nothing to the audio performance.
As for reliability, I currently have many pieces of Schiit gear -- Lyr 3, Aegir, Loki Mini, Vali 2++, Gjallarhorn, Fulla, and a Modi Multibit 2. In the past I've owned a Bifrost 2, Saga+ and an Asgard 3. Have never had a problem with any of them.
So, count me a big fan of the company.
I have a fully upgraded Bifrost (original), a Magni, a Modi and an original Loki. All purchased from Schiit directly, work flawlessly and are great SQ value.
Gsquared
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