Schiit Ragnarok

[postjack]

http://schiit.com/products/ragnarok

 

http://www.head-fi.org/t/731216/oh-schiit-its-the-end-of-the-world-announcing-ragnarok

 

Schiit is doing a public beta. Retail is $1700, public beta folks pay $1500 with a two week return period.

 

Its an interesting amp, the big deal as I see it is it uses the same amplification section for the speakers and for the headphones, not sure if this has been done before in an integrated. Of course this also has the potential for terrible things to happen for that one dumbass who uses his IEMs on the high gain setting.

 

I don't own, nor have I heard, a single piece of Schiit but I admit the company fascinates me. I love of course the sense of humor and the almost complete transparency of their R&D process.

 

If nothing else, take the time to read the Ragnarok FAQ and manual if you want a few laughs. I like that they have no problems poking fun at the audiophile market, we could use more of that kind of levity in our hobby.

[spritzer]

Almost all integrated amps use the same circuit for speakers and headphones, they just put resistors on the headphone output to protect the phones/lower the volume. 

 

I like the idea behind this amp but to be honest I'm far more interested in the 2k$ Sony amp. 

[Audiojunkie]

Almost all integrated amps use the same circuit for speakers and headphones, they just put resistors on the headphone output to protect the phones/lower the volume. 

 

I like the idea behind this amp but to be honest I'm far more interested in the 2k$ Sony amp. 

 

 $2k Sony amp?

[spritzer]

Sony TA-A1ES

 

http://store.sony.com/hi-res-integrated-2-channel-amplifier-zid27-TAA1ES/cat-27-catid-All-Res-Audio

 

Class A with variable bias tied into the volume control. 

[Nebby]

That's an interesting amp by sony

Edited August 21, 2014 by Nebby

[Audiojunkie]

Sony TA-A1ES

 

http://store.sony.com/hi-res-integrated-2-channel-amplifier-zid27-TAA1ES/cat-27-catid-All-Res-Audio

 

Class A with variable bias tied into the volume control. 

Cool...thanks!

[RudeWolf]

Class A with variable bias tied into the volume control. 

 

I was thinking the dynamic bias thing is tied to on the fly current needs. If so then it isn't anything new - Yamaha and pretty sure that someone else did it in the golden era. Should help to reduce standstill power/heat, but all in all I see some potential issues with it.

 

Then again I'm currently running an overbiased TA-730ES and it sounds really good. I'm pretty sure it outresolves the Stello DA-100 Sig.

[kevin gilmore]

back when I was in college, Yamaha was selling an integrated amp that had a class A

switch on the front. In class A about 18 watts into 8 ohms. Otherwise 60 watts.

filled with jfets. Would love to get my hands on one again in working condition.

 

The tracking power supply thing has been done over and over. Not saying there

is anything wrong with it, but it has to be done right otherwise it sounds like crap.

[RudeWolf]

Marantz also has this switch, but sooner or later it becomes obvious that the thermal design falls a bit short to run it Class A all day.

 

As for the Ragnarok there is one thing that bothers me - the amp is too light.

[postjack]

Marantz also has this switch, but sooner or later it becomes obvious that the thermal design falls a bit short to run it Class A all day.

 

As for the Ragnarok there is one thing that bothers me - the amp is too light.

 

Really? You think 32lbs isn't enough for 60W @ 8ohms for class AB?

 

not being a smartass, I really don't know.

[RudeWolf]

Well, my Sony outputs 105W@8Ohms and it weighs 47lbs. I'm just wondering how Jason got away with just using the case for cooling.

 

Other than that it seems like the integrated to get. A fully symmetrical design at this price is unheard of (most usually just use cruddy opamp summing for bal insputs). Not to mention the discrete volume regulator and other whistles.

 

Really anxious to see what their DAC will be like. There is a discrete DAC at DIYA that interests me, but time will tell how the cookie will crumble.

[roadtonowhere08]

From their FAQ (fucking love these people!):

 

Q: Over the past decade and a half, I have been assembling the highest-performance system in the universe, comprised of a Scintillant Mega-Complex Uber-Transport, a Pinnacassio Modum 14 TransQuantum DAC, quad Puissance Series Seven Monoblocks (Rev 2 with new Series Z Output Transformers, hand-wound by Buddhist monks, of course), Bi-wired through Cantessa Gate Limited Edition Oxidized Gold cables to Stratoz Kemplaflammar Gas-Plasma full-range speakers. Do you think your new amp has the performance to match this system, and why? Please include a 1550-word or more dissertation on the design principles employed in this amplifier, including cryo-treating (which components), types of premium fuses used, type of wiring used internally, whether or not the PC board has been treated for maximum neutrality in a Black Gate Field, and other important considerations.

A: What? I fell asleep reading this.

 

Q: Ahem, I am a very important person! I have spend $55,000 last year alone in assembling the ultimate listening system on planet Earth. I—

A: Ah, right. Gotcha. Unfortunately, we are not qualified to dispense psychoactive medications nor consult in matters of psychology. Nor do our products come with a psychologist, either standard or as an option. The shipping is brutal, and the psychologists don’t like it too much.

 

Q: Why, I never! What cheek! I will tell all my friends about your lack of respect for a true audiophile! You’ll never work in this town again!

A: Cool. Please do. Remind them we make cheap gear, maybe they need presents for their less-fortunate relatives.

[spritzer]

Reminds me of some of the questions I get... 

[RudeWolf]

Judging from the "Schiit Happened" thread on HF, it might actually be based on the questions they get regarding their higher tier gear. 

[justin]

here's a very simple question that i didnt answer recently

 

 

 

Hey Justin. Why do my HE-400's sound like shit? How long is the burn in supposed to be?            

[wink]

You  shoiuld have directed him to an audiologist or the other forum..

Edited August 25, 2014 by wink

[spritzer]

I'd have said "1000 hours and you need an unobtanium cable..."

[RudeWolf]

Yep, 1000 hours are a rule of thumb for planars. Most importantly - don't listen to them until then. If you do - the burning in is ruined and you have to do the full 1000 hour cycle over again.

[nnotis]

I heard the benefits of burn in can only be maximized when using one of Patrick83's cables.

[Energy]

Looks like a great product for those who intend on using it with passive speakers as well. Sadly i was not chosen for the Beta. :"3

 

I wonder if those who made the BETA and choose to return it, would the 15% fee apply? mhm....

[purk]

Looks like a great product for those who intend on using it with passive speakers as well. Sadly i was not chosen for the Beta. :"3

 

I wonder if those who made the BETA and choose to return it, would the 15% fee apply? mhm....

I think they even pay for a return shipping too and no 15% restocking fee.  Sadly, I was not selected either.  Was looking forward of comparing the Rag and GS-X MKII side-by-side comparo.

[Energy]

I think they even pay for a return shipping too and no 15% restocking fee.  Sadly, I was not selected either.  Was looking forward of comparing the Rag and GS-X MKII side-by-side comparo.

Ah, just read it over at Head-Fi, that's pretty good. It would of hurt to try out a beta product and lose 15% for not liking it or if there was a defect and to pay for return shipping.

 

I'm very jealous.   I was trying to grab a GS-X MKII for the HD800 since the Schiit Mjolnir i have now sounds too excessively bright with them.

Tried really hard to get into this beta to see if the Ragnarok was also bright with HD800's since there wasn't really any losses to be concerned about, it seemed like a great idea. Sadly i'm not that lucky. Gotta stay away from casinos.

[purk]

Ah, just read it over at Head-Fi, that's pretty good. It would of hurt to try out a beta product and lose 15% for not liking it or if there was a defect and to pay for return shipping.

 

I'm very jealous.   I was trying to grab a GS-X MKII for the HD800 since the Schiit Mjolnir i have now sounds too excessively bright with them.

Tried really hard to get into this beta to see if the Ragnarok was also bright with HD800's since there wasn't really any losses to be concerned about, it seemed like a great idea. Sadly i'm not that lucky. Gotta stay away from casinos.

 

Just get the GS-X MKII and be happy especially with the HD800.  I'm curious with the Rag but I'm not going to pay full price to find out.  Another great amp for the HD800 is the Headroom BUDA with a dedicated Desktop Power Supply (DPS).  

[ellevoid]

Seem like most of people in head-fi love this amp and think it's a winner of all headphone amp. 

 

[spritzer]

It's HF, they are all idiots looking for the next new shiny.  This is better than most of the crap they shill but it's still not the all round champion people think it is.