First headphone amp. How about an Asgard 3?

[Old Guy8]

I have Senn HD58X and Hifiman HE4XX. The 4XX are 35 ohm, 93db spl.

Background:
I have a Rogue Sphinx V1 hybrid integrated. The 4XX sound a little flat with Sphinx.

Also have Rogue Cronus Magnum V3 KT120 tube integrated. It put out 2 watts to headphones. 4XX sounds nice and full with it. BUT, the KT120 tubes are useing thier limited life driving just headphones. Doesn't make sense.

To the point:
What do you think of match of these phones to Schiit Asgard 3? I might also use some ear buds at times.
They also offer an optional a DAC card module that they install before shipping. USB input only. Appears to be same chip as in current Modi+. $279, or $379 with DAC card.
I usually use a Chromecast Audio streamer with Toslink to my DACs. Usually radio stations by Tune In app.
Guess I would use a phone or tablet USB output to Asgard 3 DAC card.

I have experience with original Modi Multibit DAC.

I might like the Asgard 3 having choice of DAC or RCA inputs, with flip of switch. CDP or phono preamp into RCAs.

Or other alternative amps of good build quality?

Anything else I'm overlooking , while evaluating amps?

I don't listen above 70 dbs.
Jazz, vocals , accoustic, folk, blues genres.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, budget of $400 or less.

EDIT: Bought Asgard 3. Like it.

 

[JoeESP9]

If your HE-4xxx sound better with tubes through the Cronus Magnum. Why are you not considering a tube only headphone amplifier?

FWIW: I have a pair of HE-4x. They are driven quite nicely by a Little Dot MKII, OTL tube headphone amplifier.

 

[Old Guy8]

If your HE-4xxx sound better with tubes through the Cronus Magnum. Why are you not considering a tube only headphone amplifier?

FWIW: I have a pair of HE-4x. They are driven quite nicely by a Little Dot MKII, OTL tube headphone amplifier.

The headphone output on the Cronus Magnum is 2 watts.

I'm it beginning of my search. So will hopefully learn a little, before I buy.
I'll look into your Little Dot. I want to make sure i have enough wattage to drive them. I'm not yet confident in my knowledge of what's needed to drive various headphones. And like every subject of AK. There wide range of opinions. I've read some opinions that OTL amps can sometimes not have enough power for some phones?
I'll look up your HE-4X phones for comparison to my 4XX.
Thanks.

 

[Old Guy8]

Not a lot of interest in headphones around here.

 

[runnin']

I've had the Asgard and upgraded to the Jotunheim. The Asgard is a great headphone amp. Good detail and power. Slightly to the warm side on presentation. I wouldn't bother with the dac card option unless you really want the all-in-one solution. The card dac is not as good as the outboard options they offer.

 

[Old Guy8]

I've had the Asgard and upgraded to the Jotunheim. The Asgard is a great headphone amp. Good detail and power. Slightly to the warm side on presentation. I wouldn't bother with the dac card option unless you really want the all-in-one solution. The card dac is not as good as the outboard options they offer.

Thanks.
I probably wouldn't mind the warm presentation. I prefer my tube integrateds over SS.
I like idea of switching between DAC and RCAs. But only USB input is a negative. I use Cromecast Audio streamer which are toslink only.

 

[HB3]

Look at an Emotiva BasX A2m. It drives speakers as well as headphones. You can use a jumper to route the amp's power into the headphone jacks so it can drive just about anything. I have the A-100 and think that it's great.

 

[Old Guy8]

Right now useing a Pioneer SA-7500 II, exclusively for headphones.
With this amp:
My Senn HD58X are really little too loud at lowest volume detent.
The Hifiman HE4XX are less sensitive. Gives me more useable volume range.

This amp gives me multiple inputs. Tone and loudness controls. All in one box. But no switch for different gain ranges.

EDIT:
The Pioneer sounds very nice with the low impedance HE4XX phones. Warm and full. The tone controls are handy. As is multiple inputs. Phono and 4 line level.

I have never been into headphones for serious music listening sessions.

Going to Axpona Audio show this week. Will check out headphones and head amps.

 

[ssmith3046]

A really great amp. Warm, rich, full sound. A steal for $250. I sold mine after a bought a Vahalla 2 but loved it when i used it. If you don't need balanced it's the way to go.

 

[Old Guy8]

Thanks to all posters.

I ordered an Asgard 3 without a DAC card. Black version.

I read most of a 180 page thread on Head-Fi on this amp. Seems internal cards draw thier power through the USB-C cable. Draws a significant amount of battery off connected device. If I change mind, could order and install a card, anytime. And USB is only input on card. Would have been slick to have a second input.

Asgard 3 gets glowing recommendations on Head-Fi.

I have a Modi Multibit 1 to use with A3. I may use a RCA switcher to also have CDP input.

 

[Old Guy8]

I Recieved my new Asgard 3 today. I bought without an optional DAC card. It's the black box on lower right.

Useing an RCA switcher for DAC and CDP inputs.

First impressions, it's a lovely sounding amp. My Hifiman HE4XX headphones are giving some bass, they didn't give with smartphone power. Seems a quiet background. I get detail without fatigue. I wouldn't describe it as tuby warm. But, there is a little warmth.

The two gain choices add versatility. Also tried my Senns HD-58X. I prefer the Hifimans.

Edit: This Asgard only gets mildly warm on right side where top vents are. Volume knob has a nice feel.
I like the black finish. And it was cheaper.
Its sound has nice warmth. Quite happy with first headphone amp.

 

[ssmith3046]

View attachment 2872456
I Recieved my new Asgard 3 today. I bought without an optional DAC card. It's the black box on lower right.

Useing an RCA switcher for DAC and CDP inputs.

First impressions, it's a lovely sounding amp. My Hifiman HE4XX headphones are giving some bass, they didn't give with smartphone power. Seems a quiet background. I get detail without fatigue. I wouldn't describe it as tuby warm. But, there is a little warmth.

The two gain choices add versatility. Also tried my Senns HD-58X. I prefer the Hifimans.

Edit: This Asgard only gets mildly warm on right side where top vents are. Volume knob has a nice feel.
I like the black finish. And it was cheaper.
Its sound has nice warmth. Quite happy with first headphone amp.
View attachment 2876104

It's a great amp. I sold mine after I bought a Vahalla 2 but I used it for several years. You can put taller feet on it and it'll run a little cooler. The Asgard 2 was a regular hot plate because it was a 100% Class-A.
You can't go wrong with the Asgard 3. I used mine with a Modi multibit 1 also until I went with the Modi multibit 2.

 

[Old Guy8]

Yes, it sounds nice. Warm with my HE4XX planers. They like the high wattage. Prior to Asgard 3, I had underpowered them.

I will be trying a Loki with it too.

I put 1" spacers under it. It's bottom gets warmer than the top. The added circulation underneath is a plus.

 

[transmaster]

I have Senn HD58X and Hifiman HE4XX. The 4XX are 35 ohm, 93db spl.

Background:
I have a Rogue Sphinx V1 hybrid integrated. The 4XX sound a little flat with Sphinx.

Also have Rogue Cronus Magnum V3 KT120 tube integrated. It put out 2 watts to headphones. 4XX sounds nice and full with it. BUT, the KT120 tubes are useing thier limited life driving just headphones. Doesn't make sense.

To the point:
What do you think of match of these phones to Schiit Asgard 3? I might also use some ear buds at times.
They also offer an optional a DAC card module that they install before shipping. USB input only. Appears to be same chip as in current Modi+. $279, or $379 with DAC card.
I usually use a Chromecast Audio streamer with Toslink to my DACs. Usually radio stations by Tune In app.
Guess I would use a phone or tablet USB output to Asgard 3 DAC card.

I have experience with original Modi Multibit DAC.

I might like the Asgard 3 having choice of DAC or RCA inputs, with flip of switch. CDP or phono preamp into RCAs.

Or other alternative amps of good build quality?

Anything else I'm overlooking , while evaluating amps?

I don't listen above 70 dbs.
Jazz, vocals , accoustic, folk, blues genres.

Thanks in advance.

Oh, budget of $400 or less.

Check out the DAC/amps from FiiO. I have several of them and the ones I have are fantastic.
https://www.fiio.com/amp

 

[Old Guy8]

Check out the DAC/amps from FiiO. I have several of them and the ones I have are fantastic.
https://www.fiio.com/amp

I bought an Asgard 3.
But for future, which models do you have and like best?
Any portables you like?

 

[transmaster]

I bought an Asgard 3.
But for future, which models do you have and like best?
Any portables you like?

Yes I have 2 portables, The FiiO BTR5 (2021) and best of all the BTR7. These have forever ended me getting junk bluetooth earphones. As good as the BTR5 is I would go for the BTR7. The big thing on the update side is updating the BTR5 is a booger. I gave up doing it after I bricked one of them, Amazon replaced it fortunately.

https://www.fiio.com/btr5
https://www.fiio.com/btr7

The BTR7 is basically an upgraded version of the BTR5. It has App control and through the App updates to its firmware. It has about a 8 to 10 hour battery the amp can power full sized head phones. An important thing is both of the D/A's support all of the bluetooth audio standards, for those of us using iOS stuff they do AAC. They both support balanced cable feed, the BTR5 2.5mm, the BTR7 4.4mm. This makes a gigantic difference in the sound, with a balanced feed the 2 channels are separate all of the way out of their amps, each channel has their own wired pair. Both have Qualcomm radios. NO! plastic all glass and metal.

Both units can plug into a USB port on a Mac, PC, or an AVR with USB and it becomes a USB DAC/AMP. It can go hard wired with Android but I don't think it will do this with an iPhone, never tried totally unnecessary.

BTR7


With the supplied slipcase.

 

[Old Guy8]

Yes I have 2 portables, The FiiO BTR5 (2021) and best of all the BTR7. These have forever ended me getting junk bluetooth earphones. As good as the BTR5 is I would go for the BTR7. The big thing on the update side is updating the BTR5 is a booger. I gave up doing it after I bricked one of them, Amazon replaced it fortunately.

https://www.fiio.com/btr5
https://www.fiio.com/btr7

The BTR7 is basically an upgraded version of the BTR5. It has App control and through the App updates to its firmware. It has about a 8 to 10 hour battery the amp can power full sized head phones. An important thing is both of the D/A's support all of the bluetooth audio standards, for those of us using iOS stuff they do AAC. They both support balanced cable feed, the BTR5 2.5mm, the BTR7 4.4mm. This makes a gigantic difference in the sound, with a balanced feed the 2 channels are separate all of the way out of their amps, each channel has their own wired pair. Both have Qualcomm radios. NO! plastic all glass and metal.

Both units can plug into a USB port on a Mac, PC, or an AVR with USB and it becomes a USB DAC/AMP. It can go hard wired with Android but I don't think it will do this with an iPhone, never tried totally unnecessary.

BTR7
View attachment 2886406

With the supplied slipcase.

View attachment 2886407

Thanks for this info.

 

[Collections]

I bought an Asgard 3.
But for future, which models do you have and like best?
Any portables you like?

The old FiiO portables were great: the e12 Mont Blanc and the A5. My e12 recently crossed the rainbow bridge, but it was over 10 years old. The A5 is a year newer and still going strong.

 

[Old Guy8]

The old FiiO portables were great: the e12 Mont Blanc and the A5. My e12 recently crossed the rainbow bridge, but it was over 10 years old. The A5 is a year newer and still going strong.

Nine+ and ten year life is good.
The 5 year warranty on Asgard. And the maker's confidence to give it, we're a plus for my decision. Good to hear Fiio amps also have longevity.

 

[Collections]

Nine+ and ten year life is good.
The 5 year warranty on Asgard. And the maker's confidence to give it, we're a plus for my decision. Good to hear Fiio amps also have longevity.

The best part to me is that they are super powerful for being battery powered and don't require any special cables. I have an Asgard 2 and utterly love it. It sounds so much like the Mont Blanc but better at driving the 4XX. You can always find those FiiO on the used market for about the same price they were new. It's hard to tell what was wrong with my MB. My buddy said it was in the power delivery and not the battery, but the battery life had worsened. Good news is, the A5 is essentially brand new and has excellent battery life. I wouldn't part with it either.