System: SMSL PL20 CD transport to Mimir to Lokius to Jotunheim 3. First listen first CD. HD600. Single Ended. Gain on full volume. From the start I have to say it is lacking volume. Very tinny even through EQ. HD515 lot cheaper pair of headphones but lot better sound that the Jot3 is more capable to drive. HD600 300 Ohm impedance, 12–40,500 Hz frequency response vs HD515 50 Ohm impedance, Frequency response: 14-26,000 Hz
Second CD we are now coming down on volume. The whole system is new and not broken in. It is already doing better. What I see on reviews is that Mimir and Jot3 both do need some play time to open up. Yes they do need some broken into. I'm already starting to enjoy HD600 more. My biggest surprise is how good the HD515 is that I've had 25 years compared to the HD600 that are fairly new to me.
I have a secondary headphone amp/DAC Aiyima DAC A3 (powered 12V 6A) that is 1/5th of the price. And it is standalone without EQ. I've changed the Op Amps to 4 x opa1612 for this (the stock were a mixed lot). At this point only 2 CD's in the Aiyima with HD515 is still ahead but not by much. HD600 Aiyima can do but HD515 is more suited to it. My use for it is mainly other media like movies where the HD515 really shines with it surround capabilities.
Getting towards the end of the second CD and vocals are getting more focus and dynamics are creeping in. Jot3 is getting better by each track. I've come back from full volume to 1 o'clock. It is coming alive. Still Single Ended.
I do have a balanced cable for the HD600 that I expect to be better and also because it is a different circuitry I presume I will go through the same process of breaking it in.
So after "Mick Jagger/She's the Boss and Scorpions/Love Drive" albums the vocals have come out more and treble is now lot cleaner. The Bass is still trying a bit and the stage is non existent. But it is trying. There is a lot better clarity now.
CD 3 "Yello/Essential. More Bass for sure and this album show there are good separation also. Has to be said that these CD's are all from 80's where most of the masters for CD's were the same as the vinyl that were fairly limited. Specially the Bass to fit more music on the vinyl record. Half way through the album and I think Jot3 is starting to get the most out of the 80's limited masters. I also think the stage has pushed out a little. It might not be that great on this album from the start. But Jot3 is starting to sound lot more clued together now the way I was expecting it from the start but it has taken some time and it most likely will take lot more time.
So far the Jot3 is not hot. A bit warm but not hot at all. If there was a problem it seems the venting is doing it job very well. The orange glow seen from the LED lights through the grill does look pretty cool. I do want to point out that the Mimir, Lokius and Jot3 are all new never been played so whatever improvement is going on is coming from all of the components. Yello is a very good and revealing test because it has lot going on. Schiit is starting to prove itself. I'll try something from 2000's next with a different master most likely that should give better low end from the master.
I was comparing the HD515 doing better than HD600 initially but I have to say the tables have turned in favour of HD600 when it comes to music. HD600 is very neutral and pure maybe best with vinyl and with the CD's so far played that are all bought in 80's and HD600 is doing very well now that the system starts to come alive.
Coming towards the end of the 3rd CD. Yello there is fair bit more Bass in general and it is getting towards the point now that I feel Bass needs a bit of a correction from the EQ. It is overpowering the mid and vocals now. I will leave it and get to the next album for reference. Next will be from 2006 released "Truly Madly Completely The Best Of Savage Garden". The master should have better range overall.
The previous albums were sold and bought at 80's. There was lot of progress from the start first track to the finish of the third album. I would say night and day. The system is coming together. I'm glad I didn't touch the EQ even that the Bass was getting dominant. Jump 25 years on CD's and the sound is totally different. There is Bass and Vocals now. I don't think I would want to go down on Bass now because it is clean and balanced. I could turn the Treble a bit more thou. I'm still at 1 o'clock on volume but now it is getting to the point that maybe 12 o'clock is coming soon. Everything seems to be opening up even that the album now has lot more depth and range to it. You can just feel it how the Jot3 is just teasing you with a promise. Almost there and people say 80-100 hours. About 3 hours in now and the change has been huge.
So my initial impression is after about 4 hours the combination of Mimir, Lokius and Jotunheim 3 with 4 different artists that are very different to each other the Schiit delivers. This is with Single Ended only so far and I expect the Balanced to be a bit better. I can see the hype for Mimir as your forever DAC and Lokius is silent and makes a big difference. To take all that and to put it to your headphones Jot3 delivers but as pointed out be patient. Few hours at least.
Hope that helps to make a decision.
Second CD we are now coming down on volume. The whole system is new and not broken in. It is already doing better. What I see on reviews is that Mimir and Jot3 both do need some play time to open up. Yes they do need some broken into. I'm already starting to enjoy HD600 more. My biggest surprise is how good the HD515 is that I've had 25 years compared to the HD600 that are fairly new to me.
I have a secondary headphone amp/DAC Aiyima DAC A3 (powered 12V 6A) that is 1/5th of the price. And it is standalone without EQ. I've changed the Op Amps to 4 x opa1612 for this (the stock were a mixed lot). At this point only 2 CD's in the Aiyima with HD515 is still ahead but not by much. HD600 Aiyima can do but HD515 is more suited to it. My use for it is mainly other media like movies where the HD515 really shines with it surround capabilities.
Getting towards the end of the second CD and vocals are getting more focus and dynamics are creeping in. Jot3 is getting better by each track. I've come back from full volume to 1 o'clock. It is coming alive. Still Single Ended.
I do have a balanced cable for the HD600 that I expect to be better and also because it is a different circuitry I presume I will go through the same process of breaking it in.
So after "Mick Jagger/She's the Boss and Scorpions/Love Drive" albums the vocals have come out more and treble is now lot cleaner. The Bass is still trying a bit and the stage is non existent. But it is trying. There is a lot better clarity now.
CD 3 "Yello/Essential. More Bass for sure and this album show there are good separation also. Has to be said that these CD's are all from 80's where most of the masters for CD's were the same as the vinyl that were fairly limited. Specially the Bass to fit more music on the vinyl record. Half way through the album and I think Jot3 is starting to get the most out of the 80's limited masters. I also think the stage has pushed out a little. It might not be that great on this album from the start. But Jot3 is starting to sound lot more clued together now the way I was expecting it from the start but it has taken some time and it most likely will take lot more time.
So far the Jot3 is not hot. A bit warm but not hot at all. If there was a problem it seems the venting is doing it job very well. The orange glow seen from the LED lights through the grill does look pretty cool. I do want to point out that the Mimir, Lokius and Jot3 are all new never been played so whatever improvement is going on is coming from all of the components. Yello is a very good and revealing test because it has lot going on. Schiit is starting to prove itself. I'll try something from 2000's next with a different master most likely that should give better low end from the master.
I was comparing the HD515 doing better than HD600 initially but I have to say the tables have turned in favour of HD600 when it comes to music. HD600 is very neutral and pure maybe best with vinyl and with the CD's so far played that are all bought in 80's and HD600 is doing very well now that the system starts to come alive.
Coming towards the end of the 3rd CD. Yello there is fair bit more Bass in general and it is getting towards the point now that I feel Bass needs a bit of a correction from the EQ. It is overpowering the mid and vocals now. I will leave it and get to the next album for reference. Next will be from 2006 released "Truly Madly Completely The Best Of Savage Garden". The master should have better range overall.
The previous albums were sold and bought at 80's. There was lot of progress from the start first track to the finish of the third album. I would say night and day. The system is coming together. I'm glad I didn't touch the EQ even that the Bass was getting dominant. Jump 25 years on CD's and the sound is totally different. There is Bass and Vocals now. I don't think I would want to go down on Bass now because it is clean and balanced. I could turn the Treble a bit more thou. I'm still at 1 o'clock on volume but now it is getting to the point that maybe 12 o'clock is coming soon. Everything seems to be opening up even that the album now has lot more depth and range to it. You can just feel it how the Jot3 is just teasing you with a promise. Almost there and people say 80-100 hours. About 3 hours in now and the change has been huge.
So my initial impression is after about 4 hours the combination of Mimir, Lokius and Jotunheim 3 with 4 different artists that are very different to each other the Schiit delivers. This is with Single Ended only so far and I expect the Balanced to be a bit better. I can see the hype for Mimir as your forever DAC and Lokius is silent and makes a big difference. To take all that and to put it to your headphones Jot3 delivers but as pointed out be patient. Few hours at least.
Hope that helps to make a decision.