@yyzsantabarbara , thanks for the advise. If I may ask specifically in regards to my Audeze LC-2’s. I’m thinking in regards those particular cans to get the Jotenheim III and run a balanced cable. I can add the mesh card over an external DAC. Specifically with the Audeze cans am I better served over the less powerful MJ3 running unbalanced ? BTW I have an original Yiggy with an upgraded Gen USB but it’s in my main system . Cheers , Mike B.
A Great "Budget" Headphone System
In January 2026, I went to a headphone meet in Colorado and took my Schiit Mjolnir v3 headphone amp so as not to show up empty handed. The MJ3 is a very nice Class A analog headphone amp (no DAC).
It was a popular item at the show and one guy who really liked it had the following amp, Schiit Asgard X. It was the $550 version with the new Mesh DAC included.
Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA
I did not want to carry my MJ3 back in my suitcase, so I traded the MJ3 for the smaller Asgard X + $200.
A few months ago, I also purchased a used Meze Audio 109 Pro headphone for $450 (new version expected soon).
Meze Audio 109 PRO - High-Fidelity Premium Open-Back Dynamic Driver Headphones
For the past couple of weeks, I have been doing a lot of reading/studying on my laptop before I sleep, and I have the Asgard X in the bedroom. Now I normally NEVER stream from a computer direct to DAC. However, I did not have high expectations to this setup, so I hooked up the laptop via USB to the DAC, USB-C to USB-A.
After a few weeks of listening, I am coming to the belief that the Asgard X is a very fine amp, and the optional Mesh DAC module is amazing given the cost. The streaming also sounds excellent which is likely is due to Schitt’s custom USB circuit, I normally stream via fibre optic, but this Mesh DAC seems to handle the laptop USB rather well.
I just wanted to post this because the cost is not that high and the sound is excellent for the cost. I have heard the very best headphones out there and this is not at that level, but I am not looking to upgrade this setup, it is very good.
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@buellrider97 I have owned the RAAL SR1a phone specific Jotenheim R amp 2x in the past. I was just OK, but it was one of few amps that natively ran the complicated SR1a when it first came out. I still have the SR1a and it is an incredible phone; I think the best I have ever heard. I do not know if the regular Jotenheim is the same sonically as the JR. I cannot recommend the JR for the SR1a when other amps are much better at similar cost. This is not an apples-2-apples comparison with other amps because the SR1a is so unique. I think the MJ3 is maybe the best or 2nd best Schiit headphone amp. The Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL is excellent and in my non-stock tube amp setup it is the best Schiit headphone amp I have heard. In stock form, I am not sure which amp is better. The Asgard X is very similar sonically to the MJ3. With my middle of the road Meze 109 Pro, I do not think the Asgard X and MJ3 sound different. With a better phone, say the ZMF Caldera Closed the MJ3 is likely better.
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