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chazjones
44
Sep 9, 2017
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I still think that the Schiit Jotenheim would be a better option over this..
Sep 9, 2017
Pika
152
Sep 9, 2017
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chazjonesHow so?
Sep 9, 2017
Jackula
1743
Sep 9, 2017
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chazjonesI feel like this amp would be a better option over the Jot.
Sep 9, 2017
Neapolitan6th
0
Sep 11, 2017
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chazjonesFor me its that this is not a balanced amp. It doesn't take advantage of what a balanced 4-pin xlr cable is designed for. (No balanced inputs) The dac on this one may well be better, but I would give the Jotunheim my money if I was looking for just an amp. (And the amp makes the bigger difference depending on your headphone selection imo)
Sep 11, 2017
Jackula
1743
Sep 11, 2017
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Neapolitan6thJot not really a balanced amp either.
And both the DAC and amp make an equal difference.
Sep 11, 2017
Strikerr
8
Sep 11, 2017
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JackulaPlease explain to me why you think the "jot" is not balanced? Below is copy/paste from Schiit products page:
Jotunheim’s optional DAC module uses two AK4490 DACs in a hardware-balanced configuration, with a passive-filtered output stage and asynchronous USB Gen 2 input.
Jotunheim's gain stage is a unique, inherently balanced, fully discrete current feedback topology that provides both balanced and single-ended output without the need for splitters or summers.
Sep 11, 2017
Jackula
1743
Sep 11, 2017
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StrikerrTake a look at the PCB, there is a single EI core transformer. Sure the amp circuit might be balanced, but the power stage isn't, it's essentially still sharing the same ground channel.
Sep 11, 2017
KITTY
1454
Sep 12, 2017
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JackulaEhhh look, I don't really go around and tell people I'm an audiophile, but I do tell people I have an audiophile hobby. I like to try, buy, and collect different amps, headphones, iems, etc. you name it. I'm here reading you guys debating and I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I would never say tubes are always better sounding than transistors, or that analog audio is always better than digital. I can respect the tube amps because it brings out something different and I wouldn't even compare which one is better because my mood differs time to time and switch my amps and headphones when I listen to my songs. Lately, I've been saving my money on something else, so I try to get the best of the best for the price I can afford for. For couple years I've been thinking picking up an Schiit Jotunheim/w DAC.
And since you know all the technical stuff, may I ask couple questions? 1) I'm getting the CTH with separate Grace SDAC . Which one do you think it's better? CTH+Grace SDAC or Schiit Jotunheim +DAC and why is it better (Also, there's a bit of a price difference between them $330 vs $499)? 2) Do you think Schiit Jotunheim +DAC is a good product for what its worth?
I hope you can answer them in a simpler term, but not too simple since I would love to learn a new thing or two. Either way, I'll probably be getting both.
Thank you!
Sep 12, 2017
Jackula
1743
Sep 12, 2017
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KITTYBefore I begin, I just want to say some of this is my own opinion.
I haven't listened to a CTH but I respect the maker, and that respect turns into some level of belief that his products will be better than Schiit. CTH isn't exactly a tube amp, my understanding is it's a tube pre and solid state power, so you're not going to get the kind of "tubey" distortion out of the CTH, and tube rolling isn't going to get you much difference due to lack of negative feedback on this amp.
Schiit make some really great low-end stuff like the Fulla, Modi, Magni etc but the quality of their mid and high tiers are lacking compared to other similarly priced products, watt for watt. When a beginner audiophile gets a Modi/Magni it's usually their first serious rig, but the fan base propagates upwards.
I haven't listened to the SDAC either, but it would sound very similar to the ODAC - it's based off it, (which I have). It would be better than the built-in DAC to the Jot. But neither is great. For a good DAC, at this price point look at an Aune, Audio-GD, or lesser known Consonance.
Then there's the issue with power, whether either of these amps will give you enough power so you don't run into clipping distortion. Without knowing what headphones you use it's hard to say. Jot gives a lot of power running with the balanced output, but you can find better output on a dedicated amp like the Lake People G103-S, it's cheaper too. On the DAC side of the Jot, the $100 plug-in option isn't great, another problem with the Jot+DAC is the DAC is in the same housing as the EI core, these transformers give off a lot of interference and is not suited for low level audio applications.
There is a fine line between power and quality, sometimes power output might be good enough, but the preference is towards a better quality output. Personally I prefer (full) tube amps, there's less of a worry on headroom and all I need to concentrate on is output quality.
Hope I answered your question and put in enough tech too :)
Sep 12, 2017
Strikerr
8
Sep 12, 2017
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JackulaUpon taking a look at the PCB I see that there is a MCI Transformer Corporation 4-05 series Low Profile PC Mount transformer. It is not an EI core as you stated. It also has 10 pins as can be seen on the data sticker. That tells me power is separated to each channel through 1&2 , 3&4. Outgoing to each channel are 3 pins using a center tapped secondary winding that can be used to provide 2 anti phase (or balanced) signals. As for sharing a ground, it would not require one as long as it complies with all double insulation standards.
Sep 12, 2017
Jackula
1743
Sep 12, 2017
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StrikerrThanks I'll trust you on the windings as I don't have the board in front of me. But the transformer is still an EI core regardless of the model number or the company that made it, and suffers from the same native deficiencies of EI core transformers.
Sep 12, 2017
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