At CanJam NYC 2026, Schiit Audio kept a lower profile than in past years, but the Texas based manufacturer still had something worth hearing. The company has now fully relocated operations from California to facilities in San Antonio and Corpus Christi, and judging by what we heard at the show, the move hasn’t slowed development one bit.
Front and center was the Schiit Asgard X headphone amplifier, a modular desktop amp that pulls technology directly from Schiit’s flagship Schiit Mjolnir headphone amplifier. The new model introduces Schiit’s Continuity A output stage and supports an optional internal DAC card that adds digital control through the company’s Schiit Forkbeard control system. The demo unit on the table included the DAC module and was paired with the Grado HP100 SE headphones we reviewed in 2025, making it one of the more interesting desktop headphone rigs on the show floor.
The result is a mid tier amplifier that looks familiar on the outside but carries more serious tech under the hood. With trickle down circuitry from the Mjolnir platform, app based control, and modular expandability, the Asgard X feels less like a routine update and more like Schiit raiding its own vault for parts. And judging by the crowd around the table, New York City still appreciates a little well engineered Schiit.
Asgard X: Class A Power and a Little More Useful Schiit
Base price starts at $399, which gets you the amplifier and preamp functionality. Add the Mesh DAC card for $150, and the Asgard X turns into a compact all in one desktop rig with digital input and app control through Schiit’s Forkbeard control system. That’s where things get more interesting.
The DAC card introduces Schiit’s Mesh digital architecture, a custom filter design that is optimized in both the time and frequency domains rather than chasing the usual marketing buzzwords. The bigger change for day to day use is Forkbeard. Through the app you can control volume, balance, loudness, phase, NOS mode, and even adjust a full three band parametric EQ. In other words, the kind of controls people usually beg for once they realize their desktop stack requires three remotes and a flashlight.
Power output is more than adequate for most headphones:
- 3.4W RMS at 16 ohms
- 2.8W RMS at 32 ohms
- 1.9W RMS at 50 ohms
- 380mW RMS at 300 ohms
- 200mW RMS at 600 ohms
Digital input is handled through Schiit’s Unison USB interface, supporting sample rates up to 384 kHz. No DSD. No MQA. We can hear Jason and Mike laughing all the way from Times Square.
No smoke machines, no Thor cosplay. Just a modular desktop amp with plenty of power, a DAC option that actually adds functionality, and enough control to keep both the Brooklyn headphone crowd and the Texas engineers reasonably happy.
Listening to the Asgard X: Class A Power, No Funny Schiit
Right off the bat, it was clear the Schiit Asgard X headphone amplifier had more than enough power and headroom to keep the Grado HP100 SE headphones fully under control. It didn’t try to goose the top end with extra sparkle, but where it really impressed was from the bass through the lower midrange. Black Sabbath and AC/DC had real weight and drive, while Deadmau5 and Kraftwerk showed just how well the amp handles pacing and rhythmic energy.
The treble could use a bit more air on some recordings, but the sense of space and impact made up for it. Percussion had real snap, kick drums landed with authority, and the overall timing kept everything moving forward with purpose. It’s the kind of presentation that makes you stop analyzing after a few tracks and just keep listening.
The Grado HP100 SE headphones have always handled vocals well, and that remained true here, though I did find myself wishing for a little more illumination at the top. Some higher notes came across slightly muted on certain tracks, but I’ll take that over a presentation that turns hard or brittle after a few minutes. Your mileage may vary depending on the recording, but in this setup the balance leaned toward smooth and listenable rather than aggressively detailed.
The Bottom Line
The Schiit Asgard X headphone amplifier is aimed squarely at listeners who want a powerful Class A desktop amp without turning their desk into a stack of separate components. At $399, it works well as a straightforward headphone amp and preamp, and the optional Mesh DAC card adds modern convenience through Schiit Forkbeard control system without complicating the design.
With solid power, modular flexibility, and a sound that favors weight, pacing, and long listening sessions over flashy treble, the Asgard X makes the most sense for desktop headphone listeners who value control and usability over chasing the last ounce of analytical detail.
For more information: schiit.com
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