Limited runs of new products have become a trend with our friends at Schiit Audio and whilst some might find that somewhat frustrating — it makes an increasing amount of sense from the perspective that scarcity forces consumers into action and it also minimizes the possibility that Schiit will get stuck with a lot of unsold units. The Schiit Audio Mjolnir 3 is a new limited-run flagship headphone amp that can also serve as a balanced pre-amplifier for those looking for a central hub that can be used with a lot more than just headphones.
The Mjolnir 3 can be used with active loudspeakers as well.
From Jason Stoddard Schiit Audio Designer: “It’s a real, absolutely, 100% no-kidding Class A no-feedback, dual-mono, choke input, fully discrete headphone amp that’s probably too big or too hot for most people. It’s $1,199, and after this run, it’s gone.”
The limited run is a jump up in pricing from the rest of the line which starts with the Magni+ at $109 and runs through the single tube-based Lyr at $599. Previously Schiit offered another high-end limited run with the 18-tube Folkvangr ($1,800 USD) which sold out as they expected that it would.
Key Features
Dual Mono: The left and right channels are completely independent. This means that the left and right channels on the Mjolnir 3 share nothing, except the same circuit board.
Choke Input: Each channel has its own power supply, including discrete regulation, separate choke, and separate transformer. The choke input is an old-school method of power supply smoothing and energy storage.
Fully Discrete and Balanced: Mjolnir 3 incorporates a simple, complementary-pair, discrete balanced differential topology referred to as Equipoise. From input to the 4-gang pot to output, there is no conversion.
Overengineered Design: Mjolnir 3 incorporates two Gjallarhorn heatsinks (the type that is capable of delivering 30W into 4 ohms) and 32 10A-rated output devices to drive headphones. This is definitely more than is needed to provide performance and stability for headphone listening.
Convenience: To complement all the hardware, Mjolnir 3 provides several conveniences such as switchable gain (without feedback), balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs, and switchable preamp outputs.
Specifications
- Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.01db, 2Hz-700KHz, -3dB
- Input Impedance: 50K ohms
- Gain (Balanced Input): 2 (6dB) or 8 (18dB)
- Gain (Single-ended input): 1 (0dB) or 4 (12dB)
- Inputs: Balanced XLR and Single-Ended RCA, relay switched
- Outputs: Balanced headphones (4-pin XLR), single-ended headphones (1/4” TRS), switchable balanced and single-ended line preamp
- Gain Stage: Equipoise fully discrete, high voltage, differential zero feedback single-ended or push-pull class A, DC in and out; selectable feedback and gain independent from feedback; 16 10A bipolar NPN output devices per channel
- Power Supply: Full dual mono, choke input, 2 48VA transformers, and 2 chokes, separate 100V front end rail for each channel, 100% discrete regulation with over 20,000uF filter capacitance per channel.
- Power Consumption: 50W typical
- Dimension (WDH): 16 x 8 x 2 inches
- Weight: 16 lbs
- Warranty: 5 Years with 15 Day Return (5% restocking fee applied).
Balanced Headphone Output:
- Maximum Power at 32 ohms – 2W RMS per channel
- Maximum Power at 300 ohms – 1W RMS per channel
- THD – <0.015%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 4V RMS, 300 ohms
- THD – <0.05% 20-20kHz at 1V RMS, 32 ohms
- SNR – >110db, A-weighted, referenced to 4V RMS
- Crosstalk – >-90dB, 20Hz-20kHz
- Output Impedance – Less than 0.25 ohms
Single-Ended Headphone Output:
- Maximum Power at 32 ohms – 1W RMS per channel
- Maximum Power at 300 ohms – 500mW RMS per channel
- THD – <0.025%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 2V RMS, 300 ohms
- THD – <0.1% 20-20kHz at 1V RMS, 32 ohms
- SNR – >98db, A-weighted, referenced to 2V RMS
- Crosstalk – >-85dB, 20 Hz-20KHz, 300 ohms
- Output Impedance – Less than 0.13 ohms
Price and Availability
The Moljnir 3 is available for $1,199 at schiit.com or at the Schiit Audio Retail Store in Newhall, California – while supplies last.
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