SCHIIT GJALLARHORN POWER AMPLIFIER AS MONOBLOCKS! FULL DUAL UNIT REVIEW AIMED AT GENERAL HiFi USE

[@stonefree1911]

Man, I love my Gjals.... I have 2 monoblocked in my nearfield system and it is superb! I ran Schiit Aegirs in my main system and their class A performance was amazing, BUT they would shut down very easily. Sold them. To me the GJALLARHORN, while A/B, sound very much like the Aegir, but never shuts down. I think the Gjals may be the best deal in amps going right now. $300 for a great Class A/B amp (that mimics class A) WITH a good size toroidal transformer? YES PELASE! (I do agree with you that they really are primarily for near-field use, and they shine there.)

[@Shorby99EK]

I will say the Tyr’s sound just as smooth as the Aegir’s, just a TON more power.

[@toai2]

did you find out why it shut down your system? from what I understand in monoblock, the rating is for 8 ohm, anything less than that could shut down the amps

[@stonefree1911]

No, I just moved on (to Parasound). They both would shut down with Martin Logan 35XT's, Magnapan LRS's, and my current mains, Wharfedale EVO 4.4's. Just wouldn't run any of them past low/moderate volume before one would shut down in protection. Never had my Gjals do that yet...@@toai2

[@jonathandavis9507]

The G Horns in my system exhibit just a touch of grain/edge that I don’t associate with a class A sound.

[@markjeroendurr2626]

Nice to see Thijs van Leer behind you. Not so long ago you had “Moving waves” by Focus up there as well. Proper Dutch prog rock with Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman. Jan was voted world’s best guitar player by Music Maker Magazine in those days….

[@stefaandecroo6774]

Thank You Sir. Always a huge pleasure to watch your reviews. All my very best wishes. 🙂

[@elbebe1000]

Great to see item review lately only hifi news and not review. I would see more amplifiers and integrated reviews. The Audiophile Man is one of the best in the business. Great review

[@bengleason508]

What Speakers and Preamp did you use with the Schiit Monoblocks?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Spendor A1s and Quad 57s plus a high-end Aesthetix pre because I wanted to remove that variable from the review. I didn't want to the pre to colour the sound in any way.

[@andysmith-ne1qs]

Excellent review , as someone looking for a pair of mono blocks for my full on Volti equipped Klipschorns it answered most of my concerns. I ll be driving them with my venerable Audio Research LS 2b updated with Mundorf caps . At their price point of $299.00 each if they don t suit they ll make nice presents for some upcoming birthdays .

[@alexvinson7373]

The balanced XLR is an input, not an output as described at 1:58. Good video!

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Yes, thanks for that - I think I addressed that in another comment around here but yep, you're right.

[@alexvinson7373]

@@TheAudiophileMan , you did, but since it was on the screen I figured you'd want to know.

[@cybot6]

Ah Schiit God love them! My involvement with them only came to utter frustration especially so through their much beloved Modi DAC. I’ll soon be on my Third, no disrespect to the Soft’s. The first sat down after less than a year. The second and current one sat down just when the 2 year guarantee ran out. With very minimal use. So my equally beloved Audiolab 6000 transport sits on the shelf glaring at me to do something. The standard service charge for small components (sic) is £50 after the guarantee period runs out. I did send them an email. Mrs. Bot Bot just laughed at me. Need I go on? However I have more confidence in Mark from Electromod (UK distributor)who will look after me and,more importantly, actually listen. Oh and nice review Paul 😊

[@jimsregaturntableshifijukebox]

Nicely done as always Paul. This was a VERY interesting one. 👌 Jim🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙂

[@rosswarren436]

Nice review! Schiit always seems to provide a good value for the money. Thanks for the find of Heinz von Moisy (the album behind your left). Had never heard of him. Sounds great!

[@glenncurry3041]

One way of providing a balanced input is to use transformers rather than electronics at the input. Transformers might be better than bad electronics in the front end. But being inductors, have limits that good electronics don't. So as you say, a balanced in is not a guarantee of superior performance. Like everything else. It comes down to the individual product.

[@jeremiahchamberlin4499]

Thanks for the review. I think I caught your earlier review of the stereo configuration. I’m very curious, especially in the mono block configuration. Just a boggle, though; in your Good/Bad listing you cite ‘Balanced Outputs’, if you’re reviewing the Gjallorhorn, and not the preamp feeding it, shouldn’t it be ‘Balanced Input’? Again, just a niggle. I watched the video twice to confirm this ‘feature’. 🙂

[@jimx1169]

Yessir, a small mistake listing the "Mono Balanced Output" which should have been labeled "Mono Balanced Input". Otherwise, this was a very nice review. I'm new to the channel and am now subscribed. Cheers.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Yes of course. I got confused with my In and Out - maybe I should have been 'shaking it all about' instead?

[@arnoldtolker3505]

l have a Luxman C03 Pre-Amp and 2 Luxman M03 Amp as Monoblocked! Sound is great!

[@toai2]

which preamp did you use to combine these 2 amps in mono block configuration?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I used a high-end Aesthetix Calypso pre amp, mainly to remove the pre-amp from the equation and the place the focus purely on the power amp variable. I didn't want a lower end pre amp in there that might have coloured what was going on.

[@ChiefExecutiveOrbiter]

Id love to get two and run as monos, but the wattage to price ratio is criminal. $600 for 2, then drop $3-400 on a pre amp. Close to $1000 for a underpowered set up. Sorry schiit y'all smoking, got a Cambridge integrated AXR100 (factory refurb)(new honestly) $339 on holloween sale (nuts), running w modius dac. Into polk R700s, Couldn't be happier.

[@jonathandavis9507]

You really shouldn’t run these with 4ohm speakers like the R700, which is a very power hungry speaker.

[@Audiorevue]

" I only handle them while wearing thick gloves", do you regularly handle the amplifiers while they're plugged in and on? I mean do you pick them up and give em a shake while you're listening to music? I agree with you on the sound though of the gjallorhorn,I did a review on one as a stereo amplifier and I liked it overall, and I was mostly surprised with its ability to get loud, but like you I noticed it seemed to lack real fullness to the sound and actual body and weight.

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Yes, I wave them around like wands casting analogue spells on streamers.

[@JKadison]

Interesting product.

[@benjaminrosich]

Very nice review sir 👍

[@jonathandavis9507]

It’s great on a high efficiency speaker. People need to be aware of what they are using this for, though. This is not going to hit hard on a 4ohm load under 88db sensitivity. It’s like complaining a go kart engine doesn’t feel as fast when dropped into your family sedan.

[@michaelgreco8614]

For a desktop/nearfield setup would you prefer one of these or the burson funk you reviewed?

[@TheAudiophileMan]

I’d go with this box.

[@jonathandavis9507]

At this price is better to just get the vidar? Is there a benefit they have?

[@Fedgery007]

You would have to buy two of them to operate as monoblocks.

[@johncallaghan3097]

Can you use a pair of Gjallarhorns with a REL TO subwoofer using the latter's high-level input? If so, how would you wire it at the amplifier end? Just treat the pair of monoblocks as you would a stereo amp?

[@riccitone]

My concern as well. It seems there can be different recommendations depending on any given manufacturer? With monos, a ground wire to a chassis might be required when connecting both of them to one sub. Still might be damaging depending on the amps. I the case of these it might be tricky since there is no sub or pre outs, and the terminal outputs are strictly for banana plugs. Best to have a preamp with a sub out.

[@jonathandavis9507]

Since it’s banana plugs input only high level would require an adapter or something. Rel has a mono blocks guide on their site. (They don’t recommend it.)

[@chrisshelley3027]

Hi Paul, just wanted to thank you for your re-review of the Monitor Audio Gold 200 speakers, I have managed to get hold of a pair second hand "though they are like new", also this review has increased my thoughts on monoblocks and the Graham Slee proprius, my current amplifier is a Cambridge Audio azur 851a which has balanced outputs and can be used in 4 ohms and 8 ohms, from your review of the Monitor Audio 200 gold 4 ohms made them sing more sweetly and the Graham Slee proprius monoblocks output into 4 ohms, but will this mean that I will need 4 Proprius? I think it does, I could avoid this altogether and go straight from the Cambridge audio azur 851a, but I have always felt that it lacks punch/weight toward the upper end of its limit, I do have the Cambridge Audio azur 851w power amplifier, but this adds nothing to the output, I've read many others saying the same thing while some people seem quite happy with what it adds, any thoughts, ideas or suggestions would be most welcome, I'm hoping to get this sorted by the end of next year so no immediate hurry if there is anything to be added at all, I like the Cambridge audio azur 851a because it does what it should and has many inputs, the power amp I wouldn't miss whatsoever, it adds nothing, it takes space I can use for other items and it uses power with nothing to show for it, thanks Paul, your comments and advice are always welcome and very much appreciated.

[@riffraff9000]

3:02 "Preperation?"

[@TheAudiophileMan]

Preparing for the sound tests. Selecting the source music, etc., as stated in the first few words of that part of the vid. Would you prefer Set Up perhaps? I normally include all this in the Sound Quality section but I was wondering if this info actually belonged in that area.

[@zounds13]

@@TheAudiophileMan I think riffraff was pointing out a misspelling.

[@Questionsandconsequences]

3 may be 3 and a half minutes of on topic features and sound quality re the monoblocks... Having to listen to the painfully slow delivery of this information spread over 14 minutes... Thanks but no subscription.

[@don7680]

Maybe you should start your own channel? I'm sure you're so fascinating and knowledgeable you'd never get a negative comment.

[@Fedgery007]

*eye roll*