Schiit Jotunheim vs Lyr 3 vs Saga+

[@DistroUser]

Thanks for the comparisons, but, the PS Audio DirectStream is much more expensive and should outperform these other units?

[@MUFCXI]

Can you help me? My dad just gave me a Schiit Lyr 2 that one of his tenants left behind. He gave it to me because he knows I like tech, but I have NO clue what this machine is supposed to do. It’s missing got two holes on the top of the unit. Can you please help me to explain what this machine does and where I can get the pieces that go in the holes? I’m assuming they’re called tubes based off your video?

[@techjourney5383]

I’d recommend reaching out to Schiit support but sounds like your unit is missing that tubes. They should be able to sell you new ones.

[@gianboomer]

Is there something wrong with the ps audio gaincell dac I see it on the used market a lot . Could you give your honest opinion?

[@techjourney5383]

Hi, nothing necessarily wrong with it - great value piece of audio gear. I view my time with the gaincell DAC as well as the DirectStream DACs like stepping stones in my audio journey. For example, I now have a greater appreciation for the importance of the volume control because of PS Audio’s focus on that part of their preamps.

[@gianboomer]

@@techjourney5383 thanks

[@TommyFro]

Rolling tubes in the Lyr 3 might help with the listening fatigue. There's a bunch of crazy people on Head-Fi who have a massive thread dedicated to rolling tubes in that amp

[@techjourney5383]

Hi, thanks but I no longer have this amp.

[@bobeboy5151]

I know this video's old, but I'm wondering if you've tried the schiit valhalla 2? I'm trying to decide between that and the schiit Saga + as a preamp for my speakers. I have headphones too so the valhalla would be nice in that aspect.

[@looper6120]

hey hope this message can help. I own both of them. Valhalla 2 is not a traditional tube amp. Sound is clear and detailed, not too "warm and blurred". I personally like it that way, but as preamp, if you are going for that tube sound, neither of them will give you that. Better try a more traditional tube preamp.

[@alext2933]

Which headphones did you test with?

[@gerard3797]

Maybe the new Burson Audio Soloist 3x, apparently also has a great headphone amp? Would you think the Saga + and Bifrost 2 would be a good pairing, or would Saga + be overkill? PS Audio DirectStream is far out of my league :)

[@techjourney5383]

I ended up going with a couple of other units and have posted newer videos about them😊

[@morespinach9832]

Did you get to Freya + and Bifrost2?

[@edwarddodge7937]

I don't understand why you would buy an headphone amp with a DAC -- if you already have an expensive DAC you like. Just buy the headphone amp and run your expensive DAC into it.

[@gregc7314]

Is the Saga+ tube on when in passive mode?

[@loopyquinones420]

So u bought the jot with balanced dac on release? They have updated the balanced dac module its not as bright as its early version it shows up as 4490 g2 now

[@techjourney5383]

Hi, yes, I have the first version of the balanced DAC but have since moved up to higher level DACs so just use the Jot as a headphone amp sometimes. I’m planning to post a review soon of my new setup but still testing. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

[@loopyquinones420]

I love my jot and I was thinking of getting a thx amp but I went with the atom since I plan on getting a bifrost 2 for my jot I have the atom with the Sdac do u plan on expanding ur schiit gear or going for something different entirely?

[@techjourney5383]

Hi, no immediate plans for Schiit but I may checkout their 2 channel stuff in the future.

[@Dieselmateo]

Maybe a bit late in viewing this video. But did you managed to pick out a preamp? Did you go for the Freya?

[@techjourney5383]

Hi, I ended up going with the Sennheiser HDV820 headphone amp/preamp and made a video comparing to a couple of other items if you’re interested.

[@18yearsoldnot]

Have you tried upsampling your music?

[@techjourney5383]

I have and while fun sometimes, I have found that I prefer not to mess with up sampling or DSP too much.

[@18yearsoldnot]

@@techjourney5383 fair enough. You need a powerful PC and it's only good for certain dacs. I found it completely changes the sound on a chord mojo... makes it sound a lot warmer

[@bernardstachman3507]

What do you mean by controlling the volume in windows 10 when you using the direct stream? you should be using the dac volume, either by remote, touch screen or software that can control it like Roon.

[@techjourney5383]

Hi Carlo, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Changing volume on the DAC was not convenient for me. I have since added a desktop preamp.

[@OrganNLou]

Hello, please try the ifi dacs. I have the Zen dac and couldn't be happier ,as I sold my Chord Hugo after buying iy.

[@techjourney5383]

Wow, that’s quite the endorsement as Chord is highly regarded. I have posted a review of a couple of ifi products including Zen DAC where I shared that it didn’t work well for me with high sensitivity headphones at low volumes. Mind sharing what other equipment you use with Zen DAC?

[@OrganNLou]

@@techjourney5383 I cant believe the endorsement myself! I originally bought the Zen, thinking it was quite good, but getting the chance to purchase a Hugo at an unbeatable price, so I thought I would sell the Zen. The Hugo while having great clarity, and air, didnt project voices "naturally" enough for my taste. I still had the zen and decided to swap again (using the USB 3 cable and updating the firmware) I WAS BLOWN AWAY by what I heard. Voices have weight and character, drum kits now project forward very naturally. Jazz and Classical sound very realistic. I am now using a Linn amplifier with GoldenEar Aon2 speakers (wonderful by the way) with Nordost ribbon cables. I am using the Zen straight into the amp. Also using the "power match" adds more power, and can help with inefficiencies in impedances.

[@techjourney5383]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! Sounds like a great bargain😊

[@daviewavie112]

What headphones are you using?

[@sherpadelgatos]

Ifi maybe?

[@samuellord8576]

I have a complaint. Your channel is "Tech Journey," which implies you know something about the technology you are writing about. Why are you unaware of the basics of a volume control?? A stepped attenuator is as simple a circuit idea as one can find, and is for obvious reasons the very best kind of volume control. Now, versions which use relays with reduced resistor numbers compared to pure resistor ladders to save parts cost, as Schiit implements in the Saga and some other pieces, are quite a pain to implement. This is a big reason why most companies don't attempt it. But stepped circuits obviously enable great matching compared to conductive carbon or plastic pots. Lacking knowledge isn't a terrible thing, but IMO if you use "tech" in your channel you should understand basic electronics. Or at least you should be on a "journey" to learn about it. Sorry, I know this sounds like I'm trolling you and whining, but the fact is that providing remote-controlled discrete stepped attenuation in a tube preamp for under $400 is a very, very big deal. NOBODY else does this! I don't want you to stop reviewing, but rather to keep going and to start learning about electronics to help viewers understand the value of equipment.

[@techjourney5383]

Thanks for taking the time to comment, Samuel. I’m definitely still in the early stages of my own tech journey so still have a lot to learn as you can see😊 I hope your comments help someone else that might stop by to view this free content so that they can learn more about this type of volume control. I personally didn’t fall in love with the overall performance of the Saga, especially when considering the clicking noise that the volume control made but I do believe that fancy volume controls can make a difference. For example I have a couple of PS Audio preamps that use “gain cell” technology for their volume controls and while difficult to confirm how much the volume control by itself contributes to a more enjoyable listening experience, I believe that it probably does with some systems. Thanks again!

[@Sayaran]

I was just taking a look at all the audiophile videos you have posted +Samuel Lord... Oh never mind you seem not to have much posted. It takes effort to put out videos on KZbin and share perspective and opinions. I do not recall EJ saying he is an expert, technical or otherwise. Clearly 'Tech Journey' is just that, a journey in tech, not 'I am an expert in tech'. It really sounds like somebody had a case of the 'Monday's'. I personally just like to hear honest opinions. If you are going to comment try adding suggestion on other channels or resources. It is Troll comments like yours that add little value to KZbin videos.

[@samuellord8576]

@@Sayaran No, I'm not a troll of any kind. I've posted about audio electronics for over 30 years, designed and built very high-end gear for Essence Electro Acoustics (now defunct) for seven years, and set up countless home systems. My point was that _significant_ milestones in value should be pointed out. In the last few years I've posted a lot on DIYAudio and Audiophile Style (formerly Computer Audiophile Forums), sometimes to learn, sometimes to teach, often both. Precision discrete stepped analog attenuators are very hard to implement, and still fairly rare even in very high-end gear. So when someone says the equivalent of "stepped whatevs..." without knowing what they mean should be informed that it represents serious effort and value. The important thing is not who has more knowledge about xyz (most here could destroy me on questions of good modern music, as only one example), but being fair to builders who are really trying to bring value to the market. That helps everyone: the video creator here, viewers, musicians, even competitors. Thanks.

[@toniwonkanobi]

He has 114 subscribers. Chill out man.

[@etin97]

@@toniwonkanobi over 400 subs now, but maybe more if he knew more about the products. Samuel has very specific pointed constructive criticism, which is hard to come by. I'm sick of people being uncomfortable with any criticism. Chill out man! The idea that I'm unnerved or peeved when writing criticism is what makes me angry. People just don't understand learning and would rather not help encourage knowledge sharing, all because it's too "uncomfortable". So sad.