What's up with this Schiit? The Jotunheim 2 balanced stereo preamp/headphone amp

If you have a decent set of headphones, you need this amp! More info, www.schiit.com/about/news/int...
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[@bobsykes]

“It was like butta.” Usually your NYC doesn’t sneak out like that. Obviously you are really liking this box! Thanks for the great review.

[@seymourclearly]

Thanks Steve, I’m not in the market for a headphone amp but your videos always interest me and lift my mood

[@fadedlogic1]

Thank you, Steve! I was waiting on your review as I had my eye on the Jotunheim 2; your review helped seal the deal!

[@century2077]

thanks steve im a over the road truck driver and need this info for when im working for 1 to 3 months on the road at a time and get home to my system. Keep up the good work thank you again.

[@progste]

Thanks for mentioning it works well with the DT880 600 ohm =) Schiit is getting more and more interesting! I hope you'll review more pieces of schiit in the future.

[@handsomeasiandude1126]

They need to make the Bull Schitt. Schitt as powerful as a bull.

[@mikecoffee100]

Yah they should make some Bull Schiit

[@zackw4941]

It's called the Ragnarok ;)

[@swolfjes]

Love the shirt!

[@herrtrigger7220]

Thanks for talking to the pre amp ability with the Pass and Dynaudios. Nobody else mentions the pre amp function at all. A differential pre amp at this price is insane. It appears that Schiit's pre amp measurements caused most companies stopped listing their pre amp SNR. Krell, Pass, Bryston, Ayre, all stopped. Parasound and Mcinstosh still show theirs.

[@jon4715]

I've been waiting for this review

[@waterlover]

Love the review, drool over your headphones behind you

[@Princeton_James]

Whoa! Look at that headphone tree! I love Schiit products. This is one brand where I am brand loyal. If they put it out I'm likely to get it. I started with the Fulla and this Jotunheim is next on my list.

[@MrStingraybernard]

Great review as always !!

[@lpeterson4550]

Great review - love that schiit. More links to features headphones would be appreciated :-)

[@3vegasboys]

Would love to see you review the Schiit turntable offering. I'm intrigued!

[@TeeBone2112]

Nice review Steve. Curious how this amp sounds with the Beyerdynamic T1 considering it did well with the DT990.

[@o2i3u5klwerh8]

Now we all have to go and buy it!

[@looper6120]

Nice video! Would you recommend the AK dac card or multi bit dac? May I ask what is the difference thank you man!

[@QoraxAudio]

As headphone amp, I have a SPL Phonitor 2, it's very nice... definitely worth to take a look at. It can be used as a preamp or monitor controller as well.

[@darrellross8609]

S, Thank you for your positive assessment of the Jotunheim. Best, D.

[@darrellross8609]

Dear Steve, l have had my Jot. almost 3yrs. Love it everyday. Best, D.

[@synax327]

Hello sir, Ive been watching your videos especially the Schiit products. I was planning on buying older hi end preamp/power amp that are about 10% to 15% now of what it cost before.(lexicon/krell).My question is? Is it worth it to get the older audiophile components or with the same money get the new Schiit preamp/power amp.Thanks A Lot I love watching your videos everyday ❤

[@carlitomelon4610]

Cool But when will they find a local torroidal transformer supplier ? We've been conditioned to expect them in good gear for lower mechanical and electrical noise?

[@hannahhope9169]

It’s amazing how good cheaper hardware is getting

[@boidsonly]

Thanks for the Sundara heads up, Steve. I ordered a pr @ $349 and free shipping.

[@Cujobob]

Nice headphones for that price. Hifiman may have a coupon going, so double check that.

[@tkusterb]

I have the HiFi Man Sundara but have only been listening on my Marantz AVR. They sound very nice but I'm looking to find an amp to really drive them and make them shine. Sounds like the Jotunheim might be the ticket. Using it as just a headphone amp, would you suggest the base 399 configuration with no additional module?

[@t60fallout9]

hi Steve, which one do you like the jotunheim or the musical fidelity m1 hpap?

[@uterpia]

Thank you

[@dentboxhero1717]

I'm just here for that Newyorker "butter" 6:51

[@HareDeLune]

"Buttah"

[@edg5367]

Hey Steve what’s the odds that you will get your hands on the Flux labs FA-12 Balanced Class-A Head-Amplifier?

[@valkyrieorion7200]

Would you prefer this or the Cambridge 200m for the Elac Navis and some Sennheiser HD660s? I also have a subwoofer but would probably sell it with the navis for nearfield/midfield

[@ryandacus]

Well great now I have to go buy another headphone amp! Great Review!

[@davidvezzi111]

Please dear Steve, may you tell me if you have received the new Schiit Sol and give us your review?

[@peterdesmidt8742]

I love my Sundaras with a Lyr 3.

[@blue6point62]

Hi Steve. In this review, the Jot 2 worked well with Grado. You have another review with the DAC Magic 200 that crushed the Jot 2 with Grado. Was the other review mostly considering the DAC performance and this review more focused on amp?

[@josefernandez2722]

Steve how do you compare this to the thx monolith and dac by monoprice

[@ChironZore]

This looks like exactly what I am looking for for my LCD-2c. Gonna pair it with a Denefrips Ares DAC. 😁

[@cferinga]

Was this shot with a new camera Steve? This video looks much better than your usual videos. Keep the great content coming!

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Thanks, not a new camera just better light from the window. It’s part of the re-organizing this space. Thanks for watching

[@buffal0bilious]

I completely agree about comfort. I have a huge noggin, and very few headphones pass the "can I listen for an hour without developing any sore spots" test. Meze and Dan Clark Audio probably have the best batting averages. HiFiMAN's a weird one for me because some of their headphones allow the earcups to swivel forward and back (HE-560, Arya, HE-1000 etc.) vs just up and down, but some don't (Ananda, Sundara). Not sure why some of their headphones are fully articulating like that but others aren't. Weird design choice. Couldn't use the Sundara or Ananda, because they'd press really hard behind my ear and leave a small gap in front of my ear.

[@allenfields9058]

Steve, do you mind divulging the number of Headphones you own? Your headphones tree just cracks me up -- it reminds me of an episode of "Hoarders" 😆. I'm astonished to admit, I've never owned a pair of quality headphones. I've never been in a living situation where I couldn't play my stereo system speakers at the level I wanted, so I just never explored the headphones route. Out of curiosity, why do you use headphones -- Neighbors, Different listening experience, etc.? If you were going to recommend a pair to a first time buyer, what 3 or 4 models would you suggest? I listen almost exclusively to Progressive Rock from the 1970's to current releases, Prog Metal, Classic 1960's and 1970's Rock, Heavy Metal, and Instrumental Post-Rock. No Classical, no Jazz, no Country, and especially no Rap, Hip Hop, EDM, or current Top 40.

[@billyc3161]

Do you think the jotunheim 2 will work well with the Audeze LCD-4z?

[@TheTuquito6]

? which were the headphone plug in to the 4 wire plug? they had that metallic cherry finish , in the MULTI - BIT DAC I WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM. Thank you

[@johnsoriano3812]

It would be great if you can review and pit a Topping or Matrix Audio Amp or DAC against a Schitt DAC or Amp. That would be something we'd love to see

[@bensherman1977]

Can you use the outputs at the back to use the Jot 2 as a 'DAC only' into another headphone amp?

[@badhabit714]

The Headphone rack behind you looks like a Robot made out of headphones.

[@dap777754]

To my eye that headphone tree looks more like a native american drying rack with a buch of drying buffalo meat turning into jerky. Not an appetizing sight IMHO.

[@zackw4941]

Any idea how it compares to the Topping A90?

[@mrt6349]

I have bought the Mytek Brooklyn DAC+. What device should i get if i want to stream tidal from my phone i dont need any advanced features like roon or server capabilities just so i can stream from my phone.

[@kev5621]

I use the ifi Zen Phono....love it

[@thomasfitzhugh7936]

Straight out of the box my Jotunheim 2 sounded harsh & too lean. A friend stopped me from returning it, suggesting I give it time to mellow out. Less than 2 weeks later I'm loving this thing - the "burn in" period is real! Highs sparkle without harshness & the bass is rich & weighty like one would expect from such a little powerplant!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@dennismanning6684]

Sound stage gets dramatically wider, instruments get more separation and nuance too...not subtle and beautiful!

[@thomasfitzhugh7936]

@@dennismanning6684 Yes, forgot to mention that. & I love the way rim taps, hand claps & other sounds in that range really pop!💕

[@n00buo]

Can't wait to get mine.... A90 Sold after 2 months

[@ctmurphy35]

I'd love to hear your comparison of balanced vs unbalanced use with one or two of those headphones you tested. I'm been thinking of getting a Jotunheim specifically to drive my HD-650s with a balanced cable until I can afford to upgrade those to some planar magnetic ones (Sundra, Audeze, or the like)

[@alondite215]

The HD650 is already better than the Sundara, and out-resolves every Audeze short of the LCD4. You'd be downgrading.

[@econautx]

@@alondite215 That depends on what is important to him. HD650 lacks bass extension which the planars will deliver.

[@josefernandez2722]

Hi Steve and thanks for your reviews. Could you explain which one is supposed to be better , the multi bit dac in the jot 2 or the ak4493 dac in the dedicated modius? I'm trying to figure out which of the 2 is of higher quality.

[@MinimalUnbox]

have you tried them on HD800s?

[@timothymoorman7437]

The extraterrestrial wiry man behind Steve is drawn to the boldly colored shirt...

[@charlesclifton1006]

I'd be very interested in how this "Yot" performs simply as a preamp into a single Aegir (via SE) - then 2 Aegir (via XLR) and then with a single Vidar. Asking a lot? Yes, but ... Schiit markets this as a preamp and I am curious. I get it ... the Jot is a very good H-Phone amp but could it provide the best of both worlds like in a desk-top control unit for both H-Phone and speakers. Schiit don't make crap and I have to think the afore-mentioned combos might be worth the research by some reviewer. I look forward to your Dynaudio/combo with the Firstwatt.

[@Cujobob]

None of their headphone amplifiers will match the performance of their standalone preamplifiers for that function. They include that function mostly for people using active monitors on their desktops so everything is controlled in one spot. The performance varies by HPA, of course, but I’ve read this is somewhat okay as a preamp - nothing special.

[@Michiganman08]

Was thinking the same idea with the Vali 2+ mating with my Linn LK140. I'm more interested in this as a pre amp.

[@deepskypics]

Have any quick impressions on this vs the Asgard 3? Is the Asgard 3 warmer?

[@RathOX]

Asgard 3 is warmer but this is more tube warm

[@sebastianbirch2187]

Is just me or Steve’s enjoying saying Schiit a lot :D:D:D

[@bill3117]

Other than balanced outputs how would you compare this with the Asgard 3 w/True Multibit? I had the earlier Jot. and didn't like it, I wanted to.

[@dennismanning6684]

I've been driving Sundaras with Bifrost 2, Asgard 3...very good. With the Jot 2 balanced, a very notable and beautiful upgrade, after burn-in.

[@billd9667]

Where are they getting the AK DAC? Didn’t the AKM factory burn to the ground? Supplies of components using those chips are going to be hard to get until they either rebuild or open a new facility. Either will take months. It’s frustrating for those of us considering upgrading

[@r00s.]

Schiit has stated they have a year's worth of 4490 chips on hand.

[@petercarrick2678]

Hello what combination of dac and headphone would you recommend for the best sound quality for the price I was thinking Cambridge 100 with hi fi man Sundara is there a better one for,,, the cost to sound quality

[@alondite215]

Sundara is going to gimp the Jot 2 and leave a lot of resolution and dynamics on the table. HD600/650 would be a better bet.

[@davidbecker1873]

Hi audiophiles I’m in need of some help…I’m really new to the headphone amp/dac combo world. I have an lcd3 that I’ve just purchased, and need help picking out just that an amp/dac combo or even separate components. If anyone has any thoughts on burson or phonitor or any tube amps please please let me know your thoughts. I would like to use tidal from my iPhone, not from my computer. I also will be using vinyl and possibly a 4K Blu-ray player. Thanks in advance guys!

[@stimpy1226]

The internal power supply probably makes a huge difference in the quality of the overall sound. Wondering how you decide what components to add in your comparison system when you test out a particular product. Many of the headphones you have reviewed in the past have been compared to the PASS HPA -1 headphone amp. Wondering when you decide to make the comparison to the PASS unit. It’s a giant step up for most of the other headphone amps that you have inserted into your test system.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

Not sure how a $4K Pass unit belongs in a Schitt review

[@stimpy1226]

@@petersouthernboy6327 Neither do I Peter. As I recall in other headphone reviews using different headphone amps, Steve has put the pass headphone amp into his reviews. (Steve, correct me if I’m wrong). That’s why I mentioned it.

[@James_Ryan]

Sweet! Co-incidentally, I was just using Sundara with my 'new' 35-year-old CD player (Sony CDP-30) - I just love the sparkly clean sound of a multibit DAC with no filters! Speaking of which, does anyone know what kind of filters are used on the Schiit multibit?

[@kurthertel4299]

It is a proprietary filter that they have dubbed the "Megacomburrito" filter or some such, I believe designed by Mike Moffat. They are not quite as forthcoming about the details as they normally are about most things, which is very, but a Google search with his name plus the filter name should get you what is out there.

[@James_Ryan]

@@kurthertel4299 Awesome, thank you very much!

[@sleepbelts]

@@James_Ryan there is a livestream interview of Mike Moffat giving a bit about the filter on the Schiit channel.

[@James_Ryan]

@@sleepbelts Cheers!

[@chadbarker4299]

Yeah im kinda a newbie. Question.I have a Carver 742 receiver. 65 wpc. Why do i need. This phono amp? I have Sennheiser 622 headphones. Bstter sound? More power? Thanks

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Welcome!, Yes, better sound than what you have now. When I reviewed here today isn’t primarily a phono preamp.

[@audioaficionado9494]

I was getting the Asgard 3, but now I want this one.

[@edwarddodge7937]

I have both and I think the Jot 2 is worth the extra money if you have it. I skipped the Jot 1 back in the day because its single-ended performance was terrible. This one is better than Asgard 3, even through single-ended.

[@audioaficionado9494]

@@edwarddodge7937 it gives you both excellent BAL and SE options unlike the Magnius so so SE performance. Steve likes the Sundara SE performance on the Jot2. Maybe a balanced cable could be even better with the extra power.

[@spooky1640]

@@edwarddodge7937 Long shot but, have u tried modded balanced dt1990 thru jotunheim 2? Really curious if it’s better than Asgard 3 SE/Magnius+Modius Balanced

[@colanitower]

With that many headphones you need a lot of this schiit

[@moon-light1354]

Hope you get the new transport to review ...

[@logiclust]

wish they made it a bit wider and had 2 option slots. I'd buy that. oh, and "pros" are just consumers as well.

[@michaelriner1181]

Lotta Schiit in that video!

[@christinearmington]

Funny thing, I was just going to go to Costco or Best Buy and buy some shit, and here you’ve got me planning to spend thousands more, maybe even for some real Schiit . 🤦‍♀️🤩👌🥰

[@MrStingraybernard]

Still don’t see this on there website,only the original

[@edwarddodge7937]

The website is the 2. Mine arrived today. It says Jotunheim on the front. The back panel is where it says Jotunheim 2.

[@antlicata]

How is Jotunheim 2 with multibit DAC compared to the Modius/Magnius Stack? I understand it would be 200.00 more but is it worth it?

[@mmorales508]

I personally would steer away from the Multibit version. It's not their top Multibit chip so rather buy it just as an amp, killer as it is, then add a separate DAC of your choice. I use it with the SMSL SU9... End game for me!

[@antlicata]

@@mmorales508 Thank you

[@JD-dc1eb]

Hey Steve you should really check out the topping a90 it's a similar price with even more power and it's super clean

[@r00s.]

Jot 2 is better, IMO. Had the A90. Sold it after I got the Jot2.

[@alondite215]

Jot 2 destroys the A90.

[@xJae14x]

@@alondite215 really? That’s cool to hear. I’m leaning towards Jot 2 but keep taking looks at the A90. I just got HD800S and want something that makes them shine to full potential

[@alondite215]

@@xJae14x The A90 would be an especially poor pairing with any variety of HD800. You want something smooth and maybe even laid-back up top, because even the HD800S is still a rather bright headphone. The A90 also lacks in fine resolve and microdynamic nuance which are two of the HD800s strengths, so you'd be leaving a lot on the table there. Get a balanced cable for your HD800 and Jot 2 (it's better from the balanced out). Give it a few hours warm-up; it tends to be a bit bright at first.

[@1959ludo]

With this review I can’t do anything because there is no dealer ore store were I can buy Shitt Products in my country that I know off. Buying on the internet is not my style. When there is something wrong with the product you have to send it back and wait. I need a local dealer where I can here what I going to buy are not. For example I ordered the dragonfly cobalt with my dealer, I could order it at the internet and I would have it the next day but what about the service. Shitt audio is typically American but with no dealers in Europe. There are brands such as Grado that have dealers in my country ( I have two Grado’s). I love your reviews and every time there is a new one I watch it immediately. Ludo Belgium

[@spooky1640]

Steve, modded balanced dt1990 with jotunheim 2 plspls

[@chrisstella210]

The Topping A90 is 7.2 watts per channel has a pre out does 4.4 mm 4pin bal XLR and 1/4 in ALL under $500

[@r00s.]

Jot 2 is better especially as a Pre, IMO. Had the A90. Sold it after I got the Jot2.

[@alondite215]

And it sounds like garbage. Jot 2 is in a completely different class altogether.

[@kristoffer8740]

Jotunheim 2 has a way nicer potentiometer then the A90.

[@bretspangler8717]

I pulled the trigger on a Jotunheim 2 and it should arrive tomorrow, pairing it with my Sundara's and Denafrips Ares Ii. Thanks so much to Steve and all the hard work he puts in, it has really changed my setup. My main amp is an Emotiva T1 which Steve also recommends, I have everything going through an Emotiva AC line filter the CMX-2 has worked miracles with my noisy AC.

[@sadcat520]

What are your thoughts? I plan on buying this same amp headphone pairing

[@ethr95awd]

heads up theres a b-movie sci-fi alien monster over your left shoulder, thought youd want to know

[@theovonskeletor3709]

What about the balanced output. I think that's the whole point with the jot being differential

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

The first headphone I used in the video was run balanced

[@theovonskeletor3709]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac ah ok must have overlooked that :)

[@yogiwp_]

Yea wish it has a remote for proper preamp application.

[@Mosamania]

Since you said you can’t think of another alp that can deliver more power for the price point, A90 delivers more power for around the same price.

[@alondite215]

And is an etched, microdynamically flat, unresolving piece of shit like everything Topping makes. Jot 2 Godstomp's Topping's entire line of amps. It's not even close.

[@dougg1075]

I’m hemp to that

[@IDann1]

“ pieces of schiit “ interesting phrasing...😝😋

[@thomashobbes8786]

This one is really Schitty. ;)

[@bengtriise6504]

With a Norwegian name like jotunheim,I was hoping for some epic story about some trip to Norway and blablabla. This was really schiit😁🇳🇴🤣

[@beefquiche]

If they make a valve version of this (about time) everyone will buy one.

[@Darrylizer1]

Another Schitty review? Cool.

[@tomchippie6725]

You might say it was "fer schiit."

[@simianinc]

I like Schiit, and have the Modius DAC and the Vali 2+ amp. I’m looking to upgrade my amp, but because I can’t hear them first, there’s a risk that they’re no better than my Topping A50s amp. Two of my four headphones have 4.4mm balanced jacks, which the Jotunheim doesn’t support. I also subscribe to Tidal, and am curious what the MQA songs sound like, but then I have to purchase,a DAC that supports that format, because the Schiit modules that you can add to this amp don’t. Such a quandary.

[@r00s.]

Jot 2 is amazing!

[@chronometa]

That headphone tower looks like a transformer

[@syncwork]

Really nice price for US citizen only.

[@magik97]

Lol, so many schiit puns

[@DukeLetoIII]

Ah, yes, the brand new Yacht-N-heim Too.

[@Nadtochy]

It's interesting how would it be with electrostatic headphones.

[@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

Sorry, it's not designed for 'stats.

[@Nadtochy]

@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac thank you for the response.

[@kwicke5636]

Check out Madlips new album Sound Anchestors

[@abc123s100]

I honestly stopped listening halfway through the review and was just happy to see how much this guy was enjoying the music coming from the Jot 2

[@Rob1972Gem]

I don't know how they got away with the name of the company it a USA company and the procreation of that brand means a bad word over in the US as in the UK

[@zeissiez]

The original Jotunheim while very musical and ballsy sounding, the soundstage size and layering is lacking. I hope Jotunheim 2 improves on these two aspects.

[@alondite215]

It's a bit better in that regard, but its main advantages over Jot 1 and 1.1 is its significantly better fine and microdynamic resolve, which are the two most important things for a "hi-fi" presentation and giving music that sense of immediacy and "being there." The original Jot's main issues are that is sounds somewhat flat and microdynamically compressed, and it left a lot on the table resolution-wise. Jot 2 fixes that.

[@zeissiez]

AlonditeMX That’s great news, I too thought version 1 lacks refinement. Is it due to the improvement in the amp or the DAC module?

[@alondite215]

@@zeissiez I haven't listened to it with the DAC module, so the improvements are definitely coming from the amp.

[@zeissiez]

@@alondite215 Thanks for that bit of information, I appreciate that

[@alondite215]

@@zeissiez The balanced out is better than Ragnarok 2. No joke. SE out is good too, but it's not quite on the same level.

[@geeknproud321]

What's up with it? It's just a complete kick in the nuts to every single other manufacturer on the market for value and performance. That's what's up! It beats any Chi-Fi amp anywhere near it in price AND any domestic amp hands-down. Not even a realistic comparison. For $400 nothing even touches its sound quality and ability via balanced output. It really should just be considered in the "below $1000" range. It's really that good. Anything below $1000 will have a VERY stout competitor in the Jotunheim 2.

[@prabinpaudel5572]

The review I've been waiting for. Wish you'd review the stack of new bifrost 2 and jotunheim 2. Bifrost 2 is rated by reviewers to be as good if not better than ares 2. I'd love to hear your opinion! ❤️

[@HareDeLune]

Seriously?! I had not heard about that. Thanks for the info. : )

[@prabinpaudel5572]

@@HareDeLune yes. Check out the reviews. There are many reviews comparisons specifically with d90 and ares 2. ☺

[@HareDeLune]

@@prabinpaudel5572 Thanks, Prabin! 🙏

[@prabinpaudel5572]

@@HareDeLune my pleasure! 🙏

[@sean_heisler]

It's been said by many, even including a subtle comment from Jason Stoddard himself, that the Bifrost 2 comes surprisingly close to the Yggdrasil. Damn good DAC.

[@mikecoffee100]

All the reviews make me think this is Good Schiit

[@martyn_g]

Put your hands up if your Schiit gear has broken. I've had three of them break.