šŸ”· Schiit Asgard 3

Bf2 + A3 is a nice pairing indeed. It was one of those WOW moments for me.

Congratz & Enjoy! :headphones:

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That Tuba amp isnā€™t backing down from that newcomer.

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These are the ones I use the most recently. I think these cheap pads are mandatory for HP50s. Adds bass and soundstage ā€“ the two things HP50s lacked.

Https://www.amazon.ca/Replacement-Angled-Memory-Foam-Earpad/dp/B07BKSW8GF

Also available, and probably better, non-angled, but these make damn comfy earmuffs. :grin: :headphones:

Was a source doe replacement black knob ever identified? I I did a search for ā€œknobā€ and couldnā€™t find it.

Failing that, does anyone know the knob diameter? Iā€™ve asked Schiit, but they seem very busy with their product launches and havenā€™t replied.

They are using an ALPS RK27-series poti, right? Those have 6mm axels.

No idea about the outer diameter of the knob Schiit uses.

I donā€™t have a caliper handy but using a tape it is 1 1/8th inches.
A3 knob
poor pic hard to hold all with one hand phone in other to take pic

When I get home later on today I can get you measurements with a caliper. You need just the O.D.?

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Awesome. So 30 or 31mm with a standard 6mm axel.

Nowā€¦To AliBaba!!!

Newark also has knobs, and probably with less wait time.

Hi guys, need some help.

I currently have the Elex running from the CTH+SDAC, looking to get the Asgard 3.
Now my question, how does the 4490 DAC module compare to the SDAC?

Shipping will be about $100 to me. If I want to get a separate DAC from Amazon I will have to pay shipping again, but the shipping amount stays the same if I include the 4490 module or even a separate Modi.

Is the 4490 module worth it compared to other $100 DACS?

Thanx in advance

My 2 cents - based on comments in this thread, and my experience using the multibit DAC in the Asgard 3, the internal DACs are fine. Not great, but fine. Some weaknesses have been reported in terms of volume level seeming lower than with an external DAC. I observed this with my multibit DAC. The main complaint I have with the internal DAC is lack of flexibility. I like having the option to connect with optical or coax. And I like the flexibility of future upgrades that an external DAC provides. You donā€™t necessarily give this flexibility up with the internal DAC, as you can still connect an external DAC. But itā€™s not as easy to sell / upgrade from the internal DAC. For me, I prefer going external, even if the sound quality is identical, as it provides more flexibility at a similar price point. And with the new Modi3+ I donā€™t think thereā€™s any downside to using the external Modi. So I would personally choose an external $100 DAC over the 4490 module. But just my 2 centsā€¦

And how will the new Modi 3+ compare to lets say D10s and E30?

Short answer, I donā€™t know, Iā€™ve not tried the new Modi3+. To my ears the old Modi3 was very similar to the E30. I currently use an E30 with my Asgard3 and I think itā€™s a nice pairing. I especially like the display. Iā€™ve not tried a D10s with the Asgard3. What Iā€™ve found to be a ā€œsurprisinglyā€ enjoyable pairing with the Asgard3 is the Soncoz LA-QXD1. I bought the Soncoz to get a balanced DAC, and decided to try the single ended output on my Asgard3, and I like it. Very detailed, but not harsh. It sounds similar to the E30 (to my ears), maybe a little more detailed if I try to hear a difference. But easily a placebo effect. If you think youā€™ll need balanced in the future, maybe spend the extra money nowā€¦ I kind of wish I had done that.

Awesome, thanx for the info

I would second the separate dac too. Iā€™m using the e30 with my Asgard and love
it. Nice to have the other inputs too, I sometimes use the optical with my tv.

Then its sorted, A3 + E30. Thanx guys

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I can get a JDS EL2 dac for the same price as a E30? Sure the EL 2 is a better dac?

The EL DAC II is $300 new, $250 if you get b-stock from JDS Labs. I would argue itā€™s probably a better DAC, but I donā€™t have the E30 itā€™s more of a guess. Feeding my preamp section of the Element 2 to my power amp I see noticable improvement. But since itā€™s double the price, thatā€™s kind of expected.

If you find a EL DAC II for $150 and it doesnā€™t seem like a scam, I would say jump on it. That would be a incredible deal. But for regular price, I would say the E30 seems a better bang for the buck option. The improvement may not be worth the extra cost.

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The Schiit Modius is also very good - I would say one of, if not the best <$200 DAC, and it will stack perfectly with the A3. The Advantage the Modius offers is that it also has balanced out. Even though the A3 is Single ended you still have options for later if you decide you want to go with or add a balanced amp like the Monoprice Liquid Platinum, or even if you decide to go with some powered studio monitors.

I have an A3 + Modius on one of my desks and it works great. I also have an E30 with an Atom amp in my work-from-home office and that is also good. The EL2 if you can get it for a good price would also be a solid option as @fabiokelm wrote.

The A3 pairs well with just about any DAC in this category, so you have several options and canā€™t really go wrong with whatever you choose.

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