Oh noā¦
Ships in 1-3 days for the Silver AK4490 all-in-one
2 Likes
Well I suppose it comes down to if having a unit ship in 1-3 days vs 6-8 weeks is worth another $100. Also, I suppose if you were looking for an all in one too.
Loved my A3, it was a game changer for me at the time. Not sure it can be beat to this day for the money.
2 Likes
If someone was just getting started in the hobby and was only going to spend like $100 on some entry-level DAC anyway, I feel like an all-on-one Asgard would be a great recommendation, maybe.
I had a coworker who was talking about spending $550 on the new Airpods Max just to use at his desk, and Iāve been mulling over what I would recommend him at the same price point. Some $200-ish headphone with an Asgard and an AK DAC chip is a pretty strong contender, I think.
2 Likes
It is, only problem is the DAC card a) uses obsolete gen 2 USB and b) has a lower output voltage so unless for aesthetic reasons money might be best spent on an Asgard 3 + whatever 99USD DAC, like the Modi 3+ which has Unison USB and other digital inputs
6 Likes
Yeah the akm dac should be +$50 at most. The multibit is another question but again no modern usb interface and no optical so? Seems like you are way better off not bothering.
OK I have a topping D30 I am using and it is fine. I had a modi 2 as well. I would like to get a replacement for the D30 that is appropriate for the A3. Single ended is fine. $150 - 300 at most.
What should be on the short list. The modious is there but I am not sure it is really that much better then the modi 3+. I mostly use USB so that might make a difference. Seems like maybe the Aune Magic Dac is sort of the top of this range.
Think that is a price range where you wonāt find much improvement for your money
I got an aune X8 and I donāt hear much of an improvement over my Zen DAC, so Iāll sell the X8 and save for something like an ares
If I wonāt find much of an improvement form this kind of DAC Iāll know my music taste and hearing doesnāt need better gear 
I placed an order for Black Asgard 3 + Black Modius on the 28th of July, weāll see how long their rolling backorder isā¦
7 Likes
Is Asgard 3 strong enough for LCD-3?
I understand it is NOT strong enough for HE6, but Jot 2 / Lyr 3 are(yet still not ideally so).
It will be giving them over 1wpc at 110ohm w/101db sensitivity.
Should be plenty.
Oh right. I was looking at the specs for an older model, 93dB, I think it was.
My Black Asgard 3/Modius will be delivered on the 18th, ordered on the 7/28, so thatās MUCH quicker than 6-8 weeks.
Not sure if I got lucky or not.
4 Likes
Silver or Black Chassis?
Black Chassis for both, edited comment.
Nice, I hope you enjoy as much as I did when I got mine!
Was able to test the Nighthawk Carbons on Magni 2/Modi 3 vs Asgard 3/Modius, Iām finding it difficult to describe the difference but thereās a noticable difference in clarity and soundstage. Might be a placebo, as the NHC arenāt difficult to drive I believe. The volume pot and aesthetics alone is worth it.
Very happy with the purchase though, especially with t60rp argonās arriving eventually.
Edit: I need to test more, as iām unsure Iād be able to notice the difference blindfolded. If anyone knows how much of a difference they think itād make on the NHC, please feel free to reply.
2 Likes
I wish I placed my order for the Asgard 3 when I had it in my basket yesterday, The price went up $50 today.
Hey guys, i have received my new stack today Modius / Asgard 3, i am coming from a Modi 3+ / Magni Heresy.
I like the new stack a lot but there is something that i found to be a bit strange. The Asgard has 1w more power than the Heresy at 32ohms, still i have to turn the volume up a lot more in the Asgard comparing to the Heresy, i used to listen to my Heresy with the volume knob right in the 12:00 position and i have to go a lot higher with the Asgard, is this normal? Testing both in high gain mode.
Dang I havehd that happen before with a few things. Wait for a b stock to show up on the site, I canāt even see where the cosmetic damage is on mine.
1 Like
Not a direct comparison with what you are using, but I went from a liquid spark to the A3 an notice I have to have the volume up much higher on the A3. The liquid spark has 1.3w @ 50ohm and the A3 has 2.5 @ 50ohm so I found it odd. I would use the LS in low gain and never really got past noon (usually around 10). Ihave the A3 on high gain and find myself at 12:00-1:00 it seems
1 Like