Just an FYI…my stack that literally started on fire was a Modi 3 Magni 3. Schiit wouldn’t comment on what caused the malfunction…but if you google Schiit Ground Issues, you will be provided with more than enough case examples of this being a common issue…not sure if it is faulty design or manufacturer deteriorization of materials…needless to say, it was enough for me not to ever consider a Schiit product until something about this issue is rectified.
3 Likes
I read up on those grounding issues too. When I first got it I thought there was something off but it turned out to be a ground loop issue than something having to do with the amp itself. I also did a small experiment where I left the thing on 24/7, and so far nothing wrong happened in that period of time. It was warm, sure, but nothing outside what was expected based on reviews about it. I mean there is a smell of hot plastic or something like that if I get really close to it, but again, it seems to be more of the norm, than the exception.
That’s a bit different, you had a ground loop and that can occur for most amps
1 Like
Right, I should be a little more clear on that hold on-
Welps, you just scared me into buying an SU-8. This is all of your fault! Disregard that I was planning on getting one anyways, but you just convinced me to speed up the process. I hate that even saw this post! 
2 Likes
Yeah that’s “for your safety”…
1 Like
All joking aside, it’s appreciated. We all need to look out for each other in this crazy hobby of ours!
1 Like
We know that the regular Modi 3 doesn’t have a power switch. Maybe a separate power supply with on/off switch. Or disable “fast start up” on windows 10, this disables power via usb when pc shuts down.
1 Like
Schiit has had some quality control issues, for sure.
Just a note about not turning schiit offf !! I currently have a Jotunheim, Asgard 3, and a Magni 3+. All of them are in operation on different systems and plugged into UPS backups. In between these I have smart plugs. If by some chance I forget to turn them off before going to bed or whatever. I can use my cellphone to “log in” and turn them off… Just a little piece of mind and EXTREMELY inexpensive to do.
A point to ponder.
1 Like
Happy schiit user here. The headline is most definitely in the “fake news” category and actually very villanizing towards schiit over a few cases of defective hardware, which happens with every manufacturer btw; google “[any popular product] problems” and you’ll get loads of hits. In all of my experience with schiit products (Modi 2 Uber, Magni 3, Fulla 2, x2 SYS, x2 Modi 3) I have had literally zero issues. All were kept on 24/7. Most relevant is the modi 3; I have two in use that have been on for 24/7 for a year now, and there have been zero issues. I just touched both of them and the feel room temp to me. Plain and simple, those who had issues were most likely defective units.
I’m not a schiit shiil, I’m just a satisfied user of their products, and “articles” like the one in the OP are very misleading and full of misinformation.
This entire thread in one sentence:
Even when I talked about AVRs, and said “no one ever shuts their AVR off”… Personally, everything in this room is plugged into an UPS. When everyone is leaving the house, I power off the UPS. So yes, even my AVR is powered off. I repeat:
And being careful means, turn it off when you’re not using it.
Putting the on-off switch on the back of all their units is really stupid, IMO. Actually, that’s probably the main reason why all these problems happened. People just forgot to turn their stuff off, because you can’t even tell if it’s on or off. Or people not caring. Because, why turn anything off anyway? And suddenly, overheating problems, smoke, fire, etc.
At least the new Heresy got a light to show it’s powered on…
1 Like
I had a Magni 3 give a burning smell when I only partially inserted the headphone plug for a few minutes. Apparently shorts something on the board, smelt like the op amp was what shorted when I opened it up.
I let schiit know as I was kind of pissed about this as it happened to my brand new lcd2c, but it still worked and so did the amp. I ended up selling it the next day. The 789 has short protection for just this occurrence.
Anyone know if they fixed it for the new amps?
That is because TRS-plugs when inserting can short out all three contacts.
There is nothing they can fix, except put current sensing before the amp section.
2 Likes
I’d be wary of any amp that could burn down my house because a headphone jack wasn’t fully inserted 
Sound quality would be secondary to safety… but maybe not for some here
i feel more unsure about how i have a magni 3+ now… it gets warm after like an hour of being on and I’m scared it will burn
Any class A, class A/B Amp will get warm, it’s the nature of the beast.
Even class B amps get warm in use.
Even DAC’s get warm if they have a class A,A/B output sections.
Your pumping energy into a box, some of it gets used to make sounds louder, what doesn’t ends up as heat.
I leave all my SS a on 24/7 and I’ve never had a fire, doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
1 Like
I think that’s all amps. There are very few that have a “safety switch” and all assume certain use characteristics (like inserting plugs all the way).
If all we have are a few incidents of this behavior from a company that ships many thousands of units, this is well within defect territory.
I would also like to add some reinforcement to the “it’s designed not to be turned off” theme. Their lower end dacs don’t have power switches. They’re also running mostly on USB power. The switch on the back of their amps also forces users to leave them on more than they should. People treat these devices poorly , for years, yet somehow expect them to behave like German bricks for less than most Chinese equivalent products.
I’ve had problems with lots of equipment. None of it leads me to believe there’s some over arching problem with any of it. If I did have reason to believe there was, writing about it on Reddit clearly won’t help resolve the problem.
Are you saying the liquid spark, jds atom, archel 2 pro, etc. don’t have short protection? I genuinely do not know.
I’m certain the 789 does as I tested it several times myself, and I am told topping amps do too. I would agree this is a defect, but a design defect. I don’t really care how good any Schiit amp sounds if they can all short and blow up over a loose connection.
Liquid Spark has a protection circuit, see pg. 4 of its manual: https://downloads.monoprice.com/files/manuals/33304_Manual_180725.pdf
AFAIK, Cavalli Tube Hybrid and Liquid Platinum have protection circuits as well. Anyways, I don’t think leaving for TRS jack partially inserted for several minutes is a good idea to begin with. Here’s solderdude’s breakdown of the Magni: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/amp-short-protection.6332/post-140988