The Schiit Mjolnir is somewhat of a “budget”-statement amplifier. Until Schiit launched the Ragnarok, Mjolnir was their top-of-the-line amplifier. Aggressively priced and impressively specified, it is intended to make most of the competition look, or rather sound, like they are bad value.
Build
The Mjolnir it a fully balanced amplifier using a JFET-transistor input stage and a MOSFET-transistor output stage, implemented in what Schiit calls “Circlotron-style topology”, a more efficient and simplistic design. Don’t ask me what a Ciclotron is, but obviously the design is so simplistic that you even cannot use a normal ¼” TRS plug for your phones, you have to stick with a 4-pin XLR or a dual 3-pin XLR headphone connection. Adding a TRS would make things more complicated, since the two channels would have to share ground, something a fully balanced amplifier do not, and due to the simplistic design, Schiit wouldn’t add more circuits to make way for an unbalanced output. For most headphones you need to get a new cable or modify your existing one. A major trade off for some, but since th 4-pin XLR is becoming more and more accessible, many users won’t really mind.
The Mjolnir is a big headphone amplifier, with a full standard component width. But it is slim and not very deep, so it won’t take up that much shelf- or desk-space. It feels very nice and solid and all the exterior parts seems to have perfect fit and finish. The weight matches the looks, with two nice and heavy rugged transformers, it sits steady in its place. It is dead silent through all of the headphones I used, but from the case itself, there is an audible hum from the transformers. If you are a low level listener sitting closer than two feet in a totally silent room with very open headphones, the hum might bother you. I had the amp 2,5 feet away and it never bothered me.
Sound
After a couple of months with the Mjolnir, and comparing it to several other amps using various headphones I felt I got a grip of the Mjolnir’s main sonic traits. First, it feels like a very neutral amplifier. I don’t really like the term “neutral”, as it obviously lacks subjectivity, but with this amp I feel it is the best word to use. It delivers punch when it shall, it is very detailed, yet slightly smooth sounding. Along with the term “neutral” I also think of the Mjolnir as kind of “flat” sounding. Flat, as in a flat frequency response, which is a good thing, but also “flat” in a less flattering way. The Mjlonir has, in my opinion, a weakness when it comes to soundstage depth. It paints a very wide and open sonic picture, but when it comes to creating the illusion of placing instruments further and further away, it often falls a bit short compared to the more expensive amps I compared it with.
Headphone Pairings
Oomphing out up to 8 Watts (continuous RMS) the Mjolnir should drive any compatible headphone on the planet. The ultimate test of contemporary headphones is the Hifiman HE-6 which many hardcore enthusiasts claim cannot sound to their fullest potential without being plugged into a powerful speaker amp. However, I find the Mjolnir/HE6 to be quite nice. Actually, when I connected HE-6 to the binding posts of my Creek 5350SE 85 Watt speaker amp, I really couldn’t tell much of a difference to the Mjolnir.
I also used the Hifiman HE500, Shure 1840, LCD-3 and Sennheiser HD650. I found them all to work very well with the Mjolnir. Actually, the biggest surprise was how good it sounded with the HD650. Those who claim the HD650 is a veiled headphone should definitely listen to them on the Mjolnir. The Mjolnir also does a very good job with the LCD-3, it definitely doesn’t make these flagship Audezes sound lesser than they deserve.
Amplifier Comparisons
I did pretty extensive comparisons between the Mjolnir and three other amplifiers and have published them as separate reviews. Comparing the Mjolnir and these renowned headphone amplifiers, track by track, headphone by headphone, I describe my subjective findings on the fly.
Compared to the Violectric V200, the Mjolnir is less mellow and more of a detail-pusher. V200 has a pretty big advantage in presenting a deeper soundstage, whilst the Mjolnir paints it wideer. Mjolnir also generally has a tighter grip on the bass. However, the V200’s smooth, yet detailed way of presentation is almost in a league of its own. Read the full Mjolnir vs Violectric V200 review here.
The WA22 balanced tube amplifier has a very nice warm tone and great imaging capabilities. One of my absolute favorites. Compared to the Mjolnir it looses out a bit on the bass, tough. Mjolnir is really having a comparative advantage in the low end registries. Read the full Mjolnir vs Woo Audio WA22 review here
When I brought in the Auralic Taurus (mkI), the Mjolnir suddenly became the relatively smoother sounding one, whilst the Taurus became the detail freak. Taurus combines some of the imaging capabilities of V200 and WA22 with extra pinpoited detail. This is mostly a pro, but sometimes I found the Mjolnir blending the elements of the music into a more of a whole in a more pleasant way. Read the full Mjolnir vs Auralic Taurus mkI review here
Conclusion
All the amplifiers I compared the Mjolnir to are more expensive than the Mjolnir. It might be argued to be unfair. However, Schiit baldly states that the Mjolnir offers “end-game performance for a mid-level price” – and if that holds it should be able to keep up with the extra competition.
The Mjolnir was launched as a budget statement amplifier, and that is exactly what it is. At its price point it seems to be a killer. However, the amplifiers I have compared it to are also widely regarded as among the best in their class, so the fact that I often ended up liking the more expensive amps even a bit more than I liked the Mjolnir isn’t surprising.
I have been thinking hard how to nail Mjolnir in one words, but the more I thought about it, the harder I found it to categorize Mjolnir’s sound. And that might be an indication of it being just simply being an uncolored amplifier, and hence, I end up with the very boring sounding term “neutral”.
In the end, it all boils down to this: The Mjolnir is powerful amplifier with a neutral sound signature that will fit most headphones. Is it a total giant killer? No. It is a very solid performer at a great price.
Pros: Build quality, price, power, neutral sound, no audible self noise through headphones
Cons: Only XLR outputs, other amps have better soundstage depth, transformers has a slight hum.
Associated Equipment:
Source: Squeezebox Touch – Violectric V800, NAD M51
Headphones: Audeze LCD-3, Shure SRH-1840, Sennheiser HD650, Hifiman HE-6, Hifiman HE-500
Manufacturer Specifications
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 2Hz-400KHz, -3dB
Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 8.0W RMS per channel
Maximum Power, 50 ohms: 5.0W RMS per channel
Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 850mW RMS per channel
Maximum Power, 600 ohms: 425mW RMS per channel
THD: <0.006%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS
IMD: <0.008%, CCIR
SNR: >104db, unweighted, referenced to 1V RMS
Crosstalk: >-75dB, 20 Hz-20KHz
Output Impedance: 1.5 ohms
Gain: 8 (18db)
Topology: Fully discrete FET, cross-shunt push-pull Crossfet output stage, no overall feedback, noninverting, single voltage gain stage
Power Supply: specific Circlotron 4-primary output stage transformer with over 65,000uF filter capacitance, plus dedicated transformer for high-voltage asymmetrical discrete-regulated front end stage with 90V/25V rails and over 15,000uf of filter capacitance
Inputs: one pair balanced XLR, one pair single-ended RCAs, choose one
Outputs: one 4-pin balanced female XLR, one pair dual 3-pin female XLR, and one pair male XLR preamp outs
Power Consumption: 45W
Size: 16 x 8.75 x 2.25” (40,5 X 22,2 X 5,7 cm)
Weight: 13 lbs (5,9 kg)
