How are you running them as monoblocks? I just got my first one and never have ran monoblocks before. Do you really need the balanced input to make it as a monoblock?
I recently purchased a Freya + and a Gjallarhorn. I am still within the exchange window and have been worried that I should have gotten the Vidar II. But, for 200 dollars cheaper I could purchase a 2nd Gjallarhorn and run mono... Are you happy with the sound quality? Do they get relatively loud as mono blocks? I have Wharfedale Denton 85th ann. speakers (4 ohms and a claimed 88 dB sensitivity) and don't tend to listen loud, but sometimes like to crank it up a bit. Thanks! (Thanks for the video, Mr. G.!)
@@gabrielgarza863 Monoblock is an amplifier with one output for one channel. For a standard two channel system with two speakers you would use one amplifier per speaker. In the case of this unit, it's a two channel amp that you can bridge to be mono by connecting the pos of one channel and the neg of the other. It's labeled on the back of the amp which one to use.
I just got the Rekkr last week. Loving it so far! It’s in a near field desktop setup. Running from my MacBook Air into an iFi Zen USB DAC / preamp through a Loki EQ. Speakers are the Klipsch RP-160M. Can’t get the volume knob past 12:00 without becoming too loud. It’s completely silent and has more bass dynamics than I thought it was going to. It’s a keeper.
Hi Mike. I am planning to get Magnepan LRS+ speakers. Do you think the Rekkr would deliver? My place is a small apartment, so no high power is needed, just clear pure quality sound.
@@DJVARAO Sorry, just saw this. I have no experience with Magnepans, although would love to get a pair of the LRS+. I'd be afraid that once you get more than 5' or so away, the SPL would really begin to drop off. Even stepping away from my desk and walk to the other side of my desk results in low listening levels.
I'm also running 2 Gjallarhorns as monoblocks feeding into Kef Q150's, also a Jotenheim as a preamp, and currently a Wiim mini as a source for Tidal connect. It's really a great little amp. ^^v
Thanks so much for this review, Steve. I want a Vidar 2, but I just can't afford one right now, so yesterday I ordered a Gjallarhorn. And that was a bit of a leap of faith because there just haven't been very many Gjallarhorn reviews yet. But I'm not worried anymore.
@@randijofabrications I ordered it last Monday along with, unfortunately, a Lokius. I was told they were "waiting for a shipment of Lokius from our Texas branch and are expecting to receive it by the middle of the week." I asked if they could send the Gjallarhorn on ahead without waiting for the Lokius, and was told no. The middle of the week came and went, and I never heard another word from Schiit. So I emailed them again today, and was told that my order "will ship tomorrow once the shipment is received." At this point, I'll believe it when I see it. And meanwhile I don't have a working stereo because I already sold my previous amp.
@@randijofabrications so it finally arrived last Friday. It sounds pretty good with my old speakers, which are Polk Monitor Series M4.6 (90dB, 8 Ohms, $20 at a yard sale 15 years ago). But it's pretty obvious that I need better speakers now, so I'm going to get a pair of RSL CG5s (86 dB, 6 or 8 Ohms). They're less sensitive than the Polks, but based on Steve's review I should be fine. And if not, I can always get a second Gjallarhorn. EDIT: The Freya/Gjallarhorn combo works really well with my new RSLs. There's more than enough power, regardless of which output stage the Freya is using. There's absolutely no need to get a second Ghorn and run them as monoblocks. Sounds amazing.
I think this review saved me from buying a Rekkr to go with the B1+s I have as my desktop speakers. I'd consider the Gjallarhorn except I really wanted something that would stack with my Magni and Modi. So I think for now I'll stick with what I have. Thanks for the honesty (and for testing the exact setup I was considering)!
My Rekkr arrived today..when I get home later I'll set it up..using LFD passive pre into icon audio mfv 6 speakers ( all LFD cabling ) I already have a amptastic amp ( fab in power amp mode ) a bantam stealth power amp and a kingrex T20u ( kingrex will be my retirement amp..) I'll report back in due course
Thanks Steve for the review. I would have loved it had you also used the Zu DW 6’s that you recently reviewed in the demo. Seems to me that the Gjallarhorn and the DW 6’s might be a great combo. Thanks again.
I'm so glad these amplifiers exist. They are nothing I personally would need, with my maggies the Vidar is at its limits. But for many people on a tight budget in search of a power amplifier, these are really attractive, as, as far as I am aware, there is next to no competition except some class d amps and diy solutions out there. And with a five year warranty from schiit I would have no hesitation to recommend these amplifiers without even hearing them.
Steve at some point in time could you please review the sound of two Gjallarhorns in Mono mode against the sound of the Vidar 2 or Aegir. Thanks (love your work)
This combo (Rekkr & Spektor 1) didn't work for me at all, with the Spektor 1s on my desk the volume was too low, even for casual listening. I tried both line-out on my MacBook Air M1 and an Apple USB-C dongle -> Schiit Rekkr -> Spektor 1s.
Your review gave me the confidence to order it last week. I'm super happy with the Gjallarhon. I can't believe how well it is working with my Triangle Celius 202 floor standing speakers! It comes pretty close to my Musical Paradise MP-301 tube amp.
I used to be low-power-amp-phobic. Then I used a decibel meter and VU meter and learned that my average listening level is below 70db and that, even at my absolute loudest listening levels, I never go above single digit wattages. I've been using and loving "low power" amps ever since with zero worries or regrets. Based on witnessing tons of other people's listening habits and preferences over the years, I'd wager most people's stereos almost never see the far side of 10 watts.
Impressive review, just ordered the Gjallarhorn, using Polk ES10’s for bedroom listening…very happy! Other system including Magnius Modius raspberry pi Advanced Transporter to remote ROON ROCK.
We live in great times for lower-priced stereo equipment, which can "really" rival and provide a wonderful listening experience to that of more expensive equipment (particularly IMO, when placed in smaller spaces/ compromised room acoustics, which is what many of us have, including me)
Steve!!! I love your audio videos and I am sure that many others including me would love to know how you started to review audio. Your a one of a kind. Your videos are so entertaining and so interesting. Fantastic job!!
I just got the G-horn in a few days ago. Desktop listening using a Modi DAC and laptop. I was impressed with the sound quality. Going to be a joy working a new job that starts next week. Rock and roll. Very good review. Keep up the good work. 🤘🏼🎸🤘🏼
Yeah. My Schiit breakthrough happened just today, too. I have just the Magni 3, and I didn't like its sound. I was using headphones almost exclusively, and I don't really like what the Magni 3 does with them. But for a few weeks, I'm trying with speakers, too. These are more like old, cheap, low end speakers. They sound rather bassy, boomy, and I didn't get them to sound good, not even with EQ. But today I had put the Magni 3 as a preamp, before the power amp. I thought that maybe its leaner sound will affect the whole sound good. And it did ! It made the system to sound much leaner, less boomy but detailed, faster and punchy. Which is a miracle with those lazy speakers. It seems basically to save my system. The Magni 3 is a system saver. (The bad thing, that I can use only the headphone output, 'cause probably an electrostatic discharge killed one side of the preamp out on my Magni 3. But in the headphone output, it's still much leaner than all my other preamps.)
@Pete Wergin Surprising. I have an ACA I built last year. While it sounds great, I'd say the bass presence is its biggest weakness. Which schiit amp do have? Are you running in dual mono?
I’ve got the Gjallorhorn running as a single stereo amp. I’ve tested both using high efficiency single driver speakers. No question, with an easy impedance load, the ACA has more control.
Remember, an amps bass response and even its sound is very dependent on what speakers it’s paired with. One amp may sound incredible with one set of speakers and mediocre with another. Synergy is very important.
Yep they definitely need a tube pre/class d hybrid with a built-in dac. For vinyl listeners all they'd have to do was plug a phono pre into it and you've got a completely system with the ability to upgrade your vinyl rig or upgrade your digital rig if you choose
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 And a built in phono! The Heaven 11 Billie MKII is exact just that and the reviews are amazing, I just know Schiit audio can do something just like that also!
Watching the video now. My first thought before the video is that you need to compare this to the ACA Mini by Nelson Pass! Still waiting for you to review it...😅 I thought it would be an interesting review considering you reviewed the ACA.
Amusing you paired the Gjallarhorn with the RP-600M for this review. I picked up the RPs back in October for near field use on my computer. Last night I ended up ordering a Gjallarhorn to replace a old Sony ES amp that is starting to have some issues. I’m really looking forward to arrival of the amp now. Thanks for the review.
James uh ... all mono blocks are different! These Pure Audio are using Eminence woofers with uh, you know, 'car audio speaker driver motors' but I'd recommend old, auction sourced Realistic Minimus-7 with any new sub-woofer. In the US, the old 1990 year Hitachi SUB-700 is rarer than hen's teeth but it's the best, it's all we'd ever need. The other thing is ... let's assume your amplifier and speaker are an ideal match, then you have to get an input that runs with that set! You know, that is very difficult to achieve? But I'd say Realistic Minimus-7 have that wonderful Auto-sound, in car tonal balance, the punchy bass and soft, floating high frequencies. So if Pure Audio achieve that auto-sound tone then all we need is other, car audio standard inputs. You know - try Pioneer, or whoever makes Car Audio CD players etc.
Hi Steve i just brought the Gjallarhorn thanks to your reveiw here in Australia, its connected to the Schiit modi+ dac I'm running Klipsch r51m speakers thank you its a great amp.
I'd like say to help Steve and yourself by debunking the idea of speaker sensitivity as applied in Steve's review this time. It's all very well to compare a 95dB and 86db speaker and flatter the amplifier but Steve is just playing and then saying, hey I had a good time! Speaker sensitivity is one electrical factor and it's very much linked in with many others that Steve is just not thinking about, how useful is this review to a consumer? It's no use. Because as Villchur pointed out there's stable and shifting impedance and you know, x-over issues, power rating, size of drivers, size of room, size of voice coils. What does 86db tell us if we neglect relative impedance and its character? It tells us nothing. Steve found they were very similar.
The Rekkr in mono has a ~6W output, so you get 12W for 2 Rekkrs versus ~40W for 1 Gjallarhorn in Stereo mode, so the latter is a better deal. The Rekkrs have very low distortion but both amps are not specd for 4 ohm speakers which is always a risk.
Steve, you made me spend money again... I'm still trying to decide if I like the Gjallarhorn better than my little SPUD kit amp. I'm going to give this Schiit a week or so to decide. (I'm saving the box in case I stick with the SPUD.) Years ago, I owned a Decware Zen, it was really good. I still use the Omega 3's that I ran with it. Thank you for another great review!
The funny thing about Watts, is that an amps "measurement" is not a decisive "stamp" for how muscular and potent it is. At least not in my experience, as i own the top of the line, Lavardin - Pre/Mono amplifiers. They put out 56 w each, and do drive, most of what is out there. I'm not an expert, when it comes to circuits, inside "stuff", and so forth But i did believe (in the old days), that the more watts, the better it sounds. What a statement that was 😂 I'm now +35 years into this crazy beloved passion, for sound and music in my life, and feel kind of "getting there", with my system and myself, and that is some kind of a task for me. I owned my amps and speakers, for 8 years, and when u live with the center of what i call a system, u really get to know that sound, and it comforts me. ✌️❤️🇩🇰
i own a rekkr and two horns that i mono. the rekkr sounds absolutely amazing, it doesn't get loud, but it sounds brilliant. i'm going to order another R so i can lie to people when they come listen. I'm going to show them a big fancy amp and keep the little rekkr's actually doing the work, and then giggle while they talk about how amazing it sounds.
If you do not listen very loud to very dynamic music only a few watts are needed. I own the 10W SMSL VMV A1 and a 8W 300B tube amps with RP600M and Harbeth SHl5 speakers. No problems and fantastic sound
Hey Steve! I get the utility of low power. These days though, underplaying the role of power headroom in low distortion music reproduction is quite common. Being able to play high dynamic music without clipping distortion is key. There is alot to be said for the effortless quality of well-powered amps reproducing dynamic music. Sure price is an issue. Just sayin’!
Thanks, I see your point. But where is this high dynamic music you're referring to?? Most music is very compressed, please share some of your favorite high dynamic recordings.
I think that Schiit might have an issue with internal competition between the products. They have done this before with their headphone amplifiers. Consider the first Vidar, barely above 81 dB THD+N, which the Vidar 2 improves to ~ 88dB, almost as good as the Aegir 93 dB. By far the power cost efficiency favors the Vidar 2 ($4 per watt versus $20 per watt for the Aegir) The Gjallarhorns are in the same neighborhood at ~90 dB but the cost efficiency is as high as the Aegir ($20 /W) but with higher distortion. Clearly the Vidar 2 is the best proposition at all volume settings. There are integrated amplifiers out there (Yamaha and Sony) that cost in the neighborhood of single Gjallarhorn, without having to go into class-D amplification.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac HI Steve, I enjoyed the video. Well Amazon has the Yamaha A-S301BL and the Sony STRDH190 2-ch amps. They are probably equivalent or less than the Gjallarhorn in sound quality. Back when I got started I was going to get a Yamaha integrated, but based on your recommendation I tried the Aegir and never looked back!
I did see a comment somewhere that said something like "no, two Gjallarhorns do not equal one Vidar." But I'll be skeptical until I see some other people say it too.
If you look at the specs on the distortion curves on the Schiit site, the Gjallarhorn in mono outperforms in THD compared to the Vidar 2, and only a difference of 40W in total power. However Gjallarhorns in mono are unstable with 4 ohm speakers, which a single Vidar 2 wouldn't have.
You’ll probably get better imaging / separation, but you won’t get the dynamic impact that comes from more watts. Unless your speaker is 90db+ then maybe.
I always find it funny how we respond differently to different things but was taken a little aback by your dislike/sourness(?) to the national's music, especially when I'm still so in the honeymoon phase by their last albums. However, I've been reading you and now watching you for quite some time now and it really isn't surprising that they're not your cup of tea, and I'll venture that it's perhaps to do with it being too languidly melancholy? And since I'm venturing so much waffle (it always benefits the Algorithm Lord anyway) I'll also throw in that it's probably because you come across as keener on pursuing a happier time than diving into the depths of gloom :D Did I get anything remotely right? lol great video and vibes as always! Thanks
Sadly Schiit is much to expensive in EU. At the same price point or cheaper as Gjalarhorn you can get AB integrated amplifiers with 35-45W output power per speaker.
I have an Aegier with a class-A type topology that Schiit calls "continuity" because it kind-of extends the class-A biasing. It sounds lovely. Schiit describes the ghorn topology as "Continuity S", but Steve G. and other reviewers have just called it class A-B. Does anyone have any specific insight on what Schiit means by Contunity S?
Coll but I think getting two Gjallarhorns at $600 makes the Vidar a better choice for most folks in the sub 90db average room.Have heard good things about Lyr+ and this would do well with high sensitivity but like Jotuheim no damn remote.It's always something
My Schiit Asgard came on Tuesday and it is really a great headphone amp. Needs to break in, but it can drive any set of "cans" I have here. I will buy the $300 Schiit amp in two weeks after the Asgard is broken in. My new little listening room is 13 x 13 and I have two headphone stations, plus my computer system with a Steinberg US22 interface. My little JBL 3-way book shelve speakers are 86 db efficient so the Gjallarhorn should drive them loud enough as I am sitting about 6-7 feet away when not using my headphones. I have two other Schiit headphone amps and their $99 dac I use to improve the sound of my Denon Carousel Cd player that is by the bed for sleepless nights and my AT-ATH 50X cans.
My Gjallarhorn came today and even without any hours on it, I really like it with my Asgard headphone amp/preamp. Some say: go large or go home. Well, I've gone small and like it.
@@awboat Won’t match my other silver Schiit stuff. Last thing I need is the stench of paint in my room when the amps heat up. Schiit should up charge if the cost to produce silver is more than the black. Not very smart marketing. Oh, well.
I have a Gjallarhorn with a Lyr 2 up front feeding into Royd The Herald 86 sensitivity speakers in a small room set up and it’s a great sound for me particularly in high gain.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Steve, thank you. I have a few pairs of Royd speakers and love them all. Slightly embarrassed to say I was very happy with the stock tubes I understood my Lyr2 had according to the seller until I examined them yesterday and discovered they are actually Electro Harmonix 6922’s.
What amp/receiver would you recommend to pull double duty for music & movies as my Marrantz is starting to show it's age. Im not interested in surround as I only run 2 channels for movies. My speakers are the klipsch RP-8000F's, the turntable is a Marantz TT-15S1. My room is approx 25' x 15'. I listen to everything except country and music absolutely takes priority over movies. I will say I prefer a warmer sound especially when paired with the Klipsch. Thanks a lot...much love from Jersey
Really curious about using a single Gjallarhorn for my Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2s. My "loud" threshold before I'm really uncomfortable is about 90dB. Think the Gjallarhorn is capable?
I just got that exact combo set up in the last few weeks. Running through a Saga + with a Rega P1 Turntable. "Loud" requires pointing the volume past 3pm. Methinks the Elac's are a tad inefficient, but the sound is sweet and satisfying. Haven't connected anything digital yet, soon to come.
I have a Pioneer DJM 450 mixer I run my twin Pioneer PLX 500 TTs. The DJM 450 has XLR balanced outputs. How would G-Horns as mono blocks connecting my subwoofer through the RCA outputs. Currently in am using the Aiyima 080 Pro which has been a mighty little (cheap) amp.
Always liked the Schiit stuff, but over here in Europe, it's just not a viable option anymore. Recently I was looking at a new headphone amp and the Magnius looked very promising. But the 199 dollar becomes 329 euro.
I finally received my Decware Zen Triode a few months ago (after waiting about 18 months) and it's just fantastic with the OG RP600M. I think you'll find it's well worth the wait!
Good evening from San Antonio, Texas!!! I enjoy seeing your shows with my person. He’s an extreme vintage- almost current vinyl collector. He is interested in selling his collection. Where can I help him start? Thank you in advance.
No, LRS needs lots of power, Vidar 2 is a good starting point. That's 200 W per channel into 4 ohms. Schiit doesn't spec a 4 ohm rating for mono Gjallahorns.
I picked up a Rekkr for desktop use, but just for Schiits and giggles I tried it in place of my main amp, an Onkyo A-9150 which is the all-discrete bigger brother of the A-9110 that Steve previously reviewed. With my Klipsch RP-160Ms the Rekkr had plenty of juice for my home office and sounded pretty good. It’s a little mellower than the Onkyo and a touch fuzzier in the details but on the whole, it’s much closer than I expected. Now I want to hear the Rekkr with a pair of Heresys. Anyone have an extra pair they’d like to send me? 🙃
My Linn Intek integrated amplifier from 1990 was rated at 50 wpc into 8 ohms. Julian Hirsch in Stereo Review tested it as doing 220 wpc dynamic power into 2 ohms. It drove the begeesus out of my Martin-Logan Sequels, an electrostatic hybrid. Great combination 😊
Nice headphone amps. Just kidding. When going flee watt for nearfield speaker play, it is probably best to stretch to small tube amps as they distort in a much more pleasing manner when slightly taxed.
What about heating with Ls50 ? Have an oportunity to get Wharfedale Linton, for a very good price. And I was thinking of a dual mono Gjallarhorn driving them, :)
Please don't! They're power hungry & low efficiency. 100w minimum. No class D. Unless you like a thin bright sound? These amps are for near field listening on higher efficiency speakers. Try Vidar ? 🎶😉🎶
@@991carreras3 I don't think that's right. Most of it IS made here, including their circuit boards. Exceptions are kept to a minimum, and include things like wall-warts and of course the Gjallarhorn's toroidal transformer. The company is very open about this.
I read the book Schiit Happened by co-founder Jason Stoddard. He spends a lot of time discussing how he designs, sources, and assembles products using as many domestic components as possible, including pc boards and the metal chassis. In short, he says there is still competitive manufacturing in the US if you care enough to look for it!
@Mike Hiteshew wow I must have two Schiit Chinese counterfeit models cause one has panasonic film caps in it and the other unit has Japanese Nichicon capacitors.
I'm really enjoying my Gjallarhorns run as monoblocks through my KLH Model 5's. Using a Freya N preamp. Happy to answer any questions too.
Running two 'horns in the same config. Topping e50 > 'horn + 'horn > Emotiva t2+ (i switch between having them mono and bi-amping, for funzies)
How are you running them as monoblocks? I just got my first one and never have ran monoblocks before. Do you really need the balanced input to make it as a monoblock?
I recently purchased a Freya + and a Gjallarhorn. I am still within the exchange window and have been worried that I should have gotten the Vidar II. But, for 200 dollars cheaper I could purchase a 2nd Gjallarhorn and run mono... Are you happy with the sound quality? Do they get relatively loud as mono blocks? I have Wharfedale Denton 85th ann. speakers (4 ohms and a claimed 88 dB sensitivity) and don't tend to listen loud, but sometimes like to crank it up a bit. Thanks!
(Thanks for the video, Mr. G.!)
Would love to hear the improvement or difference in running the Gjallarhorns mono.
@@gabrielgarza863 Monoblock is an amplifier with one output for one channel. For a standard two channel system with two speakers you would use one amplifier per speaker. In the case of this unit, it's a two channel amp that you can bridge to be mono by connecting the pos of one channel and the neg of the other. It's labeled on the back of the amp which one to use.
I just got the Rekkr last week. Loving it so far! It’s in a near field desktop setup. Running from my MacBook Air into an iFi Zen USB DAC / preamp through a Loki EQ. Speakers are the Klipsch RP-160M. Can’t get the volume knob past 12:00 without becoming too loud. It’s completely silent and has more bass dynamics than I thought it was going to. It’s a keeper.
Hi Mike. I am planning to get Magnepan LRS+ speakers. Do you think the Rekkr would deliver? My place is a small apartment, so no high power is needed, just clear pure quality sound.
@@DJVARAO Sorry, just saw this. I have no experience with Magnepans, although would love to get a pair of the LRS+. I'd be afraid that once you get more than 5' or so away, the SPL would really begin to drop off. Even stepping away from my desk and walk to the other side of my desk results in low listening levels.
I'm also running 2 Gjallarhorns as monoblocks feeding into Kef Q150's, also a Jotenheim as a preamp, and currently a Wiim mini as a source for Tidal connect. It's really a great little amp. ^^v
Any benefit vs 1x vidar2? Thanks!!
Thanks so much for this review, Steve.
I want a Vidar 2, but I just can't afford one right now, so yesterday I ordered a Gjallarhorn. And that was a bit of a leap of faith because there just haven't been very many Gjallarhorn reviews yet. But I'm not worried anymore.
How's the Gjallarhorn working out for you?
@@randijofabrications I ordered it last Monday along with, unfortunately, a Lokius. I was told they were "waiting for a shipment of Lokius from our Texas branch and are expecting to receive it by the middle of the week." I asked if they could send the Gjallarhorn on ahead without waiting for the Lokius, and was told no.
The middle of the week came and went, and I never heard another word from Schiit. So I emailed them again today, and was told that my order "will ship tomorrow once the shipment is received."
At this point, I'll believe it when I see it. And meanwhile I don't have a working stereo because I already sold my previous amp.
@@zounds13 Ouch. Hope it comes soon for you!
@@randijofabrications LOL thanks.
@@randijofabrications so it finally arrived last Friday. It sounds pretty good with my old speakers, which are Polk Monitor Series M4.6 (90dB, 8 Ohms, $20 at a yard sale 15 years ago). But it's pretty obvious that I need better speakers now, so I'm going to get a pair of RSL CG5s (86 dB, 6 or 8 Ohms). They're less sensitive than the Polks, but based on Steve's review I should be fine. And if not, I can always get a second Gjallarhorn.
EDIT: The Freya/Gjallarhorn combo works really well with my new RSLs. There's more than enough power, regardless of which output stage the Freya is using. There's absolutely no need to get a second Ghorn and run them as monoblocks. Sounds amazing.
I think this review saved me from buying a Rekkr to go with the B1+s I have as my desktop speakers. I'd consider the Gjallarhorn except I really wanted something that would stack with my Magni and Modi. So I think for now I'll stick with what I have.
Thanks for the honesty (and for testing the exact setup I was considering)!
My Rekkr arrived today..when I get home later I'll set it up..using LFD passive pre into icon audio mfv 6 speakers ( all LFD cabling ) I already have a amptastic amp ( fab in power amp mode ) a bantam stealth power amp and a kingrex T20u ( kingrex will be my retirement amp..) I'll report back in due course
Thanks Steve for the review. I would have loved it had you also used the Zu DW 6’s that you recently reviewed in the demo. Seems to me that the Gjallarhorn and the DW 6’s might be a great combo. Thanks again.
I'm so glad these amplifiers exist. They are nothing I personally would need, with my maggies the Vidar is at its limits. But for many people on a tight budget in search of a power amplifier, these are really attractive, as, as far as I am aware, there is next to no competition except some class d amps and diy solutions out there. And with a five year warranty from schiit I would have no hesitation to recommend these amplifiers without even hearing them.
Steve at some point in time could you please review the sound of two Gjallarhorns in Mono mode against the sound of the Vidar 2 or Aegir. Thanks (love your work)
Good choice in music, today (3/21) being J.S. Bach’s birthday. He is 338 years old today.
The Rekker with Dali Spektor 1 in near field is very good with good bass and plenty loud. No clipping experienced to date.
This combo (Rekkr & Spektor 1) didn't work for me at all, with the Spektor 1s on my desk the volume was too low, even for casual listening. I tried both line-out on my MacBook Air M1 and an Apple USB-C dongle -> Schiit Rekkr -> Spektor 1s.
Your review gave me the confidence to order it last week. I'm super happy with the Gjallarhon. I can't believe how well it is working with my Triangle Celius 202 floor standing speakers! It comes pretty close to my Musical Paradise MP-301 tube amp.
Thanks for reviewing the Rekkr. I collect miniatures so I just had to have it.
Hi, what other miniature amps do you have? I have five so far
I used to be low-power-amp-phobic. Then I used a decibel meter and VU meter and learned that my average listening level is below 70db and that, even at my absolute loudest listening levels, I never go above single digit wattages. I've been using and loving "low power" amps ever since with zero worries or regrets. Based on witnessing tons of other people's listening habits and preferences over the years, I'd wager most people's stereos almost never see the far side of 10 watts.
I wish. I really wish. I still like to listen way too loud.
Huh? What'd you say???
nice to finally see a review of rekkr. I've got some BNIB Klipsch RB61 (95db) to be powered by an inbound Rekkr for some Den listening while at work
Impressive review, just ordered the Gjallarhorn, using Polk ES10’s for bedroom listening…very happy! Other system including Magnius Modius raspberry pi Advanced Transporter to remote ROON ROCK.
We live in great times for lower-priced stereo equipment, which can "really" rival and provide a wonderful listening experience to that of more expensive equipment (particularly IMO, when placed in smaller spaces/ compromised room acoustics, which is what many of us have, including me)
Totally agree, we're experiencing another Golden Age in audio.
Thanks Steve! I have been eagerly awaiting your review. Really enjoyed this one.
Steve!!! I love your audio videos and I am sure that many others including me would love to know how you started to review audio. Your a one of a kind. Your videos are so entertaining and so interesting. Fantastic job!!
With near-field listening, the Gjallerhorn surprised me by how good it sounded. But at 10 watts per channel, don’t expect to rock the house.
well played with the Dan Tepfer - his Inventions / Reinventions is one of my recent favs - nice review steve
I just got the G-horn in a few days ago. Desktop listening using a Modi DAC and laptop. I was impressed with the sound quality. Going to be a joy working a new job that starts next week. Rock and roll. Very good review. Keep up the good work. 🤘🏼🎸🤘🏼
Yep, that's the schiit sound you can never forget.
Yeah.
My Schiit breakthrough happened just today, too.
I have just the Magni 3, and I didn't like its sound.
I was using headphones almost exclusively,
and I don't really like what the Magni 3 does with them.
But for a few weeks, I'm trying with speakers, too.
These are more like old, cheap, low end speakers.
They sound rather bassy, boomy, and I didn't get them
to sound good, not even with EQ.
But today I had put the Magni 3 as a preamp,
before the power amp.
I thought that maybe its leaner sound will affect
the whole sound good.
And it did !
It made the system to sound much leaner, less boomy
but detailed, faster and punchy.
Which is a miracle with those lazy speakers.
It seems basically to save my system.
The Magni 3 is a system saver.
(The bad thing, that I can use only the headphone output,
'cause probably an electrostatic discharge killed
one side of the preamp out on my Magni 3.
But in the headphone output, it's still much leaner
than all my other preamps.)
I'd really like to see another comparison with these in dual mono setups. Maybe also if you could compare with the ACA too!
I’ve got both. I actually prefer the ACA. Smoother, better soundstage and better control in the bass. The Schiit is a decent amp though for the money.
@Pete Wergin Surprising. I have an ACA I built last year. While it sounds great, I'd say the bass presence is its biggest weakness. Which schiit amp do have? Are you running in dual mono?
I’ve got the Gjallorhorn running as a single stereo amp. I’ve tested both using high efficiency single driver speakers. No question, with an easy impedance load, the ACA has more control.
@@petew01 Thank you for the comparison!
Remember, an amps bass response and even its sound is very dependent on what speakers it’s paired with. One amp may sound incredible with one set of speakers and mediocre with another. Synergy is very important.
Solid recommendation with Dan Tepfer - musically and sonically.
I've been waiting for this review!
My first piece of Schiit gear is the Valhalla2 headphone amp/preamp, and it is awesome! Also impressed with the Snake Oil cables.
I dig your style, dude! Thank you for all of the reviews.
I adore Schiit audio! Dear Schiit, if you are listening, PLEASE design and create a hybrid amp!
They do have a hybrid. Just add a freya or saga or tube headphone amp 😉
@@seanb3303 No, I am wanting an integrated hybrid amp. One chassis design
@@greggb681 the answer i gave you is from Schiit. They want people to buy multiple boxes because they already have too many SKU’s
Yep they definitely need a tube pre/class d hybrid with a built-in dac.
For vinyl listeners all they'd have to do was plug a phono pre into it and you've got a completely system with the ability to upgrade your vinyl rig or upgrade your digital rig if you choose
@@crazyprayingmantis5596 And a built in phono! The Heaven 11 Billie MKII is exact just that and the reviews are amazing, I just know Schiit audio can do something just like that also!
Watching the video now. My first thought before the video is that you need to compare this to the ACA Mini by Nelson Pass! Still waiting for you to review it...😅
I thought it would be an interesting review considering you reviewed the ACA.
Amusing you paired the Gjallarhorn with the RP-600M for this review. I picked up the RPs back in October for near field use on my computer. Last night I ended up ordering a Gjallarhorn to replace a old Sony ES amp that is starting to have some issues. I’m really looking forward to arrival of the amp now. Thanks for the review.
I was hoping for a mono block review and with the Pure Audio open baffle speakers as mono blocks and single.
James uh ... all mono blocks are different! These Pure Audio are using Eminence woofers with uh, you know, 'car audio speaker driver motors' but I'd recommend old, auction sourced Realistic Minimus-7 with any new sub-woofer. In the US, the old 1990 year Hitachi SUB-700 is rarer than hen's teeth but it's the best, it's all we'd ever need. The other thing is ... let's assume your amplifier and speaker are an ideal match, then you have to get an input that runs with that set! You know, that is very difficult to achieve? But I'd say Realistic Minimus-7 have that wonderful Auto-sound, in car tonal balance, the punchy bass and soft, floating high frequencies. So if Pure Audio achieve that auto-sound tone then all we need is other, car audio standard inputs. You know - try Pioneer, or whoever makes Car Audio CD players etc.
Hi Steve i just brought the Gjallarhorn thanks to your reveiw here in Australia, its connected to the Schiit modi+ dac I'm running Klipsch r51m speakers thank you its a great amp.
That's great, enjoy!
Great video as usual! You should review the SMSL VMV A1 to change brand in that "small" amps category:)
I'd like say to help Steve and yourself by debunking the idea of speaker sensitivity as applied in Steve's review this time. It's all very well to compare a 95dB and 86db speaker and flatter the amplifier but Steve is just playing and then saying, hey I had a good time! Speaker sensitivity is one electrical factor and it's very much linked in with many others that Steve is just not thinking about, how useful is this review to a consumer? It's no use. Because as Villchur pointed out there's stable and shifting impedance and you know, x-over issues, power rating, size of drivers, size of room, size of voice coils. What does 86db tell us if we neglect relative impedance and its character? It tells us nothing. Steve found they were very similar.
Fantastic review, Steve!
I wish you would have tried the Rekkr in mono vs the Gjallahorn. I imagine a lot of people would be curious about that comparison.
The Rekkr in mono has a ~6W output, so you get 12W for 2 Rekkrs versus ~40W for 1 Gjallarhorn in Stereo mode, so the latter is a better deal. The Rekkrs have very low distortion but both amps are not specd for 4 ohm speakers which is always a risk.
Steve, you made me spend money again... I'm still trying to decide if I like the Gjallarhorn better than my little SPUD kit amp. I'm going to give this Schiit a week or so to decide. (I'm saving the box in case I stick with the SPUD.) Years ago, I owned a Decware Zen, it was really good. I still use the Omega 3's that I ran with it. Thank you for another great review!
The funny thing about Watts, is that an amps "measurement" is not a decisive "stamp" for how muscular and potent it is. At least not in my experience, as i own the top of the line, Lavardin - Pre/Mono amplifiers.
They put out 56 w each, and do drive, most of what is out there.
I'm not an expert, when it comes to circuits, inside "stuff", and so forth
But i did believe (in the old days), that the more watts, the better it sounds.
What a statement that was 😂
I'm now +35 years into this crazy beloved passion, for sound and music in my life, and feel kind of "getting there", with my system and myself, and that is some kind of a task for me.
I owned my amps and speakers, for 8 years, and when u live with the center of what i call a system, u really get to know that sound, and it comforts me.
✌️❤️🇩🇰
i own a rekkr and two horns that i mono. the rekkr sounds absolutely amazing, it doesn't get loud, but it sounds brilliant. i'm going to order another R so i can lie to people when they come listen. I'm going to show them a big fancy amp and keep the little rekkr's actually doing the work, and then giggle while they talk about how amazing it sounds.
Robert Kennedy to Sam Giancana: "I Thought Only Little Girls Giggled" (June 1959).
Waiting for the high end "Excrement" editions to drop....
🎶😅🎶
Wonder how these 2 compare with the diy class a Pass ACA when played as pair of monoblocks
If you do not listen very loud to very dynamic music only a few watts are needed. I own the 10W SMSL VMV A1 and a 8W 300B tube amps with RP600M and Harbeth SHl5 speakers. No problems and fantastic sound
Schiit amps... Yeah , yeah we like them.... But that shirt!! Now that is something this audiophile can get excited about!
Curious if it were to be compared to the Camp Amp amplifier by Nelson Pass.
Hey Steve! I get the utility of low power. These days though, underplaying the role of power headroom in low distortion music reproduction is quite common. Being able to play high dynamic music without clipping distortion is key. There is alot to be said for the effortless quality of well-powered amps reproducing dynamic music. Sure price is an issue. Just sayin’!
Thanks, I see your point. But where is this high dynamic music you're referring to?? Most music is very compressed, please share some of your favorite high dynamic recordings.
Well, for instance, Chandos SACD classical discs.
I have the rare elusive Magni x Piety and a Modi Multibit 2. Must aquire rekkr.
Can't have that much Schitt around 😂
I think that Schiit might have an issue with internal competition between the products. They have done this before with their headphone amplifiers. Consider the first Vidar, barely above 81 dB THD+N, which the Vidar 2 improves to ~ 88dB, almost as good as the Aegir 93 dB. By far the power cost efficiency favors the Vidar 2 ($4 per watt versus $20 per watt for the Aegir) The Gjallarhorns are in the same neighborhood at ~90 dB but the cost efficiency is as high as the Aegir ($20 /W) but with higher distortion. Clearly the Vidar 2 is the best proposition at all volume settings. There are integrated amplifiers out there (Yamaha and Sony) that cost in the neighborhood of single Gjallarhorn, without having to go into class-D amplification.
Thanks for watching, could you please tell me the models of the $300 lass AB Yamaha and Sony receivers?
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac HI Steve, I enjoyed the video. Well Amazon has the Yamaha A-S301BL and the Sony STRDH190 2-ch amps. They are probably equivalent or less than the Gjallarhorn in sound quality. Back when I got started I was going to get a Yamaha integrated, but based on your recommendation I tried the Aegir and never looked back!
I wish we knew how the Gjallarhorn would compare as monoblocks vs Vidar
I did see a comment somewhere that said something like "no, two Gjallarhorns do not equal one Vidar." But I'll be skeptical until I see some other people say it too.
Second!
If you look at the specs on the distortion curves on the Schiit site, the Gjallarhorn in mono outperforms in THD compared to the Vidar 2, and only a difference of 40W in total power. However Gjallarhorns in mono are unstable with 4 ohm speakers, which a single Vidar 2 wouldn't have.
You’ll probably get better imaging / separation, but you won’t get the dynamic impact that comes from more watts. Unless your speaker is 90db+ then maybe.
I always find it funny how we respond differently to different things but was taken a little aback by your dislike/sourness(?) to the national's music, especially when I'm still so in the honeymoon phase by their last albums. However, I've been reading you and now watching you for quite some time now and it really isn't surprising that they're not your cup of tea, and I'll venture that it's perhaps to do with it being too languidly melancholy? And since I'm venturing so much waffle (it always benefits the Algorithm Lord anyway) I'll also throw in that it's probably because you come across as keener on pursuing a happier time than diving into the depths of gloom :D
Did I get anything remotely right? lol
great video and vibes as always!
Thanks
Sadly Schiit is much to expensive in EU. At the same price point or cheaper as Gjalarhorn you can get AB integrated amplifiers with 35-45W output power per speaker.
Thanks Steve! I'm still a fan of my little Vista Spark 2 that you recommended a while ago.
Any similarities?
I would like to see the Gjallarhorn compared to the Emotiva BasX A2m.
I have an Aegier with a class-A type topology that Schiit calls "continuity" because it kind-of extends the class-A biasing. It sounds lovely.
Schiit describes the ghorn topology as "Continuity S", but Steve G. and other reviewers have just called it class A-B.
Does anyone have any specific insight on what Schiit means by Contunity S?
It’s Schiit’s take on class A …I have an aegir too but hard pass on these new ones
Coll but I think getting two Gjallarhorns at $600 makes the Vidar a better choice for most folks in the sub 90db average room.Have heard good things about Lyr+ and this would do well with high sensitivity but like Jotuheim no damn remote.It's always something
My Schiit Asgard came on Tuesday and it is really a great headphone amp. Needs to break in, but it can drive any set of "cans" I have here. I will buy the $300 Schiit amp in two weeks after the Asgard is broken in. My new little listening room is 13 x 13 and I have two headphone stations, plus my computer system with a Steinberg US22 interface. My little JBL 3-way book shelve speakers are 86 db efficient so the Gjallarhorn should drive them loud enough as I am sitting about 6-7 feet away when not using my headphones. I have two other Schiit headphone amps and their $99 dac I use to improve the sound of my Denon Carousel Cd player that is by the bed for sleepless nights and my AT-ATH 50X cans.
My Gjallarhorn came today and even without any hours on it, I really like it with my Asgard headphone amp/preamp. Some say: go large or go home. Well, I've gone small and like it.
Please define high sensitivity speakers. 94db is high, 86 substantially lower, and lower 84. What is low?
I would guess > 92 is high sensitivity, 91-87 dB is medium,
That’s a great band Steve ,the golden Dregs .hmmm don’t know about the schit thou
I’m really intrigued by the Ghorn to pair with my very sensitive speakers but no silver version would be a deal breaker. Pity.
Why, silver spray paint is easy to find.
@@awboat Won’t match my other silver Schiit stuff. Last thing I need is the stench of paint in my room when the amps heat up. Schiit should up charge if the cost to produce silver is more than the black. Not very smart marketing. Oh, well.
@@awboat And what about the silk screening? Sorry. No dice.
Sitting here feeling guilty with my McIntosh MC152…their smallest SS power amp. Am I power greedy? 😀
Thanks for the music! The Golden Dregs are FUN!
I have a Gjallarhorn with a Lyr 2 up front feeding into Royd The Herald 86 sensitivity speakers in a small room set up and it’s a great sound for me particularly in high gain.
Awesome, enjoy! You have a nice system. Thanks for sharing.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Steve, thank you. I have a few pairs of Royd speakers and love them all. Slightly embarrassed to say I was very happy with the stock tubes I understood my Lyr2 had according to the seller until I examined them yesterday and discovered they are actually Electro Harmonix 6922’s.
The Rekkr would make a great headphone amplifier!
Look at the Magni for that.
Thank you Steve.
Oh, the amps get smaller! (And: finally, no one can say you don't give two Schitts about your reviews.)
I’d argue if you’ve got a tube pre…..😊The Ghorn is a Screamin deal
Great minds think alike.
You would be my favorite arts teacher
What amp/receiver would you recommend to pull double duty for music & movies as my Marrantz is starting to show it's age. Im not interested in surround as I only run 2 channels for movies. My speakers are the klipsch RP-8000F's, the turntable is a Marantz TT-15S1. My room is approx 25' x 15'. I listen to everything except country and music absolutely takes priority over movies. I will say I prefer a warmer sound especially when paired with the Klipsch. Thanks a lot...much love from Jersey
Really curious about using a single Gjallarhorn for my Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2s. My "loud" threshold before I'm really uncomfortable is about 90dB. Think the Gjallarhorn is capable?
I just got that exact combo set up in the last few weeks. Running through a Saga + with a Rega P1 Turntable. "Loud" requires pointing the volume past 3pm. Methinks the Elac's are a tad inefficient, but the sound is sweet and satisfying. Haven't connected anything digital yet, soon to come.
I once had a house full of little schitts but they grew up. 😂
I have a Pioneer DJM 450 mixer I run my twin Pioneer PLX 500 TTs. The DJM 450 has XLR balanced outputs. How would G-Horns as mono blocks connecting my subwoofer through the RCA outputs. Currently in am using the Aiyima 080 Pro which has been a mighty little (cheap) amp.
So, this time you give two Schiits? 😂😂😂
Always liked the Schiit stuff, but over here in Europe, it's just not a viable option anymore. Recently I was looking at a new headphone amp and the Magnius looked very promising. But the 199 dollar becomes 329 euro.
@@joebian4065 Did you have to pay import tax?
IM ON THE LIST FOR A DECWARE ZEN TRIODE! your recommendation of the OG RP600m started my decent into the rabbit hole!
I finally received my Decware Zen Triode a few months ago (after waiting about 18 months) and it's just fantastic with the OG RP600M. I think you'll find it's well worth the wait!
@@craigepsa674 CANT WAIT...
You need to hear the magic of black tubes.
I wish you can get a chance to roll PSVane Cossor tubes.
2 schiits! just when i thought id heard em all!
Good evening from San Antonio, Texas!!! I enjoy seeing your shows with my person. He’s an extreme vintage- almost current vinyl collector. He is interested in selling his collection. Where can I help him start?
Thank you in advance.
Are you ever going to review the 7 watts per channel Willsenton R300B?
I would love to hear your thoughts on it.
Hi Steve. Great review. One question. Gjallhorn to be purchased running as monoblock. Can this setup support LRS+ speakers.
No, LRS needs lots of power, Vidar 2 is a good starting point. That's 200 W per channel into 4 ohms. Schiit doesn't spec a 4 ohm rating for mono Gjallahorns.
Unbelievable for a guy who lived though the Receiver Wars of the 70's, to have under 10 watt amps be so successful in the 21st Century!
I picked up a Rekkr for desktop use, but just for Schiits and giggles I tried it in place of my main amp, an Onkyo A-9150 which is the all-discrete bigger brother of the A-9110 that Steve previously reviewed. With my Klipsch RP-160Ms the Rekkr had plenty of juice for my home office and sounded pretty good. It’s a little mellower than the Onkyo and a touch fuzzier in the details but on the whole, it’s much closer than I expected. Now I want to hear the Rekkr with a pair of Heresys. Anyone have an extra pair they’d like to send me? 🙃
I used to have a Linn Majik integrated amp rated nominally at 30 w per channel. It would beat most 100w 'beasts' I'd heard
My Linn Intek integrated amplifier from 1990 was rated at 50 wpc into 8 ohms. Julian Hirsch in Stereo Review tested it as doing 220 wpc dynamic power into 2 ohms. It drove the begeesus out of my Martin-Logan Sequels, an electrostatic hybrid. Great combination 😊
Nice headphone amps. Just kidding. When going flee watt for nearfield speaker play, it is probably best to stretch to small tube amps as they distort in a much more pleasing manner when slightly taxed.
What about heating with Ls50 ? Have an oportunity to get Wharfedale Linton, for a very good price. And I was thinking of a dual mono Gjallarhorn driving them, :)
Please don't!
They're power hungry & low efficiency.
100w minimum. No class D.
Unless you like a thin bright sound?
These amps are for near field listening on higher efficiency speakers.
Try Vidar ?
🎶😉🎶
Tyr review when??
soo, a big Schiit is better than a small Schiit 😲🤣🤣
I wonder if two rekkr would power the tekton perfect set 2-10 just fine in a medium sized room and midfield?
Probably not
Might be good for bass shakers
Anybody know if the Gjallarhorn would be a decent enough match for my Q Acoustics 3020i? Thanks in advance
Sure, if you don't play loud, and your room isn't huge.
Will the little Schiit run a 6 ohm small Mission MS-5 or other similar speakers?
In stereo mode any of their amps ought to work. The dynamic range would be dictated by the sensitivity of the Mission speakers.
@@trudimcleod5042 I hardly turn up the volume on my my workspace, I just don't want to fry the amp or speaker. Thanks!
@@rabit818 How big is your workplace, just curious. I am considering the Rekkr just for fun.
Change the fuse to exotic 20$ fuses, it'll get more of everything.
what is a monoblocks?
grrrrr no mono block test?!
Need!!
Its a shame you didn't have your Cornwalls for the tests
How do they manage such a low cost when made in the USA?
It's not really made in the usa its assembled in the USA electronics made in some third world country.
@@991carreras3 I don't think that's right. Most of it IS made here, including their circuit boards. Exceptions are kept to a minimum, and include things like wall-warts and of course the Gjallarhorn's toroidal transformer. The company is very open about this.
I read the book Schiit Happened by co-founder Jason Stoddard. He spends a lot of time discussing how he designs, sources, and assembles products using as many domestic components as possible, including pc boards and the metal chassis. In short, he says there is still competitive manufacturing in the US if you care enough to look for it!
@@991carreras3 wrong
@Mike Hiteshew wow I must have two Schiit Chinese counterfeit models cause one has panasonic film caps in it and the other unit has Japanese Nichicon capacitors.
Muy interesante. 🙂👌
The brand name Sxchiit just jars with me. I'm sure they are a great product. The same way Otis Spunkmeyer muffins were tasty.
You can't please everyone, but I assure you the company has gone on to great success despite the name!
Ever watched Canadian show….Schitts creek ?
Yeah, I had that too. But I got over it because it was obvious that a lot of their stuff is excellent, at great prices.
Made in the USA? I thought you wouldn’t mention that anymore?
Rekkr is maybe nice on a desktop pc.
I don’t do loud anymore