A couple of things I wanted to notate on this video. 1. Industry standard of 4V out for balanced DAC's. Thank you to @davidsmith9407 for pointing that out. Also, I appreciate the explanation given in the comments of how the conversion works within the AMP from Balanced to SE output. We are forever learning after all!
I owned the Jot2, great amp. One thing to consider on that. The Jot2 does sound a bit different as well depending on the SE or XLR outputs. So you get a different flavor. The DAC built in option is a nice way to go. It'll cost you more of course, but it's nice too. The Midgard I have found over time typically does better with dynamic driver headphones vs planers. That's just in general.
Thanks for going into impressions with so many different headphones! I have OG ZMF Auteurs. Compared to newer atrium zmf, they are a bit more free sounding/ fun. Zach with atrium tech seems to have a well damped driver!? Maybe the halo is a little out of phase ( not actually but metaphorically? ) with the Atrium closed? Maybe too controlled? The classic Auteur to me is an Atrium light, but perhaps being open halo works better? The organic from my time with it at CanJam SoCal, could use more control. Might have been the setup, but the bass was bloomy? Sounds like a great amp to try! What balanced cable and balanced extension would you recommend for ZMF cans? Good budget preferably? First video on your channel, and it’s a winner! Will subscribe too :)
If you have a ZMF did you happen to get an XLR cable with it? I'd recommend either a Periapt or Hart Audio ZMF cable. With Hart Audio you could opt for the modular cable. Then you can get an interconnect kit in case you want XLR, 3.5 or 4.4. That will set you back about 150-200 though. Just an XLR ZMF from either Periapt/Hart will be 50-100. You could also inquire with ZMF if they have any b-stock cables or just buy one from their site as well. You'll definitely want XLR if you want to try out the Halo of the Midgard. Now you also said balanced extension. Explain exactly what you mean there? I'm assuming you meant XLR vs 4.4. That's where the modular kit is really nice to have from Hart. 2cents! Thank you for the sub too!
@@Skeeb23 Hi, thanks for your very generous reply! You sparked my memory, yes I think I do have a stock zmf balanced cable! My listening spot is about 10 feet from my amp/dac, so that is why I was wondering about a 4pin extension cable :) I checked out your recommendations which are quite affordable, thank you! I’ve found that adapters and extensions can affect sound quality. I’ve had good luck using the stock zmf 1/4 inch cable with a grado extension, actually sounds better to me with the extension! I tried a Pangea headphone extension cable, but it sounded poorer. A sennheiser adapter also not good with a custom silver cable I had made via eBay. The solid silver was a treat till one of the lines fatigued and broke. The adapter kit with hart is quite cool! Which of these cables sound the best to you with your zmf’s? Thanks again!
Schiit Valhalla 2 is a great synergy amp for me with my OG zmf auteurs, and renowned for synergy with sennheiser 300 ohm phones. Unfortunately these Valhalla 2 amps are in Schiits’s “last call” zone @schiitaudio3138
Mojo2 makes an excellent dac. Not sure how the sound would be, but it would power the Atrium for sure and Caldera. I haven't thought the Midgard to pair as well with planars as it does with Dynamic driver hps, fwiw
I got my midgard a couple weeks ago and I own the 6XX and the Midgard really did help make my 6XX’s sound fantastic, I’ve noticed the halo does seem to work better with higher impedance headphones, but everything I have sounds excellent on it!
Not quite sure the question - so I'll explain. I used both RCA and XLR inputs from my DAC during my testing. I used RCA and then the XLR out, XLR and then XLR out, XLR and then SE out and RCA and SE out. All options, hope that helps. OH - maybe I'm understanding...I didn't use any adapters on my headphone cables. I have quite a few cables and all options available to me without using adapters.
@Skeeb23 Thanks! For example I have a pair of Audeze lcd xcs.. So if I wanna compare how different the se and halo outputs sound, I need a balanced cable AND an unbalanced cable for my Audeze. Am I right? Sorry for my English. Just curious if the cables could contribute to the sound difference
That is really the way to go. There are adapters you can get to go from XLR to SE (never ever try the other way around) but I don't recommend it for a true impression. But yes if you want to compare you'll need to be able to listen to both SE vs XLR. @@more_me_than_I_am
A couple of things I wanted to notate on this video. 1. Industry standard of 4V out for balanced DAC's. Thank you to @davidsmith9407 for pointing that out. Also, I appreciate the explanation given in the comments of how the conversion works within the AMP from Balanced to SE output. We are forever learning after all!
Thanks for the Review! Can’t decide on the Midgard/Modius combo or just buying the all in one Jot 2. Going in circles.
I owned the Jot2, great amp. One thing to consider on that. The Jot2 does sound a bit different as well depending on the SE or XLR outputs. So you get a different flavor. The DAC built in option is a nice way to go. It'll cost you more of course, but it's nice too.
The Midgard I have found over time typically does better with dynamic driver headphones vs planers. That's just in general.
@@Skeeb23do you recomend midgard for planar or not?
ps. what about magni unity?
Bought one to use with a Topping E70 Velvet and it's a nice amp. Haven't tried the Halo output yet.
Using high gain on the Arya organic as well. I thought it just sounded better in all aspects
FYI, 4V from a balanced output is the industry standard.
Great review!
Note it is strangely an AC in and not a DC in, as usual.
Thanks for going into impressions with so many different headphones!
I have OG ZMF Auteurs. Compared to newer atrium zmf, they are a bit more free sounding/ fun.
Zach with atrium tech seems to have a well damped driver!?
Maybe the halo is a little out of phase ( not actually but metaphorically? ) with the Atrium closed? Maybe too controlled?
The classic Auteur to me is an Atrium light, but perhaps being open halo works better?
The organic from my time with it at CanJam SoCal, could use more control. Might have been the setup, but the bass was bloomy?
Sounds like a great amp to try!
What balanced cable and balanced extension would you recommend for ZMF cans? Good budget preferably?
First video on your channel, and it’s a winner!
Will subscribe too :)
If you have a ZMF did you happen to get an XLR cable with it? I'd recommend either a Periapt or Hart Audio ZMF cable. With Hart Audio you could opt for the modular cable. Then you can get an interconnect kit in case you want XLR, 3.5 or 4.4. That will set you back about 150-200 though. Just an XLR ZMF from either Periapt/Hart will be 50-100.
You could also inquire with ZMF if they have any b-stock cables or just buy one from their site as well. You'll definitely want XLR if you want to try out the Halo of the Midgard.
Now you also said balanced extension. Explain exactly what you mean there? I'm assuming you meant XLR vs 4.4. That's where the modular kit is really nice to have from Hart. 2cents! Thank you for the sub too!
@@Skeeb23
Hi, thanks for your very generous reply!
You sparked my memory, yes I think I do have a stock zmf balanced cable!
My listening spot is about 10 feet from my amp/dac, so that is why I was wondering about a 4pin extension cable :)
I checked out your recommendations which are quite affordable, thank you!
I’ve found that adapters and extensions can affect sound quality.
I’ve had good luck using the stock zmf 1/4 inch cable with a grado extension, actually sounds better to me with the extension!
I tried a Pangea headphone extension cable, but it sounded poorer. A sennheiser adapter also not good with a custom silver cable I had made via eBay.
The solid silver was a treat till one of the lines fatigued and broke.
The adapter kit with hart is quite cool!
Which of these cables sound the best to you with your zmf’s?
Thanks again!
Schiit Valhalla 2 is a great synergy amp for me with my OG zmf auteurs, and renowned for synergy with sennheiser 300 ohm phones.
Unfortunately these Valhalla 2 amps are in Schiits’s “last call” zone
@schiitaudio3138
With this amp the bass on Focal Clear OG was looser and boomy using balanced. Go figure… I preferred it with SE.
I am doing the Eversolo a6 ME to Midgard. 😅-to a Ayra Organic
I have a LYR+. and BF2/64. This headphone amp might have an advantage, given the HALO control.
How are you liking the Lyr+?
Great review! Any interest in testing out the Mjolnir or Folkvangr? I'd happily send them to you!
Hmm...shoot me an email on my about page. 👍
Halo halo haloooooooo
Do you think the mojo2 into this into zmf atrium(open)/caldera or diana mr, would work well?
Mojo2 makes an excellent dac. Not sure how the sound would be, but it would power the Atrium for sure and Caldera. I haven't thought the Midgard to pair as well with planars as it does with Dynamic driver hps, fwiw
How do you think this Halo tech would be with a 6XX?
Considering how well it handled the ZMF Auteur, I would imagine it would do just fine.
I got my midgard a couple weeks ago and I own the 6XX and the Midgard really did help make my 6XX’s sound fantastic, I’ve noticed the halo does seem to work better with higher impedance headphones, but everything I have sounds excellent on it!
NIce. Can't wait for the Asgard to have this topology..
Yes, I can see Schiit updating their amps with this. It's honestly too good not to imo.
@@Skeeb23 Hope they can switch fast but he'll be stuck with a bunch of legacy inventory and parts
How do i use the halo thing if there's no xlr on my headphones
You can't. Do your headphones have detachable cables that you can get XLR cable for?
Anyone keen to trade a meze elite for my zmf caldera ?
Seems like this amp is a no brainer. How could you get more/better for $219?
All your headphones had balanced cables? And then you used 4pin xlr to 6.3mm gender to connect to the SE output?
Not quite sure the question - so I'll explain. I used both RCA and XLR inputs from my DAC during my testing. I used RCA and then the XLR out, XLR and then XLR out, XLR and then SE out and RCA and SE out. All options, hope that helps. OH - maybe I'm understanding...I didn't use any adapters on my headphone cables. I have quite a few cables and all options available to me without using adapters.
@Skeeb23 Thanks! For example I have a pair of Audeze lcd xcs.. So if I wanna compare how different the se and halo outputs sound, I need a balanced cable AND an unbalanced cable for my Audeze. Am I right? Sorry for my English. Just curious if the cables could contribute to the sound difference
That is really the way to go. There are adapters you can get to go from XLR to SE (never ever try the other way around) but I don't recommend it for a true impression. But yes if you want to compare you'll need to be able to listen to both SE vs XLR. @@more_me_than_I_am
@@Skeeb23 Thanks so much!
@@more_me_than_I_am anytime!
DMS said this changes everything.
From a competitive standpoint, I 100% agree with that.
Where did he say that?