The two new models of the Magni Headphone Amp really caught my eye and the new red bottom of the Heretic looked wild. I last reviewed the original Magni way back in 2016, so it’s been a minute. The good news is, the price has only gone up by $9 to $109, back in 2016 it was $99. So, does Schiit still have it? Let’s find out!
20Hz-20khz, +/-0.01dB
16 ohms: 2.8W RMS per channel
32 ohms: 2.4W RMS per channel
50 ohms: 1.6W RMS per channel
300 ohms: 410mW RMS per channel
600 ohms: 215mW RMS per channel
High Gain: Less than 0.0002% (-112dB) ref 2V RMS at 300 ohms
Low Gain: Less than 0.0001% (-119dB) ref 2V RMS at 300 ohms
High Gain: Less than -112dB at 1V RMS into 32 ohms, CCIF
Low Gain: Less than -115dB ref 1V RMS into 300 ohms, CCIF
High Gain: Greater than 115dB, unweighted, ref 2V RMS
Low Gain: Greater than 123dB, unweighted, ref 2V RMS
Less than -86dB, ref 1V out
Less than 0.33 ohms at either gain
50k ohms minimum in all gains
-10dB, 0dB, or 15dB, selectable via front switch
OPA1656 op-amp for voltage gain with local feedback, OPA1656 (6 stages per channel) as output buffers with local loops, no overall loop feedback.
Transparent current sense and protect, DC sense and protect, ESD protect, failsafe DC power input and muting relay
“Wall wart” style 24VA 15 VAC transformer, regulated +/- 16V rails with over 8,000uF filter capacitance.
6W
5” x 3.5” x 1.25”
1 lbs.
$109.00
Secrets Tags: schiit, magni, heretic, headphone, amplifier
Test System
DAC – ASUS Prime B660-PLUS D4 Motherboard (built-in)
Interconnects – AudioQuest
Headphones – Sennheiser Momentum on-ear (with TRRS conversion)
Test Music
Valiant Hearts – Alaska
Lindsey Stirling – Crystallize
Nerv – Demons
Headphone amps can make or break a good set of headphones and I’ve been using my set of Sennheiser Momentums for nearly 10 years now. So, I am quite curious how the Heretic sounds on the Momentums. I found the gain controls on the front quite handy for whatever type of headphone you have to listen with, even if you have in-ear monitors, a -10dB negative gain setting is ready and waiting. Just note that you should NOT use headphones with TRRS, which are the three stripes on the male connector end of headphone cables, used with headphones that have a mic built in. If you do, like me, get yourself an adapter.
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Once you get it set up, you’ll notice the power switch is on the back, I’d rather see it next to the gain switch, which is on the front. The more annoying thing is that once it’s on, there is no indicator light on the front, there is one inside the unit, but if there is anything stacked on the Magni, you can’t see it. I have my Rekkr on top and I can’t see the light at all. An odd design here. One last thing, the volume control is great, but I wish it felt less sticky, or had some more tactile feedback to it. But do I love the red accent on the black unit, it’s very cool and unique!
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Once powered up I got to try out some music as I was working. Like every headphone amp I’ve tested from Schiit, plenty of power is available here, you could run speakers from this amp with headroom to spare. Listening was fantastic; soundstage and clarity abound! Noise was non-existent and I couldn’t find any downsides or weaknesses to the listening experience. I like the FAQ section on the Schiit’s website that says “These sound so great! Why would I buy any of your other amps? Seriously, you really don’t need to. Hence the “no excuses.” Yeah, that’s pretty true, I mean, maybe a tube amp is more your thing? Honestly though for $109, you can’t go wrong. It just sounds great and doesn’t seem to be lacking anywhere in the audio quality department.
Unless you want to go the tube amp route or just don’t care to spend way more, this is the end-all amp for headphones. I see no reason to look further.
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