Home Amps/DACS Schiit Magni 2 Review [With Video]

Schiit Magni 2 Review [With Video]

by Stuart Charles Black
Published: Last Updated on

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Updates:

  • 9/12/19. Article cleanup.
  • 1/6/2020. Article cleanup.

Greetings friend and Welcome aboard!!

Before we get into the Schiit Magni 2 review, grab a snack, sit back and relax because…

You’ve come to the right place!!

What I will bring you in this review

  1. Ratings/Price
  2. Specifications
  3. Intro & Summary
  4. Pros
  5. Cons
  6. Video Review
  7. Who this amp benefits?
  8. How to set it up!
  9. Thoughts from Stu’s notepad
  10. Consensus/Conclusion
  11. Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!

Schiit Magni 2

Ratings/Price

Specifications

  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 2Hz-200KHz, -3dB

  • Maximum Power, 16 ohms: 1.8W RMS per channel
  • Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 1.2W RMS per channel

  • Maximum Power, 50 ohms: 1.0W RMS per channel

  • Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 260mW RMS per channel

  • Maximum Power, 600 ohms: 130mW RMS per channel

  • THD: Less than 0.003%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS

  • IMD: Less than 0.004%, CCIF

  • SNR: Greater than 102db, unweighted, referenced to 1V RMS

  • Crosstalk: -70dB, 20 Hz-20KHz

  • Output Impedance: Less than 0.2 ohms

  • Gain: 1.5 (3db) or 6 (15.6db), selectable via rear switch
  • Topology: Fully discrete FET/bipolar, constant feedback through the audio band, Class AB, DC-coupled throughout

  • Protection: Standard failsafe DC power input and muting relay

  • Power Supply: “Wall wart” style 8VA 16VAC transformer, regulated +/- 15V rails
with over 4,000uF filter capacitance
  • Power Consumption: 4W

  • Size: 5 x 3.5 x 1.25”

  • Weight: 1 lb

Summary

The Magni 2 was my very first headphone amp and I did enjoy it for the most part. We have since parted ways, but overall it was a pretty solid piece of equipment.

I did a lot of research before making the decision to purchase one, and it lasted from December 2016  to December 2018 in my home studio.

Loads of research also indicated it to be a great pairing with the HD600 which isn’t entirely untrue. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the greatest combo in the world, but it got the job done. I think that had more to do with the 3k issue apparent on the HD 600 and less to do with the clean neutrality that the Magni 2 provides. It’s a very crisp and detailed sound overall and offers an accurate portrayal of whatever you’re listening through.

Thanks to its less than 0.2 output impedance, it will power 99% of headphones with relative ease as well. What is Output Impedance?

Here are some other Amps & DACs I have demoed/owned since venturing down the rabbit hole. 🙂

Pros

  • Solid build quality.
  • Works will nearly all headphones. There will be some exceptions, but for 99% of cans, you’ll be golden.
  • Easy to use. It comes with a power supply, and you hook it up to your PC via USB. All you need is the PYST RCA cables (or the Monoprice which I use and are a lot cheaper!), which hook from the back of your DAC to the back of the Magni. (I recommend pairing the Magni with the Modi DAC).

Cons

  • Sound can be a bit grainy/unresolved vs. amps like the Atom and Objective 2.

Video Review

Check out Joshua Valour’s video review on the updated Magni 3. Subscribe to his channel as well!

Who this amp benefits?

  • Anyone needing a powerful Amp for their higher Impedance, lower Sensitivity headphones. The Sennheiser HD600 is 300 Ohms, and it powers them with ease. I only have to turn the knob to about 11 o’clock to get a loud enough sound.

How to set it up

You will need:

  • Magni headphone amp.
  • Modi DAC (or another digital to analog converter of some sort). I would just go with the Modi to keep it fresh. ?
  • The Sennheiser HD600s, or another similar open back headphone that requires good amplification.
  • A male to B male USB cable.
  • I use the Monoprice RCA cables. They’re really rugged and of high quality.

Instructions:

  1. Run the RCA cables from the Modi to the Magni.
  2. Run the A male to B male USB cable from the Modi to a good USB port on your computer.
  3. Your computer will now recognize the device.
  4. When it installs successfully, go to Control Panel > Sound, and look for the Modi on that list.
  5. Right-click > Set as default device.
  6. Now flip the Magni’s On switch, and wait until you hear a little “tick.”
  7. You’re all set!

Thoughts from Stu’s notepad

  • The On/Off switch is on the back to the left.
  • The Hi/Lo switch is on the back to the right. This comes in handy for me when ripping vinyl to FLAC or WAV, as the sound isn’t quite loud enough without using that switch.

Consensus/Conclusion

Solid, durable, easy to use, and works with most headphones. Not much else to say!

Final Word

I have since moved on from this amp, but the newer Magni 3 might be worth a look.

 

 


Well that’s about it for today my friend! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Schiit Magni 2 Review.

Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Looking for something else? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!

Do these tickle YOUR pickle? Would you invest the Magni 2? I would love to hear from you. Until next time..

All the best and God bless,

 

 

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Can’t decide which headphones to purchase? Interested in a complete buyers guide outlining over 40 of the best options on the market? Click on over to the best audiophile headphones to learn more!!

Be sure to also check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

Schiit Magni 2

4.8

Build Quality

5.0/5

Sound Quality

4.5/5

Features

4.7/5

Versatility

5.0/5

Pros

  • Solid Build
  • Versatile
  • Clean Sound
  • Lots of Power

Cons

  • Sound can be a tad grainy/unresolving

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