Schiit Asgard 3 Review

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Disclaimer: The Modius was sent to me by Schiit Audio, they did not do anything to influence my opinion. Huge thanks to Schiit Audio for the sample unit.
 
Overview and Marketing
 
Introduction:
The Asgard 3 is Schiit's newest model of Asgard headphone amp. The Asgard 3 a modular headphone AMP using Schiits Continuity™ topology, so essentially it's a mini speaker AMP for headphones.
 
Schiit's Continuity™ topology helps fix transconductance droop and more, which is an issue that happens when an AMPs power is raising and it has to switch from Class A to Class A/B bias. I'd recommend reading up on it if you're interested. But simply put, it just means you get fewer issues as the power goes up. It's just a good thing.
 
The modularity of the Asgard 3 comes from the ability to swap in various add-in cards. This is very nice as it means the Asgard 3 can be a combo unit for people who only want one box on their desk. 
 
Here are the available modules:
  • AK4490 DAC Module: $150USD separate or $100 if bought with the Asgard 3.
  • Multibit Bit DAC Module: $250USD separate or $200 if bought with the Asgard 3.
  • Phono Card: $150USD separate
My Asgard 3 came with the AK4490 DAC Card, and I won't go into too much detail but I was a little, disappointed in the sound, it wasn't terrible, it was very usable, but I'd highly recommend the Modi 3 over it. But a nice aspect of these add-in cards is Schiit can always release new cards.
 
Specs:
For full specs please visit the product pages. I will only be listing a few here.
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 2Hz-400KHz, -3dB
  • Maximum Power, 16 ohms: 5W RMS per channel
  • Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 3.5W RMS per channel
  • Maximum Power, 50 ohms: 2.5W RMS per channel
  • Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 600mW RMS per channel
  • Maximum Power, 600 ohms: 300mW RMS per channel
  • THD: Less than 0.002%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS, high gain mode (worst case)
  • SNR: More than 115db, unweighted, referenced to 1V RMS, in low gain mode
  • Output Impedance: Less than 0.2 ohms in high or low gain mode
  • Gain: High = 6 (15.6dB) or Low = 1 (0dB)
  • Topology: Fully discrete, current feedback with Continuity™ constant-transconductance output stage and stacked power supply rails
  • Power Supply: Internal 48VA power transformer with 4 separate power supply rails and over 20,000uf of filter capacitance
  • Power Consumption: 30W
  • Size: 9 x 6 x 2"
  • Weight: 5 lbs
  • Price: $199USD
The limited measurements I'm able to take all line up with Schiits claimed specs and their own measurements. As of writing this I couldn't find any third party measurements to confirm with.
 
Update: Third-party measurements are available and they all fall in line. None of the measurements I can see raise any alarm. The Asgard 3 measurement wise pass my specs.
 
What's included:
Inside the box, which is also the box it ships in, you get:
  • Asgard 3
  • A power cable
  • An owners manual.
But if you look at the “What's in the box”(fun reference) section in the owner's manual, you'll notice it also says it includes “stick-on feet” which indicates that they’re already “pressed in”. You may find this odd that's there letting you know the amp has rubber feet preinstalled, but this is because the older Asgard actually oddly didn't have feet and it just sat bare metal on your desk, so this is kinda just a nod to the fact that they added feet this time. Which I'd say is a good thing.

Build/design:

The Asgard 3 has a very Atypical Schiit design. All-metal chassis and its designed and made in the USA with the vast majority of parts being sourced in the USA (The Schiit Standard). It's in what I call the Schiit 2 chassis. Which is just the mid-sized shape they use for the cases, so this would stack well with the likes of Jotunheim, Lyr, Valhalla, Saga + and the all-new Modius (review coming soon).
 
The all-metal case is very nice as always, it comes in Silver or Black. Both have grey sides and bottoms, but the front and top change based on the colour you pick. I have the Black model which I think looks great.
The design overall I like, the finish on it has a great feel. My only complaint is with the volume knob on the black model, it being grey really makes it stick out, I'm not sure if I'd prefer a black knob but the look isn't the issue I have with it. It's more the feel, it has this almost dusty feeling matt finish. It feels like a chalkboard. It's just how it feels so it's not a big issue, but it's just not a finish I really like. But it doesn't bother me in day to day use, I'd just prefer a different feel. Overall I think it looks great.
 
As for outputs, inputs and everything else you get:
Front:
  • A nice sized Volume knob that is smooth, it uses a very respectable RK027 volume POT
  • Gain switch, Up is high, down is low (thank you Schiit for putting it on the front)
  • Input switch which lets you switch down for RCA, and up for use with an add-in card.
  • 6.3mm Headphone Jack (unplugging it switches to the preamp out)
Rear:
  • A Slot for the Add-in cards (The Asgard 3 must be opened up to remove or add-in)
  • RCA Input
  • RCA Preamp output
  • An On/Off switch (still not on the front)
  • AC Input
Like I mentioned if you want to use the Preamp output you have to unplug your headphones to use it, which personally I’d rather have had a switch, move the Input switch to the back and replace it with an output switch. That would have been my preference as I would use an output switch more. I also wish the power switch was on the front. But these are only issues depending on your setup. The Schiit SYS is a great option for a budget Preamp that will let you switch Inputs/Outputs quickly.
 
You will also notice that like the Magni 3+ there is no power LED on the front to let you know when it's powered on or off. I know many people hate power LEDs but I personally like them. There is one inside which you can see from the vents on the top of the case, but I can't see them unless I sit up and look over the top of it, so in many situations depending on how your setup is you may not be able to see it. Also, a power switch on the front would also remove the need for a power led.
 
So aside from my option of having an output switch and a power switch on the front I have no issues with the I.O.

Sound/Power:

The Asgard 3 doesn't have any of the compressed staging issues that I found in the older Asgard(from memory). Everything is detailed and natural. The soundstage is wide and full and won't hinder or severely colour the stage of any headphone used with it. It has an all-around you headphone like stage, rather than the forward projecting stage that I have heard from some older Schiit amps.
 
Dynamics are great, the contrast between how it represents low end compared to treble is great, nothing ever gets blurred or veiled. The bass is very well controlled but at times can sound a bit warm, but it does add to the tonal richness of this Amp. There is a little bit of that Schiit glare that many people dislike, but it's nowhere the level of being an issue, the treble is mostly neutral if not maybe even a tad laid back in some parts of its presentation.
 
But this AMP pretty much does everything very well not only for its price but just in general. The soundstage is nice and wide, a huge improvement over how I remember the old Asgard sounding. The noise floor is dead silent on low gain, IEMs will work perfectly with this in those regards.
 
Thankfully when a Headphone AMP is this good I don't have a ton to say about sound because it just doesn't colour the audio a huge amount and the overall presentation hits way above its price point.
 
The best thing I could say about Asgard 3 is that it's the cheapest Headphone AMP that I have used that doesn't feel like it's making a compromise because of its price and in that regard, it's an amazing value.
 
In terms of sound quality and presentation, Asgard 3 is the new standard for Sub $500USD Headphone Amps. Well done Schiit, I'm very impressed.
 
Power:
Maximum Power, 16 ohms: 5W RMS per channel
Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 3.5W RMS per channel
Maximum Power, 50 ohms: 2.5W RMS per channel
Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 600mW RMS per channel
Maximum Power, 600 ohms: 300mW RMS per channel
 
This thing puts out a ton of power, which is even crazier as it's not balanced and it's putting out 3.5W into a 32ohm load over single-ended.
 
This thing can pretty much drive any headphone you throw at it without the need for buying balanced cables. Sadly I no longer have a 600ohm Beyer in anymore but I'm pretty sure this thing has the current to drive it. I'll try to get one in and confirm it.
 
But overall there isn't much more to say here, this thing will power everything you throw at it. The only place it may struggle is ultra-sensitive IEMs and that is because of the common volume POT channel imbalance. This is fairly normal and it isn’t too bad, It would only be an issue for maybe 2% of super sensitive IEMs. So don't worry.

Conclusion

Pros/cons:
I'm still not a fan of Pros and cons lists but I do know people really do find them helpful so I will give one.
Pros:
  • Sound quality well above its price
  • Crazy high amounts of clean power
  • Great build
  • Great look and design
  • Great volume POT
  • Very good internal power supply
  • Gain switch on the front
  • Optional add-in cards is a great feature (I hope for an updated card to be released)
  • Available in Two Colourways
  • 5 Year Warranty
Cons:
  • This thing can get Hot
  • The optional internal 4490 card isn't the best
  • Switching to preamp requires unplugging headphones (better than nothing)
  • No front LED to tell when on
  • Rear Mounted Power Switch
There is a term thrown around the audio community a lot that I hate so much, and that is “Giant Killer”. Products called it are almost never truly “Giant Killers”, they're normally just very good for the price bracket (I’d call them more a market disruptor). But honestly, the Asgard 3 gets so damn close to actually being a “Giant Killer”. The Asgard 3 is maybe the best sounding headphone AMP I have heard under $500USD(maybe a tad more), I'd even say it sounds better overall than the THX stuff (but the THX stuff is a tad more linear)
 
Honestly with the 5-year warranty, the crazy high amounts of clear single-ended power, and great design this is IMO the new standard. This gets a very high recommendation from me and it's actually a nice step up from the Magni 3+. Like I previously said this is the first “Budget” Headphone AMP that truly has a no-compromise feel to it. It doesn't feel or sound like they had to cut corners somewhere to get the price low, it's simply fantastic.
 
This also kinda makes me question the need for budget balanced AMPs, as with the cables you need for them even if there budget you have to pay a fair amount on top of that. (there are other reasons to go balanced)
 
But to talk about the downsides of it, it does get hot so keep that in mind if it bothers you (i have no issues with it), and the add-in card (the 4490 card at least) just isn't worth it IMO over a Modi 3. The rest of the cons are pretty nitpicky.
 
But the Asgard 3 is perfectly paired with Schiit new DAC, the Modius. I'll update this conclusion with some info on the Moduis once I publish both review.