TECHWEEK
Schiit Audio Announces New, More Powerful and Versatile Jotunheim 2 Powered by Nexus ™ and Continuity S ™ Technologies
The Schiit Audio Jotunheim 2 is a balanced headphone amplifier / preamp with modular design. The amplifier is based on the successful and extremely popular Jotunheim model, which has high power and versatility in use. The Jotunheim 2 uses the new fully discrete balanced Nexus ™ circuitry and also features the first Continuity S ™ output stage circuit with better linearity and higher energy efficiency. Both technologies are in-house developed by Schiit Audio engineers. Despite significant design changes, the Jotunheim 2 enters the market with the same suggested retail price as the first model.
“We call the Schiit Audio Jotunheim 2“ the only amp you can legally buy at 6x market price without losing quality, ”said Schiit Audio co-founder Jason Stoddard. “Such statements of some people are very annoying, but let’s figure out what we are talking about. Before us is a device with a fully discrete and fully balanced circuitry, assembled on components of the highest accuracy class (including JFET transistors with a deviation of no more than 1%, the best of all that are used in electronics, a four-channel Alps volume control 27 mm RK27114, relay switches for inputs, outputs, etc. gain). Understanding this, you can’t help but admit that the Jotunheim 2 is many times more perfect than any other device offered for the same money. ”
The Schiit Audio Jotunheim 2 is the company’s most affordable device to feature the new discrete Nexus circuitry, delivering class-leading sound quality. In addition to this, the latest Continuity S output stage offers exceptional linearity combined with high performance. “Continuity S is the way to get the most out of Jotunheim 2,” Jason said. “This technology improves operating efficiency while reducing distortion, loss and overcurrent. It does not replace Continuity – it is even more linear and focuses on perfect transient response, but Continuity S offers many of the benefits of the original technology. The new Jotunheim 2 sounds better than the previous one, thanks in part to Continuity S. ”
Expanding the functionality of the Schiit Audio Jotunheim 2, the engineers have added an acoustic output switch to the front panel, making it easier to integrate into a desktop audio system. The user can now mute the signal going to the powered monitors when listening to headphones.
In terms of performance, the Schiit Audio Jotunheim 2 outperforms the original Jotunheim in all respects. It delivers more power to large, high impedance headphones and provides lower noise when connected to low impedance in-ear monitors.
However, Jason noticed that Schiit Audio Jotunheim 2 was not made for the sake of beautiful measurements and should not be compared to microcircuit amplifiers, which can have ideal output parameters. “For example, our Magnius outperforms Jotunheim 2 in terms of dimensions, while costing half the price, but that’s a different story,” Jason said. “The Jotunheim 2 is a fully discrete amplifier with the shallow feedback that audiophiles value so highly and which is impossible to implement in microchip amplifiers. And despite underestimating the feedback depth, the Jotunheim 2 has very good power output and amplifier linearity. ” The Schiit Audio Jotunheim 2 has a modular design allowing customers to choose from four versions:
- No additional modules – headphone amplifier and pre-amplifier only
- With AK4490 Balanced USB DAC
- With proprietary True Multibit ™ USB DAC
- With phono stage MM type
The start of sales of Schiit Audio Jotunheim 2 is scheduled for the second half of February 2021.
