I think Schiit just killed this product with a somewhat similar unit at 1/5 the price... O well... I really wanted Grace, but price was holding me back and now it seems there is no reason for it to be priced that high.
ld100Only Shiit's new $499 Jotunheim amplifier (with the DAC module add-on) can compete with the Grace Design m9xx on features and sound quality. While the Grace Design has digital settings/filters and an optical-in, the Jotunheim instead has a balanced in and out (XLR), a balanced headphone out (4-pin XLR), and is capable of much more power output.
mattrisThat is your opinion. Have you heard Filla 2 personally? So far everything seems to indicate that it is Modi/Magni level device with maybe a tiny bit less power and maybe even a better dac. That sounds as a killer for Grace. Might give away a bit in quality, but is priced at 1/5...
KITTYYes. Fulla 2... I can see how Grace's dac could be a bit superior, but in general I think Schiit just dropped a pretty similar unit to m9XX at 1/5 the price. Grace has few features that most not care about and a display, but it is not a $400 difference. Soundwise Schiit will be quite good based on their track record.
ld100The Schiit Fulla 2 DAC/amp looks to be a great value at $99, but it can't come close to competing with this Grace Design unit on features or sound quality. Though, I admit, I haven't heard either.
mattrisSo why do you think Grace's sound quality is so much better? I see no evidence based on reviews. Most compare it with Schiit stack, but with better features and form factor. Fulla 2 is pretty much a stuck with a slightly lesser amp... At least that is how it looks so far...
ld100Compared to the Schiit Fulla 2, the Grace Design m9xx has a superior DAC, processor, and other circuitry - as well as a FAR more powerful amplifier section. The result: higher dynamic range, lower distortion+noise, and likely better imaging and detail retrieval. Plus, the Grace has a optical digital input, digital filters, crossfeed, and other settings .
ld100I criticized this unit in the past for it's seemingly simplistic design (ie, digital volume control, no caps, no transformer, etc). Grace Design responded to each point and in response I was fairly impressed by the design considerations into making the m9XX what it is. It really isn't Chinese shovelware what you would normally expect from that form factor.
Schiit puts out fairly low-quality low end products that are just one step up from the Chinese shovelware mentioned above. I haven't tested the Fulla 2, but based on my experience with their other products I doubt it is that great. Yes, I tried the Joutenheim as well (non-DAC version) and ended up returning it because it was still clearly inferior to the Ragnarok in balanced. Meanwhile, I'm selling the Ragnarok because the Audeze Deckard ($700) out-performs it using my single-ended headphones. Schiit products are okay for what they are, but please don't treat them like giant-killers of amazing value because in reality you tend to get what you pay for.
GUTBExactly. I had several Schiit items. Modi 1, Magni 1, Vali 1, Asgard 2. My opinion (those items I owned) is that they have a powerful but rough sound, even comparing to same price tag competitors, it is rough. I have a sony PHA-1 which is about similar price as Asgard 2. It is not as powerful as Asgard 2, but it is much cleaner and detailed than Asgard 2. As for Modi 1 and Magni 1 they are also noticeably noisier than similar price tag ODAC/O2. That's why I do not want to try more expensive Schiit product anymore. I think the No. 1 sellling point of Schiit it is Made in USA + a cheap price, definitely not the impeccable performance advocated by Schiit's fans.
ld100 While being similar functionality wise, the circuitry designs between the two are very different. We did't just see a $99 version of this box hit the market. That being said, if budget is an issue the Schiit Fulla 2 is a great device. It would be fun to spend time with both to listen to the differences that those two different designs produce.
ld100No idea. I will wait. Currently, I don't think the reviews are enough and comprehensive. By the time there are enough reviews, I will pull the trigger. But not now, not yet.......
mattrisHey, would you rather buy the schiit jotunheim or the m9xx? I got the nighthawk, oppo pm3, and the noble x and more in the future. Also does balanced cable really effect the sound quality by that much?