The Schiit Mjolnir and Violectric V200 are classic references in the world of headphone amplifications. They are known for delivering high-end performance at a still-not-indecent price point. But how do the two compare? After having spent some time getting to know them on their own terms, I set out making a direct track-by-track comparison, using the Audeze LCD-3, the Hifiman HE-500, the Hifiman HE-6 and the Sennheiser HD650.
Every track/headphone/amplifier-combination will be briefly described below, and I will indicate my amplifier-preference of each track in the following way: “A > B” means A is preferred to B, “A>=B” means a slight preference, while “A >< B” indicates that they are equally good but different.
Track by Track Comparison
Thomas Dybdahl – “This love is here to stay”
LCD-3 Bass has more texture on the Mjolnir, I also hear more details in the upper regions. The mid tones are warmer and more up front on the V200 and the soundstage feels deeper, stretching further away with a better sense of three dimensional image depth
V200 >< Mjolnir
HE-500 The V200 is fuller and deeper sounding, again with a better holographic imaging. Mjolnir is clearly brighter and brings my attention to the treble detail, which just makes the background hiss on the recording more noticeable.
V200 > Mjolnir
HD650 The fatter bass on the V200 makes this song a bit more groovy, and alongside with a better sense of space I prefer it to the Mjolnir. It’s only by a small margin, though. The Mjolnir shows off its textured bass and sharper, more present highs.
V200 >= Mjolnir
HE-6 I am puzzled by the way Mjolnir often paints a wider but less deep soundstage than the V200. This is indeed apparent with this song. The V200 just feels more natural and layered, the Mjolnir has a more airy but at the same time flatter presentation.
V200 > Mjolnir
Radiohead “Morning bell”
LCD-3 Again, the Mjolnir is the drier sounding one, the V200 has a fuller, deeper sound.
V200 > Mjolnir
HE-500 For some reason, I prefer the Mjolnir on this track, even though I expected the opposite. I generally regard the HE-500 a better match for the V200, but not this time. Mjolnir make things stand out more, bringing things more to life. Strangely that’s often how I have felt about the V200.
Mjolnir > V200.
HD650 As with the HE500, Mjolnir pushes things more forward and makes this song come more alive. Though the V200 is nice, its extra smoothness is not preferred on this track.
Mjolnir > V200
HE-6 Mjolnir is more open sounding, but sometimes feels a bit too bright.
Mjolnir >< V200
Olga Konkova “As Before”
LCD-3 Mjolnir as always is a little brighter, but not feeling any clearer really, except in the vocals, which feels a tad duller on the Violectric for a change. Both do a good job indeed.
Mjolnir >< V200
HE-500 Again, the V200 is slightly sweeter and bettering the Mjolnir on image depth. It strikes me that the image depth is relatively better on the Mjolnir with the LCD3 than with the HE500.
V200 > Mjolnir
HD650 The V200 feels more powerful, with a deeper sound stage. Bass is a bit fuller. The piano, however as a bit more of that crisp attack and the vocals have more texture on Mjolnir.
Mjolnir >< V200
HE-6 Again the Mjolnir is wider and thinner sounding. I prefer the deeper and fuller sounding V200.
V200 >< Mjolnir
Jøkleba “Muggen Fallskjerm”
LCD-3 The Mjolnir is the more foreward and brighter sounding one. I’m sure many will prefer that for the LCD3, but I am seduced by the smoothnes of the Violectric.
Mjolnir >< V200
HE-500 A bit more “zing” on the Mjolnir also here, making me feel it is the more fun combo. Slight win to Mjolnir.
Mjolnir > V200
HD-650 This song can get a bit harsh, and even though the Mjolnir’s crispness is fun in the short run, I really prefer the fuller bodied V200.
V200 > Mjolnir
HE-6 This fast and hard hitting jazz percussion piece is a delight on the Mjolnir, but on the V200 it is only OK. This track, can as mentioned get a bit too hot in the top, and I did expect the generally brighter sounding Mjolnir to fall through on this, but it got the other way around.
Mjolnir > V200
Emerson String Quartet – “Intimate Letters / Poco Allegro “
LCD-3 Strings often like a bit of that extra bite up top, which made me expect the Mjolnir to take this tune. But the warmth of the Violectric gives this piece extra depth and is to me more pleasant.
V200 > Mjolnir
HE500 Again, the Mjolnir is a bit more fun, a bit more edge but not too much. V200 is less fatiguing and might be just as likable, but I give this one to Mjolnir.
Mjolnir > V200
HD-650 The Mjolnir’s crispness is quite appealing on these strings. But for longer listening sessions I’d go for the smoother Violectric.
V200 >< Mjolnir
HE-6 The Mjolnir definitive have more bite and presents more dry detail, a crisp and clear experience. The V200 is great in another way, presenting a natural timbre and a pleasantness that is just as likable. Mjolnir is more texture, V200 is more timbre.
V200 >< Mjolnir
Paavo Järvi/hr-Sinfonieorchester – Mahler’s Symphony No.2 ‘Resurrection’: III
LCD-3 Both amplifiers sounds smooth and lovely, painting a nice symphonic soundscape. However, the kettledrums in the beginning sounds somewhat too full on the V200, the Mjolnir again demonstrating it’s tighter control downstairs. Though, the extra smoothness and image depth of the V200 is mostly a delight, even if it rumbles a bit too much when it rumbles.
Mjolnir >= V200
HE-500 The Mjolnir doesn’t make the soundstage as deep as the V200, and somehow it is more apparent on the HE500 than on the other headphones.
V200 > Mjolnir
HD650 Mjolnir is again the crisper one, giving that extra edge and texture. It makes you listen to details in a different way than with the V200. Details are there with the Violectric, but not as much in your face. What the V200 does, however, is to seduce you with a better sense of flow. But differences aren’t really big.
V200 >= Mjolnir
HE-6 The V200 impresses me here, presenting a deep, smooth and effortless sounding orchestral presentation. I have the volume know almost on max (using none of the gain switches on the back). Still it doesn’t feel like it is pressed. The volume is almost maxed on Mjolnir too, but not that much. Still, the Mjolnir isn’t really quite as pleasant and nuanced, getting a bit harsh and edgy in my ears. The kettle drums might be a bit tighter on the Mjolnir but otherwise it’s is a clear win to the V200.
V200 >> Mjolnir
Conclusion
LCD-3 I really enjoy both amps, but they are quite different. V200 wins in soundstage (especially depth) and general warmth. However, there is a bit lean and people with less of an urge for the “dark joys of audio” probably will prefer the Mjolnir. It is a much safer bet, and my enjoyment of the LCD-3/V200 combo is very mood dependent. Sometimes it is dark magic, sometimes it is a bit boring and feels a bit rolled off. The safer choice would be the Mjolnir.
HE500 Previously, I always found this headphone to be a stellar match for the Violectric. The V200 generally is clearly better than the Mjonir on holograpy, which is more apparent on some tracks than others. On the other hand, I sometimes really appreciated the extra “edge”, crispness and tightness of the Mjolnir on some music. I’d pick the V200 if I had to go with one.
HD650 The Mjolnir is generally thinner and sharper sounding than the V200, which is warmer and fuller sounding. Either way might be a good thing, and it varies from track to track which is preferred. I have a general soft spot for the smoother V200, but especially with the HD650 I find myself often enjoying the extra pinch of the Mjolnir.
HE-6 I feel both amps do a decent job with HE-6, but when I need plugging in the HE6, my hand will most probably reach out for the V200, mostly due to its smoother presentation. The volume knob is generally at turned to 11-12 on the Mjolnir and 12-01 on the V200. The Mjolnir has a comparative advantage in terms of revealing detail and texture. But the V200 is also detailed, yet manages to present a smoothness, flow and image depth that really is something special.
Concluding the Conclusion
I feel I have identified some traits specific to the two amplifiers. Mjolnir is the more aggressive one, with a sharper edge in the higher regions and a tighter bass. It is to some extent more of a detail freak, pointing out that detail with a pointing finger. The V200 on the other hand has a fuller bass, smoother highs and more liquid mids. It has plenty of detail, but not always putting them in your face as the Mjolnir. V200 also excels on creating a sense of soundstage depth, a quality I really was a bit disappointed with in the Mjolnir. But hey – they are both great amps – and beautiful pieces of audio gear. They feel like quality, they sound like quality.
Associated Equipment
Audeze LCD-3 (50 ohm version)
Hifiman HE-500
Sennheiser HD650
Hifiman HE-6
Squeezebox Touch
Violectric V800 DAC
