Another Schiity Review – The Schiit Magni Unity Headphone Amp/DAC
Today we have another Schiity review – the Schiit Magni Unity Headphone Amp/DAC. Schiit Audio has a strong reputation in the audio world of producing products that offer great value without compromising performance. As a reviewer, I love the no-nonsense approach that Schiit has taken with their brand – good Schiit at a low cost. The Schiit Magni Unity headphone amplifier is a prime example of this philosophy. It has become a favorite among enthusiasts who want excellent sound quality without breaking the bank. Priced at $119 and $189 (with the onboard DAC), it’s affordable. Today we’ll review the Schiit Magni Unity and determine if it deserves a Schiity review.
Design and Build Quality
The Schiit Magni has a minimalist design that is functional and unassuming, very much in line with Schiit’s overall aesthetic. The amplifier is housed in aluminum, giving it a sleek, premium feel. At just 4.8 inches wide, 1.25 inches tall, and 3.5 inches deep, the Magni Unity is compact and can easily fit on a desk. The Schiit Magni Unity is offered in a brushed silver (an extra $10) or black color, with or without a DAC. More on the DAC later.
The front panel features a large, smooth volume knob paired with a 1/4-inch headphone jack. If you opt for the Magni Unity with a DAC, there is a toggle switch to choose the USB/RCA inputs. and a gain switch. There are three gain settings: high (+15dB), low (0dB), and negative (-10dB).
On the back, you’ll find RCA input/output connectors, a 24V DC power input, and a power toggle. The RCA output acts as a preamp, allowing you to hook it up to a separate DAC or a set of powered speakers on your desktop. The preamp mode lets you use the volume knob to control your speaker volume when headphones are not connected.
The Magni uses a USB-C port to connect to the ESS 9018 DAC. I am not going to debate DACs here. The ESS 9108 DAC is highly regarded as an audiophile-grade DAC and will more than do the job! The real selling feature for the DAC (in my opinion) is the ease in which you can connect the Magni to your desktop or laptop computer. One USB cord and you now have a desktop amp for your speakers.
Specs
| Schiit Magni Unity w/DAC |
| Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.01dB |
| Output Power: Maximum Power, 16 ohms: 3.0W RMS per channel Maximum Power, 32 ohms: 2.5W RMS per channel Maximum Power, 50 ohms: 1.5W RMS per channel Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 415mW RMS per channel Maximum Power, 600 ohms: 220mW RMS per channel |
| THD+N: Low Gain: Less than 0.0001% (-116dB) at 2V RMS into 300 ohms High Gain: Less than 0.0003% (-108dB) at 2V RMS into 300 ohms |
| IMD: Low Gain: Less than -110dB at 4V RMS into 300 ohms, CCIF High Gain: Less than -108dB at 4V RMS into 300 ohms, CCIF |
| SNR: Low Gain: Greater than 122dB, referenced to 2V RMS High Gain: Greater than 112dB, referenced to 2V RMS |
| Gain: 0.3 (-10dB), 1 (0db) or 5 (15db) |
| Size: 5 x 3.5 x 1.25” Weight: 2 lb. Power Consumption: 2W idle, 12W max |
The Magni can drive a wide variety of headphones with ease. Rated at 3.0W (per channel) RMS at 16ohms, there are not many headphones that the Schiit Magni Unity couldn’t take on. For those new to headphone amps, 3W RMS is enough to make your ears bleed. I can’t think of a set of headphones that would need more power.
I use a set of Audeze MM-100 open-back headphones as my reference headphones. The MM100s are easy to drive at 98dB sensitivity. I can get to them loud wth just my iPhone, which has 31mW RMS. While my MM-100s only need a fraction of the power that the Magni Unity offers, I like knowing that I have power to spare if I decide I want to try something more power-hungry. Plus, I want just a tad more power than my phone offers, and the Magni Unity ticks that box handily.
Performance
For my test, I used a typical setup, with my desktop or laptop as my source. In both cases, I connected directly to the DAC with a USB-C cable and used Apple Music as my music service. Since I was using an external DAC, I set the streaming quality to the highest that Apple offers. Hi-Res Lossless 24-Bit/192kHz is more than CD quality. I played with the gain but found that low (0 dB) was where I found it sounded best with the Audeze MM-100s as my test cans.
When it comes to performance, the Schiit Magni doesn’t disappoint. The first thing you’ll notice when powering it on is how clean and clear the sound is. The amplifier delivers a neutral sound signature, with a distortion-free output. Whether you’re listening to classical, jazz, or rock, it doesn’t color the sound. This makes it a great choice for those who value an accurate representation of their music. If you read any of my stuff, you know that I like neutral and all my choices reflect this.
What does this mean for you? Even at levels that can damage your hearing, you will be hard-pressed to get any distortion. Honestly, I was expecting the treble to start to break apart at higher volumes, but the Schiit Magni Unity and Audeze MM100s refused to get shrill.
Another notable feature of the Magni is its low-noise operation. Even at high volume levels, there’s no noticeable hiss or hum, making it suitable for sensitive headphones (think IEMs) prone to picking up background noise. This quiet operation, combined with the amplifier’s neutral sound signature, ensures the focus remains squarely on the music.
Value for Money
Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Schiit Magni is its value proposition. Priced well below many other amplifiers in its class ($119 and $189 w/DAC), the Magni delivers exceptional performance for the price. It’s hard to find another amplifier in this price range that offers such a balanced sound, and solid build quality.
Here is where the Schiit philosophy comes into play. The Magni Unity is a no-frills, no-nonsense headphone amp/DAC combo that does exactly what it needs to do. There are no fancy digital screens, no superfluous buttons, and no streamers built-in. If you want simple and sounds great in a single box, the Magni Unity w/DAC is all you need.
IF you need more connections (say coax and optical), you can get a Modi DAC ($139) to scratch that itch. If neutral sounding is not your thing, get a Loki Mini+ EQ ( $149) and EQ to your heart’s desire. Heck, for a fraction of some of these more “audiophile” headphone amps, you can get yourself a whole stack o’ Schiit and still have money in your wallet.
Our Take
The Schiit Magni is a no-frills, high-performance headphone amplifier that delivers incredible value for its price. With its neutral sound, quality build, and powerful output, it is an easy choice to step up your headphone game. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive amplifiers, it lacks nothing.
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced, high-quality amplifier that can drive a wide range of headphones, the Schiit Magni should be at the top of your list.
As far as another Schiity review, let’s hope it’s not my last. I am becoming pretty fond of this Schiit (audio)!
Verdict: AV Gadgets Approved
