
For no good reason, I started thinking about buying a new headphone amp. I don't need one - I've got five standalone amps (three from Schiit, one from Woo, and one from Creek), along with three built in to integrated amps and sources - but, you know, why not? I want solid state and I was originally thinking about the Schiit Ragnarok 2, but then I found the Rupert Neve Designs unit, in its original, professional gear guise. (The company now makes consumer units under the brand name Fidelice.) It checks all the boxes and comes in at a cozy price, and it gets good reviews. I also confess to liking the old school industrial design. It reminds me of old Tek gear, like the units collecting dust in my garage.
That written, I revisited the Schiit site yesterday, and they have two brand new versions of the Magni 3, one a maxxed out discrete design, and the other an op amp design, both released in a Thunderdome setting. I have the second iteration of the Magni 3, so I don't think I need another one. But then, at only a hundred bucks, why not go op amp for fun, too?