SCHIIT ASGARD Modular Continuity Headamp and Preamplifier Owner’s Manual

: June 5, 2024
: SCHIIT

Table of Contents

SCHIIT ASGARD Modular Continuity Headamp and Preamplifier
INTRODUCTION
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
GETTING STARTED
CONTROLS
CONNECTIONS
FAQ
5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

SCHIIT ASGARD Modular Continuity Headamp and Preamplifier

SCHIIT ASGARD
Modular Continuity Headamp and Preamplifier-PRODUCT

INTRODUCTION

Asgard 3 is the first complete re-imagining of the amp that started it all for us, way back in June 2010. It’s the third in our line of modular headphone amps and preamps (the others being Jotunheim and Lyr 3). Asgard combines a current-feedback topology and our unique Continuity™ output stage and a modular architecture that allows you to add a DAC, phono preamp, or future modules. Forget the built-in obsolescence of another amp/DACs, and enjoy your time with Asgard 3!

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

Asgard 3
Power cord
Stick-on feet (they’re pressed in!)

The following is required by the roughly 9,542 government agencies and regulations we have to comply with. If you have some common sense, they should seem pretty straightforward. In any case, read these instructions before proceeding farther, follow all instructions, and heed all warnings. Or else!

If you don’t know how to install audio devices, get a qualified professional to help.
Never use this device near water, and clean only with a dry cloth.
Assure adequate ventilation, do not block any ventilation openings, or place near heat sources.
Use only the supplied power cord or suitable replacement. Route cords away from traffic areas and protect them from being pinched. Unplug the cord from the outlet if the apparatus is unused for a long period of time.
To prevent electric shock, do not use the plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or outlet unless blades can be fully inserted.
Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Service is required when the device has been damaged, including cord or plug damage, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the device, the device has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

GETTING STARTED

Since this isn’t a tube amp, there’s not much you need to get started.
If you don’t have any optional module (that is, you bought your Asgard 3 as “just an amp,”) you just need to connect your source and headphones:

Use RCA cables to connect to your analog source to Asgard 3’s RCA inputs. Asgard 3 won’t run so well without a source.
Connect headphones to the Asgard 3’s head-phone output. Asgard 3 will run very happily without headphones, but unless you’re using the amp as only a desk-warmer, you’ll want headphones to con-nect to the Asgard so you can hear something.
Note: Be careful with TRRS-terminated headphones (usually ones with microphones)—you will need a specific TRRS-to-TRS adapter for those.
If you are using Asgard 3 with external powered monitors, you will also need RCA or RCA-to-XLR cables to connect the preamp outputs.

If you have an optional DAC module, you may also need to connect your digital source.

Use a high-quality, USB 2.0-rated cable of 2M or less in length.
On some Windows machines, you may need drivers, available at schiit.com/drivers.

If you have the optional phono card, you may also need to connect your turntable.

Using short, high-quality, well-shielded cables, connect your turntable to the phono card inputs.
Also connect the turntable ground to the ground post with a short, sturdy wire.
note that the phono preamp’s gain is fixed at 42dB, input impedance is 47k, and load capacitance is 100pF.

CONTROLS

SCHIIT ASGARD Modular Continuity Headamp and
Preamplifier-1

Vents. Asgard 3 runs 500mW of Class A bias (for 32 ohm loads), so it runs plenty warm. Don’t block these vents, and don’t spill your Chardonnay in them, either. Nor coffee. Nor Coke. Or let your cat throw up in it. You get the basic idea, right?
Volume Knob. Turn it to the right to make the music louder. Stop before it hurts. Or your headphones smoke. Seriously.
Gain Switch. Up is high gain. Down is low gain. No surprises here. Use low gain for sensitive headphones—that is, if you hear hiss or don’t have enough volume control range.
Input Switch. Up selects the module input (DAC or phono). That is, if you have a module. If you don’t have a module, up doesn’t do anything. Down selects the rear panel analog RCA inputs.
Headphone Jack. Plug your headphones in here. There ain’t no fancy balanced or fake-balanced connectors on this amp—it delivers full power through a standard 1/4” jack. If you have 1/8” jack headphones, get an adapter.
Note: Plugging in headphones mutes the preamp outputs.

CONNECTIONS

SCHIIT ASGARD Modular Continuity Headamp and
Preamplifier-2

Card Input. If you have a module installed, the input for the module will be here. If you don’t have a module installed, it will be covered.
Ground Lug. If you have a phono card installed, there will be a ground lug here. You will probably need to connect it to your turntable ground for minimum hum.
RCA Input. Connect your source here with high-quality RCA cables. Alternately, you can use cheapie cables, but if you have a problem, remember that we’ll ask you to check cables first.
Preamp Output. Connect these to your powered monitors or speaker power amplifier with high-quality RCA cables. If your powered monitors have XLR inputs, you can use RCA to XLR cables to connect to them.
On-Off Switch. Up is on. Down is off. Nothing very complicated here.
AC Input. Plug the power cord in here. Plug the other end into an outlet of the correct voltage. Trying to run a 115V product on 230V will blow the fuse and generally make for a bad, bad day.

FAQ

I hear hum through the headphones.
You may have a ground loop. To fix a ground loop, try a ground loop isolator or an EbTech HumX. If it’s low-level hum and noise, you can use Lo gain to reduce it. There’s no sound for a while after I turn it on. That’s perfectly normal. Asgard 3 has a built in start-up delay (and instant shut-down.) It’s set to 20-30 seconds to let the output stabilize. There’s no sound with the input switch in the top position.
Do you have the optional DAC or phono card?
If you don’t, you won’t get any sound.
I get weird noises when I use my cheapie earbuds that have a volume control on them.
Right. Those are TRRS headphones. You need a TRRS to TRS adapter for those. Continuing to use TRRS headphones without the right adapter can cause functional problems as well. Seriously, get the right adapter.
Can I leave Asgard 3 on all the time?
You can. It won’t catch on fire or anything, even though it runs warm.
My computer doesn’t see the DAC card via USB, what’s up?
Go to schiit.com/faq/dac-problems and schiit.com/faq/usb-problems for digital system troubleshooting.
I’m having hiss and hum from the phono card, how do I fix that?
Start at schiit.com/faq/phono-problems for phono troubleshooting tips.
It doesn’t turn on, what do I do?
Plug it in to a different AC socket. Ensure you are not currently in a blackout. Then email us if it still doesn’t work.

5-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

Schiit Audio warrants to the original purchaser that this product shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for five (5) years from the date of purchase. If a defect covered by this warranty occurs during this period, Schiit Audio will repair the defective product, free of charge. Date of purchase will be based on customer receipts, otherwise, date of manufacturing will be used.
If you believe you need warranty service, contact us first. Schiit Audio products sent back to us without a Return Authorization (RA) will be returned to the sender without repair. To contact us and obtain an RA, email info@schiit.com.
Warranty Limitations. This warranty shall not apply if a product: (a) is modified or tampered with; (b) is damaged by negligence, accident, unreasonably use, or other causes unrelated to defective materials or workmanship, or (c) has had the serial number altered or removed.
Any implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are hereby limited in duration to the warranty period of 2 years. In no event shall Schiit Audio be liable for consequential or incidental damages resulting from the breach of any implied or expressed warranties. Some states do not allow these limitations, so they may not apply to you. You may also have other rights which vary from state to state or province to province.