Connecting Schiit Loki to Integrated Amp

[JMiP]

I just purchased a Schiit Loki tone control unit and am looking to connect it to a Rega Elicit integrated amp. The amp is pretty spartan when it comes to features; no tone controls, a few inputs that include a tape in and a tape out. The front of the amp has the selectors for the inputs, including a Tape button.

How would one connect the Loki to this amp? I know that I can put the unit between a source and the amp, but I don't want to do a one at a time connection like that. How can I use the tape in/tape out connections?

Thanks!

 

[xero-D-hero]

Typically the Loki is installed in a tape loop using the tape monitor funtion.
Now that said not all tape loops have the monitor function.
But from what I can tell from a quick glance that Elicit has the tape monitor.
It's just that they call it the "record" button instead of the tape monitor button.

So a stereo RCA cable from the Elicit tape out goes into the Loki.
Another stereo RCA cable from the Loki output goes back into the record input on the Elicit.
Press the record button,and use the input selector normally to select the input you want.

HTH

Bret P.

 

[Old Guy8]

Congrats on new Loki. I enjoy mine and don't notice any degredation of sound quality, useing it. Hope that tape loop works fine.
(For any others without tape loop. My integrated doesn't have a tape loop. For my Loki, I have used a Nobsound Little Bear RCA switcher, 2x1 to feed two line inputs. Little Bear also available in 4x1 form. Schiit version switcher matches Loki, but pricy. A messy setup with cables here and there, but works.)

 

[tromba]

I would think there is also the option of putting it between your source (like CD player) and the amp IF you use one source almost exclusively.... I have a separate power amp, so I'd go the route of putting it between the pre and the amp. (I just got my Mani 3 and Magni 3 today and they sound great!)

 

[galactus2]

I would think there is also the option of putting it between your source (like CD player) and the amp IF you use one source almost exclusively.... I have a separate power amp, so I'd go the route of putting it between the pre and the amp. (I just got my Mani 3 and Magni 3 today and they sound great!)

This^ sounds like the ideal way to hook one up. I have a Loki, but don't have separates, as you do. So I'll risk a dumb question that might also help the OP out: with your Loki hooked up the way you describe, would it be able to affect the sound from each and every device hooked into the pre amp?

Mine is jacked into the aux input on my amp, and external devices, such as iPods and a Fiio, are jacked into it.

 

[JMiP]

OK, doing the in from the Loki to the tape out on the amp and then the tape in to the out on the Loki worked as instructed. Just had to make sure that the Tape button on the amp was cut on while listening to either the CD player or the turntable.

I have to admit that I was disappointed in the sound. With the Loki in control, there was a noticeable increase in overall volume and a sharp brightness introduced into the sound. It really detracted from the warm, laid back sound of the Rega Elicit. Sure, I was able to tame the low end of the ADS L810s for some music like reggae, but that came at too much of a cost to the overall sound.

I'll try it with my other amps just to see what happens. Who knows, it could just be a simple mismatch with the Elicit.

 

[Old Guy8]

You could test it between your CDP and pre. Hear if it still sounds off/same to you.

 

[tromba]

This^ sounds like the ideal way to hook one up. I have a Loki, but don't have separates, as you do. So I'll risk a dumb question that might also help the OP out: with your Loki hooked up the way you describe, would it be able to affect the sound from each and every device hooked into the pre amp?

Mine is jacked into the aux input on my amp, and external devices, such as iPods and a Fiio, are jacked into it.

First, I don't have a Loki but I've spent a lot of time over the last month reading about Schiit. But I do think if I hooked it up between the preamp and the power amp that yes, it would affect the sound on every device The Loki manual says "You can connect Loki ... between the preamp and power amp (so it can be used with all sources.)" So that's where I'd give it a try if I had one

 

[Seeker88]

Hey every one iv been reading this forum for a few weeks now and decided to sign up, Im getting into Schiit gear and have a question regarding component hook up, I noticed this thread was discussing it.

My question is what is the best way to hook up my amp which only has inputs, to my Schiit dac and Loki, My Rotel preamp has the usual input selections, I'm Still waiting for the Freya + to arrive but in the meantime I dont want to be without audio, I looking to put the Loki in between the amp and preamp but then how do i squeeze in the Dac.. The Loki has a bypass when not required .. My plan is to keep all inputs live with the Loki and Modius. From reading this forum I know the answers out there. After about 40 years in audio this is my fist Dac and thats where I'm at a loss. Thanks for any help..

 

[mgosdin]

The Modius Dac is, as far as your Rotel preamp is concerned, just another input. If you have a vacant high level input on the Rotel - Aux, Tuner or Tape - then when you get the Modius plug it in there. If you don't have a vacant high level input you may have to unplug something or get a switch box to add some more inputs.

Mark Gosdin

 

[Seeker88]

Thanks for responding, yes my preamp has aux, tape, phono and the like, the Modius has 1 pair of rca out's, along with balanced XLR that I'll use in the future, I need to keep all the components together, if I put the dac on the AUX I would have to switch off of AUX to go to the CD input to play audio cd's, which in turn would take the dac out of the equation. Im looking at running the input on the amp to the out on the Loki to start with..

 

[paspolc]

I enter the discussion, because I am interested also in how to connect my schiit loki to the new amplifier, the cambridge audio cxa61, which I was about to buy. i currently own a denon pma600ne and the loki is connected to the rec output, but since the cambridge does not have a rec output as you can see from the picture, which output should i connect it to?

thanks to all those who can help me
Pasquale

 

[Lavane]

I enter the discussion, because I am interested also in how to connect my schiit loki to the new amplifier, the cambridge audio cxa61, which I was about to buy. i currently own a denon pma600ne and the loki is connected to the rec output, but since the cambridge does not have a rec output as you can see from the picture, which output should i connect it to?

thanks to all those who can help me
Pasquale

That's going to be a little harder. It's going to have to be put between a source and amp. No biggie if you only have one source. You can buy a stand alone input selector. Plug all your sources into the selector, and plug the output of the selector to one source input on the amp. You would then use the added input selector for all your sources and leave the sector on the amp in the one position the stand alone selector is connected to. So your going to have an added cost of the selector though. These can be used in reverse also. So if you find one that is labeled with 1 input and several outputs, it can be used backwards. This gives es you more options in selectors.

 

[paspolc]

if I understand correctly, I should use a selector like this one I already have, Schiit Sys, and that I am currently using with my Denon pma600ne, so I can connect the turntable (denon dp300f, with preamp already incorporated and activated) and the cd player . And then connect the selector to any Cambridge Audio Rca output. I also wondered if the upgrade from the Denon amplifier to the Cambridge Audio will bring me a visible and audible overall improvement in sonic performance.

Thanks to all.
P.

 

[Lavane]

Connect the Sys to one if the line level inputs.

 

[playittwice]

This thread had me wondering if the by-pass switch actually does by-pass the signal without degradation. I have been using the Modius and Loki as a unit and plugged my RCA cables into the Loki with it by-passed. ( controls flat, shouldn’t matter but they were) I thought it sounded great UNTIL I separated them and plugged directly into the Modius and to my ears there is a different difference. I am using a very transparent tube amp with K-horns and I can definitely tell a difference. Now it sounds amazing! Less veiled and cleaner. Wasn’t expecting that one after all I read about the by-pass switch on the Loki. The Loki has been shelved!

If this correlates with what tone controls do in general I now understand why some folks dislike or prefer amps without them. The tube amp I used for this comparison does not have tone controls, hence the reason I had a Loki hooked up to it. I always though I “needed” them. Surprise surprise!! I learned something new today AND it didn’t cost me anything.

So that’s my 2 cents for the day! YMMV.

 

[xero-D-hero]

If this correlates with what tone controls do in general I now understand why some folks dislike or prefer amps without them.

Not necessarily so,at least not in any "absolute" sense.
Though it IS a topic of great debate and always will be.

See the one "feature" missing on a Loki that most "well built" graphic EQ's have is some form of level control.
That level control feature is what allows one to set the EQ to acheive what's called "unity gain".
Unity gain is when the overall system's output level is the same whether the EQ is in the chain or not (iow ~ on -or- off).
That is an older term that many folks have'nt even heard of,,,so the concept it represents is often overlooked these days...
Without a level control an EQ can "eat-up" some of the signal level and thus slightly reduce the level coming outta the EQ.
So a properly implemented & set level control helps to mitigate what many perceive as a "veiled" sound when using the EQ.

Now that said as with many things not all level controls will be created equal either.
You'll find some EQ's with a single level control that controls both channels together.
And you'll also find some EQ's that control each individual channel seperately.
There are also other differences as well,but that's really a whole other discussion.

So without doubt all tone controls (and yes even EQ's for that matter) are NOT the same.
And that's not even touching on what can be done via DSP...

Thus as with all gear...
All one can really do to know for sure whether a piece of gear is "right" for them,is to try it and find out.

HTH

Bret P.

 

[playittwice]

^Thanks for the explanation/clarification. I do use them a bit on my SS amps. I set them and leave them. I don’t dwell on constantly tweaking them.

I totally agree with the idea of trying gear yourself. It’s truly the only way to know. Opinions and what you read will only take you so far.

 

[paspolc]

Unfortunately not everybody has the possibility to try hifi gears before buying. In my town here in Italy, about 60000 people, all hifi stores have shut down, and they were not few.

 

[S500Fox]

Reviving this old thread as it's close to my query.

I have a Schiit Lokius and am considering connecting it to my Audio Innovations S500 amp via the tape loop so that all inputs (phono, cd, DAC) will play through it. However, the RCA out on the Lokius states it is 10v & the (standard?) line inputs on the S500 state 3v. Am I going to have issues?
TIA