New phono preamp from SCHIIT - the Skoll

[MisterDK]

Just announced today and sounds interesting..!

https://www.schiit.com/products/skoll

 

[justjed2]

Yes, it does sound interesting. Don't really need it, tho, my MM and MC needs are covered. Six months ago, I'd have been all over it! I like the no-feedback, high operating-voltage idea. It's one I happen to agree with. My MM pre utilizes a similar design philosophy, but a different circuit topology. I think they may have a winner here, it remains to be seen how the reviews go. But, these guys are pretty sharp. I kinda hope it's better than the Zen, and I kinda like the Zen.

I'm relatively certain it will be pitted against the SOTA Pyxi, in short order!

 

[MisterDK]

Sort of surprising to see no more comments on this one.. I don’t need the remote but the loading and gain options are good, it’s all “discrete”, if that matters to you, it looks well made and is aesthetically pleasing. It’ll be interesting to read reviews when it starts shipping.. I’m sure it’ll be compared to Pyxi and the Darlington offerings. Should be a nice improvement over the Mani.

 

[justjed2]

Well, I have the Darlington Labs MP-7, and a decent quality Chi-fi SUT, for LOMC. I thought about the Pyxi, but with only a couple of MC carts, don't need a lot of loading options.

I'm also surprised no one else has commented, it looks very well thought out, and the specs really are quite good. As I said. if the Skoll had been available six months ago, I'd probably have one now. It was mostly the no-feedback/high operating-voltage design that sold me on the MP-7. But, the Skoll's remote operation of everything is very cool! Like I said, I'm pretty happy with what I have, and the Skoll is just six months too late. But, depending on the reviews, I might have to find a way to procure one as a back-up.

It will be interesting to see how the Schiit stacks up against the competition. In my system, any phono-pre gets weighed against the onboard phono-stage of the Kenwood Basic C2 preamp. This one is still well-regarded after 30+ years. I prefer the C2 to any MM phono-pre I've used, until the MP-7. If the Skoll can actually sound musical, instead of just quiet, we might really have something.

 

[tabarddn51]

Hi, At that price range, you are wasting money on balanced, unless you intend to play a $4000+ MC cart trough it & have the rest of your system balanced!! To me the Sota must be the unit to go for if you are in that price range & want to play MC.

Cheers

 

[dcdiaz]

I'm not high end at all, but the mani2 really improved the sound of my tt. This is supposed to be better. I don't think you could go wrong with this.

 

[MisterDK]

While I really like the sound of my 834 clone tube amp - and I had been working on another one with premium parts.. I really am tempted to get this new Schiit Skoll, the Pyxi and the Darllington 6 or 7 with matching head amps..! Good thing my wife doesn’t let me, I guess..

I have to say though, on looks alone, the Schiit is the winner. While I wasn’t really wanting a remote - that would be the easiest way to adjust loading and capacitance without getting up.. Lots of interesting choices these days..

 

[CrSens]

Its been reviewed and approved by the chief measurebators of the net (ASR), so if you listen to the specifications it will be perfect. for you.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Just announced today and sounds interesting..!

https://www.schiit.com/products/skoll

View attachment 3008652

Interesting! "Just a pinch between the cheek and gum."

No wait! That's Skoal.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Its been reviewed and approved by the chief measurebators of the net (ASR), so if you listen to the specifications it will be perfect. for you.

I do the second-best thing. I read the data sheet, while listening to tunes!

 

[MisterDK]

Well, I had to have one…

Couldn’t help myself but for the price and features with two inputs & two outputs - both RCA and XLR, gain settings up to 70dB, resistance and capacitance loading by remote control…

I had to buy one of these!

BTW, no op-amps in the Skoll, not that there’s anything wrong with op-amps..
Had a couple different early Mani pre’s before and while not horrible, they weren‘t smooth and rich sounding either. This “Skoll” promises be a nice improvement over the Mani and if it doesn’t impress, I have 15 days to return it - though for a somewhat high “restocking fee”. Warranty is 2 years on these.

Hope it sounds as good as it looks. Unfortunately, no real reviews just yet but by the time they go out, there probably will be..
Schiit says they ship in 2-3 weeks.

Now, I’m also eyeballing their new “Kara” preamp which seems to have replaced the Freya S.

 

[Gigantic]

It sounds promising on paper. I wonder what's the over/under on them releasing a Skoll+ with the tube filter they use in the Saga and Lyr?

 

[ctjetta]

All we need now are some reviews to see how it performs in the real world.

 

[Mr Boochie]

All we need now are some reviews to see how how it performs in the real world.

Makes one wonder how it would perform in the fake world?

Or not...

 

[MisterDK]

Makes one wonder how it would perform in the fake world?

Or not...

If I’m able to, I’ll post my impressions of it - in a few weeks. Meanwhile I should get back to building the 834 clone that I was putting together.. I know those sound good.

 

[ktm_2000]

I have an older Kenwood KD500 and grace 707 with Ortofon MM and a GAS Sleeping beauty MC cartridges.

question, is it worth a bit more than 2x the price of mani? how much would balanced output add if I have an older turntable with standard rca jacks.

I do have an amp with balanced inputs but do not currently have a preamp with balanced (future purchase).

Also what else in the $400 range would you recommend looking at>

 

[Mr Boochie]

If I’m able to, I’ll post my impressions of it - in a few weeks. Meanwhile I should get back to building the 834 clone that I was putting together.. I know those sound good.

Much thanks!

 

[MisterDK]

I have an older Kenwood KD500 and grace 707 with Ortofon MM and a GAS Sleeping beauty MC cartridges.

question, is it worth a bit more than 2x the price of mani? how much would balanced output add if I have an older turntable with standard rca jacks.

I do have an amp with balanced inputs but do not currently have a preamp with balanced (future purchase).

Also what else in the $400 range would you recommend looking at>

I’d say - look at the SOTA Pyxi and the Darlington phono preamps! I was tempted by each of those - and then, this Skoll was announced. Since I like the build quality of Schiit’s products and have been using their Saga for several years, I chose the Skoll.

Actually, the nicest sounding phono preamp that’s affordable to me - is the 834 clone tube phono preamp. I already have one and won’t part with it, and I started building another one with premium parts. If this new Skoll doesn’t sound really good to me, I’ll just pass it on…
As far as being over double the cost of a Mani..? It really depends on how good each of them sound. I haven’t heard a Mani 2 and haven’t heard this Skoll yet, either!

 

[ranf1970]

This is interesting. I remember when the Mani 2 was released, a lot of reviewers really liked it and was hoping that Schiit would release something a little more upscale for the market. And here we are.

I am currently using the Mani 2 and really enjoy it for what it is. @MisterDK , I'm looking forward to your review.

 

[GChief]

I am currently using the Mani 2 and really enjoy it for what it is. @MisterDK , I'm looking forward to your review.

Same hear.