New phono preamp from SCHIIT - the Skoll

[Gigantic]

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

Also using a mani and can find no fault with it, but just the same, I’m curious as to how it differentiates itself and improves on an already excellent product.

 

[MisterDK]

…and I‘m looking forward to playing with it..!!

I’ll be happy to let you all know what I think of the Skoll.
Schiit is now saying “3 weeks” - so my input on it will most likely be a month away.

 

[justjed2]

Brand new, you're probably gonna be the first kid on the block with one! Definitely interested in your impressions, I hope it sounds even better than the specs would suggest!

 

[MisterDK]

Brand new, you're probably gonna be the first kid on the block with one! Definitely interested in your impressions, I hope it sounds even better than the specs would suggest!

IF it sounds as good as my 834 clone - I’ll be very happy! Mainly because of the remotely adjustable options, which will allow for A/B comparison while listening.. Every phono preamp I’ve had, if adjustable, required shutting down before changing settings.

 

[Will3]

Same hear.

Ditto. I'll order one by Xmas as long as it performs as well/better than my Mani2. (Thorens TD-125 II)
Remote? Balanced? Discrete? $400? Schitt?
No Brainer.......

 

[Will3]

Brand new, you're probably gonna be the first kid on the block with one! Definitely interested in your impressions, I hope it sounds even better than the specs would suggest!

They've probably recieved a coupla hundred orders already.

 

[justjed2]

That was a figure of speech, and not meant to be taken literally! Didn't necessarily mean he'd receive the first one shipped, only that he's the first on the Forum to mention the Skoll, and nobody else has said that they've ordered one. He has graciously, and voluntarily, become our guinea pig, in other words.

 

[GChief]

and not meant to be taken literally!

You must of forgot that many audiophiles (IME growing up) are very Sheldon like

 

[willie-aspen]

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>

Actually, your turntable can have a balanced output just by getting a new cable made with a DIN (with external pins for Grace arm) to XLRs.

 

[MisterDK]

Actually, your turntable can have a balanced output just by getting a new cable made with a DIN (with external pins for Grace arm) to XLRs.

I believe you could simply get an adapter, too.

Since I recently had an enjoyable and very successful time making my own RCA-ended interconnects using Mogami 2549 with Rean plugs, I’ll make up similar, using Rean XLR ends.

I was planning on using both of the Skoll inputs with my pair of vintage Sony 2251’s. Next time I swap an arm out on one of those tables, I may set it up with XLR plugs.

 

[Mr Boochie]

I believe you could simply get an adapter, too.

Since I recently had an enjoyable and very successful time making my own RCA-ended interconnects using Mogami 2549 with Rean plugs, I’ll make up similar, using Rean XLR ends.

I was planning on using both of the Skoll inputs with my pair of vintage Sony 2251’s. Next time I swap an arm out on one of those tables, I may set it up with XLR plugs.

View attachment 3015704

Nice tables.

 

[MisterDK]

Nice tables.

Thanks!

You know what..? They both sound quite nice, too! They’re quiet and maintain perfect speed. They‘re made of metal castings with actual wood plinths (bases) and are a pleasure to look at and use. Yes, they’re old..but still work perfectly.

I’ll be working on my Russco table soon, though; need to change a few things on it..

 

[Mr Boochie]

Thanks!

You know what..? They both sound quite nice, too! They’re quiet and maintain perfect speed. They‘re made of metal castings with actual wood plinths (bases) and are a pleasure to look at and use. Yes, they’re old..but still work perfectly.

I’ll be working on my Russco table soon, though; need to change a few things on it..

These Sony decks are known to last forever.

 

[carylee2002]

Reading the specs of the Skol...they don't offer anything above 150 ohm setting for LOMC cartridges while the Mani 2 offers up to 200 Ohm.

 

[ktm_2000]

I ordered one up, will report when it comes in.

I moved to my current house about 1 year ago, have had my good stereo in storage and haven't been listening to vinyl and have missed it. Last weekend poking though a yardsale, not finding anything I wanted, the person asked what I was looking for and brought me to their collection that they had boxed up to go to the dump as they haven't had a turntable in 20 years. They were more than happy to give them away, all the cash I had on me was a $20 so we had a deal. Out of a collection of a 100+ there are at least 50 good albums. A new phono stage will let me use my crappy Pioneer Elite surround sound amp to start listening to albums again. Funny how a $20 bargain can trigger a >$400 purchase

 

[MisterDK]

Reading the specs of the Skol...they don't offer anything above 150 ohm setting for LOMC cartridges while the Mani 2 offers up to 200 Ohm.

Should work out perfectly for the cartridges I have now and those I intend to use..

However, it would be nice to have more loading options. Schiit may change that when the Skoll gets revised - and it probably will.
For now, the 47K for my MI carts and 100 or 150 for my MC’s will be just fine.

 

[MisterDK]

I ordered one up, will report when it comes in.

I moved to my current house about 1 year ago, have had my good stereo in storage and haven't been listening to vinyl and have missed it. Last weekend poking though a yardsale, not finding anything I wanted, the person asked what I was looking for and brought me to their collection that they had boxed up to go to the dump as they haven't had a turntable in 20 years. They were more than happy to give them away, all the cash I had on me was a $20 so we had a deal. Out of a collection of a 100+ there are at least 50 good albums. A new phono stage will let me use my crappy Pioneer Elite surround sound amp to start listening to albums again. Funny how a $20 bargain can trigger a >$400 purchase

What a deal on those records! I used to find records out on the curb for trash, but that was 20+ years ago..

Yes, please!
Let us know what you think of your Skoll when it arrives, probably around 3 weeks from now. Oh well, I won’t be here half of that time anyway and have plenty to do when I will be home..

I was looking around on the web for any discussion or review of the Skoll. Found a little talk about it on head-fi.org…

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...f-the-worlds-most-improbable-start-up.701900/

Take a look at the last few pages of the above thread. It’s not a Skoll specific thread but people discuss all sorts of Schiit there.
It appears as if someone or maybe a few people, have Skoll already. Maybe Schiit sold out the first batch right away.
Need to go back and read to find out what they say about it..

 

[ktm_2000]

I received an email stating that the skoll has been shipped today, much better than the 2-3 weeks of anticipated wait till it shipped. I am east coast so it will be another week before it gets here.

 

[MisterDK]

I received an email stating that the skoll has been shipped today, much better than the 2-3 weeks of anticipated wait till it shipped. I am east coast so it will be another week before it gets here.

Interesting..! How is yours being shipped?

I just got an email too, saying that a package has been picked up in Corpus Christi.. Mine is shipping by Priority Mail so should get here by Friday….
Looking at my order page, no mention yet that it shipped - but the order “status” is now blank, instead of saying 3 weeks. Would be nice if I can try it out next weekend!

Think I’ll get busy and make up a couple sets of RCA interconnects for it.. Just this morning, I ordered another 90’ of microphone cable and more Rean plugs, too. When I make some time, I’ll do some with XLR ends…. That’ll be an incentive to build or buy more gear with XLR connections..





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[justjed2]

I hope so! I like Schiit, they're a different kind of company, with their own rules. And most of their stuff actually sounds pretty decent! But, at $400, I'm hoping it sounds better than just pretty decent!