New phono preamp from SCHIIT - the Skoll

[Mr Boochie]

Go to Home Depot and buy a 1ft extension cord. Plug the wallwart into the extension cord and plug the cord into the Furman. Should only cover one outlet that way.

I use these.

8-inch extension cords.

 

[GChief]

I use these.

8-inch extension cords.

But that would be in that golden last 3ft of power chain.

 

[Mr Boochie]

I'm using RCA input from the Azure and XLR output to the Parasound P6. The little thing is the same size as my Bluesound Node X (9"x6") and sounds pretty good right out of the box. I played around with different gain and capacitance settings and for now have settled on 50db gain and 100 pF since my AT-VM740ML likes a capacitance between 100-200pF. At 40db gain and 50 pF the volume was pretty low and the sound was a bit constrained (had to turn the P6 volume up to 70-75).

At 50db gain and 100pF the volume was perfect between 40 and 60 (over 66 and my eardrums wanted to explode), and the 100pF capacitance really opened up the cart. With my Incognito tonearm wiring the total pF is around 160pF, right in the middle of the carts sweet spot.

So how does it sound?- It does not have the "strength" of my $2400 Parasound JC3+ but I fixed that by turning up the volume a bit. It is just as quiet and has the same dynamic range as the JC3+. The soundstage is getting wider/deeper with every LP, it will probably need 20 hours or more to come to its full potential. Due to the adjustability of the input capacitance the overall sound of the VM740ML is sweeter. The capacitance on the JC3+ is not adjustable, you're stuck with 150pF, and that is just a tad too much for the VM740ML cart, making it a bit bright /brittle on some LP's, the Skoll does not have this issue, it is sweet with zero sibilance when set at 100pF... at 150pF the brightness comes back, and at 200 it is bright and brittle.

Now for the bad: I hate the size of the dual voltage output wall wart (24V / 6V) - it takes up way too much space in my Furman power filter. That is all the bad. I'm thinking of buying the Lokius EQ if I can figure out a way to make its smaller 16V wallwart fit in with the rest of the stuff plugged into the Furman.

Overall this little piece of Schiit is a keeper- it works perfectly with a mid-fi/entry level audiophile system like mine... The JC3+ is pure overkill. When they eventually offer the Skoll in silver I'll get one of those for the main system and move this black one into the office system (all black equipment in there).

Tomorrow morning I'm heading to London/Edinburg/Dublin for two weeks, so I won't get to play with this little "POS" for awhile, I think I'll leave it turned on the whole time I'm gone (barely gets warm). Looking forward to Guy Fawkes day/night celebrations and consuming several adult beverages...

Would you say the Skoll sounds as smooth and natural as the JC3+? Tight, clean bass?

Thanks, again!

 

[Mr Boochie]

But that would be in that golden last 3ft of power chain.

I have my dog bless all extension cords.

Fido.

 

[seely]

Well, I was all set on a Darlington pre-amp, but this is looking mighty interesting and a nice price point right between the MP6 & 7, which I doubt is an accident

 

[MisterDK]

Would you say the Skoll sounds as smooth and natural as the JC3+? Tight, clean bass?

Thanks, again!

Back home and listening right now…
I will say yes, though I haven’t heard a JC3+. This Skoll does have tight, clean bass! It has been left on since I got it several days ago. Listening today, I’m liking the sound of it nearly as much as my 834 clone, tube phono preamp - only the Skoll is also adjustable.

 

[Mr Boochie]

That 834P clone uses 12AX7 tubes. Right?

Thanks!

 

[MisterDK]

That 834P clone uses 12AX7 tubes. Right?

Thanks!

It does, so this Skoll has a much quieter background.

 

[MisterDK]

Listening to one of my “reference” albums now, “Aerial Boundaries”. It’s a very dynamic recording and excellent pressing; a perfect test record.
The Skoll sounds amazingly detailed but still very smooth. I now think it’s better sounding than the Phonomenas I’ve had.

 

[lini]

I searched their website, downloaded the manual, read the specs, checked a few reviews, can cannot find the gain specs anywhere.

Oh, come on - input sensitivity and rated output level are specified for both MM and MC. So you just need to do the math, which is anything but difficult in this case. MM: 5 mV for 500 mV -> gain factor 100 = 10^2 = 40 dB; MC: 500 µV for 500 mV -> gain factor 1000 = 10^3 = 60 dB. And with the "+6dB" button, you can get +6 dB on top.

That being said, personally I wouldn't buy that thingy, 'cause the specified overload margin merely is 26 dB = factor 20 (for both MM and MC), so the corresponding input levels would be just 100 mV (MM, 40 dB) and 10 mV (MC, 60 dB) - most likely enough in practice, but nevertheless somewhat meagre for a phono stage at that price level and with an integrated power supply (so that limit voltage swing shouldn't be a problem).

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[MisterDK]

@lini - Manfred, are you referring to the Schiit Skoll or the Musical Fidelity MX6? Please forgive me if I’m confused..

BTW - here are Schiit’s published specs on the Skoll.

 

[lini]

Manfred, are you referring to the Schiit Skoll or the Musical Fidelity MX6?

To the MuFi.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini

 

[adnick]

Listening to one of my “reference” albums now, “Aerial Boundaries”. It’s a very dynamic recording and excellent pressing; a perfect test record.
The Skoll sounds amazingly detailed but still very smooth. I now think it’s better sounding than the Phonomenas I’ve had.

View attachment 3026909

Have a copy of that (-:

 

[justjed2]

Listening to one of my “reference” albums now, “Aerial Boundaries”. It’s a very dynamic recording and excellent pressing; a perfect test record.
The Skoll sounds amazingly detailed but still very smooth. I now think it’s better sounding than the Phonomenas I’ve had.

That's really good to hear. Is it too early to decide if it's gonna be a keeper?

 

[MisterDK]

That's really good to hear. Is it too early to decide if it's gonna be a keeper?

It’s not too early.
I like it, so for now - it’s a keeper! When I find a Klyne phono preamp in perfect shape, then the Skoll may find another home.

 

[justjed2]

Well, I was all set on a Darlington pre-amp, but this is looking mighty interesting and a nice price point right between the MP6 & 7, which I doubt is an accident

I have the MP-7, and it's not going anywhere! With a SUT for LOMC, it's plenty good for my needs. If I had more carts, or planned on getting several more, the Skoll would be right up my alley. As is, I'm well served with the gear I have. I think the MP-7 deserves the reputation it's garnered, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a dedicated MM pre.

 

[MisterDK]

I have the MP-7, and it's not going anywhere! With a SUT for LOMC, it's plenty good for my needs. If I had more carts, or planned on getting several more, the Skoll would be right up my alley. As is, I'm well served with the gear I have. I think the MP-7 deserves the reputation it's garnered, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a dedicated MM pre.

You know, if the MP-6 or MP-7 had gain and loading options, I would have one..!

I have been very happy with my tube, 834 clone but I can’t change settings on it either. That’s why I bought the Skoll.. It will allow me to use the low output carts I have without going to a SUT or headamp..

 

[Mr Boochie]

You know, if the MP-6 or MP-7 had gain and loading options, I would have one..!

I have been very happy with my tube, 834 clone but I can’t change settings on it either. That’s why I bought the Skoll.. It will allow me to use the low output carts I have without going to a SUT or headamp..

Having control over impedance and capacitance settings makes a big difference, to the various cartridges. Some more than others.

It's a very nice feature.

 

[MisterDK]

Having control over impedance and capacitance settings makes a big difference, to the various cartridges. Some more than others.

It's a very nice feature.

I agree!

 

[adnick]

You know, if the MP-6 or MP-7 had gain and loading options, I would have one..!

I have been very happy with my tube, 834 clone but I can’t change settings on it either. That’s why I bought the Skoll.. It will allow me to use the low output carts I have without going to a SUT or headamp..

With the amount of gain in the clone with 12ax7s it will support many low output MC cartridges like the basic DL 103 without a SUT or headamp, just not something like a 103M

However at that level of gain with the cheap parts of the basic kits, there’s too much noise…they can be made very quite even at the extreme end of their gain with the right parts and tube(s).

VR
Andy