New phono preamp from SCHIIT - the Skoll
- Thread starter MisterDK
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It would be interesting how the unit sounds, after alignment.
Your opinion is valuable.
So I did a bit of experimenting today with the Skoll and my Parasound JC3 Jr which has been in the office with Planar 3 50th edition. I dug out my meter and measured the capacitance of the phono wires from the back of the cartridge to the end of the RCA cables. The Azure/P3 in the living room with the new Incognito Wiring Kit measured from 42pF to 44pF (pretty good!). The 50th edition cables measured 78pF to 80pF, putting the total load of the JC3 Jr (with its built in capacitance of 150 pF) and Rega cables at 230pF, whereas the Exact 2 cartridge specs call for only 100pF of capacitive loading - no wonder it sounds too bright, and its very high 7.3 mV output doesn't help either.
So I put the Skoll in the office with the 50th, with the adjustable capacitance set to the lowest setting (50pF, for a total of 130pF) and the gain turned down to 40db... like magic the P3 with the Exact 2 is now a decent sounding table- it likes the Skoll better than the JC3 Jr.
I put the JC3 Jr in the main system with the Azure/P3 and AT VM740ML cart, with the total capacitive loading of 194 pF (AT specs 100 to 200 pF for the VM740) and it sounds pretty damn good too- I gave it a good workout with Brothers in Arms, Dark Side Of The Moon, and Carol King Tapestry. I'm going to leave things like this over the holidays and see how things progress...
BTW, I sold both the JC2 BP preamp and JC3+ phono amp today... they were simply overkill in my system.
So I put the Skoll in the office with the 50th, with the adjustable capacitance set to the lowest setting (50pF, for a total of 130pF) and the gain turned down to 40db... like magic the P3 with the Exact 2 is now a decent sounding table- it likes the Skoll better than the JC3 Jr.
I put the JC3 Jr in the main system with the Azure/P3 and AT VM740ML cart, with the total capacitive loading of 194 pF (AT specs 100 to 200 pF for the VM740) and it sounds pretty damn good too- I gave it a good workout with Brothers in Arms, Dark Side Of The Moon, and Carol King Tapestry. I'm going to leave things like this over the holidays and see how things progress...
BTW, I sold both the JC2 BP preamp and JC3+ phono amp today... they were simply overkill in my system.
At the prices being asked you can at least get two out of three. I love the Pyxi, but don’t listen to enough vinyl anymore to justify more than one.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..
MisterDK
Addicted Member
..and I listen to records, nearly every day. Don’t do digital at all, but that may change as I have quite a few CD’s, too.
Have a three level house and a system set up on two of those. I also enjoy swapping gear around to see what I like best at that particular time.
I’m working on a DIY 384 tube phono right now. It’s about 1/2 done. I had been using a pre-assembled 834 clone for a couple years before getting the Skoll. While probably not as “accurate”, the tube phono does have a richer, more lush sound..
I rarely listen to the CDs anymore. Like once a year...and I listen to records, nearly every day. Don’t do digital at all, but that may change as I have quite a few CD’s, too.
Have a three level house and a system set up on two of those. I also enjoy swapping gear around to see what I like best at that particular time.
I’m working on a DIY 384 tube phono right now. It’s about 1/2 done. I had been using a pre-assembled 834 clone for a couple years before getting the Skoll. While probably not as “accurate”, the tube phono does have a richer, more lush sound..
The digital source I use now, is streaming.
I listen mainly to my Bluesound Node X (with Tidal streaming) then Vinyl, and some FM (in the late afternoon when they have no commercials for an hour)... CDs get played maybe once every two-three weeks and those are usually compilations that I burned myself... no football worth watching this afternoon, getting ready to listen to Pink Floyd's Pulse on the Node X.I rarely listen to the CDs anymore. Like once a year.
The digital source I use now, is streaming.
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While we are on the subject of the SKOLL, I just ordered a Lokius 6 band tone contoller... I went back and forth between the Lokius and the expensive Loki Max, and in the end opted to try the Lokius first... If I like it, I can put it in the office with the Skoll and then pony up the $$ for the remote controllable Loki Max for the main stereo.
www.schiit.com
Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA
www.schiit.com
Gigantic
A big, big love
I had a Loki Mini, but sold it because I didn't really need it, as I tri-amp my speakers with a DSP crossover that has eq to adjust and tame the response. That said, it was an impressive unit and very quiet. IF I needed one, I'd definitely get another or the Lokius.While we are on the subject of the SKOLL, I just ordered a Lokius 6 band tone contoller... I went back and forth between the Lokius and the expensive Loki Max, and in the end opted to try the Lokius first... If I like it, I can put it in the office with the Skoll and then pony up the $$ for the remote controllable Loki Max for the main stereo.
Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA
Well, the FedEx guy brought my little piece of Schiit a day early: Lokius 6 band tone control.
I set it up using XLR connections, as Schiit cautions that you may get a hum if you place it on top of other quipment but I had it on top of my Parasound JC3 Jr and P6 preamp and it is dead silent on both, but I opted to leave it on top of the P6 preamp (easier to run the XLR cables to the amps). I played my most worn out album (Steely Dans Greatest Hits) that normally has lots of sibilance on the high notes- with the 6K and 16K knobs turned down just a bit (less than 1/4 turn) and the 20Hz and 120Hz turned up just a bit (again less than 1/4 turn) and the old worn out album is pretty respectable now... So I put on my best sounding album (UHQR AJA) and left the settings the same and audio nirvana ensued... I played my Bluesound Node X and it was better with the Lokius in bypass mode. I can't wait until tomorrow morning when I have the house all to myself for 8 straight hours so that I can put this thing through its paces.
I set it up using XLR connections, as Schiit cautions that you may get a hum if you place it on top of other quipment but I had it on top of my Parasound JC3 Jr and P6 preamp and it is dead silent on both, but I opted to leave it on top of the P6 preamp (easier to run the XLR cables to the amps). I played my most worn out album (Steely Dans Greatest Hits) that normally has lots of sibilance on the high notes- with the 6K and 16K knobs turned down just a bit (less than 1/4 turn) and the 20Hz and 120Hz turned up just a bit (again less than 1/4 turn) and the old worn out album is pretty respectable now... So I put on my best sounding album (UHQR AJA) and left the settings the same and audio nirvana ensued... I played my Bluesound Node X and it was better with the Lokius in bypass mode. I can't wait until tomorrow morning when I have the house all to myself for 8 straight hours so that I can put this thing through its paces.
I played with the Lokius all day... marvelous little device. I've found a spot where all my inputs sound great (Phono, Node X, CD, FM) seems that my ears like a little bump in 20 and 120, and a little down in 6K and a bit more down on 16K (the high frequencies mess with my tinnitus).
I think I'm becoming a "Schiit Head"
I think I'm becoming a "Schiit Head"
MisterDK
Addicted Member
They have a few pieces that I’d like to pick up, that Lokius being one of them. I’ve been using their Saga for years now and it’s been super.
I was playing Brothers In Arms in the office today- Rega Planar 3 50th anniv. edition with crap Exact 2 cart through the Skoll, wow this thing is marvelous. Deep crisp bass, crystal clear mids and airy highs... sounds better than my Parasound JC3 Jr (due to the adjustable loading). This is the only phono preamp (separate or built in) that I've used that can handle the Exact 2 carts over wound brightness (puts out 7.3 mV).... I'm getting another one as soon as they are available in silver
MisterDK
Addicted Member
The Skoll does sound excellent - BUT - I just finished putting my (well modified) 834 clone together. As much as I like the Skoll, I have to say that I think this home-built tube amp sounds even better. Skoll is definately quieter, as the tubes I have are pretty microphonic. Skoll is also easily adjustable, of course - and it’s just one fourth the size.. Not much to dislike about the Skoll - it’s a great phono preamp.
Something more to the tube amp sound though.. More rich and full, maybe a shade warmer. Excellent detail with the tube amp as well.. I really like ‘em both quite alot, Skoll and the 834 clone.
I’ll switch back the Skoll in a couple months just to compare again...
My 834 clone:
wushuliu
Super Member
The Skoll does sound excellent - BUT - I just finished putting my (well modified) 834 clone together. As much as I like the Skoll, I have to say that I think this home-built tube amp sounds even better. Skoll is definately quieter, as the tubes I have are pretty microphonic. Skoll is also easily adjustable, of course - and it’s just one fourth the size.. Not much to dislike about the Skoll - it’s a great phono preamp.
Something more to the tube amp sound though.. More rich and full, maybe a shade warmer. Excellent detail with the tube amp as well.. I really like ‘em both quite alot, Skoll and the 834 clone.
I’ll switch back the Skoll in a couple months just to compare again...
My 834 clone:
Probably leaving some additional performance on the table with that EAR starting w/ upgrading those MKPs and some of the electrolytics which I assume are the cheap chinese ones that came with the kit. If you're rolling your own might as well go all the way
dylan_k
Member
What did you have before the mani2?
MisterDK
Addicted Member
Thanks - Some of those were in the kit and some were given to me.. it has had nearly every common mod done to it with the exception of those big, expensive audio caps. BTW, those MKP caps are made by ERO (Vishay) - and are actually the caps recommended on the build guide at lencoheaven. ERO is supposedly what Vishay used to be called - those are good quality caps.
This 834 clone already sounds quite a bit better than one of the pre-built clones as I have one of them to compare with as well.
Since I have a few of those ERO brand MKP’s, figured I may as well put ‘em to use. Same with the Elna Cerafine in the power supply; some folks like Cerafines, some don’t - and I have a few here to use in projects.. They’re also very good caps.
I think this is already sounding fantastic. Not sure how much of a difference boutique (and often expensive) audio caps would make; they do look impressive though.. I may order some, someday...or not.
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Well, I did purchase a Freya +, should have it in a couple days. I got their Mosfet tube thingies, and purchased real tubes separately from TubeDepot- 2 each Sylvania 6SN7GTB Coin Base for the buffer side and two Tung-Sol 6SN7GTB for the gain side (after exhaustive internet searching for what reasonably priced tubes (around $50-$60 each) sound best in the Freya and the Freya + when using a Parasound A21+)The Skoll does sound excellent - BUT - I just finished putting my (well modified) 834 clone together. As much as I like the Skoll, I have to say that I think this home-built tube amp sounds even better. Skoll is definately quieter, as the tubes I have are pretty microphonic. Skoll is also easily adjustable, of course - and it’s just one fourth the size.. Not much to dislike about the Skoll - it’s a great phono preamp.
Something more to the tube amp sound though.. More rich and full, maybe a shade warmer. Excellent detail with the tube amp as well.. I really like ‘em both quite alot, Skoll and the 834 clone.
I’ll switch back the Skoll in a couple months just to compare again...
My 834 clone:
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View attachment 3065920
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MisterDK
Addicted Member
Sweet!
A very nice preamp to give you some tube magic..!
My Saga doesn’t offer much of a tube sound; the 6SN7 in it is just a buffer but I still leave mine on all the time.
I put the Sylvania and Tung-Sol tubes in the Freya+ this morning and let her play ALL day (FM/ Streaming/Vinyl). I played my brand new 2016 reissue of Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here (turned out to be a perfect pressing BTW) and was blown away by the 3D-holographic like sound stage and the tone of Gilmore's guitars was unbelievable... goosebumps all over. I'm loving the tubes !
