Bringing up an old thread because I have a question. If my system is music server into an integrated amp with a DAC, where in the chain would it go?
Schiit Loki
I acquired the Loki several months ago. I hated to use it though, fearing I was compromising the “purity” of the system. Although, theoretically, I thought ( and commented on it here) that it was a fine addition, I didn’t have the courage of my convictions and seldom (if ever) used it. I finally talked myself into actually inserting it. Now, I discover what a fool I’ve been.
It doesn’t compromise the sound, but indeed enhances it. Soundstaging is just fine, and performances that I thought we’re unlistenable are now really enjoyable. Why sacrifice enjoyment in the quest for “purity?) We spend fortunes on tweaks to accomplish what this little device can do with the twist of a knob.
I wonder if others have had this revelation.
It doesn’t compromise the sound, but indeed enhances it. Soundstaging is just fine, and performances that I thought we’re unlistenable are now really enjoyable. Why sacrifice enjoyment in the quest for “purity?) We spend fortunes on tweaks to accomplish what this little device can do with the twist of a knob.
I wonder if others have had this revelation.
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I recently moved to a new home and put my Rega RS1s in the kitchen. They sounded good but thin. After a few months I whipped out the Loki, played some loud pink noise, tuned my knobs with an iPhone spectrometer, and voila: home made room correction! Sounds great! And very subtle when flipped on/off. I love this thing. |
I really miss not only the tone controls (a fair percentage of my favorite music was recorded in less-than-audiophile quality sound), but also the mode (stereo/mono/left/right) and balance controls all pre-amps used to have on their front panels, including the Dynaco PAS 2, McIntosh C26, and Audio Research SP-3 I have owned. It was the first Levinson pre-amp (designed by John Curl) that made tone controls on a pre-amp render said pre "unworthy" of being considered high end, and started the trend towards minimalism. I have an ARC LS-1 in my rack solely for it’s mode switch, and have considered replacing it with an older Mac just for it’s tone controls. Now I don’t have to! Mike Moffat understands ;-) . |
rvpiano Yes if your system needs it, it’s definitely the way to go to fine tune (EQ) your sound. And doing it in the analog domain means your not corrupting the sound of your prized expensive dac with something cheap, like you would if you did EQ in the digital domain. Here is the adjustment ranges of the 4 x control knobs at their frequencies for those who want to know it. https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/schiit-loki-eq-measurements.5153/ Cheers George |
Glad you are happy with it. :) The quality of tone controls is very device dependent.
Yep. Listening to music recorded over decades, with different mastering engineers, mastering speakers, and audio fads, it makes no sense to me to attempt audio purity without some way to season the experience to taste. |
