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Schiit not that Good?

Schiit was at AXPONA again this year. They were showing a Salk music server streaming into a Gungnir Multibit (?) feeding a Freya and two Vidars. Speakers were the Salk Song 3As.

 

So what happened?


Esoteric was just next door. This allowed attendees to move immediately from one room to another. Esoteric was showing a full stack of thier latest separates plus a VPI Avenger for analog. Speakers were a pair of Cantons I didn’t get the model of.

 

The Schiit room, while not bad, was completely destroyed by the Esoteric room. Esoteric played one SACD that unfurled a massive soundstage that I could sense even not being in the best seat. The sound of the Esoteric system, both via SACD and vinyl was dynamic, resolving, extremely musical, collected, vibrant, both large and delicately structured. It was a system that got all the minor details right. Such a good setup. The Schiit setup, while unoffensive, clean, and musical in its own right, simply couldn’t face the Esoteric in inner detail, soundstage, reality and low-level dynamics.

 

Why did the Schiit system fail so hard vs the Esoteric? Part of the reason might have been the junk cabling used by Schiit. Peaking behind the system I was Blue Jeans speaker cables and mess of power bricks, basic cabling, etc. I don’t know how much of the Schiit’s performance was compromised by inferior cabling, but I’m curious how close it would have come to the Esoteric had Schiit paid some basic attention to that area.


madavid0
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,895 posts
 
It’s unfortunate that honest assessments like this get such blowback. The offended fanboys always pile on. Schiit gear is decent, but often overhyped.

Having owned some Schiit, and having heard a number of systems with Esoteric pieces, I certainly don’t doubt the veracity of op’s observations. And it’s just that - his observations posted in an online forum. He doesn’t need to justify or qualify his opinions, and I don’t care that there’s a gigantic price differential (op didn't mislead anyone in to believing the 2 systems were similarly priced); it’s still an interesting comparison - especially with Schiit pushers continually barking about their "giant killer" gear. Well, then go fight giants!
chrshanl37
835 posts
 
Uh....your joking right? Honest assessment? Maybe you should look at the threads started by this poster they are all the same and then he jumps ship. I do not own ant Schiit gear BTW I was merely pointing out the obvious. Good day :)
213runnin
914 posts
 
Yeah, I just noticed he started a thread at computer audiophile using the same first post.  I wonder how many forums he's done this to, and why does he feel the need to wage some kind of campaign?  Get a life, GUTB!

https://www.computeraudiophile.com/forums/topic/39108-schiit-embarrassed-at-axpona/
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
(op didn’t mislead anyone in to believing the 2 systems were similarly priced);
He also didn’t say they were miles apart either, but he did hint at it with the cabling.

Shiit products are the best bang for buck by along way that I have come across. It’s the Schiit!!!
If you want to spend much more then it "may" (and I emphasise may) not be the Schiit.

There are a lot of $$$$K manufacturers that are anti Schiit, that are being hurt by Mike Moffat and his Schiit, I had experience with it first hand with my product, it will prevail if it’s got the goods, which to me it has, so long as bad management doesn't **** it up. 

Cheers George
wiscoguy
20 posts
 
I just bought a vidar/saga/modi 2 multibit setup.  I'm broke and on a budget. The total for all 3 pieces was $1340.  For the price it is a fantastic value.  It sounds and looks great. Plus made in the US. 
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