2. analog
  3. 186959-2065

Phono Stage_Skoll-by Schiit Audio

Following assessment of newly released Phono Stage by Schiit Audio.

I installed it today.  It is replacing a Conrad-Johnson EF-1 phono stage I have owned since 2003.  I have a tendency to hang on to quality components....

The first thing I noticed with the Skoll P.S. is zero noise floor with no music playing and the pre-amp and amp running open in the background!  My C-J unit added a noticeable low frequency hum to my speakers. (not noticeable when music was playing.)  

The second thing I noticed was how clean the music sounded.  This was immediately noticeable.  Instruments stand out like never before.

This Schiit phono stage is the real deal!  I'm impressed and very happy I made this purchase!  Your folks did a really nice job on the design and build of this unit, and it shows!   This is the best $400 dollars I've spent on audio equipment!  I believe it is worth more.  Great value! 

I could not leave any comments or an appraisal of this unit on your web site, but feel free to post this as you can!

Warmest Regards,

Lou Oniga

quincy
quincy OP
323 posts
 

I sent them an email stating the above.

jacobsdad2000
433 posts
 

Very nice.

lewm
12,522 posts
 

Not to be a Debby Downer, but it is always good to take a deep breath and listen for a while to any new component, and even AB it with the component that is being replaced, before deciding on your level of satisfaction.  In this case though, I suspect the lower noise floor, just by itself, is reason enough to feel good about the upgrade.

quincy OP
323 posts
 

Oh, I'm sorry, I did that.  I listened to a Bob Dylan record on the prior C-J phono amp, then disconnected it and plugged in the Schiit phono.  Took perhaps 30 minutes putzing with cables and power.  Listened to the same record again.  Improvement was immediate.  Now, that being said, there may be something wrong with the C-J Phono that needs attention, but other than the low hum described (which is has done for 20 years) it seemed to work just fine.  

I get what your saying because some time ago I was putzing with loading in the C-J unit.  At 47K ohms I thought it sounded better, but after a week of listening I switched to 100 ohms because of brightness....

I'll break it in for a week or so and chime back if something changes.

ghdprentice
6,428 posts
 

@quincy 

👍

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