Phono Stage_Skoll-by Schiit Audio

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.

@quincy 

👍

Quincy, with what cartridge did you go from 47K to 100 ohms load? Thx

I have had a Lyra Delos, moving coil cart for the last 10~12 years which puts out ~.0.5mV of signal.  Boron cantilever, line contact diamond stylus.  It replaced a Benz Micro Glider MC around the same price point. (a shade under $2K).  I have always felt that the C-J EF1 was the weak link in my system.  C-J Premier 17LS preamp.  C-J LP66S amp.  All vacuum tube set up.  My ear likes tubes over solid state.  Kef Reference 3~2 speakers,  SVS unported subwoofers (2).  (The SVS have ~600 Watt class D powered amps built into them....they do a good job of digging into the very bottom end)  Very good audioquest king cobra interconnects along with audioquest speaker cable to all 4 speakers.  All the same length with pure silver connectors.

I originally had the loading set to 200 Ohms resistance in the EF-1.  I got some bug to change it, most likely from reading some posts here in regards to loading.....47K (basically unloaded) was not the way to go with a moving coil....  We all live and learn.  Its a fun hobby!

Oops...Forgot the J.A. Michael turntable and SME V tonearm w/ six nines pure silver cable running from the cart to the phono stage..  A very nice turntable rig I've had for over 25 years.....