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

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.....

Well, hello crew, I'm back after listening for a few weeks.  No doubt this Schiit phono stage sounds better than the C-J EF1.  Hands down.  Not sure how they can build and sell such a fine unit for $400, but they managed!