Phono Stage_Skoll-by Schiit Audio

It resonates (pun) with my own observations. Adjusting load is very easy with my phono stage and I have two turntables hooked up to it with two very different cartridges installed on each. With changing the load I primarily hear a change in gain but also an increase in distortion as the load goes down towards 47K. Too much loading and the sound becomes sterile and lifeless, too little and the sound becomes helplessly bloated and tubby (and I mean tubby, not tube-y). Somewhere in between the sound is “right”. I listen for a combination of tight bass and depth of sound. Not soundstage but sound.
I think Herb Reichert used the analogy of using an amp that features adjustable negative feedback and reading the description of how the sound changes (depending on the amp) from no negative feedback to high negative feedback the effect is quite similar.

Considering a Skoll. Interested in opinions.

• TT is Thorens TD-1601 with MI cart
• Integrated is Yamaha A-S2200 or 3200.

If I go balanced XLR out of TT to the Skoll and unbalanced RCA unbalanced into the integrated:

• is this a no/no, in general?
• i’m guessing the resulting signal into the integrated will be unbalanced?
• is there benefit of balanced I to the preamp, even if not out the the integrated.

Maybe the core question is: which would be better;

1. TT>XLR>Skoll>RCA>integrated
2. TT>RCA>Skoll>RCA>integrated

PS: I know the integrated has XLR balanced in, but that a question for another day.

In my humble opinion I would keep the hook up all the same type.  If not, you have to purchase very special and expensive interconnects that have the two different types of hookups.  Stay with RCA to RCA.  Lou

I did pull the trigger on the Schitt Skoll, and the Thorens TD 1601. Very happy. I’m running it fully balanced XLR from the turntable to the integrated. The noise floor is zero. I’ve never heard a single hum, which plagued my old rig.

My only complaint is a small one. It does run a bit on the warm side, even when not in use. So I like to turn it off when I’m not using it. The power switch is a tiny little toggle on the back, which is really awkward to reach into the rack to turn off. They’ve gone to so much trouble to give a remote control, saying “you don’t have to get off the couch”, couldn’t they have made this most basic function a little simpler? 

And, BTW, if you are going to buy a Thorens sprung table, you’re going to need a wall shelf.  Unless you, and your dog, commit to only sitting down, while records are spinning.

Gem, congratulations!  

Enjoy the music!

Mine runs a tad warm also.

I've learned to ignore it...