Schiit Loki Mini+ Equalizer Review

[Robbo99999]

This review is probably the only one I've seen on ASR that I think is totally off-base, and that has led to some very strange comments by readers.

When testing an equalizer, if you want it to look weird, normalize all the graphs to 1 kHz. The right way is to keep the levels exactly the same, and see how the EQ changes the response when you twist the knobs.

Also, there is NO reason to believe that ANY equalizer will produce flat frequency response with all knobs turned to min or max. Anyone thinking it should do that just doesn't understand what an equalizer does. Flat FR with controls other then at zero is not part of the remit of any EQ.

Finally, some commenters seem to believe that the Loki should act like a room-correction device. That's like saying a wrench is defective because it's not a pair of pliers. Each tool has its purpose! For room correction, precise PEQ usually is best; for program equalization (which the Loki is designed to do), wide EQ over broad bands is the way to go, as it is harder to make sound unnatural and is easy to adjust.

I don't think this device should or has any chance of acting like a room correction device. I still don't think it's a good implementation though.

 

[dzerig]

I use a Loki+ to boost the treble for watching TV (far right knob, should be 8k). For me, this device works fine. I use it disengaged for music. Is there any loss of quality when the EQ is not active, but the device is powered on? (switch flipped down)

From Schiit's website:
Well, if I do get it, can I bypass it?
Yes. There’s a switch on the front to completely bypass the tone control stage—as in, a relay connects the input and output directly, no active devices in the signal path at all.

Schiit measures the bypass on their site under specs.

SNR is 123.4 db

THD+N Ratio 0.000114 %

THD Ratio 0.000019 %

Noise Ratio 0.000113 %

Crosstalk 109.813 dB

 

[Mean & Green]

I’ve just added one of these to the ‘tape monitor’ loop of my NAD integrated amplifier.

The reason being I listen to a lot of different music from different decades and some music (Oasis albums for example) sound like ass. Possibly a combination of specific mastering, my ears and my Tannoys within my room - but I wanted the ability to take the presence region down a notch or two without having any subjective negative effects.

This device seems to do that pretty well. It can’t fix poor material or correct speakers and rooms, but it can tame harshness. Time will tell how much I use it, as its only for a select few songs or albums that I feel any need for it, but the Loki having both its own bypass switch and being part of my tape loop means it can be completely removed from circuit when desired, or easily A/B flicked for comparisons between EQ/flat. I see no negatives to that and at the end of the day music is to be enjoyed and if devices like this can help with that I’m in.

The graph posted further down on page one seems to show a more meaningful response which matches what I’ve seen measured elsewhere online. In use the Loki is transparent until dials are turned. For on the fly instant gratification it seems pretty decent.

 

[Count Dacula]

Did I mention my Loki Mini is in the recycle bin? Very rarely do I have equipment malfunction, but it's as dead as a doornail. I guess I should check the power supply, but yeah.

 

[mhardy6647]

Did I mention my Loki Mini is in the recycle bin? Very rarely do I have equipment malfunction, but it's as dead as a doornail. I guess I should check the power supply, but yeah.

So -- on the face of things -- yeah. Terrible if its life were so nasty, brutish, and short.
But... yeah... especially on a site such as this one... A DMM and 30 seconds of one's time would either implicate or vindicate the P/S. Power supplies (at least of the wall wart kind) are... umm... rather a commodity.

Assuming the image above, and the Mini+ manual online at the Schiit website, are to be believed, the wall wart is a transformer with (whatever) AC mains primary and 16 VAC secondary. Maybe there's a fusible link in the transformer, or a broken wire between wart and output, or maybe, just... y'know... Schiit happened. At any rate, if the wall wart's muerto... I mean,we're talkin' a 16 VAC transformer -- no more, no less.

 

[Count Dacula]

So -- on the face of things -- yeah. Terrible if its life were so nasty, brutish, and short.
But... yeah... especially on a site such as this one... A DMM and 30 seconds of one's time would either implicate or vindicate the P/S. Power supplies (at least of the wall wart kind) are... umm... rather a commodity.

Assuming the image above, and the Mini+ manual online at the Schiit website, are to be believed, the wall wart is a transformer with (whatever) AC mains primary and 16 VAC secondary. Maybe there's a fusible link in the transformer, or a broken wire between wart and output, or maybe, just... y'know... Schiit happened. At any rate, if the wall wart's muerto... I mean,we're talkin' a 16 VAC transformer -- no more, no less.

It'd be nice if there was some kind of a power on light, instead of futzing with it. I gotta get out a tester just to see if it's powered on?

 

[Mean & Green]

It'd be nice if there was some kind of a power on light, instead of futzing with it. I gotta get out a tester just to see if it's powered on?

Even if the AC transformer had a power on indicator, it would still be beneficial to actually measure the voltage output on the plug at the end of the wire to rule it out as faulty.

If that is working, next step would be investigating the Loki starting with the power switch.

 

[mhardy6647]

It'd be nice if there was some kind of a power on light, instead of futzing with it. I gotta get out a tester just to see if it's powered on?

No.
You have to get out a tester to see whether there's a problem with the power supply. You already know it doesn't work.

No light on the back, or inside? Last fall, I bought a Magni Plus headphone amp to monitor our livestreams at - ahem - church. It has a little (but fairly bright) white LED on its PC board that is visible through its vent holes when the gizmo's turned on. I am surprised the Loki doesn't as well, since both the Magni and the Loki are/were, let's face it, cheap products.

N.B. I posted -- or tried to post -- this reply last night, but for some reason, it didn't (post).
Sorry about that!

 

[Peterinvan]

So -- on the face of things -- yeah. Terrible if its life were so nasty, brutish, and short.
But... yeah... especially on a site such as this one... A DMM and 30 seconds of one's time would either implicate or vindicate the P/S. Power supplies (at least of the wall wart kind) are... umm... rather a commodity.

View attachment 388139Assuming the image above, and the Mini+ manual online at the Schiit website, are to be believed, the wall wart is a transformer with (whatever) AC mains primary and 16 VAC secondary. Maybe there's a fusible link in the transformer, or a broken wire between wart and output, or maybe, just... y'know... Schiit happened. At any rate, if the wall wart's muerto... I mean,we're talkin' a 16 VAC transformer -- no more, no less.

16VAC is $16 on the Schiit website

 

[Peterinvan]

Happy with the Loki+ for tuning my 109Pro to my aging ears... It runs very hot, so I ordered a 3-shelf stand to allow more ventilation.

 

[Count Dacula]

No.
You have to get out a tester to see whether there's a problem with the power supply. You already know it doesn't work.

No light on the back, or inside? Last fall, I bought a Magni Plus headphone amp to monitor our livestreams at - ahem - church. It has a little (but fairly bright) white LED on its PC board that is visible through its vent holes when the gizmo's turned on. I am surprised the Loki doesn't as well, since both the Magni and the Loki are/were, let's face it, cheap products.

View attachment 388235

N.B. I posted -- or tried to post -- this reply last night, but for some reason, it didn't (post).
Sorry about that!

I'm working on it. This equip is more or less in storage, so I grabbed the Loki, but didnt' see the power supply, so I snagged the one off a Modi, that def does work. So Ill have a chance to sit down and try it. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Peterinvan]

I'm working on it. This equip is more or less in storage, so I grabbed the Loki, but didnt' see the power supply, so I snagged the one off a Modi, that def does work. So Ill have a chance to sit down and try it. Thanks for the idea.

Note that the Schiit power supply for the Loki+ is 16volts AC. The instruction manual warns against using any other wall wart

 

[Count Dacula]

I like the fact Schiit labels their power supplies, rather than them getting mixed up with a bunch of other "warts". I try to mark the generic ones with a paint pen as I go.

 

[Peterinvan]

So -- on the face of things -- yeah. Terrible if its life were so nasty, brutish, and short.
But... yeah... especially on a site such as this one... A DMM and 30 seconds of one's time would either implicate or vindicate the P/S. Power supplies (at least of the wall wart kind) are... umm... rather a commodity.

View attachment 388139Assuming the image above, and the Mini+ manual online at the Schiit website, are to be believed, the wall wart is a transformer with (whatever) AC mains primary and 16 VAC secondary. Maybe there's a fusible link in the transformer, or a broken wire between wart and output, or maybe, just... y'know... Schiit happened. At any rate, if the wall wart's muerto... I mean,we're talkin' a 16 VAC transformer -- no more, no less.

$16 on Schiit website

 

[Peterinvan]

Early Christmas present - Topping stand..

 

[Gibsonian]

I guess my ears work more or less.

I bought the loki+ and liked it, so then bought Lokius and didn't like it (didn't sound good to me) and sold it. Kept the Loki+ and still using it. I use only the two end controls, don't use the two middle ones. Based on reviews of both seems my ears work pretty darned good. They rejected the junky one and ok'd the good one and used the only controls that make sense.

Old ears can still do it man.

 

[Jimster480]

I guess my ears work more or less.

I bought the loki+ and liked it, so then bought Lokius and didn't like it (didn't sound good to me) and sold it. Kept the Loki+ and still using it. I use only the two end controls, don't use the two middle ones. Based on reviews of both seems my ears work pretty darned good. They rejected the junky one and ok'd the good one and used the only controls that make sense.

Old ears can still do it man.

They definitely can if you know how to train them and know how to do do the proper testing.

 

[Count Dacula]

Note that the Schiit power supply for the Loki+ is 16volts AC. The instruction manual warns against using any other wall wart

Wait, AC? What in tarnation! I will have to dig to find this pwr supply laying around someplace. No wonder the 16v DC from my Modi didn't work.

Back to the drawing board.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FBQ800--behringer-minifbq-fbq800

I bought this for a PA system, but need some tone on my home TV system, so I'm using it. It actually works nicely. It's been a LONG time....

 

[Count Dacula]

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-9-Band-Stereo-Equalizer-Processor/dp/B0D72WRR3D/ref=asc_df_B0D72WRR3D

 

[mhardy6647]

https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-9-Band-Stereo-Equalizer-Processor/dp/B0D72WRR3D/ref=asc_df_B0D72WRR3D

It's kind of nice that the range of adjustment per band is rather limited (claimed +/- 6 dB) -- one of these should do way less harm in the hands of a standard-issue knuckle-dragger audiophile than the behemoth graphic EQs of the 1970s and 80s.
Instead of the dreaded EQ smile, the best something like this could do is probably an enigmatic little Mona Lisa smirk.

I'll bet its performance is abysmal, though, in terms of noise & distortion. I wonder what the actual EQ envelopes look like, too.