Schiit Skoll Balanced Phono Stage Review

[Muddywaters]

That FFT provided look normal / good If you look at other results tested here at ASR, at these high gain levels, some 60Hz + harmonics noise seems almost unavoidable.

I think the problem with the original Skoll was it was ok in a lab environment, without any ground loops or noise (and probably in balanced IN/OUT), but it really seemed to fall apart in the real world (more than likely being operated all singled ended IN/OUT).

Probably what made it stand out and be noticeable as a problem was that the left channel was more suspectable and you'd have a large noise imbalance.
I would expect they would not call out trying to address those problems in the new version, because that would be an admission of fault in the original product.
I'm guessing forkbeard is just a diversion around addressing the shortcomings in the original version.

To @amirm if he tests the new version, I hope he'll consider testing the SE connections, and use the 50dB setting for the 5mV test, because that will probably be the gain setting SE needed to produce the ~44dB of overall gain most would need for a MM to produce the appropriate output level.

Phonostage reviews here there are results all over the place in regards to noise levels. There are some that have very low to non-existent noise. Mostly the 60Hz dominating for the majority.

You are correct regarding the high gain level used in the Schitt tests. Definitely exaggerating the noise levels vs Amir's 5mV.

 

[NoxPlague]

So it looks like this is basically the best phono you can get, from what we have measured. I am currently building a vinyl setup and intend to use the Technics 1210GR2, AT33PTG/II and this. Anyone got any wisdom to share on that proposal? Much appreciated!

I love the AT33PTGII, It's an incredible cartridge. Really neutral with clear bass pickup, highly recommended. I'm so impressed I hope to splurge on the Shibata model sometime in the future.

 

[johnsogr]

Good morning - I have a Fluance RT85 w/ Ortofon Blue 2m and have been running it into my Rotel A11 Tribute. About a month ago, I started noticing the right channel was much louder, and the overall volume of my vinyl was diminished. I reset everything on the RT85, but eventually, the same issue would appear.

I purchased a Schiit Skoll F to see if the phono preamp was the problem, and have had zero issues with unilaterality since, but now I have a lot of woofer rumble/excursion. The Schiit has a low pass filter, but only on the balanced out put, but of course, my Rotel only has RCA in.

Is there a balanced --> RCA adapter that's clean or doesn't alter the sound? ChatGPT says I should also try an Ortofon 2M Bronze cart - would that really help? Thanks everyone for the help.

 

[Balle Clorin]

Any adapter will do, but often better and cheaper in stores for musician's than in Hifi store.
ChatGPT is only correct in 56% of the time, and on hi-fi matters probably less.
Seems very strange to choose to make filter only work for XLR..

 

[johnsogr]

Yea the ChatGPT thing is a bit tongue-in-cheek - I ask it stuff, but don't take it too seriously...

 

[mike70]

I have a lot of woofer rumble/excursion

That happens with non so flat records ... or with a perfect flat record too?
The Ortofon is the original cartridge in the turntable?

 

[johnsogr]

Ortofon is original, and many of my records appear a bit warped and I do correlate it with that.

I purchased a Fosi box 5 and have been impressed, much less excursion than the Skoll and sounds pretty good!

 

[mike70]

Ortofon is original, and many of my records appear a bit warped and I do correlate it with that.

I purchased a Fosi box 5 and have been impressed, much less excursion than the Skoll and sounds pretty good!

well, without the nasty resonances generated by warps, it must sound better.
i have a DSP preamp, so, i have subsonic / supersonic filters in the DSP (for all sources)