Acoustic Sounds
By: Tracking Angle

October 11th, 2023

Category:

Industry News

Schiit Debuts a $399 Balanced Discrete MM/MC Phono Preamp With Remote Control

Skoll offers up to 70dBs of gain

Schiit Audio's new $399 Skoll MM/MC phono preamp features fully discrete, differential Class A zero feedback gain stages and a fully passive RIAA network. No op-amps are in the circuit. Skoll’s gain stage is a compound JFET-BJT pair running on "massive" 64V rails for enhanced linearity and freedom from overload. The result is over 100dB signal to noise ratio for 40dB of gain, and up to 70dB of gain available.

Additional features are relay switched inputs for two turntables, plus relay-ladder loading for both resistive and capacitive values and a switchable passive low-pass filter. The microprocessor automatically shuts off when not in use to maintain noise and interference-free performance.

Everything is adjustable from your listening chair using the remote control:

Select input: choose balanced or SE input

Change gain: choose 40, 50, 60, or 70dB

Change resistive loading: Choose 47k, or 10, 50, 100, or 150 ohms

Change capacitive loading: choose 50, 100, 150, or 200pF

Select LF filter: choose no LF filter, or engage the 2-pole/15 Hz passive network

Schiit designs and builds the Skoll in Texas: Designed and Built in Texas:

By “designed and built in Texas,” this is what we mean: Skoll was designed and built at our Corpus Christi, Texas facility, and the vast majority of the total production cost of Skoll—chassis, boards, assembly, etc—goes to US companies manufacturing in the USA. Our chassis are made in California. Our PCBs are done in Nevada. Yes, the wall-warts are made overseas, but there's some give and take at this price point.

2-Year Warranty and 15-Day Returns

Skoll is covered by a limited warranty that covers parts and labor for two years. And, if you don’t like Skoll, you can send it back for a refund, minus 15% restocking fee, within 15 days of receiving your product.

Comments

  • 2023-10-12 12:14:16 AM

    Robin Wyatt wrote:

    No mono switch? No 1Kohm loading. I guess at $399 you are limited…..

    • 2023-10-12 03:13:46 AM

      JACK L wrote:

      Hi

      "No mono switch? No 1Kohm loading,," qtd Robin Wyatt

      For lousy $399 made-in-USA with remote is a killer deal ! All discrete devices, no op-amp with passive RIAA EQ is designed for music lovers !!

      Are you still playing yr granddad's mono music records ? So who still need a mono switch for today's stereo music ??

      What phono cartridges need 1KR load?

      Why don't you shop Amazon & see if you could find a MC/MM pre-amps that come close to match its design topology & low price ??

      JACK L

      Why don't o

    • 2023-10-12 08:43:41 AM

      Adrian Galpin wrote:

      I agree with Robin over the lack of mono switches at this price point, id much rather have one than the occasionally useful remote....I had to make my own mono switching unit, which works fabulously btw, a great addition to my system, and a fun build. Works impeccably.

    • 2023-10-12 10:21:03 PM

      Chris Harr wrote:

      Let's be realistic for a moment. How often is 1Kohm loading required? I can see an argument for higher than 150, but there are plenty of good moving coils which will work fine with the offered values.

      More importantly, phono stages at this price point are targeted at the mainstream consumer who spends time on r/turntables, not the ultra tweaky types. For those consumers who probably own an MM cart, or maybe a Denon DL-103, Ortofon Quintet, Sumiko Songbird or AT33PTG, this will be just fine.

      I've been in/out of vinyl playback for 30 years and don't own a single mono record, If I did, I'd buy a mono cartridge and throw it on my second table, a SL1200GR.

      • 2023-10-14 11:07:21 PM

        JACK L wrote:

        Hi

        "I've been in/out of vinyl playback for 30 years and don't own a single mono record" qtd Chris Harr

        Bingo ! I only collected 1,000+ LPs in last 7 years when I switched back to vinyl from digital from scrap. None of them are monaural ? Why so I want to play any monaural music on my stereo system ?????

        Listening to stereo is believing

        JACK L

  • 2023-10-12 11:41:00 PM

    Rob Vickner wrote:

    Interesting... Currently using an ELAC Alchemy PPA-2. would this be a downgrade? Cart is a HANA SL

    • 2023-10-13 03:22:08 PM

      Bill Bird wrote:

      Upgrading to a Hana SL myself. Skoll has max 200 capacitance loading where the SL has 400 recommended. My question is "would that make a huge difference?"

      • 2024-03-07 03:44:06 PM

        SpaceManSpiff88 wrote:

        Would love to learn how the Hana performs with the Skoll. Have you tried it?

  • 2023-10-13 08:28:38 PM

    Bruce Nelson wrote:

    Plenty of gimmicks, but how does it sound? Awaiting Michael Fremer's review.

    • 2024-03-07 03:44:17 PM

      SpaceManSpiff88 wrote:

      Yes indeed, hope it gets reviewed.

  • 2024-03-07 03:44:45 PM

    SpaceManSpiff88 wrote:

    Requesting a review by Tracking Angle's discerning ears. Hope it is in the works!(?)