Shiit Skoll

Upstatemax
Upstatemax Posts: 2,680
in 2 Channel Audio
Maybe I've missed it, but anyone have any time with one?

Now that I'm back indoors for the winter, I've been messing around with the stereo again and I'm need of a new phono stage since a preamp swap.

I like that it has a lot of flexibility to grow and adjust with cartridge swaps and possibly full blown table changes.

It doesn't hurt that it has a very approachable price point given it's flexibility.

Thanks for any input.
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Comments

  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,126
    Hmm. That's an intriguing piece for $400. Lots of interesting design features and a remote for adjusting settings without leaving the seat.

    https://www.schiit.com/products/skoll

    I like all my Schiit stuff. I know it's not the best, but it all works nicely with my systems and components.
    I disabled signatures.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,680
    msg wrote: »
    Hmm. That's an intriguing piece for $400. Lots of interesting design features and a remote for adjusting settings without leaving the seat.

    https://www.schiit.com/products/skoll

    I like all my Schiit stuff. I know it's not the best, but it all works nicely with my systems and components.

    Yeah, I'm not looking for the "best" at this price point, so Schiit is really appealing.

    In all reality, I doubt I'll go "all in" on vinyl and I realistically want something that is solid and flexible. If I dive further into vinyl, I can always upgrade down the line.
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,680
    I've been enjoying the Skoll for around a week, my wife made me put it under the tree for myself. :D

    So far, it's a huge leap forward from most of the phono stages I've used in the past. But a lot of those have been built in phono stages and one Cambridge unit that never left me impressed.

    Very quiet operation, much better bass, midrange and overall soundstage (width and depth).

    Overall, it has also revealed a lot of the shortcomings of my current TT setup, a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon with factory installed 2M Red, plus the acrylic platter. I was originally looking at a cart upgrade, but ended up buying a whole new TT.

    Going with a Pro-Ject X1 with a Sumiko Olympia cart. After I spend some time with the new TT, I'll most likely add the aluminum subplatter upgrade and possibly the Wellfleet stylus.
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,901
    Sounds great!
    I've been reading very good things about this phono preamp.
    And, yes, you did the right thing changing both cartridge and deck, I'd opine.
    'grats! :)

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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,680
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    Sounds great!
    And, yes, you did the right thing changing both cartridge and deck, I'd opine.

    Yeah, by the time I was looking at a $300 cart swap and looking for a Pro-Ject Speedbox (no longer made it seems) that would be $150-$200 I decided maybe it would be better to just upgrade the entire TT.

    X1 gets a better tonearm, cart, "built in speedbox", better motor, better plinth and platter...

    Found a leftover X1 for $900. Seemed like a no brainer, at least to me.

    https://turntablelab.com/collections/pro-ject-alpha/products/pro-ject-x1-turntable-white
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