John Darko
Schiit Audio has this week announced Skoll: a phono pre-amplifier with single-ended and balanced inputs, single-ended and balanced outputs, which are backed by fully-balanced internal circuitry.
Moreover, Skoll contains no op-amps – only discrete components – with designer Jason Stoddard joking that bragging about the unit’s Class A operation is akin to crowing about making a hamburger with beef.
The usual dip switches have gone bye-bye, replaced by a microprocessor that controls internal relays. According to Stoddard, those relays deliver zero unwanted pops or ticks to the downstream loudspeakers. Leaving nothing to chance, the microprocessor goes to sleep when we’re not turning off/on Skoll’s subsonic filter or making gain adjustments of 40, 50, 60 or 70dB with the front panel buttons — or the supplied remote control. The low-output MC cartridge catering doesn’t end there. We can also remain seated to remote switch impedance – our choice of 47K, 10, 50, 100 or 150 Ohms – or to remote switch capacitance – our choice of 47, 100, 150, or 200p.
Skoll is a no-feedback design and according to Stoddard, it measures better on noise but worse on distortion than the smaller and cheaper op-amp-loaded Mani 2. From Schiit’s product listing, “Skollโs gain stage is compound JFET-BJT pair running on massive 64V rails for enhanced linearity and freedom from overload.”
Furthermore, Skoll features fully passive RIAA equalisation that’s reportedly more accurate than Mani 2’s. Its power supply is a linear wall wart and that wall wart means it will be made at Schiit’s second facility in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The price: US$399. Shipping begins in 2 – 3 weeks.
Further information: Schiit Audio
Photo credit: Lee Shelly
