harmo_hammer Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Hi All! I've ordered some entry-level Schiit equipment recently, and since everyone talks about the higher-end stuff like the Bifrost, Valhalla, etc.. the entry level stuff has much less publicity. I thought I'd share my initial experiences with you. I have been working on setting up a stereo sound system using a DAC and a power amp, (no preamp). So I asked the folks in the preamp section of this forum whether a preamp was truly needed. To cut a long story short, it was recommended to me that unless I was absolutely sure what volume my DAC would play at... I could bypass the preamp, and just get some sort of dedicated volume control to avoid blowing things up. So I ordered the Schiit "Sys". I personally think it a little strange that the Sys is under the "Preamp" on the Schiit site. Yes, it's pre the amplification stage, but many people associate preamp with something a little more complex.. or at least has some amplification of it's own. (If you don't, then I'm clearly more odd than I am aware :-D ) Now there isn't a lot to say about such a simple device. It only contains passive electronics (no amplification, no power needed). It only selects between two stereo (RCA) inputs, and has a volume control. You might be wondering, "I can do that with a potentiometer, some soldering, some sockets, and a selector switch.... and you're probably right. But the Sys does it very nicely in performance and looks. No Jaycar plastic boxes that look like it was made by an eccentric soldering hermit, nor a 15 year old for a "Science project". Ok, so you're not going to get the bass/treble/equalized control of a more complex preamp, nor as many inputs/input plug options. It's simply not there. Strengths of the Sys: - A convenient way to get input selection, and volume control on a small desk or near your computer. It doesn't take anywhere near as much room on desk/shelf as a standard full-featured preamp. - This is a very simple way of setting up a separated system. Using interconnect cables, you can put the power amp wherever you'd like, or is conveniently located to power/speaker connections. - Doesn't "Colour"/modify/correct the signal in any way, so the original signal maintained. - Cheap! Stylish, and sounds great! Drawbacks of the Sys: - Obviously, lacks signal processing. - Only two inputs. - Only takes stereo RCA inputs (no optical/digital coax here) - No bass/treble or other adjustment for the sound. I really like Schiit's audio gear. I think for the money, I am hard pressed to find better. Their delivery from the US to Canberra was in only 3 business days. Everything works, and is described exactly as it is. I've also done an initial review on Schiit's entry-level DAC (The "Fulla") here: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/user/148381-harmo-hammer/ I hope this helps! Hamish.
Cafad Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 You're not really avoiding the preamp as such there mate, it's just that you've gone for a "passive preamp". Many people like them and they can work very well provided you know what the electrical characteristics of the equipment that you plan to put in front of and behind it are. Like many things in audio it's a case of horses for courses. Do you know the input impedance of the power amp you plan to use?
harmo_hammer Posted February 3, 2015 Author Posted February 3, 2015 Hi Cafad, Yes, I suppose you're right. I just have a hard time considering such a simple device as a "Preamp". It's one of those preconceived ideas that's kinda hard to shake. I stand (or sit in my case) corrected. I have an old NAD 216 power amp. The input impedence (according to NAD) is "60K + 500pF". Honestly, it worked well with a similar potentiometer based volume control and an old walkman. Thanks for the help. It'll make me somewhat less ignorant! Hamish.
Cafad Posted February 3, 2015 Posted February 3, 2015 Yeah, I know what you mean, how can one pot replace a whole component? It doesn't really make sense, or it shouldn't at any rate, but then, that's how audio works. You're playing with some good stuff there, I'm a bit of a Schiit convert since I got hold of a Ragnarok (or 'Raggy' as those in the know seem to call it) and found out just how good it sounded. Now I'm waiting for this new Yggdrasil (or 'Yaggy') to show up, it'll be expensive but I'm betting it will be worth it. 60K is a high-ish input impedance so things should work out OK (plus your earlier experiments seem to have worked out well), if it was down around 10K I would be hesitant.
harmo_hammer Posted February 4, 2015 Author Posted February 4, 2015 Hi Cafad, Please let me know how your Schiit gear works out when it arrives! I didn't even know they had a Yggdrasil. I guess it isn't out yet? or have I focused on the cheaper end of the scale? Possibly both? I'd like to think I'm using some good gear, but I guess it's more accurate to say, that while great sound is a desirable thing, value for money is more important to me. Maybe my hearing is untrained (or inexperienced with the very high end equipment) but it seems that there is a law of diminishing returns in pretty much all technology. Anyway, I'm still a newbie compared to many on this forum. I know bits and pieces but they don't all mesh together yet. Having said that, I keep fixing other people's sound setups. So I guess I'm ahead of some. Thanks for the help! Hamish.
thimmy118 Posted March 7, 2015 Posted March 7, 2015 I've just bought a Schiit Sys to connect my cheap but good Rotel RB850 power amp to my DAC and IS highly surprised by the sound from my amp. On the first day of my listening, everything sounded 'slow' and I blame it on the Rotel as this was the first time I have actually heard the amp; however after 2 days, the PRAT returned. Perhaps the PCB in the Sys needed some 'burn in'. Great little unit for the price, express post delivery from Addicted To Audio, which was a surprise and most importantly, it sounds great. My next experiment is to use it as a passive pre amp for my Cayin a88t (when it finally arrives on a slow boat from China) which has a facility for a preamp in, to run from my DAC.
Tachikoma Posted March 8, 2015 Posted March 8, 2015 I really don't think its possible to burn-in a potentiometer, and that's all the Sys is. Maybe it was the Rotel that "burned in".
thimmy118 Posted March 12, 2015 Posted March 12, 2015 Not sure what the reason was because my Rotel is a very old and used model (well seasoned) so the only new stuff in the chain is the potentiometer with a PCB inside. It just sounded slow.
Zaphod Beeblebrox Posted March 15, 2015 Posted March 15, 2015 I really don't think its possible to burn-in a potentiometer, and that's all the Sys is. Maybe it was the Rotel that "burned in". Nope. Ears. Humans tend to adapt to the sound that is presented to them. 4
legselevens Posted August 28, 2015 Posted August 28, 2015 Has anyone compared this to the Emotiva Control Freak? It's a similar device but only one input and comes in xlr or rca versions. I'm considering the Emotiva and Schiit units. XLR would be good to connect my PS Audio DL3 to nc400 amps with xlr but the Schiit has two inputs which I could put to use.
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