2. amps-preamps
  3. 135445-76532

Schiit not that Good?

Schiit was at AXPONA again this year. They were showing a Salk music server streaming into a Gungnir Multibit (?) feeding a Freya and two Vidars. Speakers were the Salk Song 3As.

 

So what happened?


Esoteric was just next door. This allowed attendees to move immediately from one room to another. Esoteric was showing a full stack of thier latest separates plus a VPI Avenger for analog. Speakers were a pair of Cantons I didn’t get the model of.

 

The Schiit room, while not bad, was completely destroyed by the Esoteric room. Esoteric played one SACD that unfurled a massive soundstage that I could sense even not being in the best seat. The sound of the Esoteric system, both via SACD and vinyl was dynamic, resolving, extremely musical, collected, vibrant, both large and delicately structured. It was a system that got all the minor details right. Such a good setup. The Schiit setup, while unoffensive, clean, and musical in its own right, simply couldn’t face the Esoteric in inner detail, soundstage, reality and low-level dynamics.

 

Why did the Schiit system fail so hard vs the Esoteric? Part of the reason might have been the junk cabling used by Schiit. Peaking behind the system I was Blue Jeans speaker cables and mess of power bricks, basic cabling, etc. I don’t know how much of the Schiit’s performance was compromised by inferior cabling, but I’m curious how close it would have come to the Esoteric had Schiit paid some basic attention to that area.


madavid0

Showing 3 responses by mulveling

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,774 posts
 
It’s unfortunate that honest assessments like this get such blowback. The offended fanboys always pile on. Schiit gear is decent, but often overhyped.

Having owned some Schiit, and having heard a number of systems with Esoteric pieces, I certainly don’t doubt the veracity of op’s observations. And it’s just that - his observations posted in an online forum. He doesn’t need to justify or qualify his opinions, and I don’t care that there’s a gigantic price differential (op didn't mislead anyone in to believing the 2 systems were similarly priced); it’s still an interesting comparison - especially with Schiit pushers continually barking about their "giant killer" gear. Well, then go fight giants!
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,774 posts
 
@trelja 
OK, I didn't take the time to look at OP's handle; the post content itself looked legit. I goofed, and you guys are right for calling out these serial bad/troll posters. Guys like this, vinny55, and taters, etc all have to be the same person. Mea culpa. 
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,774 posts
 
How come the iFi products don’t get much respect around here?
I don’t know about their other products, but the iESL (electrostatic headphone amp for Stax headphones) has been panned on the basis of its circuitry and design by the high-end Stax amp building DIY crowd -- they are rough on their critiques but they make the best electrostatic headphone amps.

Electrostatic headphone amps is a tough niche to pick up, because it’s easy to get caught with your pants down if you don’t know VERY well what you’re doing there. And the Stax DIY crowd (known semi-affectionately as the "Stax mafia") will certainly call you out on it.
More to discover