I have Loki in my $10K system and use it rarely to fix some poor recordings, which happens, perhaps, 1-2 times a month. But when it's needed it is REALLY needed and helps to improve the listening experience a lot.
Schitt gear has been a life saver for a few of my older disabled poor friends helped get them off the constant buying of cheap craigslist gear only to have it fail shortly after. The wee passive has added years of life to a dying friend who near gave up do to illness and depression he was down to 90lbs I bought him a passive and fixed his amp loaned him loudspeakers and he gained 40lbs back and is happy. Music is life.
good to hear it...it's all apart of the TLC that reaches him...for some it's fishing or painting...for this person it's music. kudos to you for helping him out, hanging in there....hope many positive karma points come your way.
@@madMARTYNmarsh1981 In this case music is life he has nothing but the demons in his head and will just stop eating and goes catatonic music and audio give him something to live 4. Maybe u r stupid but you shouldnt be so hard on yourself and quantify all posts with stupid.
Steve's comments spurred me to pick one up. Don't know how I did without it for so many years. Adding a touch of oomph here or sweetness there has put new enjoyment into recordings. Especially as I get older and my hearing diminishes, a slight turn up on the hi-mids and the treble brings vocals alive.
I bought a FX Audio 06 DAC with tone controls to play around with, and wow, does it sound great. Tweaking the treble region can really bring things alive. Now I want tone controls on my esoteric preamp. As great as it is, there is something missing from some LP recordings, especially.
Thank you ! ...Schiit Loki is just fantastic. I’m using the Loki + Mani Schiit pre amp+Nagaoka-150+Yamaha A-S501. This is a must have upgrade,that make your Intergrated amplifier system sound real.
I acquired one and LOVE IT. I get over the problem of single source application by feeding in several sources (4) into a passive (unpowered) switch box, line out to the Loki, and then off to the amp. Works a treat. And a super cheap solution.
I just put the Loki into my system, worth every penny! Best piece of audio gear I own right now. It can really take music to new heights in regards to sound. Very easy to use, takes the so so and makes it very good to fantastic. I'm using it with the Schiit Freya tube amp out to an XPA-2 to the SVS Ultra speakers. It is so good I ordered another for the TT so I don't have to switch them out. If you don't have one, you need one.
I just bought one due to this review Steve. It is really great! I've had Schiit products before and all have been impressive. I have recently stopped using my Schiit Lyr 2, which I would heartily recommend to anyone, and bought an SPL Phonitor X. With this Schiit Loki I can tune the sound to my preference. Previously trying to get the sound I felt right meant replacing parts of my audio chain at great expense. Now I will be able to get the sound I like with the Loki. It is superb.
I use the this Loki with SPl Phonitor X, Audeze LCD3 headphones and Opera Consonance non-oversampling cd player. It does not negatively effect the sound quality. I just add a little bass and a little high end with it and it is great to my ears. With the loki you can tune your system more to you liking without having to replace major components at significant cost. The best cost to benefit ratio of any audio component I have bought.
I got the Loki and men, what a difference! Not all of us have a privileged ear and this little thing let me experience music in a total different way, even bland streaming services sound way better on my system, thanks Steve for your review and introducing us into a new world of audiophile devices
Gawd....i used to be nuts about EQ's back in the late 70's to early 80's. I would use my SAE Parametric EQ when i would make mix tapes for friends because I found it so much fun, especially when trying to improve bad and so-so recordings. Over the years, i stayed away from EQ's the more I learned about audio. Today, I am once again open to the idea of EQ's making a comeback. Not everyone may share this view, but that's just me.
I had the old 10 Band Dynaco equalizer in the 70's...trying to tame the harshness of the PAT5 solid state preamp :( ..after I went all tubes with the PAS3 and Conrad Johnsons, I quickly sold it.
Just got in the Loki. Have it hooked directly into my turntable with pre amp then to my powered speakers Klipsch The Sixes. It’s awesome, tone control with a very precise tuning. It’s simple and l love it.
Bought one of these because I heard about it from you. Love it! So much so that I ordered a Freya with upgraded tubes since I have a BDP205 and a Benchmark AHB2, which is an amazing combination, but I want to play with the tubes. Thanks for the Schity recommendations, Steve!
Bought my Loki about 2 months ago and love it. I don't really use it that much unless I feel the recording is lopsided and I'm just not enjoying what I'm listening to. Overall my focus is my own listening enjoyment and the Loki tends to give me the tiny tweak in looking for in getting into the music.
My update... Finally... The Schiit Audio Loki, Mani and Freya tube preamp are all integrated into my system. What a nightmare. But the sound is fantastic. The little Loki again, is the center of attention and the first thing the L/R channels see upon leaving the Denon X4400H AVR. Two passive, and dead silent XLR switches make listing to two channel using the Freya and Magni possible, what an adventure. It was a lot of fun staying up until 5 am playing with this gear and listening to an incredible variety of music, from the TT to streaming. The Freya is just the bomb, but the Loki makes it shine. I also ripped out my 12 ga speaker cable and replaced with 14/4 speaker cable and doubled up the cable to the speaker inputs, essentially now 8 ga... WOW! Talk about opening up the SVS Ultra speakers! The Emotiva XPA-2 was getting a workout right along with the Freya, LOL! Thanks Steve for reviewing the Loki, it has made a night and day difference in my system and led to other Schiit, now I have Schiit coming out my ears. ;-) When I get back to work I'll shoot you some appreciation via Patreon. Thanks again for what you do.
Even basic tone controls have become a “luxury” in today’s mid-fi and hi-fi systems. The slightest tweaking of a tone control knob can make a huge difference with recordings that are too bright, for example.
I bought a Technical pro receiver simply because it has Tone controls and an EQ I'm sure it's "wrong" by "audiophile" standards, AND Home theater standards, since it is an Analogue surround receiver... And it has mic inputs.. sounds like a normal integrated amp/receiver IMO...
Would be nice if it also had XLR ins and outs instead of RCA ins and outs. The only place I use RCS anywhere on my home stereo is from the record player to the phono preamp. Since my record player doesn't have XLR outs.
Mark Gerking I don't like using equalizers I just like all my speakers to have the same loudness and with the song paint it black by the rolling stones the treble sound is 5 decibels louder then the bass sound and the treble sound is 1 decibels louder then the mid sound so if all your speakers don't have the same loudness the sound won't come out like that and you won't get the original sound
Yeah, I agree. Actually looking into the Schiit Vidor amps, and the passive/tube pre. Never had any tube gear and seemed like a realistic way to check it out. Any thoughts? Dig your channel daily!
I just received the Schiit Loki and I am really impressed by the controls. I have a pair of B&W 607 I use for my desktop computer, the uppers tend to be bright. I was able to control the brightness and also the bass which at times tends to be too punchy depending on the music selection. I have the Loki connected between my old NAD D1050 DAC and my XTZ amp. It works perfectly for my desktop use. Steve thanks for making me aware of of this little powerful unit.
Listen for hum when you switch the controls on. Try earphones especially. It doesn't happen when bypass is selected. It's noisy all right, at least my one is.
@@fuckinellitsraymo I listened for a hum but could not detect one. My Loki is connected between my DAC and amplifier so I cannot test my headphones since I plug them directly into my DAC. I listened for the hum using my speakers, I also placed my ear right next to the Loki and could not hear it. I switched to bypass and then back to my control selected settings and no hum. Do you think it could be your cables. You could be picking up some frequencies through your cables. I have a Monoprice Monolith USB cable connected from my computer to my DAC, Blue Jean Cables RCA connected from my DAC to the Loki and Straight Wire RCA cables connected from my Loki to my amp. The cables I use are not expensive. I hope this helps.
@@orlandomiranda5011 Hi. Solved. I had it placed between my Turntable and Well Tempered phono stage so I switched it to go between my phono stage and amplifier and that seems to have done the trick. I'm not sure if it's more susceptible to phono rather than CD etc
This guy helped me get into audio on a tight budget since I'm a "broke M-Fer" thanks to this guy I got a pair of Micca mb42Xs, a Dayton sub 1200, and a Leppy amp (forget the model #) and I'm in love with it!
With an external equaliser you need need to buy an extra pair of interconnect cables. Have to feature that into the price. Unless the gadget comes with ic cables. Then again you may prefer to have consistency with the ic you use, in which case, the additional cost factor still remains.
I put a Schiit Loki between the preamp and amp sections of my ‘90s midfi Yamaha RX-V850 av receiver and it changed everything for the better. I was thinking of getting a new receiver but now I am not.
The Loki couldn't arrive at a better time. I've become totally fed up with my 15 band EQ.By the time I finally dial it in, the song is over. I just bought an old JVC SEA 11 because of it's simplicity and now I see this Schiit come out.
I used to be all about bringing those levels up and down. Finally got a good amp and speakers, and now I don't feel the need anymore. Then again… I don't listen to Arcade Fire. 🤣
I've been going back and forth on whether to get the Loki but I finally think it's time. I have the Magni 3 and Modi Multibit so the Loki would fill out my Schiit stack perfectly and I think it will do wonders for my LCD-2C and Elear headphones.
Michael Calia you should try the Clear pads-I know they’re a little pricey, but you can get a lot of those can’s sound signature out of the Elears with them.
Thanks tormaid -- I didn't know that was possible! I'll look into it. Hate to have to spend another $1500 for the Clears. As far as my wife knows, everything I buy--guitars, audio gear---costs about a hundred bucks. ;-)
I am 54 years old and have hearing loss in the treble area, I think it will be able to help in my hifi system? Anyone think it could help me? (sorry if is spelling incorrect - I am Danish living here :-)?
Hello Henrik, I am only 44, but I might have similar problems like you especially on normal listening volume. On higher volume the treble is okay, but the music is simply too loud for me in general. As I usually use my desktop computer as music source, I installed Boom 3D which is an EQ software (and contains some other magical effects I don't need). With a little bit of boost (2-3 dBs) in the treble frequencies I definitely hear those details I missed. In my case it would definitely work. So I would suggest you to try Schiit Loki. Next time I will only buy amp will dedicated bass and treble control knobs.
@@navrasicsi Hi, tanks very much for your reply. I bought the Loki. And this actually works for me! The treble is like when I was young. This could be the answer for others with this problem. The Loki is neutral and high end🙏
4 stages of Hifi enthusiasts: 1. Schiit must be crap, measures bad, bad components 2. reads impressive online Schiit reviews 3. buys it and loves it 4. becomes fanboy Happened to me :D
Have you read their book 'Schiit Happened'? It's hilarious and so informative of all the little things/ issues/snags that went into making these amos that are famous now. I read the book for free on head-fi. Just type into Google "head fi schiit happened". I liked it so much I purchased it. I have it prominently disolayed on my book shelf.
I had a Marantz Amp(PM 8006) with EQ knobs, I used it a few times and it seemed to work well, but I always used the direct source button to bypass the EQ. It sounded better for some reason. An old friend of mine loves EQ, always used the V shape on his EQ. I always thought it sounded a bit off. Never was a fan, but glad EQ is coming back, more options is always better.
You can create a modern tape loop by using this method if you have a zone 2 or 3 analog out: connect the input of the Loki to the zone 2 out, connect the output of the Loki to any analog input that you want. When you want to use it, choose zone 2 and set the source for zone 2 to whatever source you want to listen to, then set the receiver/preamp/processor to the input that you connected the Loki output to. This will allow you to use one Loki and listen via any source that you can pipe to zone 2. Enjoy!
Looks like a great little EQ. One thing that will stop me from purchasing it is the lack of left/right independent controls. I have a boomy corner that I eq the low feqs down. Being that it's my living room, my wife won't tolerate acoustic treatments, and neither will I. I guess I can just buy two, one for each channel.
I've got one-- it sounds very transparent in my system (Jolida JD 100 cdp as transport -> Empirical Audio Synchro-mesh re-clocker-> Aqua La Voce DAC -> Wells Majestic integrated -> Silverline SR 17.5 monitors) and I find I use it all the time. I would've preferred more bands, but for the price, given the sonic variability of CD's, this is a no-brainer.
Reminds me of the Audio Control 5 band I had back in college. It had IIRC 30, 60, 120, 1k and 16k plus an infrasonic filter. Really worked great and had controls right where they are most often needed. I think it was about $120 back in the day. This new Schiit looks like a bargain. Just looked at their website. They have a neat little passive switch box with passive volume control. A great idea but it has only two inputs. What they should have done IMO is make it with three or four inputs and a loop so you could put the LOKI right in there. Could sell them together as a nice little package. Feel free to pass the idea along. ;)
My retro-system includes a rebuilt 1975 Marantz 1060 that offers no intrusion on the signal itsell but offers three click stop tone controls, bass, mid and high, along with a long list of other features out of style for generations. I recently bought an SET set that does not even have a balance knob! To go with it I rounded up a nice Klipsch Heresey for which there is scant room but I will have some fun with a Loki and low power sub-woofer. One interesting thing I noticed the first time I hooked up the Klipsch was a pronounced shrillness in the left speaker box. Thinking it a bad tweeter I cranked up all twelve or so watts in the tube amp and sent my ears ringing. However, repeated excursions of that sort during stressfully loud passages gradually seems to have cured the problem. Not only that but the entire voicing of the speakers seems to have changed. Smoother and more civilized! Perhaps I just ruined my hearing or its my imagination. Or perhaps these fourty year old H 700s were sitting unused and the diaphrams needed exercise. The oak boxes look like new. Is something like that even possible?
The Fletcher-Munson curves tell us that perceived loudness and SPL are not the same thing. There is a subjective element to perceived loudness that has to be accommodated in music playback, and this element varies depending on frequency and on the overall loudness of the music. All of this means that "flat frequency response" is a sterile ideal, and tone controls are essential to subjectively appropriate music playback. Why most amps today lack tone controls is beyond me.
You can only use it with one source at a time, that is - but- if you get a switch box (on amazon) you can rca plug different components into it from one line - and use the switch box to select what component you want the loki to eq. This way you don't have to buy more than one. But if you are a purist and want a more direct signal to source, then I get it. I don't detect much noise or fidelity loss myself. Others may - okay, I get it. I got one thinking of it as an option. If I do not want to use it, I simply keep the bypass on and - no problem. But for say, my Satellite radio tuner, or if I do have a poorly (for my ears) recorded cd or lp - I just throw that sucker on and no matter what tone of speakers I got going (bright or warm) I can bring a bit more life into it (for my ears). I suggest having it as an option. Peace-
Always fun to see people living with their collection of records while talking about minimalism. My own version of minimalism is to have the record collection on a storage disk.
Or you could buy a vintage Audiosource One Equalizer which has sealed sliders that never get dirty and mic output for room corrections and Pink noise generator with ten channels per side with incredible led display for around the same money ... Also mine is Rack mountable... The people who will avoid using an EQ to Taylor the sound to their personal taste are missing out .
I guess it's a great piece o Schiit overall, but it sure can bring the best of every equipment. And it's so simple and minimalistic!! I really want one now.
Hey Steve, Even though my Denon DRA-800H Receiver which is the center piece of a newly put together Basement "Studio" created during COVID stay at Home scenario, has tone controls for Bass and Treble. This Equalizer has piqued some interest for more tonal control mostly for playing older LPs ( I have about 60 albums from yesteryear - I'm 69 years old). I'm about to pull the trigger, but waffling over the true need. I guess for the Money, it's not a major investment and could also possibly use it for my LR system : NAD 1300 Preamp, NAD 2600 AMP, Dual CS 5000 TT, Onkyo CD Player, all connected to KEF 104/2 Speakers - all purchased in 1987. Kuddos to you fro your UA-cam channel. I'm a lover of My Music, I guess an audiophile to some extent and have returned to playing drums [if you can call it that.....] after a 50 year hiatus. It is a Fun thing to enjoy at any time, but much more so now ... Be well and stay safe All.
tinny recording studios (one person home type) can use this to mix down and change how the speakers might sound on other speakers. Zappa said he'd listen to his work on as many real world items as possible before he'd release. I thought that was good advice and bother folks to try out things, but this sounds like it might be easier.
Zappa's point was that most people didn't spend the money on the entertainment side to get the best audio equipment. He believed (experienced) that his recordings in the studio required expensive audio to sound pleasant. He decided that was therefor crazy to do if your intention is to supply a quality product (his music) to folks that neither had the money, time or interest the Perfectionist desires.
Serious gear, not a toy!!! If it colors according to our tastes, it does a simar job to the other components of our stereo. So Steve, it's a grown, mature gear!! Cheers, Gustavo from Boston.
I'm torn between the 4-band and 6-band EQ from Schiit Audio. Since my system isn't too expensive I am not sure if I would hear the difference in my vinyl between the LOKI MINI+ or the LOKIUS. I like the idea of 6 but would I really hear the difference for $150 more. What would Steve buy? This is my system: Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Stereo Receiver. Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speakers. Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer. Sony PS-LX310BT Turntable. I upgraded to an elliptical cartridge. It improved the sound but wasn't a huge improvement.
This thing is an awesome piece of equipment, love it, allows you to fine tune the sound to your liking and ears, whats not to like, do yourself a favour and get one, you will not be disappointed., great addition to any audio system.
I have two Loki and I but one of them developed a low frequency buzz that comes in and out when 1st powered up then stays on permanently, by having two of them I was able swap location and PS and the buzz followed the Loki. Please let me know if any of you had this issue and how you solved it. BTW I agree with Steve but it sucks that one of them has gone bad.
I bought one of these recently and installed it in my basement listening room, where I had installed wall-to-wall carpeting and afterwards felt that something was wrong with the sound coming out of my system. I was getting some kind of distortion on piano and vibraphone notes. The music sounded grungy and less clear with ringing and unpleasant overtones. I figured the carpeting was absorbing some of the high frequencies and thought (or at least hoped) that equalizing the sound might address this. I didn't want a traditional equalizer, however, because I thought it was just too much and that I wouldn't have the patience to really use it. The Loki sounded like it might be a good compromise. I bought and installed it and very slightly turned up the highest treble knob. The distortion disappeared -- completely. It was as if the boost rehabilitated some of the high notes, rounding them out so they could be heard again as intended. If I'd read someone else say this about their own system, I probably would have been skeptical. But I know what I heard. Why not use my tone controls to achieve the same effect, you might ask. Perhaps. But my tone controls are inconvenient. You have to go into a menu and it's cumbersome to make a change, then compare it to what you were listening to. In addition, the ability to target a narrower range of frequencies would not be as good as with the Loki. In any case, this little silver box really worked. Highly recommended.
I like the concept (like a mini EQ), but I'm not thrilled about the center frequency choices. I'd like something like 50 Hz, 400 Hz, 2 kHz, and 10 kHz or something close to this.
Yes, Yes!.... I've been using Mastering grade studio equalizers for vinyl playback for years... So much vinyl has the low end compromised to fit more time on each side... and of course modern stuff like Arcade Fire, is nearly unlistenable, but yes an EQ can help somewhat. I'm likely going to buy this Loki just because it's so affordable..... Sadly I just sold my NAD preamp that had a Tape Loop, but I typically only use EQ for vinyl playback. Like Steve said.... it's fun, and it does make things sound better. Damn the purists!
The knobs are hard to turn because they are too close together, there is not even enough space between them for a pencil! So your fingers get jammed up trying to turn the knobs, and you can only grip them from the top/bottom, sideway pinching is difficult and uncomfortable as you can only grip the front few millimeters and will scratch up the back of your fingernails on the sharp edges of the knob cylinder as you are trying to pinch the knobs. As a concept, I think this thing is totally awesome! but the knob spacing takes a huge dump on the whole experience. Switches feel good. It should probably cost something like $24 not $160
Its $230. (equivalent currency, which works out to $500. or more, if we compare the relative Purchasing Power) out here in Mumbai, India. At that Price it is not so exciting.
It's still very exciting. Look for something this good for the same price. Probably you will realize other eqs that are 800 in US, in Mumbai those would come at 1200 or something like that. So, for you, it might still be a deal. To me it did marvels. I cannot go back.
Specifically buying to listen to records. Audiophiles tell me to replace this, that and another to get the sound I’m looking for. After visiting a record store, it dawned on me they had the tremble down or tone toward bass which made the noisy crackly record sound clean. I’m buying first issue records that are reasonable for VG quality but very expensive for mint. I will spend $150 for Loki and buy VG quality records. Thanks
Can anyone tell me how to get hold of one of these Units;They have been out of stock for months and no-one at Schiit seems to have ANY idea when they will become available ; Perhaps they are being victims of their own success !??
Sounds great for those, like me, who like playing with Sound Booster app on Chrome OS! This app alters the sound wonderfully for one tab in chrome browser, but there's no global option! So I have to alter the sound each time I move a tab, and I can't alter the sound at all on apps outside the browser. I'm finding it difficult to find any global option. I'm finding my Wharefdale 9.0 "computer" speakers need treble reduced on just about everything. This box (obviously) would be global and could fit into my chain. So is this the solution for a global equaliser under Chrome OS?
It's a shame this puppy isn't balanced in and out. It would be great to drop in line between the tone control-less Freya I'm hoping to buy soon, and my power amp.
Thanks for coming out LOL. These kind of things are almost considered as bad as cursing in church. But I could not agree more. Music is about joy, and some albums seem to be mixed by deaf gorillas. Long live EQ!
Some music was mixed by deaf morons... no animal has such poor hearing, and such impaired instinct. Music that poorly mastered can only be achieved by a human ... with serious problems. Like... do not insult animals that way. I can barely share the guilt of belonging to the same species of the guys who mix some stuff out there.
Flat is boring. I always listen to music with EQ. Album EQ curves are flattened out in mastering, so that they average out on the majority of playback systems. So when you listen to an album "flat" you aren't hearing what the artist intended. No. You are listening to a filtered/flattened EQ. Done, so that YOU can take an EQ and shape the sound however YOU like to hear it. - I like a bell dip at 700hz, and a shelf boost at 75hz & 6khz. Around 2-3db cut/boost. Most of the time, a little bit more treble than bass. The Loki's EQ center points are interesting and intuitive, but I think 5 bands would be more complete. An extra middle band, at about 600-800hz. Schiit, make a Loki+. Thanks... :-)
I never said any system was flat. I said the audio frequency curve of professionally mastered audio is shaped to a more or less universal curve that is relatively flat, so that it is averaged out for playback systems. Learn how to read. The loudness war has little to do with pro mastering EQ. Though with the increase in RMS levels, bass and treble gets compromised. If you target -8db rms instead of say -12db rms, you will need to cut more bass & treble to achieve that level in mastering in order to avoid audible distortion. So, the louder the audio, the more narrow the frequency has to go. I'm a musician, have a studio, and have been producing and mixing music for 15 years now. Again, learn how to read and try not to make a fool of yourself.
Did i say i was no fool? in fact i am, and you just joined the club sir. Welcome!. I don't even care how long you have been mixing or the fact you have a studio. But its clear you have all the facts and internet smarts checked. Good on you sir. I bet your studio sounds like sciiit.
And sorry my rampage landed on you.. I was in full keyboard warrior mode and shot from the hip. because im so sick of youtube suggesting this annoying "Steve" the freaking audiofool guy. I will now search for funny dogs and cats for a week and hope that get rid of him
Good, because its really shit! Even fools like us can tell. Shit fanboys are just as, or even more annoying than harley riders and linux elitists combined. Don't even get me started! Edit: Gonna go comment on some harley fags! damn i should be in bed by now. Edit again: And im gonna connect a crappy 2500w behringer to my planar interstellar headphones and do a sine wave! That will reduce the subjective output on Steve the annoyance guy
Always thought that picture in the background was Joni Mitchell, but it suddenly dawned on me that it's Steve G. Now I can't stop looking at it. Aaaaahhh
I'll tell ya Steve, mine just came in today, I hooked it up to my old vintage system, Kenwood amp, pro ject classic TT and Klipsch Heresy's, what a difference, just a tight response form the bass, clarity in the high range, unless I am mistaken, the soundstage seems to be a little more pronounced, this made a good system sound even better, its fun again, thanks a bunch...
You could. The issue is though, if a speaker already has trouble with bass, feeding it twice as much low frequency will likely just sound muddy. Also you can get a perfectly serviceable woofer for 150 so I see no reason to buy a Loki for that specific purpose.
I would like to have one, but with all my tape decks, I would have to figure out how to make it work. I currently use a Bbe audio restoration unit for home systems. It has a tape in/out. I wonder which one would give better results.
Tone controls and eq introduces more distortion so I’m not a fan. A more honest signal with better quality Amps, speakers is a better spend in my opinion.
It depends on how resolving your system is too. Mine is quite detailed, and it changed little, while added a tad of enjoyment. Way more natural presentation thanks to this. I very much rather real than clear.
I have Loki in my $10K system and use it rarely to fix some poor recordings, which happens, perhaps, 1-2 times a month. But when it's needed it is REALLY needed and helps to improve the listening experience a lot.
Love this video. Steve has a really great broad perspective and open mind. He knows how to handle the audio snobbery.
Well stated. Yes, he sure does.
Schitt gear has been a life saver for a few of my older disabled poor friends helped get them off the constant buying of cheap craigslist gear only to have it fail shortly after. The wee passive has added years of life to a dying friend who near gave up do to illness and depression he was down to 90lbs I bought him a passive and fixed his amp loaned him loudspeakers and he gained 40lbs back and is happy. Music is life.
Lovely story. Thanks for sharing it.
Life is life. Music is music. Stupid.
Music is Life
Life is Love
Love is Music
Music is Life
good to hear it...it's all apart of the TLC that reaches him...for some it's fishing or painting...for this person it's music. kudos to you for helping him out, hanging in there....hope many positive karma points come your way.
@@madMARTYNmarsh1981 In this case music is life he has nothing but the demons in his head and will just stop eating and goes catatonic music and audio give him something to live 4. Maybe u r stupid but you shouldnt be so hard on yourself and quantify all posts with stupid.
Just so great to hear another audiophile talk about how great time controls and eq is! 👏👏👏
HiFi should always have knobs to tweek in my mind 👌
Steve's comments spurred me to pick one up. Don't know how I did without it for so many years. Adding a touch of oomph here or sweetness there has put new enjoyment into recordings. Especially as I get older and my hearing diminishes, a slight turn up on the hi-mids and the treble brings vocals alive.
I bought a FX Audio 06 DAC with tone controls to play around with, and wow, does it sound great. Tweaking the treble region can really bring things alive. Now I want tone controls on my esoteric preamp. As great as it is, there is something missing from some LP recordings, especially.
Thanks for adding so much fun to this hobby! Delightful review :)
Thanks Steve! I was just reading about this! With your review that's all I need I'm getting one!
Thank you !
...Schiit Loki is just fantastic. I’m using the Loki + Mani Schiit pre amp+Nagaoka-150+Yamaha A-S501.
This is a must have upgrade,that make your Intergrated amplifier system sound real.
I acquired one and LOVE IT. I get over the problem of single source application by feeding in several sources (4) into a passive (unpowered) switch box, line out to the Loki, and then off to the amp. Works a treat. And a super cheap solution.
I just put the Loki into my system, worth every penny! Best piece of audio gear I own right now. It can really take music to new heights in regards to sound. Very easy to use, takes the so so and makes it very good to fantastic. I'm using it with the Schiit Freya tube amp out to an XPA-2 to the SVS Ultra speakers. It is so good I ordered another for the TT so I don't have to switch them out. If you don't have one, you need one.
Just bought one to tame my analog KT88 tube amp setup. The LaScalas do respond well to "sound shaping".
You crack me up Steve! Love listening to you and watching your videos. Thanks!
I just bought one due to this review Steve. It is really great! I've had Schiit products before and all have been impressive. I have recently stopped using my Schiit Lyr 2, which I would heartily recommend to anyone, and bought an SPL Phonitor X. With this Schiit Loki I can tune the sound to my preference. Previously trying to get the sound I felt right meant replacing parts of my audio chain at great expense. Now I will be able to get the sound I like with the Loki. It is superb.
Does not change the sound signature at all of the rest of your equipment?
I use the this Loki with SPl Phonitor X, Audeze LCD3 headphones and Opera Consonance non-oversampling cd player. It does not negatively effect the sound quality. I just add a little bass and a little high end with it and it is great to my ears. With the loki you can tune your system more to you liking without having to replace major components at significant cost. The best cost to benefit ratio of any audio component I have bought.
I got the Loki and men, what a difference! Not all of us have a privileged ear and this little thing let me experience music in a total different way, even bland streaming services sound way better on my system, thanks Steve for your review and introducing us into a new world of audiophile devices
Gawd....i used to be nuts about EQ's back in the late 70's to early 80's. I would use my SAE Parametric EQ when i would make mix tapes for friends because I found it so much fun, especially when trying to improve bad and so-so recordings. Over the years, i stayed away from EQ's the more I learned about audio. Today, I am once again open to the idea of EQ's making a comeback. Not everyone may share this view, but that's just me.
I had the old 10 Band Dynaco equalizer in the 70's...trying to tame the harshness of the PAT5 solid state preamp :( ..after I went all tubes with the PAS3 and Conrad Johnsons, I quickly sold it.
Just got in the Loki. Have it hooked directly into my turntable with pre amp then to my powered speakers Klipsch The Sixes. It’s awesome, tone control with a very precise tuning. It’s simple and l love it.
Bought one of these because I heard about it from you. Love it! So much so that I ordered a Freya with upgraded tubes since I have a BDP205 and a Benchmark AHB2, which is an amazing combination, but I want to play with the tubes. Thanks for the Schity recommendations, Steve!
Bought my Loki about 2 months ago and love it. I don't really use it that much unless I feel the recording is lopsided and I'm just not enjoying what I'm listening to. Overall my focus is my own listening enjoyment and the Loki tends to give me the tiny tweak in looking for in getting into the music.
Have it.. love it.
Great to hear it is not just me
My update... Finally... The Schiit Audio Loki, Mani and Freya tube preamp are all integrated into my system. What a nightmare. But the sound is fantastic. The little Loki again, is the center of attention and the first thing the L/R channels see upon leaving the Denon X4400H AVR. Two passive, and dead silent XLR switches make listing to two channel using the Freya and Magni possible, what an adventure.
It was a lot of fun staying up until 5 am playing with this gear and listening to an incredible variety of music, from the TT to streaming. The Freya is just the bomb, but the Loki makes it shine. I also ripped out my 12 ga speaker cable and replaced with 14/4 speaker cable and doubled up the cable to the speaker inputs, essentially now 8 ga... WOW! Talk about opening up the SVS Ultra speakers! The Emotiva XPA-2 was getting a workout right along with the Freya, LOL!
Thanks Steve for reviewing the Loki, it has made a night and day difference in my system and led to other Schiit, now I have Schiit coming out my ears. ;-)
When I get back to work I'll shoot you some appreciation via Patreon. Thanks again for what you do.
Nice. I'm looking forward to the inevitable bigger version of the Loki mini. More bands and balanced in/out...hopefully! Cheers. Mark.
Nice little gem. Gonna get my own. Back are the tonecontrols!
Even basic tone controls have become a “luxury” in today’s mid-fi and hi-fi systems. The slightest tweaking of a tone control knob can make a huge difference with recordings that are too bright, for example.
I bought a Technical pro receiver simply because it has Tone controls and an EQ I'm sure it's "wrong" by "audiophile" standards, AND Home theater standards, since it is an Analogue surround receiver... And it has mic inputs.. sounds like a normal integrated amp/receiver IMO...
Raymond Leggs it’s all about enjoying music or am I missing something?
Would be nice if it also had XLR ins and outs instead of RCA ins and outs.
The only place I use RCS anywhere on my home stereo is from the record player to the phono preamp. Since my record player doesn't have XLR outs.
exactly... and this is why this was a deal breaker for me. No XLR in a Hi Fi product? C'mon
Hey Steve, just discovered you on youtube while looking up reviews of some Schiitt equipment. Love your vids, and enthusiasm!
Mark Gerking I don't like using equalizers I just like all my speakers to have the same loudness and with the song paint it black by the rolling stones the treble sound is 5 decibels louder then the bass sound and the treble sound is 1 decibels louder then the mid sound so if all your speakers don't have the same loudness the sound won't come out like that and you won't get the original sound
Yeah, I agree. Actually looking into the Schiit Vidor amps, and the passive/tube pre. Never had any tube gear and seemed like a realistic way to check it out. Any thoughts? Dig your channel daily!
I just received the Schiit Loki and I am really impressed by the controls. I have a pair of B&W 607 I use for my desktop computer, the uppers tend to be bright. I was able to control the brightness and also the bass which at times tends to be too punchy depending on the music selection. I have the Loki connected between my old NAD D1050 DAC and my XTZ amp. It works perfectly for my desktop use. Steve thanks for making me aware of of this little powerful unit.
Listen for hum when you switch the controls on. Try earphones especially. It doesn't happen when bypass is selected. It's noisy all right, at least my one is.
@@fuckinellitsraymo I listened for a hum but could not detect one. My Loki is connected between my DAC and amplifier so I cannot test my headphones since I plug them directly into my DAC. I listened for the hum using my speakers, I also placed my ear right next to the Loki and could not hear it. I switched to bypass and then back to my control selected settings and no hum. Do you think it could be your cables. You could be picking up some frequencies through your cables. I have a Monoprice Monolith USB cable connected from my computer to my DAC, Blue Jean Cables RCA connected from my DAC to the Loki and Straight Wire RCA cables connected from my Loki to my amp. The cables I use are not expensive. I hope this helps.
@@orlandomiranda5011 Hi. Solved. I had it placed between my Turntable and Well Tempered phono stage so I switched it to go between my phono stage and amplifier and that seems to have done the trick.
I'm not sure if it's more susceptible to phono rather than CD etc
@@fuckinellitsraymo Great!
This guy helped me get into audio on a tight budget since I'm a "broke M-Fer" thanks to this guy I got a pair of Micca mb42Xs, a Dayton sub 1200, and a Leppy amp (forget the model #) and I'm in love with it!
With an external equaliser you need need to buy an extra pair of interconnect cables. Have to feature that into the price. Unless the gadget comes with ic cables. Then again you may prefer to have consistency with the ic you use, in which case, the additional cost factor still remains.
I put a Schiit Loki between the preamp and amp sections of my ‘90s midfi Yamaha RX-V850 av receiver and it changed everything for the better. I was thinking of getting a new receiver but now I am not.
The Loki couldn't arrive at a better time. I've become totally fed up with my 15 band EQ.By the time I finally dial it in, the song is over. I just bought an old JVC SEA 11 because of it's simplicity and now I see this Schiit come out.
I used to be all about bringing those levels up and down. Finally got a good amp and speakers, and now I don't feel the need anymore.
Then again… I don't listen to Arcade Fire. 🤣
I've been going back and forth on whether to get the Loki but I finally think it's time. I have the Magni 3 and Modi Multibit so the Loki would fill out my Schiit stack perfectly and I think it will do wonders for my LCD-2C and Elear headphones.
Thank you Steve, we immediately check out the link you included and the Loki is backordered! Wow!
I got one to knock a little bit of bass off my Focal Elears and bring up the mids. Nice little unit.
Michael Calia you should try the Clear pads-I know they’re a little pricey, but you can get a lot of those can’s sound signature out of the Elears with them.
Thanks tormaid -- I didn't know that was possible! I'll look into it. Hate to have to spend another $1500 for the Clears. As far as my wife knows, everything I buy--guitars, audio gear---costs about a hundred bucks. ;-)
Luv my Loki! It's the missing link in my late evening (highend) set. Thnx Steve.
I am 54 years old and have hearing loss in the treble area, I think it will be able to help in my hifi system?
Anyone think it could help me? (sorry if is spelling incorrect - I am Danish living here :-)?
Hello Henrik, I am only 44, but I might have similar problems like you especially on normal listening volume. On higher volume the treble is okay, but the music is simply too loud for me in general. As I usually use my desktop computer as music source, I installed Boom 3D which is an EQ software (and contains some other magical effects I don't need). With a little bit of boost (2-3 dBs) in the treble frequencies I definitely hear those details I missed. In my case it would definitely work. So I would suggest you to try Schiit Loki.
Next time I will only buy amp will dedicated bass and treble control knobs.
@@navrasicsi Hi, tanks very much for your reply. I bought the Loki. And this actually works for me! The treble is like when I was young. This could be the answer for others with this problem. The Loki is neutral and high end🙏
4 stages of Hifi enthusiasts:
1. Schiit must be crap, measures bad, bad components
2. reads impressive online Schiit reviews
3. buys it and loves it
4. becomes fanboy
Happened to me :D
Have you read their book 'Schiit Happened'?
It's hilarious and so informative of all the little things/ issues/snags that went into making these amos that are famous now.
I read the book for free on head-fi.
Just type into Google "head fi schiit happened". I liked it so much I purchased it. I have it prominently disolayed on my book shelf.
Had an opportunity for Schiit must be shit, and ya blew it.
I had a Marantz Amp(PM 8006) with EQ knobs, I used it a few times and it seemed to work well, but I always used the direct source button to bypass the EQ. It sounded better for some reason. An old friend of mine loves EQ, always used the V shape on his EQ. I always thought it sounded a bit off. Never was a fan, but glad EQ is coming back, more options is always better.
What speakers are you driving with the Marantz? Thanks.
PSB Imagine T Tower also used it briefly with my Gallo Strada 2.
You can create a modern tape loop by using this method if you have a zone 2 or 3 analog out:
connect the input of the Loki to the zone 2 out, connect the output of the Loki to any analog input that you want.
When you want to use it, choose zone 2 and set the source for zone 2 to whatever source you want to listen to, then set the receiver/preamp/processor to the input that you connected the Loki output to.
This will allow you to use one Loki and listen via any source that you can pipe to zone 2.
Enjoy!
Thanks for the tip and review! I will probably order one!
Looks like a great little EQ. One thing that will stop me from purchasing it is the lack of left/right independent controls. I have a boomy corner that I eq the low feqs down. Being that it's my living room, my wife won't tolerate acoustic treatments, and neither will I. I guess I can just buy two, one for each channel.
James Pelosi, you could just run the left channel through the Loki.
Buy 2!
I've got one-- it sounds very transparent in my system (Jolida JD 100 cdp as transport -> Empirical Audio Synchro-mesh re-clocker-> Aqua La Voce DAC -> Wells Majestic integrated -> Silverline SR 17.5 monitors) and I find I use it all the time. I would've preferred more bands, but for the price, given the sonic variability of CD's, this is a no-brainer.
Reminds me of the Audio Control 5 band I had back in college. It had IIRC 30, 60, 120, 1k and 16k plus an infrasonic filter. Really worked great and had controls right where they are most often needed. I think it was about $120 back in the day. This new Schiit looks like a bargain.
Just looked at their website. They have a neat little passive switch box with passive volume control. A great idea but it has only two inputs. What they should have done IMO is make it with three or four inputs and a loop so you could put the LOKI right in there. Could sell them together as a nice little package. Feel free to pass the idea along. ;)
My retro-system includes a rebuilt 1975 Marantz 1060 that offers no intrusion on the signal itsell but offers three click stop tone controls, bass, mid and high, along with a long list of other features out of style for generations.
I recently bought an SET set that does not even have a balance knob! To go with it I rounded up a nice Klipsch Heresey for which there is scant room but I will have some fun with a Loki and low power sub-woofer.
One interesting thing I noticed the first time I hooked up the Klipsch was a pronounced shrillness in the left speaker box. Thinking it a bad tweeter I cranked up all twelve or so watts in the tube amp and sent my ears ringing.
However, repeated excursions of that sort during stressfully loud passages gradually seems to have cured the problem. Not only that but the entire voicing of the speakers seems to have changed. Smoother and more civilized!
Perhaps I just ruined my hearing or its my imagination. Or perhaps these fourty year old H 700s were sitting unused and the diaphrams needed exercise. The oak boxes look like new. Is something like that even possible?
The Fletcher-Munson curves tell us that perceived loudness and SPL are not the same thing. There is a subjective element to perceived loudness that has to be accommodated in music playback, and this element varies depending on frequency and on the overall loudness of the music. All of this means that "flat frequency response" is a sterile ideal, and tone controls are essential to subjectively appropriate music playback. Why most amps today lack tone controls is beyond me.
Love your reviews! I'm getting one for my old Aragon 18k....no tone controls. Can't wait to experiment with my cd's
You can only use it with one source at a time, that is - but- if you get a switch box (on amazon) you can rca plug different components into it from one line - and use the switch box to select what component you want the loki to eq. This way you don't have to buy more than one. But if you are a purist and want a more direct signal to source, then I get it. I don't detect much noise or fidelity loss myself. Others may - okay, I get it. I got one thinking of it as an option. If I do not want to use it, I simply keep the bypass on and - no problem. But for say, my Satellite radio tuner, or if I do have a poorly (for my ears) recorded cd or lp - I just throw that sucker on and no matter what tone of speakers I got going (bright or warm) I can bring a bit more life into it (for my ears). I suggest having it as an option. Peace-
I have an integrated amp and play vinyl and stream and CDs. So I assume I'm going to have to plug and unplug from each source and go into the Loki???
"Since we don't live with stuff that has tape loops anymore..."
Some of us do! 😀
Always fun to see people living with their collection of records while talking about minimalism. My own version of minimalism is to have the record collection on a storage disk.
Or you could buy a vintage Audiosource One Equalizer which has sealed sliders that never get dirty and mic output for room corrections and Pink noise generator with ten channels per side with incredible led display for around the same money ...
Also mine is Rack mountable...
The people who will avoid using an EQ to Taylor the sound to their personal taste are missing out .
Still hard to get it in Europa.
Wish it also had a variable loudness control as well. Now that would be awesome.
Yeah Schiit makes good stuff. I have their DAC for a couple years and it's awesome.
Just started watching and noticed you have room tunes!!! I love mine. Huge difference.
I guess it's a great piece o Schiit overall, but it sure can bring the best of every equipment. And it's so simple and minimalistic!!
I really want one now.
Hey Steve, Even though my Denon DRA-800H Receiver which is the center piece of a newly put together Basement "Studio" created during COVID stay at Home scenario, has tone controls for Bass and Treble. This Equalizer has piqued some interest for more tonal control mostly for playing older LPs ( I have about 60 albums from yesteryear - I'm 69 years old). I'm about to pull the trigger, but waffling over the true need. I guess for the Money, it's not a major investment and could also possibly use it for my LR system : NAD 1300 Preamp, NAD 2600 AMP, Dual CS 5000 TT, Onkyo CD Player, all connected to KEF 104/2 Speakers - all purchased in 1987.
Kuddos to you fro your UA-cam channel. I'm a lover of My Music, I guess an audiophile to some extent and have returned to playing drums [if you can call it that.....] after a 50 year hiatus. It is a Fun thing to enjoy at any time, but much more so now ... Be well and stay safe All.
tinny recording studios (one person home type) can use this to mix down and change how the speakers might sound on other speakers. Zappa said he'd listen to his work on as many real world items as possible before he'd release. I thought that was good advice and bother folks to try out things, but this sounds like it might be easier.
Zappa's point was that most people didn't spend the money on the entertainment side to get the best audio equipment. He believed (experienced) that his recordings in the studio required expensive audio to sound pleasant. He decided that was therefor crazy to do if your intention is to supply a quality product (his music) to folks that neither had the money, time or interest the Perfectionist desires.
Love my Loki. I've had mine since October 2017 and Steve nails it .. it's fun! So my audiophile cred suffers a bit. Who gives a Schiit?
🤣
Serious gear, not a toy!!! If it colors according to our tastes, it does a simar job to the other components of our stereo. So Steve, it's a grown, mature gear!! Cheers, Gustavo from Boston.
I'm torn between the 4-band and 6-band EQ from Schiit Audio. Since my system isn't too expensive I am not sure if I would hear the difference in my vinyl between the LOKI MINI+ or the LOKIUS. I like the idea of 6 but would I really hear the difference for $150 more. What would Steve buy?
This is my system:
Sony STRDH190 2-ch Home Stereo Receiver.
Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speakers.
Sony SACS9 10-Inch Active Subwoofer.
Sony PS-LX310BT Turntable. I upgraded to an elliptical cartridge. It improved the sound but wasn't a huge improvement.
really useful for streaming software that does not support software EQ, like Tidal.
This thing is an awesome piece of equipment, love it, allows you to fine tune the sound to your liking and ears, whats not to like, do yourself a favour and get one, you will not be disappointed., great addition to any audio system.
You would need to add a Schiit SYS in before the Loki to have multi source.
I have two Loki and I but one of them developed a low frequency buzz that comes in and out when 1st powered up then stays on permanently, by having two of them I was able swap location and PS and the buzz followed the Loki. Please let me know if any of you had this issue and how you solved it. BTW I agree with Steve but it sucks that one of them has gone bad.
I bought one of these recently and installed it in my basement listening room, where I had installed wall-to-wall carpeting and afterwards felt that something was wrong with the sound coming out of my system. I was getting some kind of distortion on piano and vibraphone notes. The music sounded grungy and less clear with ringing and unpleasant overtones. I figured the carpeting was absorbing some of the high frequencies and thought (or at least hoped) that equalizing the sound might address this. I didn't want a traditional equalizer, however, because I thought it was just too much and that I wouldn't have the patience to really use it. The Loki sounded like it might be a good compromise. I bought and installed it and very slightly turned up the highest treble knob. The distortion disappeared -- completely. It was as if the boost rehabilitated some of the high notes, rounding them out so they could be heard again as intended. If I'd read someone else say this about their own system, I probably would have been skeptical. But I know what I heard. Why not use my tone controls to achieve the same effect, you might ask. Perhaps. But my tone controls are inconvenient. You have to go into a menu and it's cumbersome to make a change, then compare it to what you were listening to. In addition, the ability to target a narrower range of frequencies would not be as good as with the Loki. In any case, this little silver box really worked. Highly recommended.
I have one of these and love it!
come on Steve.....you hook it up to your pre out on your preamp and then output from equalizer to your amplifier so all sources are equalized
I like the concept (like a mini EQ), but I'm not thrilled about the center frequency choices. I'd like something like 50 Hz, 400 Hz, 2 kHz, and 10 kHz or something close to this.
Yes, Yes!.... I've been using Mastering grade studio equalizers for vinyl playback for years... So much vinyl has the low end compromised to fit more time on each side... and of course modern stuff like Arcade Fire, is nearly unlistenable, but yes an EQ can help somewhat. I'm likely going to buy this Loki just because it's so affordable..... Sadly I just sold my NAD preamp that had a Tape Loop, but I typically only use EQ for vinyl playback. Like Steve said.... it's fun, and it does make things sound better. Damn the purists!
The knobs are hard to turn because they are too close together, there is not even enough space between them for a pencil! So your fingers get jammed up trying to turn the knobs, and you can only grip them from the top/bottom, sideway pinching is difficult and uncomfortable as you can only grip the front few millimeters and will scratch up the back of your fingernails on the sharp edges of the knob cylinder as you are trying to pinch the knobs. As a concept, I think this thing is totally awesome! but the knob spacing takes a huge dump on the whole experience. Switches feel good. It should probably cost something like $24 not $160
Its $230. (equivalent currency, which works out to $500. or more, if we compare the relative Purchasing Power) out here in Mumbai, India. At that Price it is not so exciting.
It's still very exciting. Look for something this good for the same price. Probably you will realize other eqs that are 800 in US, in Mumbai those would come at 1200 or something like that. So, for you, it might still be a deal.
To me it did marvels. I cannot go back.
Please review the original printing press
Been using the bbe sonic maximizer which is different than eq and while i had to give up my audiophile card, but man I cant live without it.
For ten bucks more, I recommend a dbx 215s. 15 bands stereo with 1/4" and XLR in/out.
it's hardly a looker though. Now its £50 cheaper in the UK, but I'm not sure I'd buy one still. But XLR outs are a nice addition.
Specifically buying to listen to records. Audiophiles tell me to replace this, that and another to get the sound I’m looking for. After visiting a record store, it dawned on me they had the tremble down or tone toward bass which made the noisy crackly record sound clean. I’m buying first issue records that are reasonable for VG quality but very expensive for mint. I will spend $150 for Loki and buy VG quality records. Thanks
Steve, when are you going to clue us in to your headphone collection? That headphone tree that's usually behind you is so cool.
It coming, but not soon, sorry.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac why not soon Steve Guttenberg?
Can anyone tell me how to get hold of one of these Units;They have been out of stock for months and no-one at Schiit seems to have ANY idea when they will become available ; Perhaps they are being victims of their own success !??
Sounds great for those, like me, who like playing with Sound Booster app on Chrome OS! This app alters the sound wonderfully for one tab in chrome browser, but there's no global option! So I have to alter the sound each time I move a tab, and I can't alter the sound at all on apps outside the browser. I'm finding it difficult to find any global option. I'm finding my Wharefdale 9.0 "computer" speakers need treble reduced on just about everything. This box (obviously) would be global and could fit into my chain. So is this the solution for a global equaliser under Chrome OS?
since i add behringer eq to my system...i no need spend more to upgrade expensive gear ....my system now sound i like
It's a shame this puppy isn't balanced in and out. It would be great to drop in line between the tone control-less Freya I'm hoping to buy soon, and my power amp.
Kinda like the 5 band eq on my Mac 4100.
Can I put this between by Denon AVR's main L-R channel pre-amp outputs and my Adcom front (L-R) amp inputs?
It's missing a 16kHz & 20khz control. I'd like to know why.
Thanks for coming out LOL. These kind of things are almost considered as bad as cursing in church. But I could not agree more. Music is about joy, and some albums seem to be mixed by deaf gorillas. Long live EQ!
Some music was mixed by deaf morons... no animal has such poor hearing, and such impaired instinct. Music that poorly mastered can only be achieved by a human ... with serious problems. Like... do not insult animals that way. I can barely share the guilt of belonging to the same species of the guys who mix some stuff out there.
Loudness war.
Loki = Listener Audio Empowerment!
What about using if after the preamp, then you could use it with multiple sources.
You're connect!
Correct* connect!?
It's early.
Who knew corrections properly implemented made things sound better, small steps eh?
Flat is boring. I always listen to music with EQ. Album EQ curves are flattened out in mastering, so that they average out on the majority of playback systems. So when you listen to an album "flat" you aren't hearing what the artist intended. No. You are listening to a filtered/flattened EQ. Done, so that YOU can take an EQ and shape the sound however YOU like to hear it. - I like a bell dip at 700hz, and a shelf boost at 75hz & 6khz. Around 2-3db cut/boost. Most of the time, a little bit more treble than bass. The Loki's EQ center points are interesting and intuitive, but I think 5 bands would be more complete. An extra middle band, at about 600-800hz. Schiit, make a Loki+. Thanks... :-)
I never said any system was flat. I said the audio frequency curve of professionally mastered audio is shaped to a more or less universal curve that is relatively flat, so that it is averaged out for playback systems. Learn how to read. The loudness war has little to do with pro mastering EQ. Though with the increase in RMS levels, bass and treble gets compromised. If you target -8db rms instead of say -12db rms, you will need to cut more bass & treble to achieve that level in mastering in order to avoid audible distortion. So, the louder the audio, the more narrow the frequency has to go. I'm a musician, have a studio, and have been producing and mixing music for 15 years now. Again, learn how to read and try not to make a fool of yourself.
Did i say i was no fool? in fact i am, and you just joined the club sir. Welcome!. I don't even care how long you have been mixing or the fact you have a studio. But its clear you have all the facts and internet smarts checked. Good on you sir. I bet your studio sounds like sciiit.
It doesn't, and NO Schiit goes any where near my studio. But thanks for taking a guess... :-)
And sorry my rampage landed on you.. I was in full keyboard warrior mode and shot from the hip. because im so sick of youtube suggesting this annoying "Steve" the freaking audiofool guy. I will now search for funny dogs and cats for a week and hope that get rid of him
Good, because its really shit! Even fools like us can tell. Shit fanboys are just as, or even more annoying than harley riders and linux elitists combined. Don't even get me started! Edit: Gonna go comment on some harley fags! damn i should be in bed by now. Edit again: And im gonna connect a crappy 2500w behringer to my planar interstellar headphones and do a sine wave! That will reduce the subjective output on Steve the annoyance guy
Please make a video on - Vintage audio VS Modern Audio equipment
You guys should checkout the BBE Sonic Maximizer.
Always thought that picture in the background was Joni Mitchell, but it suddenly dawned on me that it's Steve G. Now I can't stop looking at it. Aaaaahhh
My Bryston B-60r has a tape loop.
Can you not put it between the preamp and amp I would have thought so
I'll tell ya Steve, mine just came in today, I hooked it up to my old vintage system, Kenwood amp, pro ject classic TT and Klipsch Heresy's, what a difference, just a tight response form the bass, clarity in the high range, unless I am mistaken, the soundstage seems to be a little more pronounced, this made a good system sound even better, its fun again, thanks a bunch...
Did it cure your cancer too?
I have an all tube system for vinyl playback. Would this add a solid state sound to my system?
No, it would add a solid state EQ to your system.
Lui Franco it would or it wouldn’t?
What's the difference of this Loki Shiit and setting up a 4 band parametric EQ on Neutron MP besides de $ 150 bucks?🤔
How about using this as a substitute for a subwoofer, to compensate speaker with inadequate bass?
You could. The issue is though, if a speaker already has trouble with bass, feeding it twice as much low frequency will likely just sound muddy. Also you can get a perfectly serviceable woofer for 150 so I see no reason to buy a Loki for that specific purpose.
I would like to have one, but with all my tape decks, I would have to figure out how to make it work. I currently use a Bbe audio restoration unit for home systems. It has a tape in/out. I wonder which one would give better results.
Tone controls and eq introduces more distortion so I’m not a fan. A more honest signal with better quality Amps, speakers is a better spend in my opinion.
It depends on how resolving your system is too. Mine is quite detailed, and it changed little, while added a tad of enjoyment. Way more natural presentation thanks to this. I very much rather real than clear.