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Author Topic: Schiit Mani Phono Stage  (Read 8260 times)

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Marvey

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Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« on: October 21, 2014, 05:28:57 AM »
Schiit Mani Phono Stage

Picked this up for $99. The only thing I have to compare to is a Pro-Ject Phono Box MKII ($149 - but discontinued). The Pro-Ject isn't all that great and there are some things (not good) that I suspect about it. My prior phono pre was built into my Linn Kairn preamp which I sold in a long time ago - I never had a chance to AB the Pro-Ject Phono Box with anything else... until now.

I dug up my Pro-Ject 1Xpression table and the only cart I could find was the Sumiko Oyster that came with it. It's a starter cart, not very impressive at all, but it works. I know I have a decent MM cart around... but this will have to do for now. It's a cheap phono pre comparison anyways.

BTW, my wife Julie hears the rig with the Mani. Best headphone sound system period that she has heard - although she says crackles and static are annoying. There is a reason why people still play records and spend tens of thousands on TTs... or classic cars.

If you prefer a modern day Civic Si over an Shelby Cobra, then turntables are definitely NOT for you.


Phono Shootout continued here: http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,2449.msg68141/topicseen.html#new
« Last Edit: May 27, 2015, 06:02:59 PM by OJneg »
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Julie

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Re: Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2014, 05:41:31 AM »
Hi guys.

One of them sounds better than the other. No contest. The Shit is in a different league. I don't know why it's called Shit. It must be a guy thing. The Shit is crisper and has more treble presence. The other one sounds dull. It's like someone put a muzzle over the headphones.
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Marvey

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Re: Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2014, 05:46:41 AM »
Well there you go. That pretty much sums up my thoughts too.

Tonally, the Pro-Ject seems severely rolled, to the extent that I wonder if the RIAA EQ is even right or not. (I've always felt that way.) The Mani has much more air, dynamics, space, and plankton. The Pro-Ject does sound really dull. Dead dull. I mean, it's not even close, especially going back to the Pro-Ject from the Mani. It's like oooooh, yuck.

Now what would be interesting is to compare the Mani to something around the $400-$500 range. I'm going to see if I borrow the EC tube phono-pre amp (over $1k). It might be interesting to see how the Mani holds up against a something 10 times the price.
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CEE TEE

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Re: Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2014, 05:52:58 AM »
I can ship down 2 amps in your price range for comparison with Mani, risk be damned:
  • TTVJ Hybrid Phono Pre (hardly used it- tube hybrid on top of tube amp with headphones was "too much").
  • Parasound Phono Pre (what I am currently using in my cheap TT system).
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OJneg

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Re: Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2014, 06:22:21 AM »
Marv: I can send you my cheapie TCC phono pre. MM only.
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ultrabike

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Re: Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2014, 07:47:04 AM »
 :)p13 :)p13 :)p13

Awesome guys! headbang

I would send something... but I don't have a phono pre, or even a turn table yet :(
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Eric_C

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Re: Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2014, 07:49:21 AM »
Haha best review and best first post ever!
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DaveBSC

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Re: Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« Reply #7 on: October 21, 2014, 09:14:02 AM »
Quote from: marvey on October 21, 2014, 05:46:41 AM
Now what would be interesting is to compare the Mani to something around the $400-$500 range. I'm going to see if I borrow the EC tube phono-pre amp (over $1k). It might be interesting to see how the Mani holds up against a something 10 times the price.

One of the most popular Phono pres in that price bracket is the iFi iPhono, which beat out four other moderately priced pres in a blind test on Mikey Fremer's Analog Planet. I like Pro-Ject's tables particularly under $2K, but the whatever Box electronics IME have all been pretty forgettable.

Provided the pressing wasn't crap, after a turn on my Nitty Gritty most of my vinyl through my Shelter/Nottingham/Sutherland combo is pretty quiet, though granted I only listen to vinyl on speakers which tend to be considerably more forgiving of vinyl noise than headphones.

I have no nostalgia for vinyl or any real interest in uber price special edition gatefold nonsense for collectors. Vinyl usually sounds good (provided its not a lazy reissue, or cut from CD), whereas digital, at least the way its been produced post 1993, usually sucks. Some of the Blue Note releases on HDTracks are absolutely fantastic, but the mainstream albums that end up there almost always have the same master as the CD release. I'll take some clicks and pops over this kind of garbage any day of the week.


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Skyline

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Re: Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2014, 12:37:37 PM »
Interseting. 

I've also got a pro-ject phono box...the phono V USB, I believe.

I really can't tell much of a difference between the built-in phono stage of my onkyo receiver and the pro-ject box.
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burnspbesq

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Re: Schiit Mani Phono Stage
« Reply #9 on: October 21, 2014, 01:26:01 PM »
I've got two phono stages, an entry-level Music Hall and a Creek OBH-15, gathering dust in the storage space.  Happy to make them available for a compare.
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