SCHIIT SKOLL Zero Feedback Remote Control Phono Preamplifier Instruction Manual

SCHIIT SKOLL Zero Feedback Remote Control Phono Preamplifier

Product Information

The Skoll phono preamp is a balanced discrete Class A zero feedback remote control phono preamp. It offers exceptional performance at a low cost. The preamp features high-voltage-rail, Class A, no-feedback gain stages, passive RIAA, and balanced and
single-ended inputs and outputs. It also includes a remote control for convenient adjustment from a distance.

Features:

• Balanced outputs for connection to preamp or integrated amp with XLR cables.
• Single-ended outputs for connection to preamp or integrated amp with RCA cables.
• Ground connection for minimizing hum in turntables.
• Balanced inputs for connecting turntables with balanced outputs using XLR cables.
• Single-ended inputs for connecting SE turntables with RCA cables.
• Power switch for turning the device on and off.
• AC input for connecting the supplied wall-wart output.
• Resistive loading LEDs for selecting resistive loading (10 ohms to 47k ohms).
• Capacitive loading LEDs for selecting capacitive loading (50p to 200p).
• Input select button for choosing between balanced and single-ended inputs.
• Gain select button for selecting gain levels (40dB, 50dB, 60dB, 70dB).
• LF filter light for indicating the enabled passive LF filter (only on balanced XLR outputs).

Warnings:

To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this device to rain or moisture.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Connect the balanced outputs (1) to your preamp or integrated amp using XLR cables.
2. If your preamp or integrated amp doesn’t have balanced inputs, connect the single-ended outputs (2) using RCA cables.
3. If your turntable requires a ground connection to minimize hum, connect it to the ground terminal (3) using a short, thick ground wire.
4. Connect any turntable with balanced outputs to the balanced inputs (4) using XLR cables.
5. If your turntable has single-ended outputs, connect it to the single-ended inputs (5) using RCA cables. Keep the cables short and well-shielded for minimum hum.
6. Use the power switch (6) to turn the device on (up position) or off (down position).
7. Connect the supplied wall-wart output to the AC input (7). The wall-wart provides both 24VAC and 6VAC to the Skoll.
8. To adjust the resistive loading, use the remote control or press and hold (3) for step-through selection.
9. To adjust the capacitive loading, use the remote control or press and hold (4) for toggling on and off.
10. Press the input select button (5) to choose between balanced and single-ended inputs.
11. Press the gain select button (6) to select the desired gain level.
12. The LF filter light (7) indicates whether the passive LF filter is enabled. It is only active on the balanced XLR outputs. Use the remote control or press and hold (4) to toggle it on and off.

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Skoll, simply the most amazing phono preamp for the lowest cost, anywhere in the world. Hype? Consider the high-voltage-rail, Class A, no- feedback gain stages, the passive RIAA, the balanced and single-ended in and out, and the freakin’ remote control! Holy moly, tweak this thing from your chair rather than getting up every time you want to fiddle with loading. Heck, hook up two turntables (you know you want to, right?). Pretty much whereever you are on the phono scale—just getting started, or over the top—Skoll is ready to deliver exceptional performance.

The following is required by the roughly 9,542 government agencies and regulations we have to comply with. If you have some common sense, they

should seem pretty straightforward. In any case, read these instructions before proceeding farther, follow all instructions, and heed all warnings. Or else!

1. If you don’t know how to install audio devices, get a qualified professional to help.
2. Never use this device near water, and clean only with a dry cloth.
3. Assure adequate ventilation, do not block any ventilation openings, or place near heat sources.
4. Use only the supplied power cord or suitable replacement. Route cords away from traffic areas and protect them from being pinched. Unplug the cord from the outlet if the appara-tus is unused for a long period of time.
5. To prevent electric shock, do not use the plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or outlet unless blades can be fully inserted.
6. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Service is required when the device has been damaged, including cord or plug damage, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the device, the device has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
   WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.

CONNECTIONS

1. Balanced outputs. Connect to your preamp or integrated amp with XLR cables.

2. Single-ended outputs. Connect to your preamp or integrated amp with RCA cables if it doesn’t have balanced inputs.
   Note: both balanced and SE outputs are on at all times.

3. Ground. Some turntables need a ground connection to Skoll for minimum hum. Connect with a short, thick ground wire.

4. Balanced inputs. Connect any turntable with balanced outputs using XLR cables.
   Note: yes, balanced out turntables are rare. And some use bizarro nonstandard connectors. Ask them for a conversion cable to a proper set of XLRs.

5. Single-ended inputs. Connect any SE turntable with RCA cables here. We strongly recommend keeping them short and well-shielded for minimum hum.

6. Power switch. Up is on, down is off. Sound only comes out when it’s on.

7. AC input. Connect the supplied wall-wart output here. This wall-wart is very special, providing both 24VAC and 6VAC to the Skoll. You won’t find it anywhere else. If you need a new one because your cat ate the cord, no worries, we sell them on our site, under Accessories.

OPERATION

1. Resistive loading. The first 5 LEDs show the resistive loading—10 ohms to 47k ohms. Select 47k for MM. Select the cartridge manufacturers’ recommended load for MC.

2. Capacitive loading. The next 4 LEDs show the capacitive loading—50p to 200p. Leave at 50p for MM and use the recommended load for MC.
   Note: loading is selected using the remote, or, if it isn’t handy, you can press and hold (3) to enable a “step through” selection function. It’s a pain in the rear end, so just order a new remote, OK?

3. Input select. Press to select input, balanced or single-ended.

4. Gain select. Press to select gain of both stages. Here’s how it works:
   No LEDs: 40dB
   Left LED only: 50dB
   Right LED only: 60dB
   Both LEDs on: 70dB

5. LF filter light. This is on when the 2-pole passive LF filter is enabled.
   Note: LF filter is only enabled on the balanced XLR outputs.
   Note: LF filter is selected via the remote. Alternately, if the remote isn’t handy or is in your parrot/dog/cat’s stomach, you can press and hold (4) to toggle it on and off. Seriously, a new remote is cheap. Just get one.

REMOTE

Yes, Skoll comes with a remote. It’s simple and plastic so if your dog chews it up, a new one is inexpensive. Sorry if that offends your senses.

1. Input. Press to select the input you want to listen to, balanced or single-ended.
2. LF filter. Woofers dancing due to warped records or platter wobble? Press here.
3. Resistive loading. Press up or down to increase or decrease resistive loading.
4. Capacitive loading. Press up or down to increase or decrease capacitive loading.
5. Gain. Press up or down to increase or decrease gain. Be careful when going up—gain changes in 10dB steps, which is pretty significant!

Changing the Battery

1. Flip the remote over to reveal a slide-lock cover.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Replace the battery inside with one of the same type.
4. Replace the cover.

FAQ

• I don’t know where to start on all these settings—help!
  Don’t panic–you’re not going to hurt anything by changing the settings. If you’re running a moving-magnet cartridge (MM), you can start with the Skoll as-shipped: lowest gain (no LEDs), 47k/50p load, no LF filter. For moving coil, use 60dB gain (left LED on) and the recommended load from the manufacturer, or start with 100 ohms/50p and tweak from there.

• I have a balanced turntable, but it doesn’t have standard XLRs for output. What do I do?
  Curse them for not using, literally, the most standard and accepted balanced connection on the planet, and wish them that special afterlife reserved for people using proprietary connectors, offering “upgraded” linear power supplies, or special “tuned” editions? No, seri-ously, they certainly sell adapters to XLR.

• I’m getting noise on the output.
  Phono isn’t digital, with a vanishingly low noise floor. It’s normal to have some hiss and hum, especially when you crank up the volume. Remember the intro from Back to the Future? Like that.

• No I mean a TON of noise!
  You may need to use the ground connection to your turntable (or, if you are already using it, you may need to disconnect it—try both ways).Try different, short, well-shielded RCA cables, and don’t run them over power cords or other gear. If that doesn’t work, you may need a ground loop breaker like the EbTech HumX.

• What’s with the Cylon thing?
  That’s just a fun thing that Skoll does when you first turn it on, so you have something to watch while the gain stages stabilize and everything comes up to proper operation.

• It doesn’t turn on, what do I do?
  Plug it in to a different AC socket. Ensure you are not currently in a blackout. Then email us if it still doesn’t work.

WARRANTY

Schiit Audio warrants to the original purchaser that this product shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for two (2) years from the date of purchase. If a defect covered by this warranty occurs during this period, Schiit Audio will repair the defective product, free of charge. Date of purchase will be based on customer receipts, otherwise date of manufac-turing will be used.

If you believe you need warranty service, contact us first. Schiit Audio products sent back to us without a Return Authorization (RA) will be returned to the sender without repair. To contact us and obtain an RA, email info@schiit.com.

Warranty Limitations. This warranty shall not apply if a product: (a) is modified or tampered with; (b) is damaged by negligence, accident, unreasonable use, or other causes unrelated to defective materials or workmanship, or (c) has had the serial number altered or removed. Any implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, are hereby limited in duration to the warranty period of 5 years. In no event shall Schiit Audio be liable for consequential or incidental damages resulting from the breach of any implied or expressed warranties. Some states do not allow these limitations, so they may not apply to you. You may also have other rights which vary from state to state or province to province.

IN THE BOX

• (1) Skoll
• (1) Wall-Wart (AKA “linear power supply”)
• (Various) Stickers and stuff
• (Infinite) Appreciation from the whole Schiit crew in Valencia, CA and Corpus Christi, TX
• (Even more) Thanks from our chassis and PCB guys in California, Nevada, and Utah.

This product is in compliance with standards and regulations of the European Community.

SCHIIT.COM
INFO@SCHIIT.COM

References

• Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California

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