Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Schiit Audio SYS Preamplifier (SS) by Les Anderson

Model:	SYS
Category:	Preamplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$49
Description:	Passive 2 input preamplifier
Manufacturer URL:	Schiit Audio
Model Picture:	View

Review by Les Anderson on May 30, 2014 at 19:30:32
IP Address: 204.11.84.143 Add Your Review
for the SYS

For those who are not aware, Schiit Audio is a relative newcomer to the world of high end audio. Their focus is on providing well built, high quality, modestly priced components that are made in the USA. Mike Moffat formerly of Theta, and Jason Stoddard of Sumo are the two principles. The company has intelligently decided to focus on areas of the industry that are thriving; such as headphone amplification and digital. If you haven't checked them out you really should. They have a solid lineup of high value gear.

I respect what this company is trying to do, but I would not consider myself a fanboy. I did own a Bifrost DAC which I enjoyed, but ended up selling it off in effort to get an office system with less boxes.

The SYS is a tiny, 2 input, one output completely passive input switcher/attenuation device. No buffer stage, no power, 6 RCA jacks, input button and volume control- that is it. The case is about the size of a paperback novel. It is made of the same aluminum(?) casing that their other products are made from- which is high quality. Based on pics from the website, all of the inputs and volume pot are mounted on a single glass epoxy circuit board that is screwed into the aluminum chassis. Overall, fit and finish is decent- but there are no miracles here for $49. The input button is a spring loaded push button that acts about par for the course. The volume knob is small, but rotates smoothly and due to its passive nature should and does provide very granular volume adjustments with ease. The units RCAs jacks are spaced far apart enough to accommodate large bullet plugs or whatever your favorite RCA cables may have. In fact, your RCA plugs would need to be ridiculously large to not fit into this tiny unit. Overall this is a good looking little box that is nice enough to set itself apart from something that would typically target the mass market.

I have listened to this in one of my systems for about a week and am very happy with it. I hear zero coloration, it is completely transparent to my ear. Additionally, if you have a standard 2v input playing through input 1, and you switch to input 2- open up the volume all the way and put you ear to the speaker you will hear silence. There is zero cross-talk between inputs which is very nice. As mentioned prior, the volume control while closer to feeling like you are turning a thimble, than what you are probably accustomed to- provides great control over how much voltage is being sent to your amp. Overall, this is a extremely simple unit that provides great performance.

For the hobbyist, this is a nice box to have on hand for the times when you may need to fill a void unexpectedly. At the same time, it is also well at home on the desktop, providing attenuation to a pair of powered monitors. In a pinch, it could completely replace your preamp for two sources and you may even be shocked at the level of transparency it provides.

A passive preamp is a simple device, but easy to screw up. Schiit took the time to make sure that none of the typical pitfalls plague this device. For under $60 delivered in 2 days they deserve to be applauded.

Product Weakness:	None
Product Strengths:	Small, transparent, well built, cheap

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Quad Elite Stereo
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Schiit SYS
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Marantz NA7004
Speakers: Gallo Reference Strada
Cables/Interconnects: Tributaries SCA300
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Everything from Jazz to Classical, Classic Rock, Singer Songwriter, pop, hip hop, country
Room Comments/Treatments: desktop
Time Period/Length of Audition: 1 week
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Quad Elite Stereo
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Schiit SYS
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz NA7004
Speakers:	Gallo Reference Strada
Cables/Interconnects:	Tributaries SCA300
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything from Jazz to Classical, Classic Rock, Singer Songwriter, pop, hip hop, country
Room Comments/Treatments:	desktop
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 week
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner