The Mani does have the RFI issue but from my experience it comes down to choice of Phono cable/s. I had the same RFI issue. So....i swapped out my hi end custom vintage phono RCA cables (at the Phono in stage) for a pair of Clearway Analogues by the Chord Company. Includes Dual layer heavy gauge foil shielding! Presto... No RFI issues!! My Mani is now able to shine as it was intended and for the price, it's a very very sweet upgrade to many standard 'on board' phono stages. So for all Mani owners who are suffering from the dreaded RFI, do yourself a favour and go get a pair of clearways. They will also take your listening/playback experience to another level in their own right. Ty Chord!
The Mani is my end game preamp until Schiit comes out with something else. I never experienced the RFI issues, but read plenty of reviews that people did experience this problem.
I've owned many phono preamps, from the very inexpensive to ones that cost about $1k. Under $100, the Art DJ Pre II offers the best bang for the buck once you replace the power supply with a noise free or linear, regulated supply. Under $300, it's an easy choice: the Hagerman Bugle 3.
I have a Bugle 2 that I configured to run my Denon 301MKII. I had to solder in different resistors, which on the 3 can be done with dip switches. It replaced a Rogue Triton, that was a bit better way more expensive.
for my main setup i use a vintage Japanese mid '70s JVC receiver that has two phono outputs built in it already the receiver is a beast that creates awesome high fidelity.for my room i use the ART DJPREII Phono Preamp that can be purchased for around $60 and produces really nice sound for price point and competes with other pre-amps in the $100-150 price range definitely best bang for buck phono pre-amp.
I've been using a Mani / Loki combination with at ATLP7 turntable and an Ortofon Bronze cart for over a year. The setup is dead quiet. I'm using the stock power cords. No background noise. No radio interference. I'm very happy.
Started using a Darlington Labs MP7 as a replacement for a Rega Brio built-in phono stage. Sounds good but not knocking me out. I’m on the fence. I also use a Pro-Ject phono Tube Box S2 with Mullards. I like one since it has a lot of gain switches.
Wow, been 2 years already. Would be interesting to hear your take on the upgraded $149 Mani v2 one day and compare it to the popular $199 iFi Zen Phono.
Good luck buying a Mani! I tried, and they were out of stock, with no estimate when they would deliver and charge my credit card. I HATE dealers with those surprise charges 1/2 year later, when I forgot about it. I tried contacting them, but there is NO phone number, and email response was NONE. Between crappy (non-existent) response until I requested cancellation (which was probably a canned bot-email), various problems that users report, and that nasty way of charging my card whenever they send the box at their leisure, Schiit is NO company I want to deal with.
@@owenlaprath4135 I've bought three DACs, a Vali 2 headphone amp, and a Loki EQ from them and never had any issues. The chip shortage is still real and the Mani v2 is very popular, hence I'm not surprised there is a wait for it. Many want it for its price/performance ratio without having to spend the bucks getting say a Moon LP 110 v2 in the $600 range.
Good luck buying a Mani! I tried, and they were out of stock, with no estimate when they would deliver and charge my credit card. I HATE dealers with those surprise charges 1/2 year later, when I forgot about it. I tried contacting them, but there is NO phone number, and email response was NONE. Between crappy (non-existent) response until I requested cancellation (which was probably a canned bot-email), various problems that users report, and that nasty way of charging my card whenever they send the box at their leisure, Schiit is NO company I want to deal with.
I use an iFi Zen Phono, driven by an external linear power supply. It's definitely in the budget pricerange, but I get great results, albeit using a cartridge costing x6 more than the phonostage. Adrian in London England.
I've got my old Sony PS-X5 with a Sumiko Rainier cartridge running into the Schitt Mani and a NAD amplifier. The Schitt has worked perfectly for almost two years.
I’ve asked 4 people…4…and not a one of them could explain to me what the job of a preamp actually is. Then I found your channel and this video. 11 minutes later I have all the info I need to make my purchase. Great video and great channel!
One major point missed. Half the purpose of a phono preamp is to provide the inverse RIAA eq curve. You can't "just" boost the signal level, it must be EQ'd also.
I ordered that mani preamp I've heard nothing but good things about it if I was you I would call up the company and tell them what's going on maybe they can help you
Me thinks it’s your cable picking up the radio station with the mani. Thanks for sharing your insight. IMHO, budget phono pre is something around or below 50 clams. 100 is already mid-fi and 150 or over is definitely hi-fi for a phono pre. Consider that Sony DH-190 is a little around 150 with a build in phono pre. Me use Emotiva XPS-1, tube Douk Audio t-4+, tube Nobsound, and also build in vintage receivers phono stage. The T-4+ is my latest and it rival the Emotiva XPS with a bit more body in the mid or maybe it just tone down the high a bit so the mid stand out more coming out from a Denon DL-110
Interesting theory--it's possible. I can't quite remember if I tried changing cables on the Mani (I think I did, but perhaps not). Thanks for sharing and watching.
My Pioneer PL-117D turntable is fitted with an Audio-Technica AT-VM95EN Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge and is setup independently of my surround sound system on my Pioneer AVR VSX-933 - I decided not to use the inbuilt phono input and instead connected it via another aux port using an Art DJ Phono Preamp, which was connected to a vintage DBX 3BX Series II Expander, which was connected to a Behringer FBQ 3102 EQ
Thank you for the research, I've been using the Schiit Mani for about 18 months and have been quite happy with it, no issues so far, this video has provided me with some good options should I encounter any issues.
Simple I’ve been considering for a while. Thanks for the video and recommendations. I currently run a cheap little bear preamp from Amazon. And I’m running a Denon DP 65F turntable. So upgrading the preamp, cartridge, and speakers (Edifier Bookshelves) Are all on my list of to do’s!
I have a Cambridge Audio 640P that I bought from a Canadian seller on eBay for $68.00. I really loved it snd highly recommended it. However just recently the right channel stopped working. Now I’m searching for a new phono preamp. Deciding between Hafler, Musical Fidelity or another Cambridge Audio. The Azure sounds appealing according to your review.
@@butchgo3756 I love the vintage turntables from the 70’s that were made in Japan. They are the BEST! I have a Sony PS-X5 turntable from 1977 in Mint condition that works and looks great.
I have a Kenwood Super Eleven vintage receiver that has two (2) awesome preamps built-in. But it's under renovation right now, hence my search for a cheap preamp.
Great videos! Just found out about your channel and subscribed. Personally I also have the Schiit Mani and have had no problems, but yes I have read forums about people getting radio frequencies through the Mani. Luckily I don't live near a radio station. I'm curious to try out different phono preamps in the near future. First I think I should upgrade my speakers, perhaps a pair of Wharfedale Evo 4.2 or the Triangle BR03. Cheers.
I started low- Pyle. Purchased and use Bellari vp549. Still pretty entry but it digs details out- I’m happy- don’t know any better. Fascinated by the Vincent 2 pc tube phono. Are the tubes accessible?
Nice& interesting watch! Also discovered your Vincent PHO-701. What I couldn't find is what ADC chip they use for de Analog to Digital to USB conversion. Price wise it is close to the Korg DS-DAC/ADC-10r, Thorens MM 08 MDC & Music Hall PA2.2 Phono, all with high res USB out connection.
The red Rolls is fifty bucks on Amazon, and is much more than most people will ever need. Once you get into becoming an audiophile, though, it's a never ending search, fueled by your lotto winnings.
Currently using the built-in pre amp on a Teac A-H300, sounds pretty good but might get a dedicated pre-amp when I have a higher end cartridge or turntable.
I’ve had the Mani for about 2 months now and about 1 week in I started to hear all kinds of noises through the speakers after the record would stop playing. Like when the tone arm lifts up and returns to the cradle and then some static noises. I’m sure it has something to do with the cables/ground from my table although I don’t have the same issues when my table is connected directly to my receiver. Other than that it’s a good pre amp for the money
Hey Michael, love your informative channel. I ordered a U-Turn Orbit with their built-in Pluto preamp and like it just fine. For non-critical listening in another room I have a $65 ART Precision Phono Preamp for Turntables. And wow, it works pretty darn well. I think it has more gain than the Pluto. ART has another version ($99) that also includes a USB output for connecting to a PC to digitize your albums if you are so inclined. The Orbit Turntable's built in preamp can be turned off, so maybe I'll upgrade to a better Schiit or Cambridge later on. Thanks again.
@@6AM_YT I have not, since the U-Turn has the Pluto built-in. But I needed the ART for my older Technics TT to feed a A/V receiver that did not have a phono stage (preamp). In retrospect, I shouldn't have bought the Orbit with the Pluto built in. I ended up getting a vintage Carver preamp restored/upgraded, and it has an excellent phono stage, so I'm bypassing the Pluto and using the phono preamp in the Carver C-1 which I think sounds a little better.
@@6AM_YT yes you can. That's why I am currently using the U-Turn Orbit with my Carver C-1 preamp that has been restored/upgraded. It has a great phono stage.
Thanks for this video . I know this is an old video . I have a question. What is a good phono preamp now in 2022 ? Around the $ 400. 00 dollar price or a little higher. Thanks for the video
Anyone else try the power cable swap on the vincent pho-8? This guy is a dreamer, swapping the power cable makes no difference in the bass. Just make sure your preamp is grounded "properly". Makes me wonder if everything else he said was schiit mani. And about the Schiit Mani. This guy either lives near a AM radio transmitter site or his home electrical panel has a bad ground. Two cases of grounding issues with two different preamps?? You better call an electrician to check your electrical panel before you get a lift off the kitchen range or the washing machine before it's too late or this will be your last youtube video! TIP: Don't touch the kitchen range and the kitchen sink at the same time... Zap!
I have a chinese phono preamp that cost me 30 bucks. I have it because I tend to listen a lot via headphones and this unit has a volume knob unlike others I had which hurt my ears. I would like to upgrade in the future to one that has a gain control and headphone jack
Hi 👋. Firstly just started watching your feed. Love it. I'm working my way through them all. I have a question if that's OK. I have the Sony TA 1150 amplifier. A Sony ps x65 TT. Speakers are sony ss g5. Would a pre amp benefit this system. Wow I like Sony. 😄 Sorry for the simple question, I am new to having a setup. Thanks Gavin
Thanks for watching 👍🏾 I like external phono preamps in general, although your records can sound good using an integrated amp. There are so many different phono preamps as they all alter or improve your sound/soundstage differently. I haven’t heard your particular TT. Hard to say if it would benefit your setup, My guess is it would, but it depends of course on what preamp you buy in order for you to hear all the nuanced improvements in the sound.
Thanks for the clear explanation. I have a Rega Planar 1 turntable, using a DJ ART Pre II currently....hooked up to Wharfedale Diamond 220 speakers. If I wanted a noticeable upgrade in pre-amp, what would you recommend? A Rega phono pre-amp? Or one of these in your video? Thank you
Here’s my question. If I was to go the Cambridge route, and planned only to use MM cartridges, why would I bother spending the extra $120 on the Duo if I could just buy the solo which only supports MM cartridges? Is there more of a quality difference between the Duo and the solo besides the compatibility with MC cartridges that makes it worth $300? Maybe there is and I just don’t know it, but I don’t know why so many more people recommend the duo over the solo, especially since more people are probably using MM cartridges than MC cartridges, especially when buying a preamp at this price point
I enjoy your channel.... but have given up on vinyl. I have over four hundred records. I use to play them hour after hour. They were all clean. Ive got an audio technica 120x turntable. And every now and then i will hear a loud pop or a loud static sound though the records. I have retired them. Someday i would like to frame them. I have around 600.cds.... and bought a external dac. The cds sound Great.... I miss listening to my records. It's not the same.......
@@DevotedtoVinyl Hello Sir. I can play 30 of them. And they all do Great but then on the next one all of the sudden the tone arm will skate right through it.... The turntable is set up properly at 3 grams. I listen to the old albums 60s 70s 80s.. i have replaced them over and over. My Stylus is new. It's gotton to the point i can't keep replacing my records every time one gets damaged. So i have went to cds.. But man i tell you. I sure enjoy playing the vinyl. I don't care for the albums art work. A record just sounds better. I used an older external pre amp.. called Recoton. It's Awesome.
In my opinion, the ART DJPRE II phono preamp has an unbeatable price/quality relationship. At $66 USD, I don't think it's easy to find a product of such quality at such price. Its only disadvantage is not allowing low output MC cartridges to be used with it (which isn't a disadvantage for me since I'm not interested - too much hassle for me), but ART recently released the Precision Phono Preamp, which is essentially the same DJPRE II with added MC cartridge capabilities. At the same price! All the recordings in my channel are made with an ART DJPRE II and, while I perfectly know there's still lots of room for improvement, I think I must spend a lot of money to get a really remarkable difference, so after seven years I haven't felt the need of upgrading.
I recently bought a Grado Opus3 low output version. Though I have an MC option on my 70s Nikko pre-amp, it doesn't do the cart justice. I did research all week on phon0-pre amps. The question, does the out of the phono-preamp go to the AUX or Phono inputs? A great video, I'm looking at Cambridge as recommended
In your example, it would go into the AUX input. It wouldn't go into the phono because that's the input for the internal phono stage of your (I'm assuming) integrated amplifier. Hope that helps.
@@DevotedtoVinyl Thanks man. I bought the Pro-ject Phono Box MM/MC. Big difference from built-in phono pre-amp. Nice, but since I have two TTs, I jst ordered the Cambridge Duo with separate MM and MC inputs. Again thanks for your help!
Almost no one told us the price they spend on their pre amp. That is what I want to know. Is anyone having a good experience with a pre amp under $100?
I'm sorry changing the power cord will not improve the base .not on its own now if at the same time you changed the RCA cables yes or the cartage on the turntable or a new stylus or even different speaker cables .see were i am coming from here BUT not the bloody power cable
@@DevotedtoVinyl How tell me how ..but just think this if you spend a lot of money on fine tuning your body and mind will want to notice a deference or money well spent
Lol, so true. You know what power cord I use on my $100,000 HDCAM-SR video deck? THE NEAREST ONE I COULD FIND! LOL 😆 Same for literally every piece of broadcast-grade audio/video gear that I own. Not a single "audiophile grade cable" in the entire studio. Guys, (those who believe this power cord nonsense), there is NOTHING that a few feet of mains power cable (attached to the end of hundreds/thousands of feet of "ordinary" cable in the power supply infrastructure) could POSSIBLY do to improve sound quality. Not unless you repurposed it as speaker cable! 😆 Don't fall for the lies. Don't let your brain be tricked into hearing differences that DO NOT EXIST. Nobody wants to feel like a sucker for buying "snake oil", so perhaps they're convincing themselves that it somehow makes a difference. It CATEGORICALLY CANNOT make even the tiniest difference. Anyone who claims otherwise is either a) a liar or b) brainwashed or c) they "think" they can hear a difference. (again, they can't. It's scientifically/electronically/physically impossible). A power supply does not give a damn about what cable is feeding it, so long as it gets the voltage & current it needs. Even if it did, it CANNOT in any way change the "quality" of the DC power coming out the other end, which is smoothed and regulated by electronics, not expensive snake oil. Anyone who claims otherwise, and can prove their beliefs, I'll put down $5k that says you cannot. (you also have to put down $5k!). 😄 Any takers??? Come on guys, easy $5k, surely!!
My preamplifier has a phono connection for the turntable to be connected. Therefore, I don't use a separate phono preamp. Is there a noticeable difference with the separate preamp versus one built into the preamplifier? Your comments are appreciated.
So basically, what you're saying is that the Mani sounded great and was totally quiet, until it BROKE. Then, instead of replacing or fixing it correctly, you continued to review it in it's broken state. This is a bit like a car magazine getting a Ferrari to review, then when it has a flat tire, instead of fixing it, they continue the review and complain about the lousy handling.
Nope. I owned the Mani for a year, which I stated. It didn't all of the sudden "break." It began picking up local radio stations, which other people have clearly dealt and posted to forums. That is not something anyone should have to go get "fixed." I like the Mani, but it is what it is. I'm not going to sugarcoat what happened.
@@DevotedtoVinyl But you conceded that it was working perfectly and sounded great until something changed. At that point it's no longer working as it should, in other words, IT"S BROKEN. Everything you say about the static and RF issues is irrelevant to the review, because it's describing a clearly malfunctioning piece of equipment. The Mani comes with a two year warranty, twice as long as most brands. Once it had changed for the worse, instead of whining about how it sounds now, send it back and get it fixed. If I had to guess, I'd suspect that pushing in some tight RCA plugs caused the ground solder joint on one of the circuit board mounted RCA sockets to break, lifting the ground connection for that channel.
gotham61, the Mani might not be "broke", but rather it just isn't shielded as well from stray RF. Who knows, maybe the two local radio stations are directing their signals differently now. Or maybe yeah, the Mani somehow is "broke". In any event I appreciate the heads up on looking for that issue if I were going to buy one. I'd get it and thoroughly check it out to see if in my congested FM area, I might suffer the same problem. It is just hard to know exactly what happened. The only other thing to have done is to have bought another Mani and tried it out to see if it exhibited the same issue right out of the box.
Quick question - My phonograph has a built in preamp, but I can switch to a line out. What are your thoughts on using the line out and hooking it up to a separate preamp? I have the AT-LP120XUSB phonograph. Thanks!
I always prefer an external phono preamp, as it can truly change how wide your soundstage is, improve instrument separation, and it can make your music sound cooler or warmer (depending on the amp). The turntable and cartridge you're using definitely impacts your sound, as well though. You can try giving an external preamp a shot and listening closely to see if you can hear a difference. I'd recommend buying from someone that offers as easy return policy, just in case you're not happy with the results.
