Schiit Audio, Rok and Sol – CanJam SoCal 2019

Schiit’s new prototype SOL turntable was on display, but much closer to looking like the final production product. The new turntable prototype has a laundry list of design features unipivot arm, two-speed outboard motor, aluminum platter, belt-drive, on-the-fly VTA adjustment, adjustable tracking force, a carbon fiber tonearm. Retail is suspected to be around $700 USD but still yet to be determined. The SOL was being shown connected to one of a pair of Schiits more recently released Ragnarok 2 integrated. The new Schiit Audio Ragnarok 2 features a new NEXUS™ topology.

The NEXUS technology found in the Ragnarok 2 Integrated is a discrete, current-feedback differential stage, single-ended or balanced input are treated to output the same and delivered to the amplifier stage. No transformers, no convertors, no summing stages. All inputs are designed to  sound the same, with only balanced being a smidge louder. The single-ended and balanced inputs run entirely off of the same matched parts and rails.

The Ragnarok 2 can be ordered as an amplifier only with single-ended and balanced inputs, but also with it’s modular customization options to include a multi-bit USB DAC and Phono stage option, which are each sourced from Schitt’s existing product line. Also included is a small but hefty aluminium remote control. The remote handles source selection, output options, volume, and gain settings.

The modular architecture allows for integrating existing Schiit Audio components you already own through simple single-ended or balanced inputs (if ordered amplifier only), or order a Rag 2 with the modular DAC and Phono built-in at the factory. The volume control is a 128 step relay-switched attenuator for superior channel matching even at the lowest volumes. Output at the loudspeaker taps is rated at 60 wpc @ 8-ohms, and 100 wpc @ 4-ohms. Full power to balanced headphones is rated at 15 watts into 32-ohms, and 1.7 watts @ 300-ohms.

by Eric Franklin Shook