I bought this unit and it was not sent to me by Schiit. If you are in Canada, with the conversion and customs, it is over $200 cdn so keep that in mind.

If you listen to anything other than pristine recordings, tone controls are a great thing to have. I used to work as an audio engineer and one of the audio engineers who trained me used to always stress cutting first. Cutting of frequencies sounds more natural to our ears than boosting. If you have a recording that annoys you (usually something in the mid band), try cutting those frequencies. Sometimes you don't need more bass or treble you actually need less mid.

"i believe in...making me feel good when i listen to my system". word. totally agree. sometimes audiophiles miss the whole point of music...to feel it. when folks get so technically minded, they miss the point of why most musicians make music...to make others FEEL something. there is more to be said to audio reproduction than just staying true to the source. you should get a smile on your face when you listen. you should feel the music. feel the lyrics. feel the song. that is all that matters.

Audiophiles “rediscovering” EQ is sort of funny. Most high-end systems can benefit from some level of careful EQ.

I bought one last year to experiment on a secondary system, it certainly allows for tuning to you ears preferences.. It's a very convenient and inexpensive way to tune your sound.

Thanks, Thomas or another great review. I couldn't agree with you more. I added the Schiit Loki into my headphone setup about a year ago. The Loki has been a great help to me, I have a bit of tinnitus so when listening to for example Dave Matthews Band some of the recordings are bit harsh for my poor sensitive ears. I can dial the highs back a bit. It works so well for me I added another Loki into my main listening system. You're also correct in that the Loki stays in bypass most of the time only use it about 5%. but it's there when I need it.

Brilliant commentary. You are exactly right in your approach, Thomas. You should build a system to suit your tastes and if you use an equalizer or a microwave (love that line) to get that sound then so be it. You and Steve Guttenberg are really the only two doing audio reviews who seem to understand that this hobby is about engaging with the music in a way that moves you, draws you in and pleases you. The idea that one can build a system to present music the way the artist intended is a fools errand. First of all, the artist intended their music to inspire and entertain. Or, perhaps they intended their music to make you think, or feel or hope. But there is zero chance that any artist worries about anyone listening to their music with a bit of midbass boost. The artists intend for their audience to be moved by their music in much the same way a painting might speak to an art aficionado. If one becomes so preoccupied with the esoteric minutia of audiophilia that they are no longer able to engage with the music itself, then no matter how close to the original sound their system gets, they are not experiencing the music as the artist intended. Also, you raise a very good point and one that not many are willing to admit. So few people have any real world point of reference for how things actually sound. I know more than a few people who have never seen any of their favorite artists live but they think they know how these artists sound. Some think their systems rival a live symphony yet they've never set foot in a symphony hall. In every case these people are simply making up their version of what things should sound like and creating a system that suits their tastes. Which is just as correct as any other way to do it because it makes them want to listen to music and that's the whole point. Where things go awry is when someone decides that their opinion of how something should sound, whether they've heard the thing or not, is the only way it should be enjoyed. Unfortunately, even very experienced reviewers fall into the my way or the highway trap. They feign a lack of bias but if you read or watch enough of their reviews then their preferences become evident and they judge gear against these preferences. Heck, we all do. Unlike yourself, however, they don't admit this. They pretend they are judging products against an accurate sonic reference point when in reality they are simply comparing them to their favorite style of coloration. I used to worry about what these guys thought. But now I have the experience and confidence to filter the valuable information from the biased and often self important garbage. These days, like yourself, I, too will add salt if I feel like it!

Glad to see you review this as I was just looking at it today. Cool that you cover a wide range of gear, from super high-end to something as inexpensive as the Loki. I shared your channel with a friend today. Thanks

Amazing times.. I was going buy the Loki, and other Schiit components, and, watching the Schiit Audio reviews.. I really wanted to hear your opinion and insights Thomas. Good ol' Thomas comes thru, and posted. Unreal yea... Thanks Thomas!!!

What a great overview man. Loved the explanation at the end of the video. Recording has to do a lot with it and I have noticed I enjoy some songs more than others.

You have SAID IT so well about adding some soul to your listening sense. VERY sensible logic. Victor

There are several reasons to choose an equalizer for your system. Correction of frequency response may be desired to correct for room issues, issues with your stereo sound, adjusting for personal taste, or to correct for poor recordings. I suspect the Loki is most suitable for the last 2 reasons. My experience owning a 1/3 octave eq and a 5 band parametric eq and a spectrum analyzer has been that the bandwidth of correction required for room issues or stereo system correction is not possible with such wide fixed bandwidths. It would be like a surgeon using a sword and would cut more than needed. I prefer to have my eq's on my preamp tape monitor circuit so that it is only in the signal path when desired. I only use it for poor or objectionable recordings. I have found even really good eq's will add a veil to the sound of good recordings and obscure fine detail. Thanks for the review Thomas. I think quality cables (purity of signal) and eq's (tonal adjustment) are best viewed as a way to improve the sound but in very different ways, like apples and oranges not really comparable.

Thanks, Thomas! One of the reasons I like your channel is your lack of pretentiousness, and this is a perfect example. I have the Loki in my 10 year old son’s Magni/Modi stack for him to learn about/play with EQ. He loves it!

Dear Thomas, Gus from Boston here. I've just purchased the Loki! Thank you for the review. I've realized that streaming through Audirvana was a much better experience using an eq to tame some of the treble of my Focals 716. And since my vinyl collection comprises solely of albums from 50s, 60s and 70s , I'm excited to do the same with my analog listening. Interesting thing about the Focals is that even if you bring some of the higher frequencies down a bit, my ears don't feel any loss of the spark, yet, adding an extra layer of "smoothness" to the sound! Funny how such a simple measure can make you speaker sound a "step up", isn't it?

Thanks Thomas, agree with you completely. Also good analogies with the salt and cable reference. In my case, having 2 subwoofers in my system and adjusting the volumes on the subs so they are balanced with the loud speakers is also a type of tone control. Looking forward to what you are going to say about the Ares ii.

My Cambridge integrated has tone controls with the ability to bypass. My 1976 Technics receiver also has tone controls. With the Cambridge I have floor standing totems and from time to time I need to decrease the bass. With the Technics I have small ADS speakers and I increase the bass a touch. Tone controls come in handy.

Thomas great job here, there is nothing that you said that I don’t agree with, excellent job and keep up the great work educating people one step at a time, one system at a time.

Great review, was thinking about buying a Loki , love tone controls too.😄 we are the new hifi era 😘

I bought a Loki a year ago. I also use it exactly like you described in the video, only once in a while. But when I do I’m very happy to have it with my PS Stellar Stack and Tektons.

I am patiently waiting your Ares2 review , haha. I do have the Loki too . I will also add that even before you play around with the frequencies, turning on the Loki alone adds some sauce already as it adds a few dbs already. Too much Schiit on my system 😉 : Aegir and Vidar (horizontal biamp) , Schiit Freya + and of course the Loki .

I bought one of these recently and found it to be pretty good and like you use it around 5% of the time, usually to tame bright digital recordings or fatten up bass light vinyl. Fortunately my pre-amp has a spare tape loop so I can have it completely switched out of my system when not needed. I think the unit itself is pretty transparent - I suspect the extra RCA cables I have going to and from the unit are having a bigger impact than the unit itself as I can tell the difference when I have the Loki tape loop selected even when it is in bypass mode, but it is then in series with an extra 2.4m of cable!

Can't wait to order one of these. I have Klipsch RF5 which are amazing but certainly bright and I am using the EQ on my amp all the time which works ok but this seems like it has all the answers.

You finally took the plunge with the Loki. It is a nice little piece of kit.

Still have and use my 80s 10 band eq. Love it. The only way to know what the artist intended is to ask them and while asking also ask on exactly what system to listen to it on etc. Pretty sure that in most cases the artist just wants people to hear their work no matter how they do it.

Who knows what the artist intended! I love my Loki ❤️ My only complaint, I just wish Jason and Mike would make a balanced version. I have found the best place for the Loki is between the preamp and amp and I like to keep that balanced.

EQ with xlr connectivity is standard on the pro side. Like consumer aka home audio side variety of quality and functionality levels. Good enough to be in recording, mix and mastering, then good enough for playback signal path. ;)

I just bought the Loki I wanted more bass for my HD599 headphones works really nice !😏👍

I can connect to the salt reference in the review :) nice review !

I have two Lokis, one in my turntable path and one in my digital path. Love!

I'm definitely getting one my music my way🎼🎙👌

You nailed it with the salt analogy. Certain audiophiles make certain claims, yet change gear to change tones to their liking? The difference is.....? Very insightful and IMO agreeable overview, like my loki as a (possibly) inferior system/recording equalizer.. Also use vintage Audiocontrol, Yamaha and Marantz eq's from time to time, not ashamed to admit! 😀

Yes tonight I wished I had more highs so good to remind me about the Loki it's amazing

Hi Thomas. Thanks for this review. I love that you and Steve G talk about gear in language that makes sense to me - the love of music and the excitement of the listening experince. The thing I find interesting about the “eq” issue that I don’t hear being discussed is that we are making eq choices with every piece of gear we buy. KT88 tubes vs EL84? Big difference. Acoustic Suspension vs ported? Big difference. Ortofon Blue vs Goldring 1042? Big difference. British pressing vs Japanese vs German vs US? BIG differences. There is no absolute “purity” IMHO because every system, source and every room is different. And I’m sorry, unless you were in the room with Lindsay Buckingham when they mixed Rumours, you don’t know the intent - hmmm am I hearing John McVie’s bass cabinet the way he intended? haha. Also, I’d throw in that speakers at different life stages sometimes need a little help. I just picked up a set of KLH Model 5s and they are incredible BUT in my room, with the rest of my gear, the upper mids are too forward and when listening at lower volumes, the bass response can be shy. Do I buy a new amp? No! Adjust the eq a tad and dial these amazing speakers in for my ear and my room. Just bought a Loki + thanks to you and Steve.

Thomas, this is the review I was looking for. Thank you! I believe I'll use it maybe 20% of the time or more with my vinyl collection which consists of album's from 60's and 70's. Love my Focals 716 but some records are a little edgy on the treble. In this case the Loki will be removing sugar! Cheers, Gus, from Boston.

An inexpensive addition. Willsenton R8 supply a pair of Klipsch Belles. The bass has been weak. The Loki allows me to adjust without the aid of a sub. It's a useful tool when audio isn't coming through as clear. Received two weeks ago so still learning, but by tweaking the knobs I can find the sweet spot in everything from music to KZfaq reviews. Thanks for the review.

subscribed! - great video.....besides everything that you mentioned isn't it true that the volume of the audio playback affects way frequencies are perceived? I will often set an eq differently for the same recording depending on how loud or soft I am listening to the recording.

its a great eq just got one a week ago I also have the Schiit magni and modi I recommend this eq.

I have the McIntosh C52 which has 8 bands EQ in the preamp. I do use it sometimes to adjust sound quality and it helps. I don't believe in perfect systems, there is no such thing. Doesn't matter if you gear cost million of dollars. It always lack of something. I got the schiit loki connected to my Lumin T2 , play back through my other tube integrated amp and the loki can do some fine adjustment just to make the music sound more details. Especially some older recording that don't sound as good. This will definitely help :-)

Audiophiles drive me nuts with this crap. Units, amps, pre amps, DATs, speaker wires, crossovers wired to speakers …. BUT a simple tone control knob is in the pathway of the music ruins it? WTF is wrong with you people? First, if you listen to anything that is not recorded 100% acoustical tone controls were used from the first string or drum struck.

I tried Salt & Pepper too but found with the tubed Yaqin mc-13s by adding Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme to my music mix thru the Chord Mojo USB’ed from my Puter, it sounds much better by 22%😂 And if I shut off the music there’s no difference if the Mojo stays in line or not... Enjoy the Music❤️

Great summary Thomas 💯

If you want to use an EQ and don't want to run the signal through an analog EQ, you can get a digital EQ. If you have separate components, you can put a digital EQ in between a transport (CD transport, streamer, computer, etc..), and your DAC. If the signal is already digital, EQing in digital does a lot less harm to the signal, then an analog EQ. Having it before the DAC is much less intrusive.

Im definitely getting it. Cause as much as audiophiles hate tone controls me being a musician I do like it just for those really bad recordings. 👌

I own 2 pieces of schiit and I will add a 3rd. Thanks for reviewing.

I have never understood audiophile aversion to mild use of EQ. Some can spend weeks or even months tube rolling to change sound. This kind of device, when well designed and not overused, is just a more convenient way of similar tube changes. Adding flavor. Helping redefine weaknesses in recording quality and systems. And until all music is recorded perfectly and every system reproduces perfectly, I'll enhance with eq to make a better connection to the music.

Thanks Thomas - I get the Loki, I also get why it might be controversial to some audiophiles. For me, I intend on getting one, but not for enhancing my music playback system. I have recordings that I've made with one stereo mic, and although the resulting sound serves the purpose, when playing the recordings for others that might be interested in hearing the band perform live, EQ'ing the sound a bit provides a more "musical" presentation. These recording are not meant for critical listening, if we want to do that, sometimes we go for it with multiple mics and a mixer etc - these simple recordings are for musicianship evaluation. Based on what I've heard from you and others, I'm sure it will be a step up from what I'm using, so thanks again for your review.

I use my eq in Audirvana 100 % of the time. And expect to use the Loki for my analog listening quite a lot. Mostly the upper frequencies which bother me with just any speaker. No shame in saying that...😊

Still, going to a couple of acoustic live music events a year (the less amplification, the better) makes you enjoy the truly high level of reproduction you can reach at home even more. That piano can sound somewhat muffled and non-linear in a full concert hall. At home, It can sound glorious. And you can't bring eq into the concert hall😁

Thomas, I can't preach this enough. When using any eq on any stereo, we automatically increase frequencies we want more of that the speaker is lacking. When doing this, you are going above reference level and therefore increasing distortion. What we should be doing is decreasing the frequencies we don't like, keeping the distortion low. The eq graph will look the same in the end, but it will be below reference level. This way you can listen to your speakers at loud volumes without the added distortion. Distortion is your worst enemy, it damages your ears and even worse it cooks voice coils.

the loki is a must have for headphone enthusiasts

Bravo, as a chef your salt reference convinced me to buy the Lokius

I agree Thomas. I think if a system has a shortcoming then perhaps you correct with this directionally; set it and forget it. But then the cables to hook the tone control up can add additional influence. Say however you arrive at a sound you want with the tone control... just set it where it sounds best with the majority of music you listen to and leave it. If you are getting up from your seat to correct for different recordings you are not enjoying your music and you are rapidly moving towards that area of audiophile insanity where nothing satisfies.

Very sensible guy. I subscribed.

Great video as usual Thomas! I really like the "buddy" videos that you have been doing!

Equalizer is super helpful thing. Sometimes it can make badly mastered recording sound better. Sometimes when you want to listen to music quietly the extreme frequencies may be lost and you can bring them back. If you know how to use it it can do magic. Of course boosting frequencies like crazy breaks the sound so you need to be careful. When watching a movie or playing music on a party tweaking the eq may give some oomph or make sound more present without being too loud so people can talk. It's good when eq has a bypass/direct switch so you can eliminate it completely from the loop without unplugging it.

Please review the Exasound MC Dac that the Loki is sitting on top of. Quad all the way baby!!

Dear Thomas, Great review. Question on cables: Do you think the length of an RCA cable between a phono preamp and the amp will have an impact on sound? (I.e. the longer the cable the more exposed to unwanted results?). Thanks!

I only wish that you had spoken more about the frequency ranges of the Loki's controls and how they each affect the music. Are there other equalizers that might do a better job? All that I know after 12+ minutes is that it is supposedly a good equalizer that does not adversely affect the spatial aspects of the sound. Keep plugging away at it, Thomas (despite my comment, I do enjoy your reviews). I was just looking for a bit more on this one.

My system is all Schiit components including the Loki. After years of being around diesel engine noise the Loki is the difference between enjoying my music or cringing. 80% of the time the first three bands are flat at their detent but the forth is added to usually around the 1 to 2 o'clock position. Not a lot but just a pinch. For me, perfect.

Loki works I have one. Yes it has its limitations but is like the salt analogy Thomas used.

Hi Thomas, Do you know if changing the power supply to a LPS or a very good SMPS the Loki improves? Great videos :-D Filipe

YUP, on my next purchase list. Thank you.

Which shipping method did you choose to ship to Canada? Also, how is the unit holding up so far? Any scratchy sounding knobs when turning them?

Thomas, I know this is an old video, but have you compared the Loki (or Loki Mini+) to the Lokius? I need some "Umph" added to my turntable's output (going into Zu Omen Mk2s w/entry-level sub) and was considering one of these devices to help lift up the low end to see if that can improve my system. Any thoughts? Is one worth double the price of the other? (Comments from "actual" experience from others is welcome) 👽✌️

Hi, Tell us a little about the EQ. What are the center frequencies for the two middle bands? Obviously the middle controls are peak/dip filters, probably with a very wide bandwidth (i.e., low "Q"), but am I right in assuming the highest and lowest bands are shelving filters? If so, what frequency is the "knee" of the shelf? Or, if the HF and LF filters are actually peak/dip, what are the center frequencies?

That’s my next thing for the Willsenton R8 I have. God I love that Willsenton with the Heresy IVs

Thomas, your salt analogy with the master chef's spaghetti......excellent !

To put a Loki between my source and my amp, I had to add another cable. One cable into the Loki, one cable out. With the cables that I currently have on hand, there are 7 cable combinations possible. I have tried them all, and I have a definite favorite.

When you change cables do you change them throughout the entire signal path (i.e. DAC -> Pre-> Loki -> Amp) or just one section (Pre -> Amp)?

i did not expect the Schiit Loki to do its job without sound degradation, at least for a the cost. i am used to full parametric eq so four set point of adjusting would feel quite inadequate for me.

Thomas please review the Legacy Audio Wavelet. There are very few reviews on this piece of equipment and I believe it could be a fantastic alternative to room treatments and correcting imbalances in a system. S'il vous plait.

I am buying this based on your review. Is it possible to have this unit 12 feet away from the AVR it will be connected to with long RCA cables to control tone from my listening position? Thanks for this video

tell your friend with the pricey system to try the ifi dc purifier or a better power supply with the loki i think that's the problem

I bought one! It works! It doesn't change the sound, it helps to calm things down where necessary.

There is now a 6 band version of this with balanced inputs. Maybe you could review this.

I'm in audio dummy so excuse the dumb question but can i hook this up with my denon x4400h for music and home theater sounds? Also what cable can I use and where can I get it...thanx

Thomas , I'm going a bit off topic here , but if you get the chance to listen to the recently released Rotel Michi amps and preamp , could you let us know what you think. They are high-end components (not cheap , but not overly expensive either).

You're 100% correct....we can't recreate what the artist intended. We don't even know what that was. As for cables (inc power cables), whether you think you can or can't hear any difference in sound, I think that's prime component where proper blind testing is worthwhile. The results may truly surprise and there will be no doubt one way or the other, that what you're hearing is exactly that & not what you think you're hearing. 😎 This 'purity' jargon is just that. It's hung around in the industry for way too long. It doesn't make sense. The gear that each of us buy is for our pleasure...no more no less. ***No edit, but I can't seem to cut and paste on my phone. Seems 8 started texting in the wrong place. The last paragraph (bit about the jargon), should be the 2nd para. Doesn't make a huge difference, just a bit out of order/disjointed. Sorry about that

did you compare with pre dac FIR minidsp instead? I think it's better value!

the emotiva has ajustable +- 3db bass treble rarely do i use it but it does tweak the sound just enough to enjoy more!

I really love the Loki, I just wish they would make a model with a remote!

I don’t know if I’d be able to justify getting this, since it costs more than my speakers and turntable combined.

I think one should get an amp, whether a cheap or a great amp, that has a deep tone, then try to use an equalizer.I have seen speakers that lacked bass & using an amp with an equalizer bass boost button helped the bass. Maybe it was a not so great amp that a bass boost button helped. Maybe If I found a better cheap amp that maybe it would sound better with no bass boost button. There are so many variables. Maybe the speakers match up better with a different amp, wires, or component.

Thanks for the review, one thing I'll mention is that I find all of your videos so quiet, any chance you can bump the volume going forward.

I chose the McIntosh C53 Pre-amp largely because it comes with an amazing 8-band Analogue EQ.... I honestly can't imagine why anyone would NOT want an EQ on a hi-fi system... I see no upside, especially a quality EQ like this that is 100% defeat-able.

Well said Thomas

I did buy the LOKI soon after Thomas' Review. The other reviewers gave favorable reviews , too. With that old saying, "Not all music is created equally", the Loki does what Thomas' analogy about what Condiments does.. A long time ago, I was a "Straight Wire Die hard" ( No disrespect to anyone :) ).. That Salt Analogy reminds me of that old "Emerald Legasse " Salt Joke that was on the internet. " Is there something wrong? You what salt? He want's salt? ".... Thanks Thomas.. :)

Unlike Thomas and his guest and some of you, I use my Lokis all the time, in one room with wall to wall carpeting to fix distortion I was hearing with piano and vibraphone notes, no matter what speakers I was playing. I made a small adjustment with the 8k treble control and the raggedness of the sound disappeared. In another room, I tamed the bass and brought out more of the treble in some Emotiva T2+ speakers. I love these devices.

The Loki is a gem.

The difference between those two cables you mention: were they silver vs copper, or both copper? Because I've hear difference in my silvered copper and copper wires, but have a hard time imagining copper sounding different.

I think i need to add a microwave to my system!!!! Glad you did this video. Would the Loki have any problems working with tube amps? My tube gear is teaching me about how little changes can help a system. As you know, I purchased the Musical Paradise MP-D1 tube dac. When I changed the tubes from the stock tubes that came with it to Gold Lion 6922s, it removed an edginess in the top that was bothering me. The new tubes didn't cover it, or roll it off, but instead it was gone and I could "see" or hear through the highs much, much better. This has given me more openmindedness to the idea that other small changes like cables or something like the Loki could be a positive addition. And you are right, a lot of times it's not our systems but bad recordings or re-formats. If your system sounds good most of the time, it seems to make more sense trying some of these small changes than it would be to run out and start upgrading.

True. The artists intent is always altered by the audio engineer based upon marketing and the labels discretion.

So if I had active speakers, the schiit freya +, bluesound node 3 and a external dac...where would the loki go between?

Thomas do you notice any difference using the Loki between source and preamp vs preamp to power amp?

Is this EQ is fully analogue without DSP? I'm looking for a basic analogue EQ to compare with my DSP, to "see" how big the analog/digital difference is when playing AAA vinyl.

Hi, can this help when you buy to muffled sounding records?

I agree with having less things in your chain to a point. As in IF that item adds extra noise or something. And if that is the case you shouldn't be using it anyway because it was poorly designed most likely. If it doesn't then who cares? In most cases separate components are going to sound better because they have their own power supplies and dedicated components that can be isolated from other parts of the system. Like say a separate dac, pre amp and amp. If this was not the case then receivers and integrated amp/pre amps with a built in dac would reign supreme in the audio industry. Or better yet just throw in a transport and stuff as well. There it is, everything you need in one package. And they make those, fisher, sound design and the likes used to or still make them. And they suck lol. As for EQ's, why not if they work well. Not all speakers are the same, not all recordings are same, not all rooms are the same and not every ones hearing is the same. Nor are their tastes for that matter. An EQ is the perfect solution if used right. Cables can be an argument starter for sure. My opinion is a cable should be 100 percent transparent. If you can hear a difference between one cable or another something is wrong with one of them and I hope it didn't cost you more. That being said if YOU like that sound then its none of my business as long as you are happy. I feel the same way about tube amps. If you like that sound, you think they look cool and it makes you happy more power to you. Me personally I will take a pass on it. Not worth the money, hassle and limited life span for me. And might be able to get that same sound with EQ, imagine that lol.

isnt everything you put in your system a tone control of some degree?

Thank you Thomas. How can I connect my loki mini to my Rega Elex mk4 amp so that I can adjust all my sources?

EQ is necessary for compensating the room too. Most people don't want to spoil the beauty of a room with ugly room correction panels.