"The original Loki Mini was our re-invention of the classic hardware equalizer," says Jason Stoddard, Schiit Audio's co-founder. "Unlike software equalizers, or constant-Q tone stacks, Loki Mini used a single discrete gain stage and LC (inductor-capacitor) filtering, similar to the most revered hardware equalizers of all time. Loki Mini+ is a significant update to Loki Mini, offering a much lower noise floor, lower distortion, improved band Q, and (we think) better sound."
Loki Mini’s improved performance comes from a new, dual-stage, low-noise power supply, and a revised discrete gain stage that adds a driver stage, similar to Magni 3+. In addition, the bands were revised with improved Q for better coverage, and higher-quality inductors were used to further reduce distortion.
In addition to the "purist" LC-filtering approach, Loki Mini uses extremely high quality parts, such as genuine Alps potentiometers, 0.5% thin-film resistors, 2% precision film capacitors, and premium low-DCR inductors. In addition, Loki Mini’s power supply is 100% linear, with no switching regulators. More importantly, Loki Mini is entirely DC-coupled throughout, and offers a completely transparent bypass switch that connects the inputs and outputs together with a relay — no active components in the signal path at all.
As Jason Stoddard explains, "Since its introduction, Loki Mini has become a really popular product — so popular, it’s one of the ones we try like heck to keep in stock. This popularity is a bit weird, though, because you don’t really hear much about Loki Mini. And this is one reason why we decided to take a look at it again, and see if we could make it better."
"It may be a small, inexpensive product," adds Jason. "But you shouldn’t underestimate its performance. It’s built to the same high standard as our products that cost much more, and it’s the only example of a single gain stage, LC-filtered equalizer you’ll find anywhere near its price."
Like all Schiit products, the Loki Mini+ is designed and built in California or Texas, with the vast majority of cost going to US companies making parts in the USA. Schiit’s California strategic partners in chassis development, for example, are less than 5 miles away from Schiit, while Schiit’s PCB assembly is done by another strategic partner less than 30 miles away. This close coupling allows for rapid product development and excellent quality.
The Loki Mini+ is now available at schiit.com, where it's also possible to order the custom printed "Schiit Happens" triple-ply cotton face mask. Made in the USA.
www.schiit.com
