My thoughts on the Schiit Lokius Equalizer and how it can help the sound of your audio system. Check out and purchase the Lokius at www.schiit.com/products/lokius
I ran a EQ in my system from about 1980 until my second Radio Shack branded Pioneer went out on my about 12 or 15 years ago. I eventually go the 15x2 Art 1U EQ, and after a couple of years I pulled it out and have never used it since. Over the intervening years between getting it, and removing it, the quality of my equipment increased significantly and the noise/degradation it introduced became increasingly obvious to me. So I've been running sans EQ for about 6 years now. But these new EQ from Schiit are so very tempting. In past because I have a Freya+ with 50s vintage GE tubes in it and the price to sound quality quotient is outstanding.
Great product! I have mine connected between the pre-outs and power-ins on my Audiolab 6000a. Made a huge difference in my room. I like it flat with slightly boosted bass and rolled off highs.
Love EQs. Warm and natural not my main priority so I need EQ to get there. Airy is the goal. Have a Mani2 with SL1500c TT and building out a Schiit stack with Mani and EQ so these videos really help as they have lots of options. Thanks for talking thru some of them
i m 52 years old, i grow up with noise {tape decks,vynil and then cd) and always had eq in my systems, i hate pure direct mode sound, i love V schape warm , detailled sound with great soundstage, i m always wondering people searching to the best combination with very expensive systems, and then they still dont have the richt balance, with an Eq you can simply find the richt balance on your system an give correction to differand sounding good speakers,good amps etc... and with the new eqs with verry low noise ,distortion i cant hear, thats my opinion, for me music is enjoyement and not something that irritates me
I've owned some high quality budget friendly Schiit and it's nice to see that they make EQ's. My old EQ's from the 1980's seemed to corrupt the signal mainly affecting transparency. Perhaps the newer Schiit units sound better. Since running Roon I do the occasional minor EQ in Roon DSP - no fancy room correction stuff - just manually adjusting a couple Parametric EQ settings for the occasional low volume level listening.
Been thinking of getting one of these. The "big" Loki plus does look great, but $1500 vs $300 (Loki max vs Lokius), well...I can live with manual use...
Good video. I have the lower priced Loki (with Schiit Vidar amp and Magnepan LRS speakers. I’m very satisfied with it. On about 10% of my records They were recorded a little hot or maybe not hot enough. I have the lows turned up to about 2 o’clock and leave the others at 12 o’clock. Then I make very (very) minor adjustment for the highs on these 10%. Seems to work well. I feel it it is not necessary on my system but in those rare cases it comes in handy.
i've run my systems both ways, tone controls and loudness and even added 5 band EQ (BSR Metrotec as reviewed in the early issues of tas to flatten the lows of my stacked Dynaco A25s). later, when i got Infinity onitor Jrs., i ran flat with separates. THEN many years later i got an arc SP3a1 pre that has tone controls and every now and again, use them very lightly to enhance things a smidge. i now apreciate having tone control again but you would only notice the diff if i turned it off. ...hifitommy
I'm not certain if I would buy an EQ if my pre had tone controls. I'm guessing, for most, Treble and Bass controls is all one would need. My car stereo has Treble , mid and Bass and I adjust a tad to make the sound more pleasing. Thanks for watching
I have had a LOKI for a few years. With the 10 decibel booster, it serves to enhance the sound of my system making it better. I am looking into upgrading to the LOKIUS in the near future. I also own other Schiit products : MANI and a SAGA - all well made products.
Sono completamente d'accordo con quello che lei dice. Apprezzo il suo equilibrio, la sua semplicità, che sono indice di competenza e sensibilità. Un saluto
I recently bought a LOKI and I liked it enough to get the LOKIUS. I don't know if its because I am using RCA to its input and XLR from its output, but the sound changes and/or gets louder even when all six knobs are at the default 12 position. The LOKI didn't do that, with the LOKI, having the knobs at 12 didn't change anything. You had to turn the dials to get any changes in loudness or coloring. The LOKI doesn't support XLR so am I correct in thinking the loudness change is the result of using XLR on the Lokius?
Always enjoyed equalizers in the 80's. Then used the EQ boosters in cars. Sort of lost interested in listening for years then joined the non EQ group. Like you introduced the EQ back into the system with same result.... Too much noise. Listening without one is ok but do miss having the control. Been considering the Schitt but might just go back to my Realistic 2100D that still sounds great with tone controls. The old integrated is so easy to turn on and tune, easy to see and understand the knobs. Remote volume with cell phone and Bluetooth, streaming apps for song selection. I will likely get one of these eventually to fit in the newer system or place with the 2100 in the "main-pre-out". Peace.
I cant say I'm against equalizers but I also don't think I would use one enough to justify one - not money-wise. Certainly those schiit ones you highlighted seem great and at the right price. My justification issues would be: taking a power port, adding something else to the rack, new cables, etc.
Good points. Like you said, it depends on if you need one. The one great thing about the Schiit is how transparent and quiet it is. Even back in the day, EQ's could be noisy. Thanks for watching
Thank you for the video on the Lokius. I'm thinking of purchasing the Loki Max, but at $1500 + taxes, yikes! It's a tough pill to swallow! Think I'll just wait for Black Friday, only two months or so away... Hopefully, Schiit offers some kind of a promotion/deal...
I'm running an all Denafrips system with the KLH Model 5's... My system was sounding a bit blah, like all systems do in time that do not have tone controls, or the sorely missed "Boost" button. I mainly listen to streaming music with the 2021 Node, love that device, 100% trouble free... I have had the Lokius since it first came out, but have not installed it into this system as it sounded so good. But, time wears on, and we needed to add a bit of spice, or hot sauce! The Lokius checks all of the boxes, but that Loki Max is sure looking tempting... The Lokius is staying.
I'm guessing if you need only minor tone controls, go the cheaper route. Also, have you used any of the built in EQ with the Node? I use to have a Node 2 and cannot remember if there are any EQ settings
@@archifi9978 I ditched all of that gear above, now running a WiiM Pro into a PS Audio Gaincell DAC/Pre out to a Cayin EL-84 tuber amplifier, which is driving a pair of Zu DW6 Supremes. And yes, the WiiM has an EQ, my living room never sounded so good!
I like the idea of 6 bands but I am trying to justify $299. Im ready now after over 60 hours of searching around and updating my audio knowledge mainly. Im thinking PC > SMSL D300 > Lokius > to Edifier R2850DB. IT will be placed on my Desktop which is huge. Room size 15 x 25 with sub optimal accoustics. My man cave with tile floor that 2nds as my Hobby building room. Thank You for the straight ahead opinion on the Lokius.
I think your combo would sound excellent. First try it without the EQ and you may find you do not need it. If you only stream, the software EQ may be enough. I know Roon has excellent EQ/tonal settings.
Awesome video, if I bought two of these devices could I use them to biamp speakers? I would leave the speaker crossovers alone and use these devices to adjust levels for gain disparities between amplifiers hitting the speaker. I want to use solid state for bass, and a tube mono for the mid/tweeter Driver.
I love eq's and have 3 kicking around my house, a BSR 3000, Sansui SE-8X and am currently using a Technics SH-8066. I am going to be buying this Lokius very soon as I really like the look of it and have heard nothing but good reviews.
4:45 Rant warning; Again, another reason NOT to put all your gear on the ground between your speakers. When did this arrangement become popular? It's so silly. There's nothing wrong with 25 foot long 10 gauge speaker cables. Stereo systems have a tactile attraction & my gear is pretty much arms length from my couch. The monitor is in better position & I can change CD's or whatever without getting up every 3;34 seconds. Why do people do this? 🔈🔉🔊
Can the Output of the Lokius being switched between the XLR and RCA? So say Input is RCA but Output is XLR? I was searching for answers with no success. Hope somebody can help.
Both outputs are all on all the time (single ended and balanced). The inputs you can switch between, either single ended or balanced, with the toggle switch on the front.
Thanks for helping me decide, just ordered a Lokius..
I ran a EQ in my system from about 1980 until my second Radio Shack branded Pioneer went out on my about 12 or 15 years ago. I eventually go the 15x2 Art 1U EQ, and after a couple of years I pulled it out and have never used it since. Over the intervening years between getting it, and removing it, the quality of my equipment increased significantly and the noise/degradation it introduced became increasingly obvious to me. So I've been running sans EQ for about 6 years now. But these new EQ from Schiit are so very tempting. In past because I have a Freya+ with 50s vintage GE tubes in it and the price to sound quality quotient is outstanding.
I had a Radio Shack EQ as well
Great product! I have mine connected between the pre-outs and power-ins on my Audiolab 6000a. Made a huge difference in my room. I like it flat with slightly boosted bass and rolled off highs.
Love EQs. Warm and natural not my main priority so I need EQ to get there. Airy is the goal. Have a Mani2 with SL1500c TT and building out a Schiit stack with Mani and EQ so these videos really help as they have lots of options. Thanks for talking thru some of them
i m 52 years old, i grow up with noise {tape decks,vynil and then cd) and always had eq in my systems, i hate pure direct mode sound, i love V schape warm , detailled sound with great soundstage, i m always wondering people searching to the best combination with very expensive systems, and then they still dont have the richt balance, with an Eq you can simply find the richt balance on your system an give correction to differand sounding good speakers,good amps etc... and with the new eqs with verry low noise ,distortion i cant hear, thats my opinion, for me music is enjoyement and not something that irritates me
I've owned some high quality budget friendly Schiit and it's nice to see that they make EQ's. My old EQ's from the 1980's seemed to corrupt the signal mainly affecting transparency. Perhaps the newer Schiit units sound better. Since running Roon I do the occasional minor EQ in Roon DSP - no fancy room correction stuff - just manually adjusting a couple Parametric EQ settings for the occasional low volume level listening.
Thanks for watching. Yes, the Schiit EQ's are top quality and very quiet. To be honest I was not expecting the units to be so quiet.
Been thinking of getting one of these. The "big" Loki plus does look great, but $1500 vs $300 (Loki max vs Lokius), well...I can live with manual use...
Good video. I have the lower priced Loki (with Schiit Vidar amp and Magnepan LRS speakers. I’m very satisfied with it. On about 10% of my records They were recorded a little hot or maybe not hot enough. I have the lows turned up to about 2 o’clock and leave the others at 12 o’clock. Then I make very (very) minor adjustment for the highs on these 10%. Seems to work well. I feel it it is not necessary on my system but in those rare cases it comes in handy.
I own it to correct bright titanium drivers and drop the extra low end on my in home boomboxes. Works great.
Great tip!
wow I remember all these smiley faces . . and we still need them don't we?
I think one of the old recording desks your referring to would be the 'Harrison 32C Console' as the modern is the digital SSL 9000, 4000 G & E . .
i've run my systems both ways, tone controls and loudness and even added 5 band EQ (BSR Metrotec as reviewed in the early issues of tas to flatten the lows of my stacked Dynaco A25s). later, when i got Infinity onitor Jrs., i ran flat with separates.
THEN many years later i got an arc SP3a1 pre that has tone controls and every now and again, use them very lightly to enhance things a smidge. i now apreciate having tone control again but you would only notice the diff if i turned it off.
...hifitommy
I'm not certain if I would buy an EQ if my pre had tone controls. I'm guessing, for most, Treble and Bass controls is all one would need. My car stereo has Treble , mid and Bass and I adjust a tad to make the sound more pleasing. Thanks for watching
I have had a LOKI for a few years. With the 10 decibel booster, it serves to enhance the sound of my system making it better. I am looking into upgrading to the LOKIUS in the near future. I also own other Schiit products : MANI and a SAGA - all well made products.
Thanks for sharing!
Sono completamente d'accordo con quello che lei dice. Apprezzo il suo equilibrio, la sua semplicità, che sono indice di competenza e sensibilità. Un saluto
Grazie mille per aver guardato.
I recently bought a LOKI and I liked it enough to get the LOKIUS. I don't know if its because I am using RCA to its input and XLR from its output, but the sound changes and/or gets louder even when all six knobs are at the default 12 position. The LOKI didn't do that, with the LOKI, having the knobs at 12 didn't change anything. You had to turn the dials to get any changes in loudness or coloring. The LOKI doesn't support XLR so am I correct in thinking the loudness change is the result of using XLR on the Lokius?
Always enjoyed equalizers in the 80's. Then used the EQ boosters in cars. Sort of lost interested in listening for years then joined the non EQ group. Like you introduced the EQ back into the system with same result.... Too much noise. Listening without one is ok but do miss having the control. Been considering the Schitt but might just go back to my Realistic 2100D that still sounds great with tone controls. The old integrated is so easy to turn on and tune, easy to see and understand the knobs. Remote volume with cell phone and Bluetooth, streaming apps for song selection. I will likely get one of these eventually to fit in the newer system or place with the 2100 in the "main-pre-out". Peace.
My new Luxman has tone controls, I took the eq out and I am fine
perhaps it would help flatten out non flat/overly bright speakers?
I cant say I'm against equalizers but I also don't think I would use one enough to justify one - not money-wise. Certainly those schiit ones you highlighted seem great and at the right price. My justification issues would be: taking a power port, adding something else to the rack, new cables, etc.
Good points. Like you said, it depends on if you need one. The one great thing about the Schiit is how transparent and quiet it is. Even back in the day, EQ's could be noisy. Thanks for watching
Thank you for the video on the Lokius.
I'm thinking of purchasing the Loki Max, but at $1500 + taxes, yikes! It's a tough pill to swallow!
Think I'll just wait for Black Friday, only two months or so away... Hopefully, Schiit offers some kind of a promotion/deal...
Yes, I agree....I'd probably pass on that unless you must have balanced ins/outs.
I'm running an all Denafrips system with the KLH Model 5's... My system was sounding a bit blah, like all systems do in time that do not have tone controls, or the sorely missed "Boost" button. I mainly listen to streaming music with the 2021 Node, love that device, 100% trouble free... I have had the Lokius since it first came out, but have not installed it into this system as it sounded so good. But, time wears on, and we needed to add a bit of spice, or hot sauce! The Lokius checks all of the boxes, but that Loki Max is sure looking tempting... The Lokius is staying.
I'm guessing if you need only minor tone controls, go the cheaper route. Also, have you used any of the built in EQ with the Node? I use to have a Node 2 and cannot remember if there are any EQ settings
@@archifi9978 I ditched all of that gear above, now running a WiiM Pro into a PS Audio Gaincell DAC/Pre out to a Cayin EL-84 tuber amplifier, which is driving a pair of Zu DW6 Supremes. And yes, the WiiM has an EQ, my living room never sounded so good!
I like the idea of 6 bands but I am trying to justify $299. Im ready now after over 60 hours of searching around and updating my audio knowledge mainly. Im thinking PC > SMSL D300 > Lokius > to Edifier R2850DB. IT will be placed on my Desktop which is huge. Room size 15 x 25 with sub optimal accoustics. My man cave with tile floor that 2nds as my Hobby building room. Thank You for the straight ahead opinion on the Lokius.
I think your combo would sound excellent. First try it without the EQ and you may find you do not need it. If you only stream, the software EQ may be enough. I know Roon has excellent EQ/tonal settings.
Would this help for people with hearing loss?
Awesome video, if I bought two of these devices could I use them to biamp speakers? I would leave the speaker crossovers alone and use these devices to adjust levels for gain disparities between amplifiers hitting the speaker. I want to use solid state for bass, and a tube mono for the mid/tweeter Driver.
You should write the manufacturer. Plus Schitt has more EQ options now
I love eq's and have 3 kicking around my house, a BSR 3000, Sansui SE-8X and am currently using a Technics SH-8066.
I am going to be buying this Lokius very soon as I really like the look of it and have heard nothing but good reviews.
As a kid I wanted the Sanusi 8x badly. The LED looked so cool at the time. I had to settle for a cheaper Realistic EQ
Presets and remote aside, do you think the higher quality parts of the Loki Max "justify" the substantial price upgrade to the Lokius?
If you only need a simple tone control and don't need XLR ins/outs basically, I'd just stay with the Loki
Me, personally don’t understand why and how an equaliser, vital component of HI-Fi is kind of out of equitation, today.
I agree especially since back in the day EQ's were a major piece in an audiophile system.
it is not perfectly transparent for my headphones 🤷🏻♂️
4:45 Rant warning; Again, another reason NOT to put all your gear on the ground between your speakers. When did this arrangement become popular? It's so silly.
There's nothing wrong with 25 foot long 10 gauge speaker cables. Stereo systems have a tactile attraction & my gear is pretty much arms length from my couch.
The monitor is in better position & I can change CD's or whatever without getting up every 3;34 seconds.
Why do people do this? 🔈🔉🔊
For me its a matter of space. I do not have the side space for a rack. I wish I did. 10 awg at 25 feet or more will be more than fine.
Can the Output of the Lokius being switched between the XLR and RCA? So say Input is RCA but Output is XLR? I was searching for answers with no success. Hope somebody can help.
Both outputs are all on all the time (single ended and balanced). The inputs you can switch between, either single ended or balanced, with the toggle switch on the front.
@@ericmorrison828 Thanks!
I do not think so.