Hi, I've had the SOL for a couple days, and here's my honest review with no strings one way or the other, no dog in the fight etc etc....
Currently having a high quality TT setup (VPI Scout, Benz Micro MC cart, RCM Phono Stage), I didn't need the SOL, but I figured I couldn't really lose anything, as either I could easily sell the VPI if I liked the SOL better AND have an extra 2 grand in my pocket, or send the SOL back if I didn't. No harm no foul... and it would give me the chance to have fun and audition Schiit's new SOL! This comparison of TTs was exciting to me, as I could truly A/B the SOL against a tried and trued VPI heavyweight, and all things will be equal.
So I'll quickly say that after the setup (a bit of a pain in the arse, but not too bad at all), sonically there was NO difference. Sonically the Sol absolutely equalled my VPI with the same setup. And I'd expect that using the same cart, preamp, etc. So I'll 100% agree with Schiit's statement that the Sol will not hold back a good cart.
Ok, with that out of the way, from a quality standpoint (build, design, etc) the Sol clearly and decisively pales in comparision to the VPI Scout 1.1 .. I guess the mantra "for the money, you can't beat it" probably holds true. But with these two side by side, the contrast was stark. The VPI being the sum of all it's parts is a fine piece equipment, with no corners cut. The Sol was not even close in quality. It actually felt like a DIY piece of kit.. with QA issues to boot. Mine arrived sealed box fresh with a out of spec hole in the platter so there was slop where it mated with the bearing. This is supposed to be VERY snug. Ok, a few back and forth emails to Schiit tech support, and a replacement platter and bearing was fedex'ed so I'll roll with that without too much complaining.
Pros:
- Sonically equalled a high end table... it won't hold back a good cart and stage
- Easily configurable
- Aesthically pleaseing IMHO
Cons:
- Tonearm head just too tight. I had to bend the connectors to fit in. YMMV, but there was no such issue on the VPI. Pulling my hair out!
- No Tonearm lock.. it just floats in this 'goal post' looking lift, but no way to secure.
- Cart wire pressure is not isolated after it comes through the tonearm out at the back, and it does affect the tone arm balance when it sits on the unipivot setup. Unlike the VPI, where the wire comes out directly from the center of the top cap, not affecting the balance in anyway, this wire comes out right at the unipivot mechanism, and you are tasked to "bend" it out for the way and route it the best way you can... PULLING MY HAIR OUT!
- Anti skate mechanism just sucks. You are give a weight and some fishing wire and told to "have at it" It's rinkydink Bull$h!+ there's nothing good about it. The VPI comparison is a well engineered antiskate mech.
- The motor and wiring is a BAD piece of engineering. WTF???? Instead of having a wall wart with an inline on/off switch (which I'd be fine with), or the wall wart wire directly into the motor with an on/off switch on the motor housing (I'd be fine with that too!), some genius decides to be fancy and run the wallwart into the frame of the table, then pigtail over to the motor, with an on/off switch on the Table frame!! WTF!!! Every time you turn off the switch (y'know, pesky lil' things liker to change a record! ), there is an audible "pop" through the system... yes, I'm grounded correctly.. c'mon! So not wanting to risk speaker damage, I ommited that path, and went directly from the wallwart into the motor with no switch. So for now, to change a record or shut it off, I pull out the wire from the motor. Pulling my hair out wanting the smack this designer.
Conclusion... Yes it sounds fine with a correct setup. And had I not a comparison TT, I'd likely keep this and be fine with it after I squared this away and drilled a hole and rerouted the cart wire, wired in a pushbutton on/off switch for the motor.. But having the VPI and being used to such a fine exacting piece of equipment, it's hard not to just keep what I have and either return it, or ??? Oh, so the VPI was over $3k (without Cart), and the Sol is $799 (not $800 mind you)... And the Sol "sounds" as good, so the Sol and $2200 in my pocket.. Or the better quality (in every way... except sound!) VPI for over 2 grand more... Y'know, the things that make me scratch my head, is that 'most' of my complaints shouldn't have been an issue as they are design flaws... IMHO.
If you get the Sol, and set it up correctly with good audio path etc, you will be pleased (with the sound anyway)
HTH'ed ?
NOTE for the OP... Correct the spelling of the manufacturer from "Schitt to Schiit" and you'll get much more traction as if you search for "Schiit Sol", there are no hits