Phonostages — Schiit Audio STJARNA

The Stjarna is a phono preamplifier from Schiit Audio, built with two single-ended inputs and a fixed high gain figure. Schiit Audio applies its characteristic value-focused engineering philosophy to this dedicated phono stage, offering serious gain and connectivity at a price considerably below many established rivals.

Position in line

It sits above the Mani 2 and Mani in Schiit Audio's phono stage hierarchy, near the Skoll F as a related model. This positioning above the brand's more basic Mani models suggests the Stjarna offers meaningfully more gain and refinement, aimed specifically at buyers with lower-output moving-coil cartridges.

Key specs that matter

Two single-ended inputs are provided. Output impedance is 10 ohms. Gain is a fixed 60 dB, suited to lower-output cartridges. Distortion is under 0.6%. At 406 x 203 x 76.2 mm and 4.54 kg it is a substantial chassis for a phono stage, suggesting a serious power supply behind the high fixed gain.

Sound and use context

Expect a functional presentation with the fixed high gain figure well suited to lower-output moving-coil cartridges without needing a separate step-up device - a practical solution for a specific cartridge type rather than a universally flexible design.

Pairing

The fixed 60 dB gain suits lower-output cartridges directly; a higher-output moving-magnet cartridge may find this gain figure excessive without an input attenuator, a detail worth confirming against the specific cartridge already owned.

Alternatives

The Mani 2 and Mani sit below this model in Schiit Audio's phono range with more modest gain and features, worth considering instead if a higher-output moving-magnet cartridge is what the system actually uses. Schiit Audio direct-to-consumer sales model helps keep pricing competitive against established phono stage rivals with comparable gain and connectivity, a genuine value proposition within the enthusiast community. A dedicated ground connection between turntable and this phono stage remains essential for hum-free operation regardless of which cartridge is ultimately paired with it. Overall this remains a strong value choice for a listener specifically running a lower-output moving-coil cartridge. Cable routing between turntable and this phono stage should stay short and well-shielded to minimise noise pickup. A dealer visit remains the simplest way to compare this unit directly against the more basic Mani models.