Фонокорректоры — Schiit Audio MANI

The Mani is the first-generation Schiit Audio MM/MC phono preamp, sold at USD 129 and replaced more than six years later by the Mani 2. Its name refers to the personification of the moon in Norse mythology. The small box offers four gain settings chosen by two switches, so one unit covers Decca cartridges, standard and low-output moving magnet models and moving coil designs.

Key specs that matter

In Decca mode, with both switches low, gain is 30 dB, THD below 0.005%, SNR above 90 dB and sensitivity 9 mV for 300 mV output. Standard MM mode gives 42 dB of gain, THD below 0.008%, SNR above 82 dB and 2.3 mV sensitivity. The low-output MM and high-output MC setting provides 48 dB with THD below 0.01%, SNR above 80 dB and 1.3 mV sensitivity. MC mode reaches 59 dB with THD below 0.03%, SNR above 70 dB and 0.3 mV sensitivity. Every mode keeps an overload margin above 20 dB and crosstalk of -75 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and all noise figures are A-weighted with inputs shorted. Input impedance is selectable at 47 ohms for moving coil or 47 kohm for moving magnet, RIAA accuracy holds to plus or minus 0.2 dB over the 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, and output impedance is 75 ohms.

Engineering and use context

Schiit built the Mani around a fully passive RIAA equalisation network placed between ADA4897 and AD8066 gain stages, and used thin-film resistors plus film capacitors in every position. The signal path was capacitor-coupled, and the Mani had no low-frequency or subsonic filter. Power came from a wall-wart style 16 VAC transformer, and the unit regulated this down to rails of plus and minus 5 V, 10 V in total. Consumption is 4 W. The case measures 127 x 89 x 32 mm and weighs 0.45 kg. Choosing the gain mode and the input impedance takes only the switches, with no internal jumpers involved in the four listed modes. The Mani 2 later kept the passive RIAA approach but changed the coupling, widened the loading choices and raised the supply rails.

Pairing

The four gain positions let the Mani accept Decca designs, moving magnet models and both high- and low-output moving coil types. The low-impedance output is intended for an integrated amp, preamp or headphone amp at line level.

Alternatives

The Schiit Mani 2 is the successor phono preamplifier, offering 33, 42, 48 or 60 dB of gain and priced at USD 149.