More Schiit - Jil Analog to Digital Converter

[The Computer Audiophile]

“Didn’t you guys just release a bunch of stuff?” you ask. In short, yes. But we aren’t quite done yet. 

So say hello to Jil, our first analog to digital converter (ADC.)

Yes. We know. An ADC from Schiit is a bit bizarre. After all, Mike’s last ADC was an all-out assault on the state of the art, a collaboration with Nelson Pass: the Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs GAIN system. Jil is a whole lot more modest—and it’s aimed at enthusiasts, not pros. Jil gives audiophiles an affordable way to digitize vinyl, tape, mixing board outputs, or most any other line-level input. It provides convenient front-panel gain control and clipping/overload indication, and interfaces via USB to virtually any popular audio editor.

Price and availability? Jil is $199, and it’s available now at Schiit.com

Product Page: http://www.schiit.com/products/jil

Press Release: http://www.schiit.com/news/news/schiits-first-adc-jil

Book Chapter: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schiit-happened-the-story-of-the-worlds-most-improbable-start-up.701900/page-1542#post-13636532

 

Please feel free to contact Mike or I if you have any questions.

All the best,

 

Jason Stoddard

Mike Moffat

[rando]

Playing around in this much Schiit is going to make your ears septic!  Or worse if you keep smiling so much.  

 

Any plans to add this into your massed review?

[The Computer Audiophile]

52 minutes ago, rando said:

Any plans to add this into your massed review?

 

Not right now.

[firedog]

gotta love schiit. Lots of reasonably priced audiophile gear.

[rando]

I sadly just got the joke behind naming this device.  Terrible!

 

[kilroy]

18 minutes ago, firedog said:

gotta love schiit. Lots of reasonably priced audiophile gear.

 

Although most of it is relatively low-end stuff. Not a knock.

[Speed Racer]

15 minutes ago, kilroy said:

 

Although most of it is relatively low-end stuff. Not a knock.

 

What, pray tell, in their product line isn't low end to your mind? 

[kilroy]

21 minutes ago, Speed Racer said:

 

What, pray tell, in their product line isn't low end to your mind? 

 

Funny how you always show up when there's an opportunity for an argument. I'm not buying into it. Or feeling the need to explain further. 

[Matias]

Jil must really stand out in sound quality, because feature wise it lacks a lot compared to products from other companies that have been selling ADCs in "audio interfaces" (as they are known in the pro audio world) for very long. Low latency, DAC, heaphone amp, phantom power, DI, pad, etc. Jil is like a "one trick pony".

 

Examples: Focusrite Solo (100usd - half the price), PreSonus Audiobox (100usd - half price too), Focusrite 2i4 (200usd), Audient iD4 (200usd), etc.

[The Computer Audiophile]

Very good point Matias. It will be interesting to see comparisons.

[Matias]

37 minutes ago, Matias said:

Examples: Focusrite Solo (100usd - half the price), PreSonus Audiobox (100usd - half price too), Focusrite 2i4 (200usd), Audient iD4 (200usd), etc.

Actually Solo and iD4 do not apply as they have only 1 channel input, but I can't edit my post. Focusrite 2i2 does apply though (150usd).

[esldude]

This is a niche product.  Not quite as niche as the DSD DAC that did only DSD. 

 

Would have been nice to see a better level indicator than just an LED that flashes amber or red as you near clipping. I suppose any software you are using will have metering in any case.

 

The Audient ID4 for the same price looks to be the better deal.  Even a similar shaped enclosure.  Audient is known for good sound too.   For those owning Schiit devices already, and with a use for this one it looks pretty good for the purpose.

[Matias]

Only Audient's iD14 has 2 line in channels to rip a stereo signal, and it costs 300usd. Although it comes with a lot more features.

[esldude]

33 minutes ago, Matias said:

Only Audient's iD14 has 2 line in channels to rip a stereo signal, and it costs 300usd. Although it comes with a lot more features.

While true the ID4 is a different model that sells for $199. While having only one mic preamp it has two lines inputs.  Two headphone outs.

[Matias]

12 hours ago, esldude said:

While true the ID4 is a different model that sells for $199. While having only one mic preamp it has two lines inputs.  Two headphone outs.

iD4 has 2 channels indeed but they are different between each other: one is a DI input, the other a mic preamp input. Even their specs are different. I would not rip a vinyl with different signal paths between channels. https://audient.com/products-2/audio-interfaces/id4/tech-specs/
That is why the others I mentioned to have 2 equal channels.

[esldude]

28 minutes ago, Matias said:

iD4 has 2 channels indeed but they are different between each other: one is a DI input, the other a mic preamp input. Even their specs are different. I would not rip a vinyl with different signal paths between channels. https://audient.com/products-2/audio-interfaces/id4/tech-specs/
That is why the others I mentioned to have 2 equal channels.

Yes that is correct. I was thinking of the L and R outputs thinking it also had left and right line inputs.  It has two inputs, but not two line inputs.  So you would need to go to the iD14 for two line ins. 

 

A partly offsetting possibility is with two mic inputs the iD14 could use the signal from the cartridge without use of a phono preamp.  Then do riaa EQ digitally. 

[Sam Lord]

There are really no pro devices that compete with Jil, because they must either have certain added features (e.g. micpres, balanced I/O...) as complete interfaces or must compete upscale at much higher cost.  The latter systems are usually modular: great for pros but a waste of resources for consumers who just want to rip.  I think it's a great thing.  It's fun to see all the new vinyl-ripping hardware and software coming out as vinyl recarves its niche in playback.   

[esldude]

13 minutes ago, Sam Lord said:

There are really no pro devices that compete with Jil, because they must either have certain added features (e.g. micpres, balanced I/O...) as complete interfaces or must compete upscale at much higher cost.  The latter systems are usually modular: great for pros but a waste of resources for consumers who just want to rip.  I think it's a great thing.  It's fun to see all the new vinyl-ripping hardware and software coming out as vinyl recarves its niche in playback.   

 

That is not really so.  Take the iD 14. With a couple of adapters you can send RCA feeds from a phono preamp, and record it.  No different than with the Jil.  Yes it has mic pre's which you don't have to use.  That is about it other than it also has a DAC built in.

 

Not saying anything bad about the Jil.  It has a niche it could fill quite nicely.  If people feel more comfortable with the product than a full recording interface then good. 

[Matias]

I also see this reversed. An Audient iD14 (300usd) competes with a Modi DAC (100usd) + Magni 2 Uber amp (150usd) + Jil ADC (200usd) stack, has more features and still uses AKM converters.

[Matias]

Again my bad: Audient uses Burr Brown converters. Why can't I edit my posts afterwards? 

[esldude]

I think you can edit posts for 30 minutes. After that you can't.

 

But yes the iD14 is stuck with those lousy Burr Brown converters. Which I think is a later chip than what Schiit is using.

[Sam Lord]

1 hour ago, esldude said:

 

That is not really so.  Take the iD 14. With a couple of adapters you can send RCA feeds from a phono preamp, and record it.  No different than with the Jil.  Yes it has mic pre's which you don't have to use.  That is about it other than it also has a DAC built in...

 

My point was not that you couldn't easily rip with the Audients, to use your example, rather that you are buying features you don't need.  For the same price, the ID4s could be better ADCs than they are now.

[esldude]

6 minutes ago, Sam Lord said:

 

My point was not that you couldn't easily rip with the Audients, to use your example, rather that you are buying features you don't need.  For the same price, the ID4s could be better ADCs than they are now.

In theory that might be so.  In fact, the specs for the ID14 are better than the Jil. 

But hey, we all know it's Schiit. 

[Le Concombre Masqué]

I own an aging but pretty decent vinyl gear : outs via a XLR cable to feed a XLR Bel Canto phono pre that outs XLR and XLR feeds a Jeff Rowland pre.

 

Nowadays, I could not listen to digital without room correction. Convolving via HQP is how I do it.

 

Is it possible to feed live HQP with a flux that would come from an ADC that would be fed by my Fidelio ?

 

Jil seems sub par with the Fidelio and Jeff : suggestion ?

 

[Gonzbull]

I own a Dangerous Music Source DAC that uses Burr Brown chips and it's an excellent piece of kit. 

The Jil seems to be a waste of resources as there are many ADCs on the market with way more features and at the same price point as mentioned above.