Looking for a balanced preamp, there are a couple of DIY options such as the Akitika PR-102 (not balanced 500 usd), hypex DIY 1500 usd and neurochrome offerings (700-800 without a case or remote) or even the Iron Pre on this site.
Compared to these, the schiit kara at 699 usd looks pretty good and seems to measure well, balanced design with remote.
What am I missing - have some savings/compromises been made somewhere to price it so well.
Compared to these, the schiit kara at 699 usd looks pretty good and seems to measure well, balanced design with remote.
What am I missing - have some savings/compromises been made somewhere to price it so well.
There's no reason that an inexpensive preamp can't be well designed and sound good.
And they sell only direct, which considerably lowers the price to the customer.
And they sell only direct, which considerably lowers the price to the customer.
In addition to direct sales, manufacturers like schiit can get parts much cheaper than smaller vendors or DIYers.
DIY isn't always about cost savings, you can customize something to suit your needs (i.e. higher quality parts, features like tone control, number of inputs/outputs, remote trigger power on/off of inputs and outputs, etc. etc.).
Schiit Magnius is balanced and on close-out sale right now for $150. Only 8 left!
https://www.schiit.com/b-stocks
https://www.schiit.com/b-stocks