Schiit Mani 2 Review: Best Budget Phono Preamp, Period?

Since its initial release in 2014, the Mani phono preamp from Schiit Audio has gained a reputation as one of the best-sounding affordable options on the market. 

Fast forward to the present day, and there's a new kid in town, the Schiit Mani 2. The latest incarnation of this much-loved phono stage promises (in the words of Schiit Audio) to be "...simply the highest-performance affordable phono preamp, period."

Can the Mani 2 deliver the goods? Join us for this full Schiit Mani 2 review.

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Full Schiit Mani 2 Review:
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[soundmatters]

Thanks for watching! Drop your comments and questions below. If you'd like to support the channel, check the video description for many DISCOUNT CODES codes to enjoy money off various products and feed your vinyl habit! (I earn a small commission - no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!

[mancycle]

Upgraded from a Mani 1 to the Mani 2 with a 2M Bronze and was surprised by how powerful and energetic the sound became. Amazing to have a good, affordable hifi product made in the USA to support.

[cunningtim]

Thanks for the great review. I also have the Mani v1 and this is a very worthwhile upgrade, with a much lower noise floor than the original.

[theSOUNDinterpreter]

Great video. I’m very happy with my Schiit Mani 2, but am wondering what an upgrade could bring to the table 😊

[jackdude]

Great review. I got the mani and was shocked. Had to try the mani 2. Wow another amazing upgrade.
Wish I could find your Pro ject amp here in the US would love to hear it.

Sumiko Olympia Pro ject Debut Carbon Evo mani 2 Rotel A11 Tribute Zu Dirty Weekend MK II


Happy for now, you know how it goes.

[wffvoch]

I like KISS, and KISS sounds good through this. KISS is rock and roll.

[ocularcavity]

Great review, interesting findings, I might try out the V2, I bought the Mani v1 and it was okay but but not as good as my DJ Pre II. last I checked it goes for $55-$65 (used to be $39.99) but for that price it is a Hidden GEM ( I still believe it is the BEST preamp under $100 ) it has no MC setting but it's very neutral and it's detail and clarity are INSANE paired with my Technics SLQ2 and Ortofon 2M black even the Project Tube Box DS2 loses to the DJ Pre II in detail Clarity and Dimension and it cost 10 times more, but the DS2 is more punchy and exciting especially on older lower fidelity records adding life to the party so to speak, with the Pre II if the recording is flat so is the Play back but play anything from John Williams, Tom Waits, or anything pressed to a really high standard in the 70's 80's or 90's and HOLY CRAP it sounds like YOU ARE THERE

[Skier_]

Have you tried the iFi Zen? Equally small with metal housing. It's truly incredible; I would love to see a direct comparison review.

[carylee]

I have both the Mani 1 for my mono lps and the Mani 2 for my stereo lps. I say they are both excellent for what you pay for.

[bdsattern]

Please, please, oh please consider reviewing the new-ish Schiit Skoll phono preamp — the Mani 2 has a big brother with a very attractive price considering that it’s even balanced. It would be great to hear how the Skoll stacks up against phono stages like the Moon and Project Tube Box. Cheers! 🍻

[jorged]

Thanks for the review. I wonder how it compares with the new iFi Zen 3.

[jeanbeezy]

curios about this, because i found the mani1 not better than the built in preamp of the technics 1500, which i use as well. is the mani2 such an upgrade to the sound? cheers

[samh]

Would you say that this phono preamp is a good upgrade from the built-in fluance rt80 preamp?

[andycx]

Is this mani 2 any better than the built-in ones that you find on AV receivers these days? Say Pioneer VSX-935

[Darrgand]

How does this compare with rega fono mini a2d?

[jedi-mic]

You have to be careful choosing the right cable to your phono stage capacitance, ideally you need to measure the capacitance if you know the capacitance of the arm and cartridge what can be added to the capacitance of the cable, ideally you need to measure this with a capacitance tester, a lot of cables generally seems to be higher than the specs claim and can be up to 300 pF greater than the cable is claiming, majority of cartridges want to be between 120 or 200 pF
you can help this by making sure the cable is short no more than half a meter ideally, that will keep the capacitance down and be more inspect with the cartridge. This will increase the lower frequencies and bass. Another thing you want it to be 50 ohms cable or lower not 75 ohms!! What most RCA cables are 75 ohms, this is wrong for analog and should always be 50 or below and for turntable to a phono stage something like 43 ohms to 47 ohms coaxial. And make sure the RCA plugs are 50 ohms most of them are 75 ohms as well. a good cable is the Belden cable 43 ohms at 19 pF/ft triple shielded, if you go with microphone cable you should be alright this will make the cartridge more sensitive and give more grip increase its dynamics

[PyroClit]

I aint a audiophile. Is this a plug and play?