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The SYS is a simple, well-liked passive preamp/switchbox: clean, transparent, and useful if you want a compact volume control or source selector without adding gain or coloration. At US$55, this is a touch above the US$50 median and just over the US$53 75th percentile from recent comps, so it reads as mildly ambitious rather than a standout bargain. If the unit is clean and fully functional, it’s still close enough to fair that I wouldn’t dismiss it.
What makes it worth buying is the utility-to-cost ratio: Schiit’s passive boxes are popular because they get out of the way and do their job reliably. For a buyer, the key checks are straightforward—smooth volume tracking, firm input switching, and no scratchiness or channel imbalance at low levels. If it includes the original box or cable and looks lightly used, the small premium is easier to justify.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Schiit Audio: Brand Overview
Schiit Audio is an American audio company founded in June 2010 by Jason Stoddard and Mike Moffat, two veteran engineers with deep roots in the high-fidelity industry. Based in California with manufacturing operations in Texas, the company emerged from a shared vision between its founders—who had reconnected after years in separate audio ventures—to democratize desktop hi-fi. The name itself, deliberately provocative, reflects Stoddard's irreverent approach to a traditionally buttoned-up market, born from his wife's exasperated suggestion during late-night garage sessions.
The company specializes in personal audio components, with a product portfolio spanning digital-to-analog converters (DACs), headphone amplifiers, preamplifiers, and integrated amplifier-DAC combinations. Schiit's first product, the Asgard headphone amplifier, launched in 2010, followed by the Bifrost DAC in 2011. The lineup ranges from entry-level pieces starting around $99 to premium offerings exceeding $2,000, with the company positioning itself as a leader in direct-to-consumer audio sales.
Schiit occupies a distinctive position as an accessible yet credible player in the audiophile market. Rather than pursuing ultra-premium positioning, the company has built its reputation on delivering genuine sonic performance at consumer-friendly prices—a philosophy its founders describe as trying to "out-cheap" each other. This strategy has resonated strongly; the company has grown substantially since inception, operating from a dedicated 15,000-square-foot facility and maintaining a reputation for transparency, quality engineering, and genuine engagement with the audio enthusiast community.
See all Schiit Audio listings on RADAR.
