Schiit Audio SYS
The Schiit SYS brings passive volume control and bidirectional RCA switching to compact desktop or speaker systems without needless complexity. Z Reviews found it especially useful for routing two sources or managing a shared subwoofer feed, while its tiny footprint and roughly $60 cost make it a purposeful utility piece for flexible analogue setups.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Kinda Soggy
Sound Quality
50/100
Build Quality
50/100
Features Connectivity
78/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Bidirectional two-source RCA switching supports flexible routing between sources, amplifiers, powered monitors, or a shared subwoofer.
Integrated level control is useful for balancing powered speakers or subwoofer output.
Compact, straightforward design was regarded as a useful and reasonably priced little box.
Cons
The small, poorly defined knob indicator can make input selection difficult to see.
Its passive design requires careful system matching and volume management when switching between devices.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 50/100
The supplied review discusses SYS as a compact source switcher and volume-control box, but does not report on its audible transparency, tonal character, dynamic behaviour, or stereo imaging. Its sound will therefore need to be judged in the context of the connected source, amplifier, cables, and input-impedance matching.
Transparency Resolution
50/100
The review provides no listening comments about detail retrieval, noise, clarity, or whether SYS preserves the source signal without audible coloration. There is no direct evidence here about its transparency in a complete system.
Tonal Balance Musicality
50/100
No reviewer comments address tonal balance, timbre, warmth, neutrality, or musical engagement. The available material focuses on switching and basic operation rather than sound character.
Dynamics
50/100
The supplied review says little about microdynamics, macro punch, drive, or sense of musical ease. No direct listening evidence is provided on how SYS handles dynamic contrasts.
Soundstage Imaging
50/100
There are no reported observations on stage width, depth, image focus, or layering. The review does not evaluate SYS's spatial performance in a listening system.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
50/100
The review calls SYS a “nice little box,” but offers no direct assessment of chassis robustness, control feel, internal construction, shielding, or long-term durability. The specifications confirm a very compact one-pound enclosure, without further construction detail.
Features Connectivity
78/100
SYS is a deliberately simple passive control unit with two stereo RCA connections that can be used for source switching or output selection, plus one stereo RCA connection on the opposite side. The reviewer specifically notes its bidirectional operation and multiple-input usefulness, but there are no balanced connections, remote control, phono stage, headphone output, or home-theater facilities.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly $49–$59, the reviewer describes SYS as a usually available “nice little box” and notes its $60 price point. The supplied review does not compare it directly with competing passive controllers or switch boxes, so there is limited evidence for a stronger value claim beyond its low purchase price and straightforward utility.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
- Number of inputs
- 2 (stereo RCA)
- Number of outputs
- 1 (stereo RCA)
- Input impedance
- 10k ohms
- Output Impedance
- 5k ohms maximum
- Size
- 5 x 3.5 x 1.25”
- Weight
- 1 lb
Manufacturer's Description — Schiit Audio
SYS stands for "switch your, er...schtuff." Sys is a simple, 2-input passive preamp. No electronics. No power. No distortion. Just a 2-way switch and a potentiometer.
Huh? Why would you want such a thing? Well, if you've ever wanted to use one of our DACs with powered monitors, Sys puts the volume control right at hand. Same goes for using two sources with one of our headphone amps—use Sys to switch between a DAC and a phono preamp, for example.
And, you don't have to use Sys with our gear at all. It's a simple, high-quality, passive preamp that works with pretty much any line-level source.
Designed and Built in the USABy “designed and built in the USA" this is what we mean: the vast majority of the total production cost of SYS—chassis, boards, assembly, etc—goes to US companies manufacturing in the US. Our chassis are made in California. Our PCBs, assembly, testing, and assembly are all done at our own Corpus Christi facility.2-Year Warranty, 15-Day Easy ReturnsSYS is covered by a 2-year limited warranty that covers parts and labor. And if you don’t like your SYS, you can send it back for a refund, minus 15% restocking fee, within 15 days of receiving it.
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for Schiit Audio SYS
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- Class D Audio USA — online — United States (website)
- Golden Acoustics — in-store — Athina, Greece (website)
- Schiit Audio — online and in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- The Analog Shop — in-store — Victor, New York, United States (website)