Schiit Fulla 2 Review
Schiit Fulla 2 Specs
| 16 ohms 550mW | 32 ohms 360mW |
| 50 ohms 230mW | 300 ohms 400mW |
In the realm of audio equipment, the Schiit Fulla 2 stands as a powerful contender, promising to elevate your audio experience to new heights. This compact yet robust device has been making waves in the audiophile community, offering an impressive combination of features and performance. In this comprehensive review, we delve into the world of Schiit Fulla 2, exploring its design, features, audio quality, and overall value.
Digital-to-Analog Converter
It’s essential to become familiar with what a DAC is and how it works before we dive into the Fulla 2. As its name suggests, a DAC is a gadget that changes a digital audio signal into an analogue one. Consequently, why would you need to do this?
Analog audio consists of a series of wavelengths, whereas digital audio is a binary signal with a series of 1s and 0s. Since digital audio files are much smaller than analogue ones, you can store thousands of songs on your phone or MP3 player. While this is great for storage, it is useless for creating an analogue signal that can be heard by humans. Most headphones and amplifiers need an analogue audio signal to produce the sound that our ears hear.
Design and Build Quality
The Schiit Fulla 2 boasts a sleek and minimalist design that blends seamlessly with any setup. The matte black chassis exudes a sense of sophistication and elegance, making it an aesthetically pleasing addition to your audio setup. The compact form factor of the Fulla 2 is ideal for those seeking a space-efficient solution without compromising on performance.
Crafted with a sturdy metal casing, the Fulla 2 radiates durability and longevity. The device feels well-built and reassuringly heavy, a testament to its quality construction. The front panel houses a convenient volume knob, a headphone jack, and a microphone input, offering easy access to essential controls.
Built-in DAC’s
In actuality, almost all digital products come with an integrated DAC. Speaker drivers, which are analogue devices, are used in headphones and speakers. Somewhere between the audio source and the speaker, a digital-to-analogue conversion must take place in order to create an analogue audio signal that our ears can hear. Included in this are your CD players, computers, smartphones, TVs, etc. So why not utilize the DAC found within these gadgets?
Although some people prefer higher-quality audio, using the common DAC found in consumer electronics is perfectly acceptable. Although the majority of mass-produced consumer electronics products include a basic DAC, the quality isn’t as good as it should be due to frequency loss along the way. As there is less frequency loss when converting the digital signal to an analogue, a high-quality DAC is preferred.
Schiit Fulla 2
Let’s move on to the Schiit Fulla 2 review now that you thoroughly understand what a DAC is. The Schiit Fulla 2 is an incredibly small desktop DAC and headphone pre-amp that is primarily made for use with headphones and your PC. The Fulla 2 can drive nearly every headphone on the market with output ranging from 40mW to 300 ohms to 550mW into 16 ohms.
The Fulla 2 has a badass aesthetic appeal in my opinion. It has one rotary knob and what appear to be circular air vents on top and along the sides of the apparatus. These are not just for show because the Fulla 2 does get warm while operating. An LED to show whether the Fulla 2 is actually powered on is one thing that is missing. It’s not clear why the Fulla 2 lacks an LED power indicator when all of Schiit’s other DACs do.
Input / Outputs
You have a 1/8-inch line in and a 1/4-inch headphone output. It makes sense to have these two connections on the front since the Fulla 2 is usually present there. The line-in would be connected to your phone or another audio device, and the headphone line would go to your ears. The DAC is disabled when a source is plugged into the line-in port, leaving only the headphone pre-amp and 1/4-inch output functional.
There are two 1/8-inch outputs and two micro USB ports on the back. The first USB port provides both power and signal, while the second USB port only provides power. If you’re connecting the Fulla 2 to your PC or a sizable device that can pass both audio and power, the first micro USB is ideal. It should be obvious that the second micro USB will only be used to power the Fulla 2 when using one of the other audio inputs.
But what if you’re using the power/signal USB port to connect something like a smartphone? Obviously, the Fulla 2 won’t be powered by the phone in this situation. You can use the second USB to charge the Fulla 2 when you have USB connections for small audio devices. The Fulla 2 will draw a signal from the audio/power port and power from the power port if both USB ports are connected.
Audio Performance
When it comes to audio performance, the Schiit Fulla 2 truly shines. The combination of its high-quality DAC and amplifier results in a sound profile that’s both accurate and engaging. The Fulla 2 manages to preserve the nuances of each track, delivering a remarkable clarity that audiophiles crave. From the deep lows to the crisp highs, the device offers a well-balanced soundstage that enhances your listening experience across genres.
The amplifier’s power output is more than sufficient to drive a wide range of headphones, ensuring that you can extract the best performance from your favorite audio gear. Whether you’re a fan of intricate classical compositions or bass-heavy electronic tracks, the Schiit Fulla 2 is more than capable of delivering a satisfying sonic experience.
1/8-inch Outputs
Two 1/8-inch outputs are located next to the micro USB ports. The second output, a 1/8-inch line level pre-out, can be used, for example, to connect to a pair of powered speakers, while the first output is a line-level out. Remember that when a device is plugged into your 1/4-inch output on the front, the 1/8-inch pre-out will be shut off. The lip of the casing on 1/8-inch connections makes it difficult for larger 1/8-inch adapters to insert all the way. If you don’t have small 1/8-inch connectors, this can be not very pleasant. When buying your Fulla 2, my advice is to buy a 1/8-inch RCA cable and a 1/8-inch to 1/8-inch cable with small enough 1/8-inch adapters.
The sound is the last. Remember that the Fulla 2 is a DAC and headphone preamp that costs $99 only. While the Fulla 2 sounds noticeably better than the DAC or headphone preamp on your PC, it falls short of a high-end DAC or headphone pre. The Fulla 2 is unquestionably the best option if all you’re looking for is something portable and reasonably priced. You can connect devices to it in a variety of ways thanks to its wealth of features.
The Fulla 2’s headphone preamp is where it starts to fall short. Depending on your headphones, the Fulla 2 starts to break up and distort at higher frequencies around 50–60%; by 80–100%, full distortion is present. The Fulla 2 sounds fantastic before 50% for a $99 preamp, and I don’t think you need to turn the volume up past this point for most headphones because this is a sizable amount of power. You might want to test this with your preferred headphones, but it is something to remember.
What you Will Recieve
- Schiit Fulla 2
- 3’ USB Micro Cable
Conclusion
Priced competitively within its category, the Schiit Fulla 2 offers exceptional value for both newcomers to the audiophile scene and seasoned enthusiasts. Its combination of top-tier components, versatile connectivity, and impressive audio performance makes it a standout option in its price range.
In conclusion, the Schiit Fulla 2 stands as a testament to Schiit Audio’s commitment to producing high-quality audio equipment that caters to the needs of modern audio enthusiasts. Its sleek design, powerful features, and captivating audio performance make it a worthy investment for anyone seeking an upgrade to their audio setup.
Whether you’re an avid gamer, a music lover, or someone who simply appreciates premium sound quality, the Schiit Fulla 2 is undoubtedly a device that has the potential to transform your auditory experience. Embrace the power of Schiit Fulla 2 and take a step towards a more immersive and captivating audio journey.
