First off, let me share with you that in no way, shape or form am I an audio gal, but my husband is a sound guy—a boom op by trade.  He lives for sound, and not just any sound, but like 10 layers of sound, kind of sound.  He wants to hear the feathers moving on the birds chirping at the bus stop the main character passes as they head to work… he loves that kind of sound.  He also loves music with a truly eclectic mix ranging from classical to black metal with a little R&B/funk mixed in.  So, to say that sound plays a part in our daily life is a completely true statement.  Now that being said, I am the creative in the family.  I know visual excellence and when I walked into The Schiitr, a retail store and audio listening lounge, I was completely taken with the beautiful streamlined design of their audio equipment.  It is really beautiful Schiit guys!
Started in 2010 by two audio industry veterans, Jason Stoddard and Mike Moffat, Schiit stands out by their unique Multibit DAC, Digital Filter Technologies and innovative analog approaches–which put together means they specialize in better sound and better products.  I was able to spend time with co-founder Jason Stoddard and he shared a bit of history on how the company grew from producing around seven units a year in Jason’s garage, to the 15,000 square foot facility where they build more than 100,000 units for their clients each year.
“My degree is in electrical engineering, and while I was in school I began building equipment.  When I graduated there was a downturn in the audio industry, but I eventually landed with a company named Sumo.  And through working at Sumo I met Mike Moffat, our co-founder.  I also had an adventurous 20-year career in advertising, owning my own agency before my wife finally pushed me to take this ‘Schiit’ more seriously.  It’s actually how the name came about.  She was so sick of me constantly saying that I had other ‘Schiit’ to do, that she finally said, ‘Why don’t you just name the company ‘Schiit’!  And after a small play with letters, we ended up with the name you know today,” said Jason Stoddard.
Today, Schiit Audio produces a variety of products ranging from headphone amps and DACS to power amps and pre-amps, with many options at affordable price points.  You will never be “sold” at The Schiitr.  Jason doesn’t have one sales position in his company actually.  The products sell themselves and it’s because of the hard work of Jason, Mike and their entire Schiit team that they can run with this business model.
And with The Schiitr opening up in Old Town Newhall, everyone has an opportunity to listen to their Schiit before they buy it.  And even if you don’t buy anything, Jason still hopes you come down to experience really great sound on some really good Schiit!
The Schiitr is located at 22508 Market Street in Newhall.  The Schiitr is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  You can view their products and learn more about Schiit Audio online at http://www.schiit.com.

photos by Joie de Vivre photographie