Maybe I can stop being such a "Schitt Defender." @axememan- You mentioned a hum issue "at first". With the tube stage (fig.4), the Freya + clipped at just above 20V. (The noise, though, was still very low in level in absolute terms.) Schiit is an Outstanding Company, they build far better quality then they charge for, they consistently deliver sound quality, don't have reliability issues and their stuff re-sells Globally.. " by tonykaz: It seems puzzling that Schiit's designers created such a wonderful Company, built products that are so widely loved and even cherished yet insist on making us cope with such easy to remedy problems. The differences are significant. As with the Schiit Ragnarok, the Plus has a relay switched 128-stepped attenuator which gives near perfect channel matching and comfortably clicks with each turn. ( eBay ). The result is said to reduce noise levels by a significant 20 decibels. Schiit Freya+ preamp > First Watt SIT-3 amp > Magico A3 speakers. Setup was quick and easy and the instruction manual was concise with relative images. The simple design is likely what makes it a good deal more holographic and tube sounding (the good kind-bloom/decay) than the Freya+. [ [Editor's note: as we were going to publication with this review, Schiit announced two new versions of its Freya preamp: the Freya S, which lacks this . AKRMedia produces websites and digital magazines that provide reviews of two channel and personal audio components, interviews with innovators across the audio industry, as well as interviews with existing, new, and rising music makers. Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by barondla, Jan 25, 2023. There is a solid construction quality that I have not seen since the ages of the old Mark Levinson preamps like the No.28 and 26. If a preamp is right for you or if your system requires one, alternatives I'd recommend near Freya's price point would be NAD's C 165BEE or Parasound's NewClassic 200. The Schiit products come well packaged in a large cardboard box. The 128 step volume control, made it easy to find the perfect volume level for every album. The overall power consumption is 40 watts with an input impedance of 10K Ohms. This is the static ad content. ModiMB DAC, Freya+ Pre-amp, Vidar amp I received a response back from Schiit that my best action would be bifrost and the saga+ of I don't plan on using dual XLR. Schiit have taken their already well-received Freya pre-amp and have incorporated modifications that fans of the company have eagerly asked for. I just wanted to know where you got your gorilla with headphone wall art? Pepper, and The White Album. There is an upgraded chassis, a much better remote control unit, and a redesigned tube stage which Schiit says lowers the noise floor significantly. If you wish to run your signal into a balanced power amplifier setup the answer becomes simpler. Although Ive never heard either (I did own a saga though) , I doubt there would be any audible difference. 2V output. In a back-to-back comparison with the test track from Queen, the performance of the "S" landed somewhere between 75%-100% of the Freya + at times. On the clicks, they do not come through the audio system. When tested for intermodulation distortion with an equal mix of 19kHz and 20kHz tones at a peak level of 1V into 100k ohms, with the solid state buffered output driven by a balanced input signal (not shown), the second-order difference product at 1kHz lay below the very low noisefloor. It is really good Schiit (lol). For this reason, I would strongly urge readers to try this product for those seeking a smart preamplifier solution to their audiophile needs. Schiit gear seems consistently outstanding in two ways: 1.) For this reason, I would strongly urge readers to try this product for those seeking a smart pre-amplifier solution. However, if it's tubes that you're after, Freya is uniquely positioned at its asking price out of the reputable brands I trust. With the tube stage operating, the unbalanced output impedance was 3267 ohms at 20Hz and 1200 ohms at 1kHz and 20kHz. Of the participants that were polled, three preferred Freya +, one preferred Freya S and two preferredSaga +. After plugging in all the cables we fired up the rest of the system, which included a Bryston BDA-3 DAC, a Sonore microRendu, a Rega Planar 8 turntable, an Ayre V-5xe power amp, and Magnepan 3.7i speakers, with JL Audio subwoofers in a stereo pair The dual variable outputs on the Freya+ were indeed welcomed for that purpose. If I have to spend a ton of money for tubes the N could end up exceeding the price of the +. There is a possibility to solder Op Amp sockets on the PCB, RFT are from eastern Germany and very good value for the money, but not the last word in tubes. The LCD-R only runs on the Jotunheim-A since they are 2 Ohm headphones. Additional Resources Visit the Schiit website for more product information. Schiit Jotunheim Multibit DAC Reviewed at HomeTheaterReview.com. The Freya+ sells for $899. With the tube stage engaged, the maximum gain at the balanced outputs was just below the specified 12dB for both types of inputs, at 11.74dB, and 6dB lower at the single-ended outputs. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The remote volume didnt actually move the knob before however, which I understand it does now, which is great. Paid extra for the "domes" . Special thanks to the entire Schiit crew for helping to set this up, especially to the gentleman who did all the blind amplifier switching. Even so, all the spuriae are very low in level. The Schiit gear is reliable and retains an amazing 80% of it's MSRP on the used market. The tube mode with Saga is a buffer, with Freya it is an active preamp tube mode, and will give you full balanced output. Schiit is known to upgrade their products when they feel they can make performance breakthroughs, or offer useful new features. As with the previous model, the passive mode offers a solid-state flavour with a more transparent and revealing sound albeit with less soundstage and harmonic bloom compared to the tube gain. The same applied when we cued up the previous two anniversary remixes of Sgt. Supposedly 14 dB of gain but a quad costs a pair of C notes so probably not. Stereophile's reviewers personally introduced me to the Schiit people at RMAF 2011, I've owned Schiit gear ever since ! Nelson Pass. To the right are the mute and output select buttons which respectively switch the mute function on/off and switch between output staging of passive, differential buffer, and differential tube gain. How do those work again? The slow start / standby when powered up is also clever, and allowing the tubes to stabilize before being ready to use. It was 0.08dB at the balanced output for both the balanced and unbalanced inputs, ie, just below unity gain. The preamplifier preserved absolute polarity (ie, was noninverting) with both balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs and in all three output modes. Another note, I've found the Tung Sols to be consistent but somewhat duller sounding than the NOS RCAs and Sylvanias that I prefer to use in mine. tomcarr I basically built an Ebtech Hum Eliminator outlet box off of a Video from youtube,It was kickin my tail and I was very frustrated. The spectrum was the same for both balanced and single-ended input signals. Or some sort of hidden fasteners? This is just a placeholder for now to get things styled. The Freya S (without the tube stage) provides a pretty nice balanced remote controlled linestage for less than $600 and is likely all the non tube camp should need without spending alot more money. It is just the physical relays engaging for the stepped attenuation. On the topic of design, the brushed aluminium chassis of both the DAC and amp are truly stunning. Like Freya+, it's a true high-end, balanced, remote-control preamp! Always swapping things in and out, but the Vienna Acoustics Bach Grands seem to be my speaker. The Freya + also incorporates a "fastenerless" chassis which provides an updated and sleeker look compared to the original. Freya+ and Freya Noval are no-compromise, ultra-high-end balanced preamps cleverly disguised by a low price tag. In this configuration the power amplifier should roughly be feeding the speaker at 200 watts per channel, more than enough to properly handle the 3-way quasi-ribbon drivers held in the tall panels. Freya Noval offers exactly the same capabilities and features as Freya+, including its passive and buffer modes. On the front of the Freya plus are 3 LEDS (the Mute, Buffer & Tube) each of which indicate the mode the Freya is on with the Tube LED indicating tube gain (SE to balanced conversion as well as a 12 dB gain). They sell direct only, save for one storefront in Los Angeles, called..The Schiitr. I don't move the volume while listening to music%-/, Will be interesting to see which mode you go after a few weeks of analysing and listening to all modes. A $60 MOFI release of ELO Eldorado. It was sweeter sounding than the CJ ET-3 SE so besting a $3500 Pre-amp. Fig.6 Schiit Freya +, balanced input/output, spectrum of 1kHz sinewave, DC10kHz, at 1V into 100k ohms with unity-gain buffer (left channel blue, right red; linear frequency scale). There are enough inputs to accommodate numerous sources, including two XLR inputs. The Freya + hosts a new tube stage incorporating noise-cancelling semi-circlotron output buffers and DC heaters. JavaScript is disabled. Trying to be objective I think if you want tubes or a tube sound, I would stay with PrimaLuna. Steve Huff Photo & HiFi 111K subscribers Join Subscribe 1.8K Share Save 66K views 1 year ago #FREYA #HIFI. While the distortion at lower voltages was higher than it had been with the buffered output, it was still very low. For those who love themselves some science, the approach for disseminating the results was used by incorporating a blind test, where the participants were not aware of what pre amplifier was being played at any given time. No real complaints with the unit but having the ability to shut down the tubes without pulling them out when using the jfet and passive mode would make things easier. With no frame of reference for how that DAC sounds, though, I decided to first test the Freya's performance using my reference PS Audio DirectStream DAC. The power switch is not remote controlled and is located on the back of the unit, making it difficult to use in a cabinet or too close to a wall. As with the previous model, the passive mode offers a solid-state flavor with a more transparent and revealing sound albeit with less soundstage and harmonic bloom compared to the tube gain. The idea was to create products and then test if they would sell. If they did, more would get made, and if not then the product would be discontinued. On the front of the Freya plus are three LEDS (the Mute, Buffer & Tube)each of which indicate the mode the Freya is on with the Tube LED indicating tube gain (SE to balanced conversion as well as a 12dB gain). Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review, Stereo and Multichannel Amplifier Reviews, "It was the perfect high end audio product: Exotic, inefficient, expensive, unavailable, and toxic." I'm interested in putting a Schiit Freya+ in its place. Piano sections from QueensDont Stop Me Now were placed within the soundscape with intent and appeared as a clean, unobstructed duplicate of a well micd instrument. This is what I've been waiting for, I bought the Saga instead of the original Freya just on the hopes that they would do this!!! Supratek Chardonnay. 1. It is worth noting that with the supplied 6SN7 Tung-Sol tubes, the Freya + has greater synergy for more resolving DACs such as the Schiit Yggdrasil and Audio Gd D-27 compared to more analogue sounding sources like the Rega DAC. The chassis feels and looks incredibly sleek and with the new fasterlessness design fits well with Schiits Made in America product range. for many tube preamps that means the ability to use much higher quality, lower capacitance film caps (for output coupling) within budget. The Freya+ features an amazing feature list for an $899 preamplifier. The Freya+ with the design changes noted above, only commands a $100 premium over the original Freya, which . Affiliate programs and The original Freya shipped with pretty shchiity, or, er, shitty Chinese tubes. The Freya + also incorporates a fastenerless chassis which provides an updated and sleeker look compared to the original. The LISST? Switch between passive, differential buffer, and differential tube gain modes, enjoy the fine control of a 128-step relay-switched stepped attenuator volume control with perfect channel matching, and control it all from the comfort of your favorite chair. Oh, or maybe that's it. I've recently found some NOS GE tubes here and there (mostly there), and having messed around with a bunch of 6SN7GTBs the GEs are my faves. Schiit also offers the Freya with new-old-stock Russian SN8S tubes, if those are more to your liking. But it's still a true no-excuses, balanced, remote-control preamp. Since their products are essentially modular, many can be upgraded if customers so desire. It is Dead quiet with tubes. The new JFET buffer allows conversion of single-ended signals to balanced allowing multiple sources to be used. Restricting the measurement bandwidth to the audioband increased the S/N to a superb 117.15dB in both channels, while switching an A-weighting filter into circuit further improved this ratio, to 120dB, agreeing with the specification. Hey everyone! American firm Schiit Audio is one of the most unique companies in the HiFi industry. Still, the little pre that could held instruments in stable positions across the stereo field and allowed for a strong dynamic swing from soft to loud. The tube Saga joined the mix with a distinctly balanced sound, highlighting tight bass from a platform that isnt necessarily notorious for doing so. Mode switching is instant and very convenient with no significant decibel gain when switching to the tube mode. The kicker is that the preamp, even when matched with far more expensive components sounds wonderful. The control labelling seems indeciferable The included remote control allows you to make adjustments to these settings. Ive used up pretty much all kinds of tubes and I notice most of the longer plates has more tight bass roll-offs. The volume clicks are louder than I thought, almost like a ratchet wrench but that is really not a problem for me. If you are looking in the $1000 to $5500 and want to use tubes, you will be pleasantly surprised. Tubes, Class A. Dylan is an expert in audio and video reproduction with a emphasis on home theater projection. The guitar parts from 15 Steps translated as a smooth, euphonic sound thick with both detail and dimensionality. It will be interesting to see if there is enough demand for this product to survive Schiits thunderdome idea. This is one of the least expensive vacuum tube gain stage preamps currently available, making it an excellent option for those looking to try tubes for the first time without making an uncomfortable investment. Taking a closer look, we have a balanced design, with XLR inputs and outputs, a crazy accurate 128 stepped attenuator, dual single ended outputs for use with a subwoofer, and a mute button. When updating the Freya and Saga, Schiit decided to throw a caution to the wind and introduce S versions of the Freya and Saga, and this indicates, no tubes, solid state only. Ive got an original Freya with NOS tubes (CBS Hytron and GE) feeding a pair of PS Audio M700 monoblocks and have used that with both Zu Omens and Klipsch Heresy IIIs and there was Zero noise audible with my ear right up at the speaker. Currently these would feed a Parasound Halo A21 into Legacy Signature SEs, with all cables and speaker placement constant. Just wondering which of these linestages have more mid bass and lower midrange to midrange. I first tried Freya's passive and JFET buffer modes. Nice to hear good news from time to time. OUCH. Jun 29, 2020. A Four-Way Schiit Shootout Freya S/+ Vs. Saga S/+, Studio Electric Unveils The F2 Floorstander. Value for Money !! However, there are some differences between the new model and its predecessor. For those using the Freya+ with tube amps, it might actually be a better match to use the JFET buffer mode, as sometimes we have found that tubed preamps matched with tubed power amps can be too much of a good thing on many recordings. I had a Freya and returned it during the trial period. Inside the chassis is where things start to get interesting. They say the JFET buffer state has also been redesigned. The Freya + offered extremely low noise: The wideband, unweighted signal/noise ratio, measured at the buffered balanced outputs with the unbalanced inputs shorted to ground and the volume control set to its maximum, was 98.9dB in the left channel, 102.4dB in the right, both ratios ref. At a price of $899, the Freya + is said to offer refinement over the original Freya with higher performance, enhanced features, and an all new included remote control. Great imaging but not etched. related to Fertiliser manufacture originate in Mother Russia, those imports are also sanctioned. In house is the new Schiit Freya+. Lots of empty space in the Freya S compared to the +. The 2 of these chipset Ive used it on several occations. The least expensive of the four options presented unfortunately didnt create the upset that budget seekers so dearly love. Schiit now ships with what we believe are a super choice, new production Tung Sol. A straight line of value could be drawn from the bottom to the top of the four cage match combatants, however, asking attendees which pre was their favorite shed more light on possible answers to the ever-evolving question of which is rightfor you. The Schiit Freya + (US$899, preview here) has other ideas. It is worth noting that with the supplied 6SN7 Tung-Sol tubes, the Freya + has greater synergy for more resolving DACs such as the Schiit Yggdrasil and Audio Gd D-27 compared to more analogue sounding sources like the Rega DAC. After the first run of Tracy's Chapman's Fast Car it was readily apparent that the Freya + was earning its keep as the most expensive option of the lot. Her powerful voice was front and center, supported by retro production flourishes. The Freya+ arrived well packaged, and the first thing we noticed is how much better the new metal remote is. Sound quality in these modes is very neutral and would be an excellent match for those looking to preserve the tonal qualities of their source components without adding a noticeable sound signature to the signal chain. These clean, simple and well built tube preamps are very good, I happen to own a humble, hand built. The Power Switch is on the back. If you are shopping for a tubed preamp with the features described above, we have peaked your interest, dont take our word for it, we strongly suggest you give the Freya+ a listen and take advantage of Schiits virtually risk free purchase. The Freya is a fully balanced differential design preamp and, in my opinion, is Schiit's most physically beautiful product to date.