Schiit Fans ?
- Thread starter Frank Sol
- Start date
Metamodern
Active Member
I’ve had the Freya+ in my system for several months now, and am thoroughly impressed. Having experienced more than a few tube preamps in its price range, I can say it represents and extreme value for the money. It is extremely responsive to power cable, and tube changes. Running a matched quad of Sylvania 6sn7 Gtb’s, and could not be more happy with it!!
OnemoreJimmy
New Member
My Schitt don't stink
FauxHall
Super Member
I've a Mani, a Modius, and a Loki.
My main problem is with the company's name - a bit crude, don't you think? Difficult to "name that name" with polite non-audiophiles.
The Mani phono preamp is good for the price and just bested the built-in preamp in the SL-1500C, at least on MM. But not by much. The much more expensive Pro-Ject Tube Box DS was discernably better, as one would hope at 3X the price. The built-in phono stage in my tube Luxman CL-38uC is even better than either and does MC, but at 40X time the price for the whole pre-amp.
A technical issue is with their published specs - they can lead one astray. Case in point is the Aegir. The manufacturer cites 22k ohm input impedance but Stereophile's Atkinson measured 10k ohm. Differences that big can be "problematic" when matching equipment in a system. Their 15 day return option is not too useful when you're on the other side of the planet from California.
My main problem is with the company's name - a bit crude, don't you think? Difficult to "name that name" with polite non-audiophiles.
The Mani phono preamp is good for the price and just bested the built-in preamp in the SL-1500C, at least on MM. But not by much. The much more expensive Pro-Ject Tube Box DS was discernably better, as one would hope at 3X the price. The built-in phono stage in my tube Luxman CL-38uC is even better than either and does MC, but at 40X time the price for the whole pre-amp.
A technical issue is with their published specs - they can lead one astray. Case in point is the Aegir. The manufacturer cites 22k ohm input impedance but Stereophile's Atkinson measured 10k ohm. Differences that big can be "problematic" when matching equipment in a system. Their 15 day return option is not too useful when you're on the other side of the planet from California.
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I've owned Freya (the original), Bifrost MB, Gungnir MB, Aegir x2. I still have the Gungnir MB but all the others have been replaced for one reason or another. Freya was good (better with NOS GE tubes) for the money, but not on par with better (and more expensive offerings). Freya is now Freya +, and I've not heard Feya +. The only "giant killer" I have found in the tube pre-amp arena is the Quicksilver LineStage (non remote controlled version) that uses 12 at7 tubes. At $1395 (I think) I've heard it go toe to toe with several highly respected pre-amps between 3x and 12 x it's price and acquit itself as superior or at the very least "as good". The Bifrost MB has now been upgraded to a new version (I've not heard the new one) - but the original one was good (Gunginir MB is quite a bit better). Aegir is Stereophile rated as a Class A level amplifier - for good reason. I loved it as mono blocks, but the load of my Revel's was a bit too tough for them (in mono). Aegir as a stereo amp is great, but best used on fairly high sensitivity speakers. My Revels are 90 dB/watt, but they present an interesting load below 200Hz and Aegir wasn't powerful enough to "overcome" that load and sounded a bit thin (although warm - weird) on "that speaker". As. monoblocks they had the power to sound "wonderful", but they gave up and would "shut down" on large bass transients - which told me they were not happy (schiit agreed) and had to send them back - sad day too because I loved the way they sounded.
mr.muddles
Super Member
I've been thinking seriously about getting the Freya+ as one of my next upgrades... I've never had any tube gear and have very little experience with trying out different preamps. I've primarily been using a recapped Yamaha C-80 driving a few different SS amps from the 80s.. anyone had experience with the Freya+ upgrading from an older SS preamp?
I mostly listen to CDs and digital and not currently into vinyl so I thought the Freya+ might be a good fit.
I mostly listen to CDs and digital and not currently into vinyl so I thought the Freya+ might be a good fit.
fredgarvin
Super Member
if I was not so budget minded right now I would like to compare a Freya + with a Van Alstine Transcendence 10 RB at a similar price point using 6DJ8 tubes.
Frank Sol
Lunatic Member
Final thoughts (maybe)
Damn good amp... Has a HiFi sound
However , my recommendation to others is... buy the 'Just An Amp' version... Phono is above avg but I have several better ones. DAC is USB ONLY , just stupid on their part.
Design quirks also.
Customer service wasn't helpful dealing with me... I wanted to change out the Phono & DAC input cards to regular RCA unbalanced inputs. They would not help
Probably wont buy anymore Schitt stuff
Have one, pretty nice.
mister-fixit
Active Member
After a lot of thought about going Class D, I purchased a Vidar a few weeks ago, and so far, I have absolutely no complaints.
Hum ? Very little, in fact not noticeable unless you place your ear within a few inches .. and even then it's mild. I have other integrated vintage amps that are not much better in that regard.
The Vidar is built like a 'brick outhouse'... And sounds wonderful..
Hum ? Very little, in fact not noticeable unless you place your ear within a few inches .. and even then it's mild. I have other integrated vintage amps that are not much better in that regard.
The Vidar is built like a 'brick outhouse'... And sounds wonderful..
StimpyWan
Addicted Member
Accidentally, the Freya S is coming back for a limited production run. During inventory, Schiit found 300 Freya S chassis pieces. So, they will produce 300 more "tubeless Freya's". A limited amount of Saga S preamps too. No word yet on how soon they will be available? Until then, maybe contact customer service. Maybe they'll create a preorder list?
I’ve not had the chance to hear the Freya+ but I did own the original. I also own a Transcendence 10SL. To my ears it’s not really close. I’ve found the AVA gear a notch above in musicality and just much more pleasing to listen to.
fredgarvin
Super Member
That would not surprise me at all. Frank's gear is definitely quality and I was surprised at the price line the Transcendence sits at.
Cylontymany
Super Member
I jumped on the Snade Bandwagon! I have now the Schiit Modi 3 and the Schiit Vali 2+ for my Sennheiser Headphone setup. With additional tubes to roll. Next stop is Alpha Centauri...
Frank Sol
Lunatic Member
No one ?
.
Final thoughts (maybe)
Damn good amp... Has a HiFi sound
However , my recommendation to others is... buy the 'Just An Amp' version... Phono is above avg but I have several better ones. DAC is USB ONLY , just stupid on their part.
Design quirks also.
Customer service wasn't helpful dealing with me... I wanted to change out the Phono & DAC input cards to regular RCA unbalanced inputs. They would not help
Probably wont buy anymore Schitt stuff
Final final thoughts...
Keeping the Rag2 but moving it to my office Desktop for Near Field/HP use... Kinda believe this is where Jason and Mike meant for it to be used.
The recapped (Avionic) Yamaha C85/M4 live on as my main system's heart