ST-35 with Schiit Freya +

TomD62

TomD62

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Looking for feedback from anyone who is using a Schiit Freya + with a ST-35. From all I have read about each device, people love them individually but anyone using them together? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this combo to you? The GetDynaco ST-35 amplifier with the numerous upgrades is on my short list. If I pull the trigger, I want to pair it with any equally regarded preamplifier.

Speakers used will be Forte IV's in a 23 x 30 room, listening at average to moderate levels, to analog (turntable via Darlington Labs MP-7) and digital (CD, BluSound Node) sources. Music type varies; pretty much everything but country (Cash excluded).

I know it is comparing apples to oranges, but I auditioned a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III with Forte IV's at an audio store and really did like the combination. Different output tubes provided for a different sound, but that is on my short list as well. If I go that route I would order the Dark version.

What say you?
 
Register to hide this ad
I say getdynaco is interesting but i could not see any pricing. What did you pay for the st-35 ?
As for output tubes in st35, this is a well diesigned amp using NFB that eleminates tubes variations, sound is
not expected to be different with any working EL84 tubes. Just order what the seller recommends.
 
I'm using a Freya+ with a Glow Audio Amp Two, whose topology is more similar to an ST-35 than not. Before I built the speakers in my profile, I was running it into modded Forte clones that I'd made. the combination was excellent.
 
.
I have an ST-35 from Getdynaco and it is a superb sounding amplifier. Kenny Russell’s work is top notch. I tried various basic headamp/preamps , and they all sounded good but I ended up buying a Khozmo passive preamp and the combination is outstanding. Khozmo will configure the preamp any way you want. I have no experience with the Freya+ so I can’t help you with that. Good luck.
.
 
peterh said:
I say getdynaco is interesting but i could not see any pricing. What did you pay for the st-35 ?
As for output tubes in st35, this is a well diesigned amp using NFB that eleminates tubes variations, sound is
not expected to be different with any working EL84 tubes. Just order what the seller recommends.
Click to expand...
.
$1199 + $90 shipping for the standard version. Upgrades are available.
.
 
I have not purchased the ST-35 yet. With the upgraded resistors, capacitors, and tube sockets it is around $1500 without the tubes. I appreciate all the responses and the Khozmo looks intriguing. I had a restored 222C and the EL84 tubes do sound sweet, but am looking for something new. Will never get rid of my SS gear, but who says you can't have both?
 
I love my ST-35. As for tubes they aren't that expensive. The more rugged JJ EL84's and Sovtek EL84M's are used a lot in these amps. I'm using the Sovtek EL84M's in mine. The Russian 6P14P-EV's sound nice too.
The GE 12DW7 driver tubes sound good in these amps and are only $20 each. The JJ EL84's are under $20 each. I have several other tube amps in my main system that use bigger power tubes and put out more power, but the ST-35 gets used more often.
 
Last edited:
TomD62 said:
I have not purchased the ST-35 yet. With the upgraded resistors, capacitors, and tube sockets it is around $1500 without the tubes. I appreciate all the responses and the Khozmo looks intriguing. I had a restored 222C and the EL84 tubes do sound sweet, but am looking for something new. Will never get rid of my SS gear, but who says you can't have both?
Click to expand...
..
Arek Kallas, owner of Khozmo is very helpful and will answer all your questions via email. I have three sets of tubes for my ST-35 and all sound great, but my favorite combo is Russian NOS 6P14P-EV power tubes and JJ Gold 12DW7 drivers. I have a nice collection of SS power amps along with my ST-35 and enjoy swapping them out every other week or so. Fun!
..
 
I've got a restored Dynaco ST35 and a Schiit Freya+. Have probably paired them up at some time in the past. Can't remember, but also can't imagine them not sounding great together.
 
Sliphorn said:
..
Arek Kallas, owner of Khozmo is very helpful and will answer all your questions via email. I have three sets of tubes for my ST-35 and all sound great, but my favorite combo is Russian NOS 6P14P-EV power tubes and JJ Gold 12DW7 drivers. I have a nice collection of SS power amps along with my ST-35 and enjoy swapping them out every other week or so. Fun!
..
Click to expand...
I was using the JJ Gold 12DW7's until recently. It was suggested to me to try some NOS GE 12DW7's. I really like the GE's and they don't cost any more than the JJ's at tubesandmore. I'm about to order a set of the 6P14P-EV's to try in my ST-35. I really like how the much cheaper 6P14P-P's sound in my Magnavox PP amp and a single ended amp.
 
Lavane said:
I was using the JJ Gold 12DW7's until recently. It was suggested to me to try some NOS GE 12DW7's. I really like the GE's and they don't cost any more than the JJ's at tubesandmore. I'm about to order a set of the 6P14P-EV's to try in my ST-35. I really like how the much cheaper 6P14P-P's sound in my Magnavox PP amp and a single ended amp.
Click to expand...
..
My ST-35 came with NOS GE 12DW7’s and yes, they sound great. I just don’t like rolling tubes in and out. Too hard on the sockets so I just leave them alone.
..
 
I use the little brother Saga+ with several of my tube amps. It's a fine preamp, but I don't use the tube section. It doesn't seem to add much.
 
That sounds like a good combo, I use my Freya N into my SS Coda amp. Previously, I used a Khozmo, which is also good but does not have the tube goodness of the Freya using 6GC7 input tubes. I've wanted to experiment with adding a tube amp.
 
Sliphorn said:
..
My ST-35 came with NOS GE 12DW7’s and yes, they sound great. I just don’t like rolling tubes in and out. Too hard on the sockets so I just leave them alone.
..
Click to expand...
The GE's are the only other tube I've tried. I don't intend on trying others.
The Sovtek EL84M's I'm using it in since I built it sound good. But I do want to try the Reflektor 6P14P-3V's though. They're pretty cheap for a matched quad.
The only amp I've rolled a bunch of different tubes in is my ST-70.
And the ser of tubes I'm using in it now are what I'm I'm sticking with going forward.
 
Lavane said:
The GE's are the only other tube I've tried. I don't intend on trying others.
The Sovtek EL84M's I'm using it in since I built it sound good. But I do want to try the Reflektor 6P14P-3V's though. They're pretty cheap for a matched quad.
The only amp I've rolled a bunch of different tubes in is my ST-70.
And the ser of tubes I'm using in it now are what I'm I'm sticking with going forward.
Click to expand...
..
I got my Reflektor’s from Vivatubes. It is my understanding that the Sovtek EL84M is about as close as you can get to a NOS Reflektor 6P14P-EV. Where are you going to get yours?
..
 
..
I guess I’ll try to describe the sound that I am getting from the JJ/Reflektor combo that I like so much. Big, fat, and solid. It’s all there. Love it.
..
 
fredgarvin said:
That sounds like a good combo, I use my Freya N into my SS Coda amp. Previously, I used a Khozmo, which is also good but does not have the tube goodness of the Freya using 6GC7 input tubes. I've wanted to experiment with adding a tube amp.
Click to expand...
..
Get yourself a tube amp and use the Khozmo with it. A tube power amp, in my experience, does not benefit from a tube preamp. Certainly nothing wrong with doing so, but, meh…..
 
Sliphorn said:
..
I got my Reflektor’s from Vivatubes. It is my understanding that the Sovtek EL84M is about as close as you can get to a NOS Reflektor 6P14P-EV. Where are you going to get yours?
..
Click to expand...
I buy all my NOS Russian tubes from "soviet.vintage.electronics.shop"
on ebay. He uses a Soviet era military tube tester to test and match them.
I haven't gotten a bum tube from him yet. I've bought four quads of power tubes and various octal signal tubes from him so far.
I'm ordering the 6P14P-EV's from him next.
 
Lavane said:
I buy all my NOS Russian tubes from "soviet.vintage.electronics.shop"
on ebay. He uses a Soviet era military tube tester to test and match them.
I haven't gotten a bum tube from him yet. I've bought four quads of power tubes and various octal signal tubes from him so far.
I'm ordering the 6P14P-EV's from him next.
Click to expand...
..
I’ll check him out. Thanks.
 
dcgibby said:
I use the little brother Saga+ with several of my tube amps. It's a fine preamp, but I don't use the tube section. It doesn't seem to add much.
Click to expand...
The Saga+ and Freya+ are not the same preamp with respect to the tube section. The single 6SN7 tube in the Saga+ adds no gain. The four 6SN7 tubes in the Freya+ add 12dB of gain.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom