Tube Preamp Reviews

Schiit Freya + line preamplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital sources: Oppo Digital UDP-105 universal disc player; custom Baetis Prodigy-X4i music server running JRiver Media Center v28 and Roon 1.8; exaSound s88 streaming DAC and Okto DAC8 PRO D/A processors; QNAP TVS-873 NAS.
Preamplifiers: Topping Pre90, Coleman Audio 7.1SW.
Power amplifiers: Benchmark AHB2, NAD C 298.
Loudspeakers: Revel Ultima2 Studio with IsoAcoustics Gaia I isolation feet. Revel Performa3 f206 for surrounds. Two SVS SB-3000 & one SVS SB-2000Pro subwoofers.
Cables: Digital: AudioQuest Coffee (USB). Interconnects: Benchmark Studio&Stage XLR–XLR, Kubala-Sosna Anticipation (RCA), Cardas Cross (for subwoofers). Speaker: Benchmark Studio&Stage, Canare 4S11 (Blue Jeans Cable). Power: Kubala-Sosna Emotion, SignalCable MagicPower 20A.
Accessories: AudioQuest Niagara 5000 and BrickWall 8RAUD power conditioners; Teddy Pardo 12V (for exaSound s88) and HDPLEX 400W ATX power supplies; CyberPower 850PFCLCD AC filter (for the Baetis server).
Listening room: 24' L × 14' W × 8' H, furnished with 2 MSR Acoustics Dimension4 SpringTraps in the front corners. Front wall has large windows partly covered by fabric drapes and 4" thick, 2' × 4' OC 705 panels. 2" thick, 2' × 6' OC 705 panels on side walls. Rear of room opens into 10' × 7' foyer and a 12' × 8' dining area.—Kalman Rubinson

COMPANY INFO
Schiit Audio
24900 Anza Dr., Unit A
Valencia, CA 91355
schiit.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
johnnythunder1's picture
Submitted by johnnythunder1 on March 25, 2022 - 11:39am

seems like a no brainer for a rich, musical, amp/pre-amp combo. Tubes + sort of Class A = something I want to try.

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on March 25, 2022 - 3:24pm

I've owned many Schiit pieces, even their very first design.

Stereophile's reviewers personally introduced me to the Schiit people at RMAF 2011, I've owned Schiit gear ever since !

Schiit gear seems consistently outstanding in two ways: 1.) Sound Quality and 2.) Value for Money !!

The Schiit gear is reliable and retains an amazing 80% of it's MSRP on the used market. ( eBay )

The Schiit Valhalla 2, with Russian Tubes , continues to be one of finest sounding Pre-Amps I've ever discovered, phew!!!!!

But, Schiit continues to insist on retaining two easily corrected problems :

1.) The control labelling seems indeciferable
2.) The Power Switch is on the back

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.

I properly label my gear so that it's easily readable in the dark and even build an outboard power switch so that I don't have to reach around the back.

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..

I wish it didn't have a Shity name.

Tony in Florida

georgehifi's picture
Submitted by georgehifi on March 26, 2022 - 9:45pm

" 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."

by JA: "My only caution is that the high output impedance at low frequencies from all the outputs will result in a lightweight balance with power amplifiers that have an input impedance much below 10k ohms."

Probably easy fix with a larger coupling output cap, and many of today's amps are some at 2kohm input impedance (no bass then from this pre into them)

Cheers George

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on March 26, 2022 - 1:09am

Russian Glass Tubes are NOW Sanctioned ! OUCH

I wonder if this politically correct site will take this report down ? , Stoddard worries that the moderated Head-Fi will take-down his Russian Tube problem report.

This political censoring is nonsense

Tony in Florida

Kal Rubinson's picture
Submitted by Kal Rubinson on March 26, 2022 - 12:13pm
Quote:

Russian Glass Tubes are NOW Sanctioned ! OUCH
I wonder if this politically correct site will take this report down?

First, the Freya+ (and its Russian tubes) were assembled and reviewed long before the invasion of Ukraine.
Second, the Freya+ permits us to express our position by actively bypassing the Russian tubes on a daily basis. (I don't know how the Freya+ will function if you pulled them.)

Quote:

I pronounce it like SKITE if anyone asks lol.

I choose not to pronounce it at all.

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on March 26, 2022 - 1:22pm

for us to endure .

Tony in Florida

ok's picture
Submitted by ok on March 26, 2022 - 4:18pm

..the whole thing stays restricted in tubes.

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on March 26, 2022 - 4:38pm

related to Fertiliser manufacture originate in Mother Russia, those imports are also sanctioned.

Of course, we can always eat Cake - can't we ?

Tony in Florida

Briandrumzilla's picture
Submitted by Briandrumzilla on March 27, 2022 - 3:31pm

Just wait for it. I probably purchased my last high dollar vinyl for now. A $60 MOFI release of ELO Eldorado. I suspect companies like Schiit will do well with their low price offerings, as consumers navigate the minefields of high inflation, shortages, and whatever else is coming next.

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on March 27, 2022 - 4:14pm

I'm hearing that the supply of PVC for the vinyl record injection moulding is doubtful for future months.

This stuff is very much imported and dependant on Oil imported from Sanctioned sources.

We are all intended to feel the pain, it is said.

Tony in Florida

MattJ's picture
Submitted by MattJ on March 26, 2022 - 7:41am

I would love to see a review of the Saga S. I have one, and have a similar impression to KR as far as the buffer stage sound. For $299, it is an extremely clean sounding preamp with excellent build quality. I, like Tony, just wish they didn't have that name. I pronounce it like SKITE if anyone asks lol.

ejlif's picture
Submitted by ejlif on March 28, 2022 - 1:32pm

and delighted to see it get class A in Stereophile. I own one and love it with some upgraded tubes. I think the tubes took it to a whole other level in my system. I really like the tube circuit it just fleshes out the bottom in my system and adds a little warms, it's just right. I was thinking of trying a really expensive tube preamp to compare but I might not even bother. Between this an the Decware Zen triode amp any regular Joe can experience sound that is near as good as it gets and get a no BS product where you get real value for you dollar.

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