Switching to Freya's JFET mode adds a very small amount of gain to the signal and is best suited for longer cable runs. It sticks two fingers up at hi-fi idealism to drop the audiophile C-bomb: COLOUR. The rhythms were slinky and funky, and seemed to flow effortlessly out of the speakers. Nestled at the top of their price-performance curves, Schiit does not disappoint with this new amplifier which adds a delightful tuning yet flexible approach when dealing between existing source components. Maybe the biggest welcome change is the tubes are shut down when the other two output modes are engaged. The same can be said for the Allnic L1500 I owned which I picked up pre-owned for $2K. Good Morning, We are sorry for the delay in shipping. 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. A lot will be noisy, microphonic, or have other issues. Paid extra for the "domes" . Latest to be released are a selection of preamps including: Saga S, Saga +, Freya S & Freya + which have been touted as improved iterations of previous products. If you want that clean Class A solid state sound then the Freya/solid state setup is for you. I ended up with a Freya S which replaced my Adcom GFP-750. 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. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, 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." Aside from the usage of circlotron which caught my attention( maybe Ralph can chime in), I am also a little confused about no 2 of Ghasley's FAQ cut and paste: I did have to battle a Hum Issue with my Freya at first.Tube shutoff would be a big plus as well.I usually leave My Freya on from Friday Night thru Sunday Evening and make sure I am going thru the Passive or Jfet section.I'm not sure how much faster I will burn thru Tubes but,I am willing to roll the dice to keep the engine warmed up and ready to go to 11 at a moments notice. On the rear of the Freya plus, there are both balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs allowing users to connect multiple sources whether it be RCA inputs or external amplification outputs. It was kindly loaned to me from a member who bought it used. Schiit also offers the Freya with new-old-stock Russian SN8S tubes, if those are more to your liking. 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. These are well known, highly regarded tubes and worked extremely well in the Freya. You'll need to give Freya ample room for heat dissipation and have access to the back of the unit to toggle the power switch, or at the least have the preamp plugged into an IP-controllable mains outlet. The original Freya shipped with pretty shchiity, or, er, shitty Chinese tubes. As per our usual way, we listened to numerous new and vintage recordings. This review shall be focusing on the Freya+ preamplifier which is a welcomed addition to Schiit's already popular predecessor. Too objective for subjectivists; too subjective for objectivsts. I probably purchased my last high dollar vinyl for now. If your source component or DAC offers this, I would advise doing listening tests with and without a preamp to know for sure if adding one is the right choice. With its very low levels of both noise and distortion, even with the tube stage active, the Schiit Freya + preamplifier's measured performance is superb, matching or better than the specifications listed on Schiit's website. With a well set up pair of transducers and proper source material the Saga + is capable of sonic delights, but ultimately throwing money at the problem here does result in more for it. One recent release, Walk Through Fire, the debut by British neo soul songstress Yola, The 24/48 download came through as expansive, artfully layered, and cinematic in scope. Not on point but relevant to Schiit. These are things to consider if you place your preamp close to a wall, inside an AV cabinet, or have a small listening room. 2023 Positive-Feedback.com. Pi2AES > Yggdrasil A2 > Lokius > Aficionado(0fb, Jupiter, WE396A, EML Solid)/Loki - T4(Brimar CV4024) - ESP/95X > Atticus/Atrium/Verit C (UL)/Vali - ESP/95X - Omega Compact Alnico Monitors, Pi2AES > Bifrost 2 > Loki > Freya S > Vidar x2 > SCM 19, A healthy approach to understanding measurements, After being asked for the 308th time, Merv lists top 5 headphones, $1000 to the first to design a headamp using discrete components with better measurements than Magni 3+, (You must log in or sign up to reply here.). and delighted to see it get class A in Stereophile. The preamp has distinctive, high-quality volume control, and offers three different output stages to choose from. #1 This is a review and detailed measurements of the Schiit Freya S balanced preamplifier. Fig.8 Schiit Freya +, balanced input/balanced output, spectrum of 1kHz sinewave, DC10kHz, at 1V into 100k ohms with tube stage (left channel blue, right red; linear frequency scale). 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. The tubes added authority and weight to bass. And to Freya +? Freya Noval offers exactly the same capabilities and features as Freya+, including its passive and buffer modes. That's a very good preamp and I was able to use one along time ago. HiFiMAN Edition X / Fostex TH500RP/ HiFiMAN HE-400S/ Sennheiser HD558/ Sennheiser HD800, Players: iBasso DX90 DAP, Fiio X5 DAP, Fiio X7 DAP, Amps: Schiit Ragnarok/Schiit Mjolnir 2/Schiit Magni /ALO Continental Dual Mono/ Fiio K5, DACS: Schiit Modi 2/Schiit Gungnir Multibit/Schiit Yggdrasil. If the Saga + was a retail store, it would be called sharper image. For $899 you get a triple mode line stage, with a 128 stepped attenuator, rarely used but beautiful sounding 6SN7 tubes (new production Tung Sols to boot) and a nice metal remote control. For my use case, yes. The biggest wow factor came from the +, but the S brought a surprising amount of energy to the tonal tapestry as well. The tube shutdown mode is another welcomed implementation which turns tubes completely off unless they are being used improving the signal to noise ratio and preserving the life of the tubes. Any opinions on this version versus the previous? The tube mode with Saga is a buffer, with Freya it is an active preamp tube mode, and will give you full balanced output. 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. related to Fertiliser manufacture originate in Mother Russia, those imports are also sanctioned. His joke of and they all were the Ragnarok 2 before the reveal still has me laughing. There is an upgraded chassis, a much better remote control unit, and a redesigned tube stage which Schiit says lowers the noise floor significantly. Hey everyone! 2V output. From this stock photo, it appears to be a rather large unit. They are different.. Technically different, but fundamentally the same. Since their products are essentially modular, many can be upgraded if customers so desire. 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. I went on the website and lo and behold, the Freya S-solid state & Freya + are listed. I'm wondering what the Freya's competition is, even if going used. The Freya+ sells for $899. Input options include two sets of balanced XLRs as well as three sets of unbalanced RCAs. I have the original Freya with upgraded tubes. Bottom line, I've preferred my tube mode setup with Freya over any other mode on either Freya or Saga by a pretty good margin. The Freya+ is a nice step up. The event itself was held at Schiit Audios retail space in Newhall, CA and included the use of a pair of Magnepan 1.7i ($2k) 4-ohm loudspeakers powered by one Vidar ($699) power amplifier operating in stereo mode. Fans of a more uniform look may prefer this but pragmatically, the screw did offer some sort of bearing for volume levels in low light settings. The overall workmanship is absolutely superb for a component under a grand, we mean seriously clean lines. The result is said to reduce noise levels by a significant 20 decibels. So when the invitation came across my desk to check out the 4 new pre amps from Schiit audio in a real life mano-a-mano duke out, I had to attend. In terms of commission? They say the JFET buffer state has also been redesigned. They design and build all their products in their California location. Please let us know which version you would like and we will charge you accordingly. Commendably, the THD+N doesn't change significantly with frequency, particularly with the solid state buffered output (green and gray traces). It is just the physical relays engaging for the stepped attenuation. Freya+ has a motorized pot that tracks the remote control volume, which provides a continuous physical reference for the volume level. There is an upgraded chassis, a much better remote control unit, and a redesigned tube stage which Schiit says lowers the noise floor significantly. With the Freya long gone, it was not possible to do side by side comparisons, but it did seem, with the rest of the system essentially intact, the noise floor was lower, and the tonal colors were just as saturated. They only list the LISST for octal 6SN7. Finally, and quite excitingly, the Freya + has a motorized remote-controlled pot providing convenience and an added touch of class in the home-setting. Affiliate programs and Listening to the original Freya it is clear why they chose this unjustly ignored tube. Speakers have an electrostatic like tonal balance that could use a little more body. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuvDMjxhE68&list=PL6l4LFCWKu3nRwK94OFjbmA3ATSgMpSMq&index=24&t=0s. The SS buffer is very good and in the class of the Adcom GFP-750 (Nelson Pass) and McCormack LD-2 that I have owned. Like their more budget version products, the design is a real testament to Schiits craftsmanship and premium appeal. Fig.7 Schiit Freya +, unbalanced input/balanced output, spectrum of 1kHz sinewave, DC10kHz, at 1V into 100k ohms with unity-gain buffer (left channel blue, right red; linear frequency scale). For single ended signals the tradeoffs boil down to a wider spread of probably outcomes, and are also subject to personal taste to a greater degree. Now the price is significantly lower for that same unit. Outstanding customer support. This can also be seen in fig.5, which plots the THD+N percentage against frequency at 1V into 100k ohms, a level where actual distortion is starting to rise above the noisefloor. ), Forum Policies, Rules, and Terms of Service. Freya offers three different output stages to choose from: passive mode, a solid-state JFET buffer mode, or a vacuum tube gain mode. The Freya+ features an amazing feature list for an $899 preamplifier. The channel matching was preserved at lower settings of the volume control, but the increase in output impedance at low frequencies meant that the bass rolled off prematurely with low impedances. With a remote control set to the potentiometer and near distortion-free tuning, the Freya plus represents a newly improved preamplifier that would work well in any audiophile's set-up. On the topic of design, the brushed aluminium chassis of both the DAC and amp are truly stunning. With the added remote control motorized pot, the Freya Plus enters a whole new level of user convenience and feature-led experience. (The noise, though, was still very low in level in absolute terms.) 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. For example, the Freya + captivates more of a warm sound with some midrange thump and smoother vocal delivery. So now Im back to simply being a "me" defender. Speaking of tubes, what made the original Freya so interesting is the use of 6SN7 tubes, and unusual choice for preamps. JavaScript is disabled. 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. The relay-controlled volume adjustment makes noise, which may be somewhat off-putting for some users. What might explain the diversity in this case? So how does the Freya S Nexus sound like? However this has been resolved with the latest edition albeit with a slight delay from initial volume control press to the motorised tracking. A $60 MOFI release of ELO Eldorado. Lee Shelly The Freya has a differential, fully balanced design with two sets of stereo XLR inputs as well as three sets of RCA inputs; the latter being two. affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network, and Supratek Chardonnay. The most notable changes in sound quality were on opposite ends of the audio spectrum. For $299, it is an extremely clean sounding preamp with excellent build quality. The solid-state version of the Freya introduced significantly larger, and fuller sound to the lineup. 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. Freya+ is sold only with new production Tung-Sol tubes, which we have found to be superior to affordable NOS tubes. However, I found the benefits the tubes added greatly outweighed the negatives. The least expensive of the four options presented unfortunately didnt create the upset that budget seekers so dearly love. 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. I had a Freya and returned it during the trial period. The Freya S,Passive or Active Solid State Remote Balanced Preamp for $599.00 and the Freya Plus Passive or Active Solid State or Tube Remote Balanced Preamp which is $899.00. The Vidar is probably due for an update and that will be at the top of our audition list if that happens. Schiit have taken their already well-received Freya pre-amp and have incorporated modifications that fans of the company have eagerly asked for. I could not reliably tell the difference between the Freya + passive mode and JFET buffer mode. Nestled at the top of their price-performance curves, Schiit does not disappoint with this new amplifier which adds a delightful tuning yet flexible approach when dealing between existing source components. If the volume knob is set too high, there's a chance you could damage your speaker's drivers due to the large increase in voltage being sent to your amplifier. It is an update to the Freya preamp, introduced in 2017. It will only be produced as long as strong consumer demand exists for it. From an objective view, both preamps measure very clean and the differences are inaudible. @axememan- You mentioned a hum issue "at first". There was just something off about how the volume control worked with the OG Saga and OG Freya. In 2018 Schiit introduced the concept of the thunderdome. One thing to note is that Schiit have let go of the previous screw-in volume pot in favor of a seamless design. This type of stepped attenuation offers very high-quality volume control, which is something I heard first hand. The sound signature was on the warm side, which nicely complimented my DirectStream DAC. Can you try the Mosfet plug ins? With the input signal changed to a single-ended 1kHz tone (fig.7), the third harmonic rose slightly, but the highest-level harmonic was now the second, at 88dB (0.004%). The ability to shut down the tubes when not in use is a big deal to many and the stepped volume knob I guess is nice. With its exceptional build quality, beautiful design, and great sounding tubes, Freya (or the new Freya +) is preamp that deserves your attention. As well as increasing the level of the random noisefloor, the tubes also introduce power-supplyrelated spuriae at 60Hz and 120Hz, especially in the right channel (red trace). My speakers are 99db efficient and Id know it if a pesky hum showed updoes the new Freya seem to have returned to the 12 db or so jump in tube mode? The input and output connectors around back and the selector buttons on front also inspired confidence. American firm Schiit Audio is one of the most unique companies in the HiFi industry. In fact maybe the only complaint we have is the lack of a tape loop or fixed output for recording or other purposes. I was just informed by Grover of Schiit Audio that Schiit has moved to using 7-10 thicker circuit boards "on some of their newer products." Schiit sent me its flagship Yggdrasil DAC for review, and sent the Freya along only because the Yggdrasil lacks a volume control of its own. 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. 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. You are using an out of date browser. They offer fantastic performance for the price, are easy to find if replacements are needed, and are very reliable. It is an update to the Freya preamp, introduced in 2017. It is really good Schiit (lol). Its XLR jacks are wired with pin 2 hot, the AES convention. Incorporating a unique topology, the Freya possesses a 48VA transformer with regulated 300V rail plus a 28VA transformer with regulated +/- 18V rails. I've owned many Schiit pieces, even their very first design. Jun 29, 2020. They charge a reasonable re-stocking fee if you decide to return it. 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. For those not familiar, Schiit recently released four new 2-channel pre amps broken out along a few simple feature sets to replace the current tube-only models. The spacing is tight. I just wanted to know where you got your gorilla with headphone wall art? The Freya S looks great paired with the Chord Dave. I see some Conrad Johnson preamps in the just-over-a-grand range. It is Dead quiet with tubes. Sound Quality and 2.) The Freya+ is a Thunderdome category product. I been reading the schematics and the chipset that I can interchange with this preamp. The RME is working out perfectly, especially since I had to convert it to a desk setup thanks to COVID. However this has been resolved with the latest edition albeit with a slight delay from initial volume control press to the motorized tracking. Steve Huff Photo & HiFi 111K subscribers Join Subscribe 1.8K Share Save 66K views 1 year ago #FREYA #HIFI. Leaving the components with low shipping numbers to contemplate their poor choices in life and essentially unwillingly become part of a previously unspecified, unpredicted limited release schedule. 2. Freya's tube output mode, however, adds considerable gain to the input signal. Freya+ has a tube shutdown modetubes are completely off unless Freya is in tube output mode (no B+, no heaters, off means off), so you can extend life of costly tubes. Both offer a perfectly balanced 64-step relay volume and passive output option, as well as a remote control. Schiit Audio Freya + and Aegir Review. 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. The question depends on a few factors. Assume you were using the 4 stock Tung-sols in Freya+? The LCD-R only runs on the Jotunheim-A since they are 2 Ohm headphones. My only reservation was in the midrange, which had a tendency to sound just a little bit muddy on occasion. I was thinking of trying a really expensive tube preamp to compare but I might not even bother. On the rear of the Freya plus, there are both balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs allowing users to connect multiple sources whether it be RCA inputs or external amplification outputs. Thats very interesting Jason thanks. With the tube stage (fig.4), the Freya + clipped at just above 20V. I'm sure you can still find one, but that might influence your decision. 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. 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). The buffered unbalanced output impedance at 1kHz and 20kHz was inconsequentially higher than the specified 75 ohms, at 90 ohms. https://www.tpdz.net/productinfo/551297.html, 12AT7 NOS Tubes Shootout and Substitute for Hi-Fidelity (not guitar) Amp, Forum Policies, Rules, and Terms of Service. With the ability to cycle the tubes on/off, one can leave the preamp on all the time, sort of like a stand by status, and then turn on as necessary. One point - neither my Freya nor my previous Saga, had infinite spin on the volume knob. With a legion of followers, Schiit have been in the audio game for a while and have organically grown from simple and humble beginnings. The 2 of these chipset Ive used it on several occations. This is the static ad content. 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. Lots of good press I suppose. this can result in this site earning a commission. My one gripe was that with the previous Freya the remote control volume did not track to the potentiometer. It was 0.08dB at the balanced output for both the balanced and unbalanced inputs, ie, just below unity gain. As is always the case with passive preamplifiers, the output impedance depended on the setting of the volume control. The Freya + establishes what the original set out to do with its involving and holographic sound as well as the convenience of controlling multiple sources from one device. The guitar parts from 15 Steps translated as a smooth, euphonic sound thick with both detail and dimensionality. Volume increase is very smooth. 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). With the tube stage operating, the unbalanced output impedance was 3267 ohms at 20Hz and 1200 ohms at 1kHz and 20kHz. For many of us with all-digital front ends, owning a preamp has become more choice than necessity. Of course, we can always eat Cake - can't we ? The Freya + comes double boxed in plain brown corrugated cardboard, with sufficient foam insulation and support. Schiit Audio seems to understand this, as their Freya preamp offers something you don't normally see anywhere close to its price point: a tube gain stage in a preamp that costs only $699. It is our belief the Freya+ was not in any way embarrassed by these units, and in fact, held its own in every category except maybe for less elaborate case work. Im more than satisfied with the one Ive got. Aside from the usual subjective taste of each individual, the final uncovering of amplifiers at the end of critical listening revealed more than just the model number. The Freya S,Passive or Active Solid State Remote Balanced Preamp for $599.00 and the Freya Plus Passive or Active Solid State or Tube Remote Balanced Preamp which is $899.00. They do have two solid state power amps, the Vidar, and Aegir, which are also under a grand. Schiit Freya+ preamp > First Watt SIT-3 amp > Magico A3 speakers. The new JFET buffer allows conversion of single-ended signals to balanced allowing multiple sources to be used. I, like Tony, just wish they didn't have that name. At a remarkably low price of only $949 , it is balanced and has 3 modes of operation included in the same unit: Passive, Active Solid State, and Active Gain Vacuum Tube (four 6SN7 tubes; 12dB gain). The maximum gain depended on whether the tube stage was operating and whether I was using the unbalanced inputs and outputs or the balanced inputs and outputs. for many tube preamps that means the ability to use much higher quality, lower capacitance film caps (for output coupling) within budget. My information could be wrong. For this reason, I would strongly urge readers to try this product for those seeking a smart preamplifier solution to their audiophile needs. 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. The nice part of the whole story is that with all the changes and improvements, they have only raised the price by $100, which is more than fair. Like Freya+, it's a true high-end, balanced, remote-control preamp! While some thought that Freya S provided the most clarity to instruments without infatuating the vocals, the tube variant of the same product line most often produced the closest knee-jerk initial association with high end, high fidelity sound.
