Steve, I bought a Freya+ a year ago after your video "don't upgrade speakers, upgrade your electronics". I am so glad I did. I use it as a preamp into my old NAD C370 integrated (130 wpc into 8ohm). What a beautiful difference. I run it mostly in tube mode. And I now really like my old Monitor Silver bookshelf speakers. I've made other changes too based on your videos. I can't thank you enough.
Anthony, I have older NAD stereo equipment: NAD 1300 Preamp / 2600 Amp stack since 1987! Watching Steve's reviews Wets The Appitite to get the Freya + to "enhance the sound. I have KEF 104/2 Tower speakers , no SW , No EQs added, also purchased in 1987. You say that this addition of the Freya + "enhanced" the sound of the speakers. This statement over all others are very tempting. I'm far from an expert in these matters, but would add the Freya+ into the NAD 1300 Preamp which is connected to the NAD 2600 Amp ? THX for your advice.
1 of my childhood friends was very ill. He is also very poor so I gifted him a pair of SEAS full-range driver speakers and a Schit passive preamp and an older amplifier. This lifted up his spirits and I think it added a few extra months to his life since he later passed away from his illness.
Cheers for including my system Steve! 😁 I've just added a subwoofer to the main system after watching one of your shows from a year or so ago. Love the show man!
Great review, Steve…I own a Freya + and LOVE ❤️ IT! Got 3 sets of NOS Tubes so that I can "tinker" and make myself crazy 🤯…. You helped me know (I was curious), that I do not need to even check out the transistorized "tubes". That cuts down on my insanity…but just for newbies…you can buy tubes in matched pairs…you do NOT have to buy quad sets. I use a pair of my stock JJ's on the output (left side) and roll pairs of NOS on the gain side (right side), as that side colours the music the most. The Freya is a LOT of fun…and I coupled mine with a SChiit LOKI MAX…so I smile a LOT when listening!!!! 😎
I like your videos but why you don't show the audio equipment you reviewing in detail. Show the back, front, top sides and workmanship and quality of material used for the cover. You can talk while showing the equipment. I don't need to see your face in the whole video lol. When I buy audio equipment I check it for the sound quality the workmanship and how it looks.
One small correction: you don't need quad matched tubes for the Freya+. You only need matched pairs on the left (output stage) and right side (gain stage).
@@jeremiahchamberlin4499 probably because they know that if they said it was okay to do it in pairs, someone would inevitably go front-to-back instead of side-to-side.
The Aegir paired with the LS50 Meta is not a very loud combination, good only for a small room.. I do have the Freya+ but I had to add another Aegir to use the amps as monoblocks. The Freya even attenuates the volumen by quite a bit. The other thing to point out is that you need the differential or tube modes to go from single ended inputs to balanced outputs.
I have the Freya S. Great sounding amp and no tubes. Some reviews say it sounds better. Main reason for getting a Freya was Balanced inputs and outputs with RCA inputs and outputs
Even though I have a Freya+, I always enjoy your music selections and have discovered a lot of new music thanks to you! Cheers. The First Watt B1 looks really interesting too.
Any chance you are going to review the Nutube B1? I have built the Amp Camp Amp “mono blocks”, and have been looking at the B1 ever since I finished them. Would love to hear what you think of the B1 in more detail. Thanks for all the great content!
I just bought the Freya Noval, which is a ➕️ with different tubes and apparently more tube options. It was on clearance with tubes for $599. I was about to pull the trigger on the ➕️ for my Xmas gift to me. The ➕️ is $450 more if you get it with tubes. I think I made the right call, but know very little about tubes. Grew up hearing them (70s-80s) but out of reach for me. Always liked plain old AB. I decided to introduce tubes to the system and figured a preamp was the best place to start. Monoblocs next year, maybe tubes we'll see. Thanks for your very detailed reviews. We enjoy them (the wife and I).
Last week I got one of the last ones, and I love it. I was going to get a Lyr, but this was just too good of a deal to pass up. Have you seen this video? The guy does a really good job explaining the tube-rolling options. ruclips.net/video/Qq4n7yW3cy0/видео.html
@@zounds13 you know I must have had something come up, apparently I started watching it but didn't get far. I will watch it all the way this time. Thanks.
This is a very interesting and useful review. I’ve been trying to understand two things about the Schiit preamp; how much would it improve the sound of a random amp over solid state, and are there other similarly priced pre amps that get the same level of improvement? I love the idea of a tube pre, but? Thanks for the helpful discussion.
I was hoping for a comparison between the Mytek Brooklyn and the Schiit Aegir driven by the Freya+'s tubes. I currently use the Freya+ as a tube-ifying preamp to the Gato DIA-250S. The results are rather exquisite compared to the Aegir: with the sharp highs smoothed out and made more real, almost too real, ethereal in fact. And overall, music seems to be more tightly controlled.
@@elbebe1000 Actually, not good. The Freya+ shorts out my Emotiva XPA-DR2 amp. Usually happens when changing the volume or when the Freya+ is turned on. Happens in all modes. Can't be more disappointed.
Steve, I'm not in the market for more audiophile gear, but I still enjoy watching these videos. I love the positive energy and I tend to learn something new every time :) Thanks!
The nutube us great. I have built two of them. I upgraded the electrolytic caps with film and put larger power supply caps in it. I also added a little filter inline between the wall wart and the preamp board. All of this only made maybe a 15% difference. A testimate to the quality of the design.
I just purchased the Freya +. I'm using JJ 6SN7 tubes. The Freya is a notch or two above my old Parasound P5. Both SS and tube mode are excellent. However, I do prefer the tube mode. Thanks for your excellent review.
The Korg nutube is a triode vacuum tube! Nice comparison. It makes me think of Dennis Had. Who resurrected the 6SN7 in the late 80’s-90’s. He’s still at it! And offers an affordable 6SN7 preamp. Besides standard 6SN7’s get some adapters and run 7N7’s or pairs of 7193’s which are my favorites of this ilk, made for a short time during WWII and still very cheap. 7N7’s are loktal bases but otherwise are identical electrically - they require an adapter. They are available sometimes for less than 10 bucks each. Any of the new tubes of the 6SN7 type are kind of wannabes, but don’t shy away there is a lot of New Old Stock out there to choose from and they all sound great. Do little homework about equivalent tubes types and start rolling.
The Darkvoice is my first tube amp and while I’ve gotten upgritis over the years with other tube amps it’s still the most fun to come back to because it takes just 1 6SN7 to radically alter the sound. I was lucky to score a pack of 50 or so 6SN7 tubes from a seller on eBay recently for a song.
The knob on my Freya+ is NOT solid aluminum, it is plastic. One of my biggest complaints with the Freya+ is the knob, or more specifically, the nearly invisible index mark on it. I replaced mine with a ‘blade’ type just so I could tell where the volume was set when I switched sources, which is my second biggest complaint with the Freya+ - you can only move in one direction through the sources: no back and forth-put a knob on it, I say. Sounds good, though; less distortion in buffer mode.
My personal experience with the Freya is that NOS Sylvania GTB tubes took it to another level over the new manufacture tubes that I tried. Also, the left two tubes looking from the front of the unit can be a different brand tube than those on the right which have the greatest effect on sound. Always turn the unit off and maybe unplug it when changing tubes, obvious but don't forget.
I have the Freya S hooked up to my system with Adcom 555 250W amp and a Theta Digital DAC. Let me just say that this preamp brings the best out of that old 90's hi-fi equipment and made my speakers sing. The GFP-556 v2 I had before was not as clear or resolving as the Schiit preamp with it's extremely low distortion and clean output with 2x and 4x gain modes
NOTE about matched tubes -- In the Freya+ you only **need** two matched pairs, not a matched quad. Because the right-side tubes are used for gain and the left-side tubes are cathode follower tubes and operate independently. So no need to match all four. It will sound just as good two have 2 matched pairs. Just make sure you use a match-pair on the left, and a match-pair on the right (not front and back). Gain Tubes are much more important than cathode follower tubes.
Hello Steve , I have been a big fan of your reviews for the Audiophiles. Your latest review of Freya+ has been spot on. It was indeed schitt.. show. I have Schitt Mani 2 phono amp , Project EVO Turntable ( bought both after going through your review), Dyna Audio DM 3/7 floor standing speakers. Presently using a Integra AV receiver to run these speakers, intend upgrading . So need your inputs on suitable amp which syncs with the Freay+ pre amp and DM3/7 dyna audio speakers. have a budget of 2000$.
The 4 caps to the left of the octals sockets are part of the tube circuitry, these used to be WIMA MKP10 caps and they were at best ok but they have been superseded by 4 unknown (the 4 red square blocks to the left of the octal sockets). If anyone knows what make/model these are please let me know.
All four tubes don’t need to be matched. You can use two matched pairs, one pair for the gain and one pair for the buffer. Different sounds can be had mixing different tube pairs.
I run a pair of matched psvane uk-6n7s & a pair of psvane cv181-Ts, huge improvement over the stock jjs mine came with. Really pays to get spacers too.
anyone compare the Freya + and Woo WA22 for tube pre capability? I can find used WA22s for around $2k so just not sure if the pre on woo outpunches the Schiit.
I would love to have one of these to mess around with. I would like to compare the tubes and the solid state option. Interesting. Love the Some Girls Era. It was so much fun. My favorite Stones album still and I got to see that concert too. Great mems. I met Charlie Watts at Arabian Horse Nationals in 1991. He was a very kind gentleman accompanying his wife at the show.
Hahaha! I Just *GOT* Thomas&Stereo's title for his review of the Musical Paradise MP701mk2 tube and capacitor rolling preamp: "It's like 5 preamps in one"😅 Actually in the review he expands that to 100+ preamps in one. So many ways to roll your own sound... Loving mine! But it is single-ended🤔 So, as a reference point I've added the DENAFRIPS Hestia12th balanced preamp between the Ares12th and Bryston amp. All balanced. Honestly, i could live with the above Clear, open, full bodied & snappy presentation..... But then theres the allure of what Anthony Michaelson (Musical Fidelity) called: "The ineffable Magic of valves"... Its good to have both options. Good idea Schït. Just got there by a different route (and avoided that awful name;-) 🎵🎶😁🎶🎵
Schiit is definitely a great brand, the value of products aside, with great people running the show. I'm glad they opted out of the headphone jack on the Freya+, because it'll be more reasonable to put in with my current stack and better justify it's role as a source selector. Why risk making it noisy with more transformers for the HP out. I've had their Modius -> Lokius -> Magnius stack for 2 years now and I just sent the HP amp in for some warranty work on the output. Came back a week later perfectly flawless. (I'll definitely be gentler with the interconnect) Solid brand
You don’t need a matched quad. 2 tubes are the buffer, two are preamp. A lot of tube rollers like to roll two different brands/versions of the 6SN7 tube in the different positions.
So the Freya+ is a great bargain. But how does it compare with the best preamps, regardless of cost? I'm looking to upgrade from my current pre to a true top-tier pre. I'd like to save money, but sound quality is foremost. Why do you qualify the preamp as a "great preamp" instead of saying it's one of the best, period?
Steve, thank you for all the videos. You are reason I tried tubes and now I am hooked! I own a Freya+ and have rolled tubes 3 times. I enjoy the tube mode the best with Psvane HiFi tubes. The sound is tube-sweet with plenty of detail and delightful presentation. The Freya+ fronts my Willsenton R8 with JJ & Tung-sol tubes that drive the Tekton Perfect Set. The source is a Bluesound Node 2i as a transport into a S.M.S.L M400 DAC. Yes, this unit gets very hot!
Hello Steve, I have several different components I just hooked up the Frey+ with a new Decware zen SE84UFO2.1 with all internal upgrades. I am running this through Forte III and I now think I found the sweat spot for these speakers! I am also using the Denafrips Ares II Dac. Now its time to build another system for my t.v. room. LOL. Steve for this room I want something different I just need speakers that are warm what can you recommend? This will be powered by the schiit aegir mono blocks. I am thinking the wharfedale linton heritage thoughts?
Hi Steve, love the review! Your other recent video on the Emotiva BAS-X TA2 integrated amp was the reason I made my purchase the same day and the other reason as you pointed out was your opinion on the KEF LS50 Meta speakers. What does this have to do with today's video on the Shiit Pre-amp? I emailed Shiit Audio earlier last week to ask their advice on pairing the best amplifier/pre-amplifier combinations with the KEFs and in their reply (email) I actually received the most sarcastic and offensive one sentence reply that I am still fuming about and reported it to upper management with a copy of this rude individual. When the customer supervisor replied back to I told them it was too late because I purchased the Emotiva based on the nasty attitude from this Shiit representative. However if things went the other way I may have actually considered the Schiit components you have reviewed here. Just a cautionary bit of information for your viewers of the drawbacks to companies who choose to NOT talk directly to their customers and it can backfire like it did here. I would love to hear your feedback...thanks Steve.
So…what was the reply? (I have a Freya + and a LOKI MAX and have interacted via email, only. It's always been good)…also…just curious…how was your question to them worded? I had to wait nearly 6months for my LOKI MAX, but I am told that they manufactured in batches, so with some products one has to wait for the next "run". Glad that I waited…I find The LOKI MAX to be da bomb…I use it just to tweak certain recordings about 25% of the time. Enjoy your Emotiva…Steve really loved it! 👍🏼
Here is my question worded to them: Hi, I am needing to put together a “secondary” system that is budget friendly and so far have decided to go with a pair of KEF LS50 Meta speakers (wired). I already have one Schiit product (Mani 2 Phono Preamp). I am asking your advice which way to go here that will not cost me too much, let’s say no more than about $1500 in electronics whether it could be the integrated amp or two separates for near the same $$. Steve Huff from RUclips has a nice video on the Schiit amps and he likes the valve pre-amp. My reference system had to be stored temporarily due to moving so I want to have a decent sound setup again for the time being. Therefore I decided on the KEF LS50 Meta bookshelf speakers however my BIG question for you is I want to be absolutely certain I can connect my streamer without connectivity issues. Please advise when you can with thanks. Her was their lovely response from a Daniel Katz in one sentence: You can get a Vidar or Aegir. Daniel
@@thebiffer100 I received an answer like that from Schitt to a different question. Did not bother me. I ended up buying the Freya+ and used it for 2 months. I did like it for the most part, especially so with the Benchmark AHB2 (with tubes turned on).
@@thebiffer100 I think that you were asking for a lot of info from a vender…AND you did not offer what connects that your streamer offered? They are all different. So…how could they respond? I think that you over reacted to a response from a person with a 1000 emails to respond too.
Hi Steve, So since last year I happily got into Schiit. Bifrost 2 (upgraded to the 64) Freya+ , 2 Aegir. Paired with the RP600M. Recently received A Decware Torii MK5 paired mostly with Lii Audio F15 and A W15 sub all in open baffles I built. Just wanted to say thanks for your channel. My Audio experience is on a level that I never could imagine 2 years ago.
@@sopasadena1499 No idea who that is but I will try looking for it. I'm delighted with the Musical Paradise MP 701ii tube preamp/Bryston B3sst/LRS I've settled on. LOTS of rectifier, tube & capacitor rolling choices ! 🎶😁🎶
Steve, apologies for the length. I've been looking to upgrade my system for about a year or so but the more I research the more confused I get. I'm not an in-the-know electronics guy so lots of detailed terminology goes over my head. My existing setup consists of my vintage 1990 Yamaha Natural Sound A-45 Integrated Amp of 120 wpc into 8 ohms. Has a Loudness control and 7-band EQ, which I like and A and B speaker options. Source is usually the 5-disc CD changer that came with it (though it is slowing down) but I also have an AUVIO bluetooth connector that I can stream from my Mac or iPhone. Running Original Monster pin connector cables into new B&W 702 S2's that replaced my DM 602's. I barely get the volume control beyond 10 or 11 o'clock unless I turn the Loudness control counterclockwise. I recently tested a Rotel RA-1592 (200 wpc), which I thought would be a great match with the 702's and blow away my Yamaha. I literally had to listen to the same songs (Enigma Return to Innocence and Rush Red Barchetta) multiple times to differentiate any minimal differences in output vs. my Yamaha. So, I passed on purchasing that. Now, I am considering getting the Schitt Freya+ preamp with the 6SN7 tubes and a VTV Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier with VTV Vacuum Tube Buffer (227 wpc into 8 ohms). I read the combination of these components is phenomenal compared to the solid state pairing. But, I heard that about the Rotel too. I also read that the VTV Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier on its own is a great choice. Curious if you know anything about the VTV and potential expectations with either and the combo tubes into the 702's? Thanks.
I have 3 of these preamps. They all have a problem. Popping sounds are heard from the speakers when the volume knob is turned. Yes, from the speakers. Usually around the 12 o'clock position of the volume knob, and with many combinations of cables, sources, speakers and amps. This happened to all 3 brand-new units right out of the box. I contacted Schitt to see if there is a defect with these and all I ever got from them was the runaround. They would not give me a straight answer. Anyone else experiencing this issue?
When you gain experience as an audiophile and get to play with some of the gears that Steve reviews, you begin to realize more what a phenomenal reviewer he is. I have very recently purchased the Schiit Freya Plus with LISST and I have the exact same opinion as Steve has, though I live several thousand miles away from him. Steve is positive about the Schiit Freya Plus because of its solid build and versatility, but he is not particularly happy about its LISST mode and concludes that First Watt B1 NuTube preamp sounds significantly better. He couldn't be more accurate in his description. First Watt B1 NuTube preamp performs better mostly because of its effect on the frequency response that Schiit doesn't have apart from applying +14 dB gain. Its neutrality takes it to the level of being boring. The high frequency roll-off (graphs available on their site) of First Watt B1 NuTube preamp is cruicial characteristic of any tube device and makes them sound tubey, devoid of that Schiit sounds pretty much a solid state device with some gain along the signal chain. However, considering the build and price Schiit freya plus has nothing equivalent.
Best Audio Streaming Signal Chain? Coax Cable in from street, A/D converter (modem), Ethernet cable out, Streamer, USB B 2.0 cable out, D/A converter (DAC), balanced XLR cable out. Best chain. Correct? Which converters or streamer can be debated, but not the form by which the signal passes.
Steve, always enjoy your reviews and expertise, been watching for years! I'm looking to buy a preamp and the Schiit Freye+ seems to fits the bill. I've never owned anything with tubes and looking forward to the holographic sound people talk about. Question, you'd mentioned you'd buy better tubes? What exact tubes would you buy? I have zero experience with tubes and trust your opinion. Just want to buy some killer tubes and be one-and-done with it. Thanks again for all you do to encourage us in our music listening journey! Blessings brother!
No head phone jack..oh no, you’re supposed to buy their Head phone amp, many to choose from. $99 to 1799.. and they have tubes too, the Valhalla is bad ass looking four tubes sticking out the top..
I have this Freya+ (love it) w/ some quality tubes but I tend to reserve "tube mode" for quality music, and passive for everything else to lengthen my tube $. I am interested in trying the LSSTs. I wish Freya+ had 2 sets of 4 sockets and a switch so I could toggle between.
I'm using Eh gold pins. They are much nicer than the stock jj or tung sol. Those tubes are cool ,and safe. The EH are warmer and fuller without being gooey and romantic. I want to try the Lisst modules.
Steve, great review as always. I do treasure and have ordered some of the Music you recommend in your listening repertoire. Some Girls being a case in point. As an "old drummer" - 71 yo - having resurrected playing after 50 years [1969] , I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of Charlie Watts as a drummer.....simple, but always spot on Temp and driving the Band!. Like Ringo, no big Solo guy - they didn't need to. He's not Bonham, not Baker, not Moon, or Copeland or Gaad, but was great none the less. I'm happy that I am able to keep up with him in my playing. Playing an instrument, no matter what it is, can give a very fulfilling pleasure in one's Life. It's what Drives this Channel - Audiophiliacism!! PS: I would volunteer a LP for some very good listening pleasures (baby boomers for sure)... Ten Years After Recorded Live (1973) on LP (also on CD issued in 2013 which i do not have). it was reproduced unadulterated with no Dubs or additives in any way - just pure Ten Years After Live in Amsterdam, Paris, Rotterdam in 1973. Alvin Lee at his best. One of the best Guitarist of all time. R.I.P. Charlie and Alvin.
This video helped convince me to get a Freya, so thanks for that! But as I understand it, you don't need to get matched quads of tubes. You only need matched pairs, because one pair is for the gain stage and one is for the power stage.
I would stay away from schiit as they don't have any kind of protection, even they said it that dc protection is useless when their devices killing headphones.
I feel I learned how this amp sounds. The question was skirted around. Nor did i learn where it sits in the hierarchy of preamps. Dodging these questions makes me suspect the answer to the first is not terrific and to the second not great value.
Personally, I would be afraid to buy a preamp this cheap. Especially since it has tubes. I wouldn't even consider it unless I was able to listen to it in my system.
The sound is good; short on the usability / convenience features to me. Connectivity options are great too, in my opinion. The Freya S might be a better option, if tubes bother you. I found that while they offered more gain, they also introduced undesirable distortion on some recordings, for instance the horns on an Electric Light Orchestra album of mine, although my cartridge may have been the true culprit, switching to buffered mode removed the distortion. I rather liked the buffered mode for serious listening.
Hey Steve, Could you compare the Musical Paradise MP701mk2 tube preamp? $720 base model. Infinite Tube and capacitor rolling combinations including 6sn7 with adapters. Tube rectifier too! Just got mine. Swapped to lower gain 6au7 right away. Waiting for correct caps to match my Bryston, but already enjoying the journey. Clear and holographic tube sound. Thomas says better than Freya+? 🎵🎶😁🎶🎵 (edit) PS Now I also have the solid state MOSFETtube and rectifier option? Thanks schiit! ⚡ 🤔 💡
WOW!…The Musical Paradise is EXTREMELY modifiable! (Great video -below-with a look under the hood) …capacitors switchable too! I own a Freya + and LOVE it…and yes…would love to see it in a comparison review with The Musical Paradise!!! (Thomas reviews the MP-301 Integrated Amp and the MP-D1 MK3 DAC? I could not find his review of your Musical Paradise preamp?) ruclips.net/video/O6m9maqmxmM/видео.html
Without having heard the Freya, I think would prefer a tube preamp that's a tube preamp with a typical tube preamp sound instead of trying to be jack of all trades, master of none. Steve, what we want to know is: What's YOUR favorite preamp in the $2000 range?
Not Steve, but I have a Rogue RP-1 preamp that replaced my Freya+ that uses two 12AU7 tubes. Great sounding preamp and has a useful screen with a digital readout. The remote, while plastic, has a feature allowing going back and forth between two different inputs for comparisons. I purchased mine used for $1100. It's real bargain and it is the bottom level of several preamps Rogue makes. If you step up to a RP-5 with four 12AU7 tubes, you can pick one up used for a shade over $2000. Probably a worthwhile upgrade. 12AU7 tubes are cheaper than the popular 12AX7 tubes. with the RP-1 tube changes are much more economical for tube rolling than four 6SN7 tubes.
I have a DAC with balanced outputs, RME ADI 2 DAC fs. I run that straight to my amp, sounds great. However, I have been considering adding a tube preamp to maybe give me a little variety to my system's sound. I like the idea of switching from passive to active to tube A to tube B. But is all that variety good? Is sound compromised? Straight from my DAC to my amp is pure and good. I would hate to take away from that to add a different color to the music. If it is good though, I am 100% for it.
Hi Eric, doesn’t sound like you really wanna add a component that will change the sound, so don’t do it! Adding a preamp will color and modify the sound in ways that many people prefer, hence, the popularity of using tubes! But that doesn’t sound like you. Enjoy your system.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks for the reply. I have considered what you said. I would like to get a taste of tubes to see what it is all about, so I got the Freya Noval on clearance today. Saved $450 with tubes included. Tough to pass up. I'm sure I can sell it and recoupe most of my cash if it's not for me. Thanks for your input and great videos.
Some Girls Is my favorite Stones album, this live album from 78 is incredible, I had the Blu-ray for several years but never watched it until now. I can report the DTS-HD Master Audio's sound is killer. The live concert video emphasis your points about the live album, the band, and the electric energy even more. Thanks as always for this great channel!
Steve, great review. Question...do you find the volume control of the Freya + needs to be turned up more than others? Someone online had mentioned that their Freya+ needed to be turned to about 3 o'clock rather than his previous transistor preamp at 11 o'clock. Just wondering. Thanks much!
I'm very interested in the Clockwork Orange 1998 remix, but cannot find any information about it. Are you sure it's not just a remaster? (which of course is very different than a remix).
No it’s a complete remix reimagining by Wendy Carlos, it’s been out of print for a long time. It’s even difficult to find anything by her that’s available for streaming. Look on Discogs for Wendy Carlos clockwork Orange.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks so much Steve, but it turns out that I OWN it!! I thought for sure I'd had it since before '98, but it is the first time it was issued on CD, and it does sound fantastic!! Anyone into early electronic music should hear this.
Steve, I bought a Freya+ a year ago after your video "don't upgrade speakers, upgrade your electronics". I am so glad I did. I use it as a preamp into my old NAD C370 integrated (130 wpc into 8ohm). What a beautiful difference. I run it mostly in tube mode. And I now really like my old Monitor Silver bookshelf speakers. I've made other changes too based on your videos. I can't thank you enough.
steve has a good point with that title.
Anthony, I have older NAD stereo equipment: NAD 1300 Preamp / 2600 Amp stack since 1987! Watching Steve's reviews Wets The Appitite to get the Freya + to "enhance the sound. I have KEF 104/2 Tower speakers , no SW , No EQs added, also purchased in 1987. You say that this addition of the Freya + "enhanced" the sound of the speakers. This statement over all others are very tempting. I'm far from an expert in these matters, but would add the Freya+ into the NAD 1300 Preamp which is connected to the NAD 2600 Amp ? THX for your advice.
BB
You listen to rock music mostly?
1 of my childhood friends was very ill. He is also very poor so I gifted him a pair of SEAS full-range driver speakers and a Schit passive preamp and an older amplifier. This lifted up his spirits and I think it added a few extra months to his life since he later passed away from his illness.
u have a good heart!!!
A real friend. Sorry for your loss.
What a beautiful gesture from you. Your friend had a true friend in you.
Or shortened his life
Cheers for including my system Steve! 😁 I've just added a subwoofer to the main system after watching one of your shows from a year or so ago. Love the show man!
Great review, Steve…I own a Freya + and LOVE ❤️ IT! Got 3 sets of NOS Tubes so that I can "tinker" and make myself crazy 🤯…. You helped me know (I was curious), that I do not need to even check out the transistorized "tubes". That cuts down on my insanity…but just for newbies…you can buy tubes in matched pairs…you do NOT have to buy quad sets. I use a pair of my stock JJ's on the output (left side) and roll pairs of NOS on the gain side (right side), as that side colours the music the most.
The Freya is a LOT of fun…and I coupled mine with a SChiit LOKI MAX…so I smile a LOT when listening!!!! 😎
I like your videos but why you don't show the audio equipment you reviewing in detail. Show the back, front, top sides and workmanship and quality of material used for the cover. You can talk while showing the equipment. I don't need to see your face in the whole video lol. When I buy audio equipment I check it for the sound quality the workmanship and how it looks.
Steve, don't forget to post your suggestions for tube upgrades. Appreciate what you do! (And you've added 4 albums to my Find On Roon list.)
One small correction: you don't need quad matched tubes for the Freya+. You only need matched pairs on the left (output stage) and right side (gain stage).
Schiit supplies, and recommends, a matched quad; although your statement is correct.
@@jeremiahchamberlin4499 probably because they know that if they said it was okay to do it in pairs, someone would inevitably go front-to-back instead of side-to-side.
@@zounds13 this!
Ability to switch to Buffer Mode or to Tube Mode is a BIG PLUS... Very versatile
what is the difference?
The Aegir paired with the LS50 Meta is not a very loud combination, good only for a small room.. I do have the Freya+ but I had to add another Aegir to use the amps as monoblocks. The Freya even attenuates the volumen by quite a bit. The other thing to point out is that you need the differential or tube modes to go from single ended inputs to balanced outputs.
I have the Freya S. Great sounding amp and no tubes. Some reviews say it sounds better. Main reason for getting a Freya was Balanced inputs and outputs with RCA inputs and outputs
Even though I have a Freya+, I always enjoy your music selections and have discovered a lot of new music thanks to you! Cheers.
The First Watt B1 looks really interesting too.
Any chance you are going to review the Nutube B1? I have built the Amp Camp Amp “mono blocks”, and have been looking at the B1 ever since I finished them. Would love to hear what you think of the B1 in more detail. Thanks for all the great content!
I just bought the Freya Noval, which is a ➕️ with different tubes and apparently more tube options. It was on clearance with tubes for $599. I was about to pull the trigger on the ➕️ for my Xmas gift to me. The ➕️ is $450 more if you get it with tubes. I think I made the right call, but know very little about tubes. Grew up hearing them (70s-80s) but out of reach for me. Always liked plain old AB. I decided to introduce tubes to the system and figured a preamp was the best place to start. Monoblocs next year, maybe tubes we'll see. Thanks for your very detailed reviews. We enjoy them (the wife and I).
Last week I got one of the last ones, and I love it. I was going to get a Lyr, but this was just too good of a deal to pass up.
Have you seen this video? The guy does a really good job explaining the tube-rolling options. ruclips.net/video/Qq4n7yW3cy0/видео.html
@@zounds13 you know I must have had something come up, apparently I started watching it but didn't get far. I will watch it all the way this time. Thanks.
Steve
I recently came across your channel it is giving me back my passion for all things audio thank you brother
This is a very interesting and useful review.
I’ve been trying to understand two things about the Schiit preamp; how much would it improve the sound of a random amp over solid state, and are there other similarly priced pre amps that get the same level of improvement?
I love the idea of a tube pre, but?
Thanks for the helpful discussion.
I was hoping for a comparison between the Mytek Brooklyn and the Schiit Aegir driven by the Freya+'s tubes.
I currently use the Freya+ as a tube-ifying preamp to the Gato DIA-250S. The results are rather exquisite compared to the Aegir: with the sharp highs smoothed out and made more real, almost too real, ethereal in fact. And overall, music seems to be more tightly controlled.
Perfect timing Steve. My Freya + was delivered today! I also have the LISST tubes as well. Can't wait to set it up!
Please, let us know your thoughts about it.
@@elbebe1000 Actually, not good. The Freya+ shorts out my Emotiva XPA-DR2 amp. Usually happens when changing the volume or when the Freya+ is turned on. Happens in all modes. Can't be more disappointed.
@@jyharris Bummer
@@christinearmington I've since received an exchange and the new Freya+ sounds great!
@@jyharris can you differentiate sound of different modes?
Steve, I'm not in the market for more audiophile gear, but I still enjoy watching these videos. I love the positive energy and I tend to learn something new every time :) Thanks!
The nutube us great. I have built two of them. I upgraded the electrolytic caps with film and put larger power supply caps in it. I also added a little filter inline between the wall wart and the preamp board. All of this only made maybe a 15% difference. A testimate to the quality of the design.
I just purchased the Freya +. I'm using JJ 6SN7 tubes. The Freya is a notch or two above my old Parasound P5. Both SS and tube mode are excellent. However, I do prefer the tube mode. Thanks for your excellent review.
The Korg nutube is a triode vacuum tube!
Nice comparison. It makes me think of Dennis Had. Who resurrected the 6SN7 in the late 80’s-90’s. He’s still at it! And offers an affordable 6SN7 preamp.
Besides standard 6SN7’s get some adapters and run 7N7’s or pairs of 7193’s which are my favorites of this ilk, made for a short time during WWII and still very cheap. 7N7’s are loktal bases but otherwise are identical electrically - they require an adapter. They are available sometimes for less than 10 bucks each. Any of the new tubes of the 6SN7 type are kind of wannabes, but don’t shy away there is a lot of New Old Stock out there to choose from and they all sound great. Do little homework about equivalent tubes types and start rolling.
The Darkvoice is my first tube amp and while I’ve gotten upgritis over the years with other tube amps it’s still the most fun to come back to because it takes just 1 6SN7 to radically alter the sound. I was lucky to score a pack of 50 or so 6SN7 tubes from a seller on eBay recently for a song.
The knob on my Freya+ is NOT solid aluminum, it is plastic. One of my biggest complaints with the Freya+ is the knob, or more specifically, the nearly invisible index mark on it. I replaced mine with a ‘blade’ type just so I could tell where the volume was set when I switched sources, which is my second biggest complaint with the Freya+ - you can only move in one direction through the sources: no back and forth-put a knob on it, I say. Sounds good, though; less distortion in buffer mode.
This cant be right. They have metal knobs on their $100 gear. Can anyone else comment
@@kcr2365 the knobs are aluminum
Getting a barely used Freya+ in a week. Finally have 2 balanced inputs for my cec tl51xr cd player and my nad m51 dac to connect to. Cant wait
Enjoy
Wonder how the Freya S compares sonically to the Freya + with solid state tubes.
My personal experience with the Freya is that NOS Sylvania GTB tubes took it to another level over the new manufacture tubes that I tried. Also, the left two tubes looking from the front of the unit can be a different brand tube than those on the right which have the greatest effect on sound. Always turn the unit off and maybe unplug it when changing tubes, obvious but don't forget.
I always love your music selection. I just bought little kruta.
This preamp is a great introduction into tubes. I can clearly hear the differences between tung sol, rca, ge and sylvania tubes.
Lots of options for a decent price strongly considering these. Sounds like schiit. 👍
I am a fan of the Schiit on this channel!
I totally agree. There is no better Schitt on RUclips then Steve’s Schitt Reviews. Steve really knows his Schitt!
I have the Freya S hooked up to my system with Adcom 555 250W amp and a Theta Digital DAC. Let me just say that this preamp brings the best out of that old 90's hi-fi equipment and made my speakers sing. The GFP-556 v2 I had before was not as clear or resolving as the Schiit preamp with it's extremely low distortion and clean output with 2x and 4x gain modes
NOTE about matched tubes -- In the Freya+ you only **need** two matched pairs, not a matched quad. Because the right-side tubes are used for gain and the left-side tubes are cathode follower tubes and operate independently. So no need to match all four. It will sound just as good two have 2 matched pairs. Just make sure you use a match-pair on the left, and a match-pair on the right (not front and back). Gain Tubes are much more important than cathode follower tubes.
Thanks!
Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac
Hello Steve , I have been a big fan of your reviews for the Audiophiles. Your latest review of Freya+ has been spot on. It was indeed schitt.. show. I have Schitt Mani 2 phono amp , Project EVO Turntable ( bought both after going through your review), Dyna Audio DM 3/7 floor standing speakers. Presently using a Integra AV receiver to run these speakers, intend upgrading . So need your inputs on suitable amp which syncs with the Freay+ pre amp and DM3/7 dyna audio speakers. have a budget of 2000$.
The 4 caps to the left of the octals sockets are part of the tube circuitry, these used to be WIMA MKP10 caps and they were at best ok but they have been superseded by 4 unknown (the 4 red square blocks to the left of the octal sockets). If anyone knows what make/model these are please let me know.
All four tubes don’t need to be matched. You can use two matched pairs, one pair for the gain and one pair for the buffer. Different sounds can be had mixing different tube pairs.
but ideally you want to have each valve the grid of the valves, balanced
I run a pair of matched psvane uk-6n7s & a pair of psvane cv181-Ts, huge improvement over the stock jjs mine came with. Really pays to get spacers too.
anyone compare the Freya + and Woo WA22 for tube pre capability? I can find used WA22s for around $2k so just not sure if the pre on woo outpunches the Schiit.
I would love to have one of these to mess around with. I would like to compare the tubes and the solid state option. Interesting. Love the Some Girls Era. It was so much fun. My favorite Stones album still and I got to see that concert too. Great mems. I met Charlie Watts at Arabian Horse Nationals in 1991. He was a very kind gentleman accompanying his wife at the show.
I have to say the world of Hifi audio would be a darker more lonely space without Steve Guttenberg. That for your years of contributions sir.
Running Freya S into a Vidar driving Audio Physic Padua speakers. A combination I really like. So far great luck with Schiit products.
Hahaha!
I Just *GOT* Thomas&Stereo's title for his review of the Musical Paradise MP701mk2 tube and capacitor rolling preamp:
"It's like 5 preamps in one"😅
Actually in the review he expands that to 100+ preamps in one. So many ways to roll your own sound...
Loving mine!
But it is single-ended🤔
So, as a reference point I've added the DENAFRIPS Hestia12th balanced preamp between the Ares12th and Bryston amp. All balanced.
Honestly, i could live with the above Clear, open, full bodied & snappy presentation.....
But then theres the allure of what Anthony Michaelson (Musical Fidelity) called:
"The ineffable Magic of valves"...
Its good to have both options.
Good idea Schït.
Just got there by a different route
(and avoided that awful name;-)
🎵🎶😁🎶🎵
Schiit is definitely a great brand, the value of products aside, with great people running the show.
I'm glad they opted out of the headphone jack on the Freya+, because it'll be more reasonable to put in with my current stack and better justify it's role as a source selector. Why risk making it noisy with more transformers for the HP out.
I've had their Modius -> Lokius -> Magnius stack for 2 years now and I just sent the HP amp in for some warranty work on the output.
Came back a week later perfectly flawless. (I'll definitely be gentler with the interconnect)
Solid brand
You don’t need a matched quad. 2 tubes are the buffer, two are preamp. A lot of tube rollers like to roll two different brands/versions of the 6SN7 tube in the different positions.
The concept of a passive preamplifier cracks me up.
The schiit taste a bit nutty, Yeah Baby, Yeah. Sorry, my little tribute to Austin Powers.....Oh behave... :)
So the Freya+ is a great bargain. But how does it compare with the best preamps, regardless of cost? I'm looking to upgrade from my current pre to a true top-tier pre. I'd like to save money, but sound quality is foremost. Why do you qualify the preamp as a "great preamp" instead of saying it's one of the best, period?
Lots of Chinese 6SN7 available, Shuguang for instance
Steve, thank you for all the videos. You are reason I tried tubes and now I am hooked! I own a Freya+ and have rolled tubes 3 times. I enjoy the tube mode the best with Psvane HiFi tubes. The sound is tube-sweet with plenty of detail and delightful presentation. The Freya+ fronts my Willsenton R8 with JJ & Tung-sol tubes that drive the Tekton Perfect Set. The source is a Bluesound Node 2i as a transport into a S.M.S.L M400 DAC. Yes, this unit gets very hot!
Thanks Cowboy nice to hear about your journey!
I don't give a Schiit.
Thts a good idea , interested in how tht sounds up front and personal .
You should review the Parasound P6 preamp thanks!
Hello Steve, I have several different components I just hooked up the Frey+ with a new Decware zen SE84UFO2.1 with all internal upgrades. I am running this through Forte III and I now think I found the sweat spot for these speakers! I am also using the Denafrips Ares II Dac. Now its time to build another system for my t.v. room. LOL. Steve for this room I want something different I just need speakers that are warm what can you recommend? This will be powered by the schiit aegir mono blocks. I am thinking the wharfedale linton heritage thoughts?
Hi Steve, love the review! Your other recent video on the Emotiva BAS-X TA2 integrated amp was the reason I made my purchase the same day and the other reason as you pointed out was your opinion on the KEF LS50 Meta speakers. What does this have to do with today's video on the Shiit Pre-amp? I emailed Shiit Audio earlier last week to ask their advice on pairing the best amplifier/pre-amplifier combinations with the KEFs and in their reply (email) I actually received the most sarcastic and offensive one sentence reply that I am still fuming about and reported it to upper management with a copy of this rude individual. When the customer supervisor replied back to I told them it was too late because I purchased the Emotiva based on the nasty attitude from this Shiit representative. However if things went the other way I may have actually considered the Schiit components you have reviewed here. Just a cautionary bit of information for your viewers of the drawbacks to companies who choose to NOT talk directly to their customers and it can backfire like it did here. I would love to hear your feedback...thanks Steve.
So…what was the reply? (I have a Freya + and a LOKI MAX and have interacted via email, only. It's always been good)…also…just curious…how was your question to them worded? I had to wait nearly 6months for my LOKI MAX, but I am told that they manufactured in batches, so with some products one has to wait for the next "run". Glad that I waited…I find The LOKI MAX to be da bomb…I use it just to tweak certain recordings about 25% of the time. Enjoy your Emotiva…Steve really loved it! 👍🏼
Here is my question worded to them:
Hi, I am needing to put together a “secondary” system that is budget friendly and so far have decided to go with a pair of KEF LS50 Meta speakers (wired). I already have one Schiit product (Mani 2 Phono Preamp). I am asking your advice which way to go here that will not cost me too much, let’s say no more than about $1500 in electronics whether it could be the integrated amp or two separates for near the same $$. Steve Huff from RUclips has a nice video on the Schiit amps and he likes the valve pre-amp. My reference system had to be stored temporarily due to moving so I want to have a decent sound setup again for the time being. Therefore I decided on the KEF LS50 Meta bookshelf speakers however my BIG question for you is I want to be absolutely certain I can connect my streamer without connectivity issues. Please advise when you can with thanks.
Her was their lovely response from a Daniel Katz in one sentence:
You can get a Vidar or Aegir.
Daniel
@@thebiffer100 I received an answer like that from Schitt to a different question. Did not bother me. I ended up buying the Freya+ and used it for 2 months. I did like it for the most part, especially so with the Benchmark AHB2 (with tubes turned on).
@@thebiffer100 I think that you were asking for a lot of info from a vender…AND you did not offer what connects that your streamer offered? They are all different. So…how could they respond? I think that you over reacted to a response from a person with a 1000 emails to respond too.
What did you replace the Freya with?
Hi Steve,
So since last year I happily got into Schiit. Bifrost 2 (upgraded to the 64) Freya+ , 2 Aegir. Paired with the RP600M. Recently received A Decware Torii MK5 paired mostly with Lii Audio F15 and A W15 sub all in open baffles I built. Just wanted to say thanks for your channel. My Audio experience is on a level that I never could imagine 2 years ago.
Thanks for sharing Joe!
Sounds like fun set ups!
What do you think of the 2/64 upgrade?
@@BastianUllr To be honest, haven't spent that much time with it. Only had it weeks and been out of town a lot. Sorry
I’m watching this because my Saab is named Freya.
Hey Steve,
So what do you really think of the Freya NOVAL model???
🎶🧐🎶
See tee jay s review of the noval
@@sopasadena1499
No idea who that is but I will try looking for it.
I'm delighted with the Musical Paradise MP 701ii tube preamp/Bryston B3sst/LRS I've settled on.
LOTS of rectifier, tube & capacitor rolling choices !
🎶😁🎶
Steve, apologies for the length.
I've been looking to upgrade my system for about a year or so but the more I research the more confused I get. I'm not an in-the-know electronics guy so lots of detailed terminology goes over my head.
My existing setup consists of my vintage 1990 Yamaha Natural Sound A-45 Integrated Amp of 120 wpc into 8 ohms. Has a Loudness control and 7-band EQ, which I like and A and B speaker options. Source is usually the 5-disc CD changer that came with it (though it is slowing down) but I also have an AUVIO bluetooth connector that I can stream from my Mac or iPhone. Running Original Monster pin connector cables into new B&W 702 S2's that replaced my DM 602's. I barely get the volume control beyond 10 or 11 o'clock unless I turn the Loudness control counterclockwise.
I recently tested a Rotel RA-1592 (200 wpc), which I thought would be a great match with the 702's and blow away my Yamaha. I literally had to listen to the same songs (Enigma Return to Innocence and Rush Red Barchetta) multiple times to differentiate any minimal differences in output vs. my Yamaha. So, I passed on purchasing that.
Now, I am considering getting the Schitt Freya+ preamp with the 6SN7 tubes and a VTV Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier with VTV Vacuum Tube Buffer (227 wpc into 8 ohms). I read the combination of these components is phenomenal compared to the solid state pairing. But, I heard that about the Rotel too. I also read that the VTV Stereo Purifi Audio 1ET400A Amplifier on its own is a great choice.
Curious if you know anything about the VTV and potential expectations with either and the combo tubes into the 702's? Thanks.
I have 3 of these preamps. They all have a problem. Popping sounds are heard from the speakers when the volume knob is turned. Yes, from the speakers. Usually around the 12 o'clock position of the volume knob, and with many combinations of cables, sources, speakers and amps. This happened to all 3 brand-new units right out of the box. I contacted Schitt to see if there is a defect with these and all I ever got from them was the runaround. They would not give me a straight answer. Anyone else experiencing this issue?
When you gain experience as an audiophile and get to play with some of the gears that Steve reviews, you begin to realize more what a phenomenal reviewer he is. I have very recently purchased the Schiit Freya Plus with LISST and I have the exact same opinion as Steve has, though I live several thousand miles away from him.
Steve is positive about the Schiit Freya Plus because of its solid build and versatility, but he is not particularly happy about its LISST mode and concludes that First Watt B1 NuTube preamp sounds significantly better. He couldn't be more accurate in his description.
First Watt B1 NuTube preamp performs better mostly because of its effect on the frequency response that Schiit doesn't have apart from applying +14 dB gain. Its neutrality takes it to the level of being boring. The high frequency roll-off (graphs available on their site) of First Watt B1 NuTube preamp is cruicial characteristic of any tube device and makes them sound tubey, devoid of that Schiit sounds pretty much a solid state device with some gain along the signal chain. However, considering the build and price Schiit freya plus has nothing equivalent.
Best Audio Streaming Signal Chain?
Coax Cable in from street, A/D converter (modem), Ethernet cable out, Streamer, USB B 2.0 cable out, D/A converter (DAC), balanced XLR cable out. Best chain. Correct?
Which converters or streamer can be debated, but not the form by which the signal passes.
Steve, always enjoy your reviews and expertise, been watching for years! I'm looking to buy a preamp and the Schiit Freye+ seems to fits the bill. I've never owned anything with tubes and looking forward to the holographic sound people talk about. Question, you'd mentioned you'd buy better tubes? What exact tubes would you buy? I have zero experience with tubes and trust your opinion. Just want to buy some killer tubes and be one-and-done with it. Thanks again for all you do to encourage us in our music listening journey! Blessings brother!
Stones here in Pontiac Michigan was like 80,000 with Santana
No head phone jack..oh no, you’re supposed to buy their Head phone amp, many to choose from. $99 to 1799.. and they have tubes too, the Valhalla is bad ass looking four tubes sticking out the top..
I have this Freya+ (love it) w/ some quality tubes but I tend to reserve "tube mode" for quality music, and passive for everything else to lengthen my tube $. I am interested in trying the LSSTs. I wish Freya+ had 2 sets of 4 sockets and a switch so I could toggle between.
I'm using Eh gold pins. They are much nicer than the stock jj or tung sol. Those tubes are cool ,and safe. The EH are warmer and fuller without being gooey and romantic. I want to try the Lisst modules.
Does this preamp get hot in solid state mode also???
As I recall, yes it gets hot
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks!
Steve, great review as always. I do treasure and have ordered some of the Music you recommend in your listening repertoire. Some Girls being a case in point. As an "old drummer" - 71 yo - having resurrected playing after 50 years [1969] , I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of Charlie Watts as a drummer.....simple, but always spot on Temp and driving the Band!. Like Ringo, no big Solo guy - they didn't need to. He's not Bonham, not Baker, not Moon, or Copeland or Gaad, but was great none the less. I'm happy that I am able to keep up with him in my playing. Playing an instrument, no matter what it is, can give a very fulfilling pleasure in one's Life. It's what Drives this Channel - Audiophiliacism!!
PS: I would volunteer a LP for some very good listening pleasures (baby boomers for sure)... Ten Years After Recorded Live (1973) on LP (also on CD issued in 2013 which i do not have). it was reproduced unadulterated with no Dubs or additives in any way - just pure Ten Years After Live in Amsterdam, Paris, Rotterdam in 1973. Alvin Lee at his best. One of the best Guitarist of all time. R.I.P. Charlie and Alvin.
This video helped convince me to get a Freya, so thanks for that! But as I understand it, you don't need to get matched quads of tubes. You only need matched pairs, because one pair is for the gain stage and one is for the power stage.
I would stay away from schiit as they don't have any kind of protection, even they said it that dc protection is useless when their devices killing headphones.
Can both sets of outputs be operated at once? I need one of them for a subwoofer.
Yes
I got to see the Stones at Soldier's Field in Chicago in 1978 on their Some Girls tour. Was an epic show.
Ikea has probably sold more bamboo cutting boards to audiophiles than to housewives. 🤔
Checked out the kruta version of one ..... um no. 👎🏼
Anyone know of a review of the recent Bifrost2 upgrade ? I've only had my Bifrost for 5 months and they've done a $300 upgrade.
A Schiit Lisst as it were.....great
Hey Steve,was wondering if you will be reviewing the Schiit Tyr anytime soon?
Can you use both XLR (to the powe amp) and RCA pre out (to drive subwoofer) ?
Do you need a dac with this and can you plug in active speakers directly to the tube preamp?
I know this is late but have you done or planning to do a review on the NuTube preamp?
My wife grew up in Japan. She says no tubes. When we looked some ML electrostatics she said they weren't big enough. So it isn't all bad.
I feel I learned how this amp sounds. The question was skirted around. Nor did i learn where it sits in the hierarchy of preamps. Dodging these questions makes me suspect the answer to the first is not terrific and to the second not great value.
Personally, I would be afraid to buy a preamp this cheap. Especially since it has tubes. I wouldn't even consider it unless I was able to listen to it in my system.
The sound is good; short on the usability / convenience features to me. Connectivity options are great too, in my opinion. The Freya S might be a better option, if tubes bother you. I found that while they offered more gain, they also introduced undesirable distortion on some recordings, for instance the horns on an Electric Light Orchestra album of mine, although my cartridge may have been the true culprit, switching to buffered mode removed the distortion. I rather liked the buffered mode for serious listening.
Another small CORRECTION: Silver Chassis is $50 more than the black.
You are exciting me about my CDs!…and SACDs…..THANKS!
Happy to see that IKEA cutting board absorber hack.
What are your impressions of the Freya+ with tubes compared to the Pass Nutube? I have both but have not compared.
Holy schiit !!!! (“Yeah, that’s where the tubes go …”)
Hi Steve. I hope you will have a chance to review Schiit’s newest amp the Tyr mono block amps
OK it is the B1. Paired with the amp camp amplifier they made beautiful music together.
Hey Steve,
Could you compare the Musical Paradise MP701mk2 tube preamp?
$720 base model. Infinite Tube and capacitor rolling combinations including 6sn7 with adapters.
Tube rectifier too!
Just got mine.
Swapped to lower gain 6au7 right away. Waiting for correct caps to match my Bryston, but already enjoying the journey.
Clear and holographic tube sound.
Thomas says better than Freya+?
🎵🎶😁🎶🎵
(edit) PS
Now I also have the solid state MOSFETtube and rectifier option?
Thanks schiit!
⚡ 🤔 💡
WOW!…The Musical Paradise is EXTREMELY modifiable! (Great video -below-with a look under the hood) …capacitors switchable too!
I own a Freya + and LOVE it…and yes…would love to see it in a comparison review with The Musical Paradise!!! (Thomas reviews the MP-301 Integrated Amp and the MP-D1 MK3 DAC? I could not find his review of your Musical Paradise preamp?)
ruclips.net/video/O6m9maqmxmM/видео.html
Without having heard the Freya, I think would prefer a tube preamp that's a tube preamp with a typical tube preamp sound instead of trying to be jack of all trades, master of none.
Steve, what we want to know is: What's YOUR favorite preamp in the $2000 range?
This is a true tube preamp through and through. And for the price, not a lot compares.
@@jon4715 Woo WA22 is another option in that range and is a sweet tube hp amp. would love to hear if anybody has compared the two units.
Agree 100%
Not Steve, but I have a Rogue RP-1 preamp that replaced my Freya+ that uses two 12AU7 tubes. Great sounding preamp and has a useful screen with a digital readout. The remote, while plastic, has a feature allowing going back and forth between two different inputs for comparisons. I purchased mine used for $1100. It's real bargain and it is the bottom level of several preamps Rogue makes. If you step up to a RP-5 with four 12AU7 tubes, you can pick one up used for a shade over $2000. Probably a worthwhile upgrade. 12AU7 tubes are cheaper than the popular 12AX7 tubes. with the RP-1 tube changes are much more economical for tube rolling than four 6SN7 tubes.
@@fletchermunson6225 How do you compare the sound VS the Freya? I have a few good NOS 12AU7s lying around.
So Steve - I’m not sure you covered what is the difference or similarities of the 6sn glass tubes Vs the LISST tubes ? Which did you prefer and why?
It's covered in the video. I much prefer the glass tubes.
Nice schitt steve
Will order the Freya+ to pair with my PS Audio S300 amp.
I have a DAC with balanced outputs, RME ADI 2 DAC fs. I run that straight to my amp, sounds great. However, I have been considering adding a tube preamp to maybe give me a little variety to my system's sound. I like the idea of switching from passive to active to tube A to tube B. But is all that variety good? Is sound compromised? Straight from my DAC to my amp is pure and good. I would hate to take away from that to add a different color to the music. If it is good though, I am 100% for it.
Hi Eric, doesn’t sound like you really wanna add a component that will change the sound, so don’t do it! Adding a preamp will color and modify the sound in ways that many people prefer, hence, the popularity of using tubes! But that doesn’t sound like you. Enjoy your system.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks for the reply. I have considered what you said. I would like to get a taste of tubes to see what it is all about, so I got the Freya Noval on clearance today. Saved $450 with tubes included. Tough to pass up. I'm sure I can sell it and recoupe most of my cash if it's not for me. Thanks for your input and great videos.
Some Girls Is my favorite Stones album, this live album from 78 is incredible, I had the Blu-ray for several years but never watched it until now. I can report the DTS-HD Master Audio's sound is killer. The live concert video emphasis your points about the live album, the band, and the electric energy even more. Thanks as always for this great channel!
Thanks for watching!
Rolling Stones live in Texas …how about them stones
Steve, great review. Question...do you find the volume control of the Freya + needs to be turned up more than others? Someone online had mentioned that their Freya+ needed to be turned to about 3 o'clock rather than his previous transistor preamp at 11 o'clock. Just wondering. Thanks much!
Hi What amp are you using?
I find thst to be the case with the vidar and using the volume slider on my streamer
Steve, I’ve thought about this long and hard. But I just cannot knowingly bring a piece of schiit into my house.
No Schiit
Tell me that S word, is not English.
Schitt sure doesn’t let grass grow between their tubes.
I'm very interested in the Clockwork Orange 1998 remix, but cannot find any information about it. Are you sure it's not just a remaster? (which of course is very different than a remix).
No it’s a complete remix reimagining by Wendy Carlos, it’s been out of print for a long time. It’s even difficult to find anything by her that’s available for streaming. Look on Discogs for Wendy Carlos clockwork Orange.
@@SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac Thanks so much Steve, but it turns out that I OWN it!! I thought for sure I'd had it since before '98, but it is the first time it was issued on CD, and it does sound fantastic!! Anyone into early electronic music should hear this.