A follow-up to this video - Tube rolling video: ruclips.net/video/krf6hmOAcIk/видео.html You suggested that's something I need to do to form a complete picture of Freya+, and I listened.
You're still one of the best at distilling the sound differences you hear, without using the same recycled flowery language. Your choice of words and the consistency of your descriptions about a particular product demonstrates, to me, that you fully understand what those differences actually are. Great job and thank you
thank you for actually giving an example of what you mean by your adjectives. Describing the pluck of the string and how it changes was something i needed to hear
Dude. Great review. You are an absolute underdog amongst the RUclips reviewers. One of your best. Keep up the great work. Love the variety of what you review too. I like that you seemed based in reality.
You’ve done quite an excellent job of capturing what I heard from the Freya + with the stock JJs. I switched out the tubes at the recommendation of a some consensus forum posts - and it really did improve significantly. I found the stock JJs a bit harsh and edgy and even after several weeks that didn’t really go away. I have the Freya solid state preamp in a system upstairs and unsurprisingly its an excellent partner in certain contexts. It’s definitely a better solid state preamp than any of the stages on the Freya +. It’s likewise less fussy but when you get the Freya + fed with known better tubes I prefer it nearly always. I get that one needs to be in the mood to fiddle with tubes and at a point you might just lose patience with the process. I’ve never really cared about neutrality or transparency or really appreciated how such claims can be made -but only about whether the music sounds sweet to my own ears. During your review I kept thinking you might like to add one of schiits EQs - god forbid I suppose to many a hard nosed audiophile - to tweak things still further as per your liking. More fiddling which to me is part of the fun :) Thanks for what you’re doing out there and I find your insights and especially your ability to articulate what you’re hearing quite excellent.
I’ve had the same experience with the Freya S, it’s a superior SS gain but I prefer the smoothness of the tubes vs microdetails. Freya S seems to be overlooked though for those that like the type of music it would be well suited for. (Classical and Electronic for starters) One thing about Eq that’s overlooked - it’s beneficial as room correction. Most rooms will not give you ideal response. I have a room that resonates a bit around 50 hz and a simple adjustment to EQ can correct that quite nicely.
The detailed descriptions in this review are conveyed with a wonderful personal style that is delightfully understandable. I appreciate the lack of cliché statements and your precision. We'll done.
Great review. I own a Freya+. Two things: In jfet buffer mode it is a class a circuit. Changing the tubes makes a huge difference. I found the JJ tubes sound exactly as you describe. I switched to the Tung Sol tubes and it made a tremendous difference. They were much more natural sounding, have tighter and more agile bass, less sibilance, and way more detail. The JJs are holding it back. I definitely recommend some tube rolling.
My first gen Freya came with Chinese tubes. After trying Russian Tung Sols and Electro Harmonix, my preference are the EH tubes for the best holographic sound stage and base response.
I first want to say that I truly admire your detailed reviews. You are absolutely one of my most respected reviewers! Thank you keep it up! My listening environment is very revealing to what gear is up to. A small studio with 36 sound blankets up. Hedd Type 2 active monitors. A pair of 15" active HSU sealed subs. Minidsp SHD doing most of the heavy lifting. With flavor of the season DACs flowing through the studio. I do agree with your assessment of the Freya+ 'pass thru' path. Which is not supposed to touch the analog signal path coming from your DAC. It is simply a pass thru, that allows you to use the quality volume attenuation of the Freya+. The Freya+ uses a quality resistor relay stack for attenuation, that's the clicky clicky. This is important because (generally) you should run a DAC's digital attenuator at full volume into the Freya. Because most DAC digital attenuators (typically) murder dynamic range in direct proportion to turning the DAC's digital attenuator down. Generally, turn the DAC volume down, turn your dynamic range down. As well I agree with your very articulate description of the the second (non-amplified) 'mosfet filtered' path. LoL, if I owned a bar or was throwing a party, I would use that mosfet path, because it gives the sound a bit more square edge to cut through the noise and make the sound more identifiable. But having said that I never use the mosfet path personally because it gives an annoying artificial sound to the music to my ears. For the tube path, I have a different perspective. Your review of the Freya+ tube path, although completely accurate. Is not a review of the Freya+ tube path. It is simply 100% a pure review of the tubes that came with the machine. Not the Freya+ tube path itself. ;-) ;-) ! The Frey+ tube path sound radically changes depending what pair of tubes are placed in the input/buffer (left side). And the pair of tubes that are placed in the output/gain stage (right side). I am serious when I say radical. I have run 12 pairs of different tubes (and a couple sets of four) through the Freya. I can tell you the statement is true. Think of the input/buffer pair (left side) as the doorway that the sound walks through. The input/buffer pair of tubes do not effect the 'sound' of the Freya+ much. But it hugely affects the size of the doorway that the sound can pass through. Great tubes in the input/buffer stage transforms the size of the sound stage, and your perception of detail allowed through that doorway. You sensation that the Freya tube stage takes away information, I assert was only because of those (my experience & opinion) lousy JJ tubes. A pair of 'great' tubes in the buffer stage completely transforms the Freya+ performance. Best so far (my perception) are LinLai Elites. Here is where the magic starts. Think of the output/gain stage (right side) pair of tubes, as the tubes that provide ONLY color to the sound. These two tubes are where sound color changes. Once again, where you felt that the Frey+ tube path felt a bit harsh, that again was just those not so good (my opinion) harsh JJ tubes. Playing with the color of the sound in the output/gain stages is one of the joys of the Freya+. Warm Sylvanias, Reverby (very microphonic) super fuzzy Electro Harmonics, Musical GEs, Straightforward RCAs, Neutral Zeniths, Different versions of Tung Sols Etc., Etc., all sound really different. My current fave flavor are some dirt cheap no-name Russian military tubes I will never find again, that sound tight accurate and awesome to my tastes. Remember the output/gain stage is about color. And simply color has absolutely nothing to do with how much you pay for the tubes. It's just paint on the music. One last note on my personal bias. I think that it's so silly that everyone angsts over which big buck $$$$$$ preamp gives you what 'single one note sound color' ..... that you can only hear in your imagination before you buy it. And then you are stuck with the expensive decision. Like closing your eyes, reaching out and hitting one random key on a piano. When just swapping out a $60 pair of little tubes, gives you a brand new preamp sound. So.... LOL, I tease you. Your review of those JJ tubes was totally accurate :-) !! Again thank you so much for this detailed review, and all of your reviews. I am thankful and truly appreciate you and your excellent hard work.
Thank you. You’ve hit the nail on the head with all your observations. The buffer stage is the least used option for me. It sounds much too in your face to me. Also, it’s “more meat on the bone” bass completely overwhelms the deep bass and, ultimately, makes it sound bass shy. I am lucky to have a Benchmark DAC and PS Audio tube stage that pair wonderfully with the Freya in passive mode. I couldn’t ask more of a preamp used this way. The tube stage with the stock Tung Sol tubes is much too colored for me. It is a effective detail filter as well.
I was surprised how much change you get out of the buffer stage. I was so focused on only the gain. Using old marconi tubes in the gain are wonderful along with some old rca gtbs. Nice warm full sound but swapping out the rca in the buffer to the new production tungsols tighten up the bass nicely while still maintaining the wide open and deep sound stage the marconi provide. So much fun!
I don’t need to duplicate the well earned praise you are receiving from so many. Your ability to transmit what your ear hears- knowingly and expertly- to other people is like 4 or 5 skills in one, and so enjoyable to see. I would also like you to turn that high powered focus on time domain, as I keep hearing more and more about it and, as a lifelong stat panel fanatic (I owned Quad ESL57s and many Martin Logans, for decades) I think it’s a hugely important topic. Perhaps even one idea that can be tied together with phase shift, if that’s something that you focus on more.I wonder what you observe and think about the separate focus of “time domain.“
I happen to own Freya OG. Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to compare it directly with Freya+. However from what I heard in your video many of your findings are applicable to tube preamps in general. And everything you said holds true. Tube (pre)amps will never kick as hard nor as fast as solid state preamps. But what makes Freya a really great contender on the hi-fi audio market is her unprecedented versatility. This versatility is not only about giving you the option to choose between passive, solid state buffer (JFET) and tube mode (which is already something that you cannot get from any other preamp on the market that I heard of) but most importantly that tubes on Freya are replaceable. The biggest advantage of adding tubes to the system is the possibility to roll tubes and by that having a significant influence on the sound signature. AFAIK Freya+ comes with a two pairs of cheap JJ Electronic 6SN7 tubes that are barely decent or if you wish: on pair in terms of sound quality and characteristics with other cheapest 6sn7 tubes being in production today. All JJ or Electro-Harmonics will lack a body in midrange frequencies same as they will have pronounced, sometimes even harsh trebles. Everyone who's familiar with 6sn7 tubes knows that. What makes a big deal about Freya is that with higher quality (and sadly more expensive) tubes you can get an amazing, unparalleled sound. There's even more to it: you can modify and adjust this sound to your liking at the relatively low cost. And at the end of a day if you want to listen to some serious techno smash (e.g. Pan-pot tracks you mentioned in your review) you just switch to JFET mode and you're more than happy.
Tube rolling - I agree with that point. My Freya + came with TungSol 6SN7 GTB. Gonna find a much nicer tube to replace them. Some say the GE 6SN7 GTB is better... In regard to the mentioned "laid-back-ness" of the Freya +, I think it depends on the amp/speakers. My ARC D130/Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary speaker combo is lively. I find all music to be "live" even those that are supposed to be laid back. Its like the musicians are there about 8 feet and more behind you in "live" manner. Its even more surreal when the recording is "live" like the Bee Gees - Live at the MGM Grand.
I have doge 8 clarity preamp. Disagree it doesn't kick hard or fast. Prodigy Roni size etc etc are ferocious sounding but it is driving 600 wpc power amp
Great review! I love the focus on different HiFi components, not alot of coverage on preamps which I think is is one of the most important pieces in a separates system. I used to own the Rotel RC1580, I noticed exactly the same thing. Very clear clean sound but no soundstage depth or width. Everything was just placed vaguely between the speakers, with very blurry imaging. Rotel makes great budget integrated pieces but I find their separates leave more to be desired.
Very Good Review! I Have also a Freya + and a lot of Gear to compare (Kef LS 50 Meta, Wharfedale Lintons, Sonus Faber Concerto Grand Piano...) and i agree with you that the better match is with the Lintons, impressive results with the Freya but tube rolling for me made a difference, now i have NOS GE GTA and GTB tubes that put the preamp in a different league from my point of view. Also interesting that sometimes i prefer the Freya S for the rest of the gear i have.
Seems 80% of freya + users end up prefering buffer mode most of the time anyway...messing with tubes and not getting much of anywhere special....So I opted to go for the Freya S and add on a lokius for the same price as a Freya plus....I can color it anyway I want with less distortion and more detail...put tube money into cables and gear...
he is doing very good job describing the sound differences. One thing to remember: Each sound review refers to specific system. The same component may compensate issues of given system or aggravate them. The first difference I see the reviews differ when reviewer is used to full range speakers vs stand speakers. Also everyone of us is used to specific sound pattern. I compared Freya and Freya + to number of 10x more expensive pre. Both (but with different tubes) could keep the ground surprisingly well, in some aspects being better. Anyway you won't avoid taking it to your place and having a session with it. My observation is Freya + on stock tubes gives a lot of details, is very punchy, proper amount of base (many pre gave too much base in my system). The sound stage is flatter and less homogenous than Solid State mode (he noticed that). What one need to be very careful with is the amount of reverb. He suggest Freya with stock tubes gives too much reverb. My guess it is due to his room having very limited treatment (if any). If you add some sound absorbing pannels to your room, a system which has a lot of dumping (what he calls "just right sound") will sound terrible. Anyone who tried Hegel H200 will probably know what I mean. Anyway I got curious abot the Invador pre.
Freya is good but it’s still built to a price point and compromises in a few places that (to me) leaves the sound being more veiled. But to use high end caps and resistors would make much more expensive. Take a look at the parts used in the acoustic invader and you’ll see less compromises made.
Man…exactly what I’ve been wanting. A direct and detailed comparison of the modes of the Freya + AND comparison with a highly capable jfet class A. I’ve been wanting to move into separates, was looking at the Freya + but hadn’t found any direct/expert reviewer/listener/engineer’s experience until now. Everyone else reviewing it has tended to be remarkably peripheral and subjective. Also the first time I’ve heard those clicky relays working ;) 🙏🏼
The only problem is he's using stock tubes. They have a huge effect on the sound. And he's only using it with his speakers. My Freya+ doesn't sound exactly as he says. But he's very close. The differences between our setups, and likely our rooms, show through in this review. To me the best way to describe it is. Between SS and Tube. In other words. If you're not into modern precise SS, but don't want syrupy sound from the 60's tube Era either. It's a really nice mix that leans more towards the modern sound, but much more natural. If you're young you're likely to choose different equipment then an older person. This is kind of perfect for those of us that can appreciate both, but don't want to live with either of them all the time. This is obviously a very subjective hobby. But unless you're a seriously experienced preamp, or you're downgrading to the Freya. You'll probably enjoy it. If you prefer a more precise sound. Go SS instead. The Topping might work in that case. I'm not the best at explaining things, but hope I helped you understand it a little more. ✌️
@@amb3cog I’ve been at the audio thing for many years now, am a professional jazz musician (when I’m not teaching college jazz studies courses). For what I listen to, I tend to favor “accuracy” per say. So I’m torn with the idea of tube rolling and have typically enjoyed the sound of class A SS. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy it upon getting started with it, however. And, have taken into account what you’d mentioned concerning the considerable change in tonal color and behavior that rolling can provide. I’ve been looking at the Freya + and the a musical Paradise MP 701 as possible tube pre’s. But also really like the idea of just a well built class A pre. Decisions! But thank you for the insight 🙏🏼
@@riccitone From my understanding the MP is more tube like. If you really prefer accuracy. I think SS is where you need to be my friend. That's what they do, and usually for less money too. Plus there's plenty of choice. Look into the Chinese ones, they're supposed to be very good. Topping is the most obvious, but there's plenty more out there now. Good luck either way. ✌️
Nice review. I audioned the Freya + and the Freya S paired with the Vidar and Magnepan LRS speakers at the Schiit retail store in Valencia CA recently. The strore manager had said he just swapped the tubes, so I do not known what the new tubes were. In any event, I foundthe Freya + very sweet sounding with the extreme high frequencies rolled off a bit. I found the Freya S to be more dynamic and transparent with more extension in the highs. In this system I thought the Freya + to fit in well with transparent speakers such as thr LRS. As you said system matching is important with preamp selection, but in this case apparently tubes are also important
Tried a lot of tubes with my freya+, finally ended with 2x tung sol round plate + 2x stock tung sol tubes. They give the best sound - much much much better than the 4x stock tubes.
Tubes I have tried: Tung sol round plate. 5691, kenrad vt231, RCA VT231, Sylvania vt231, and some cheap ones. Tungsol round plate + stock tung sol tube kick all other combinations out of the water.
Amazing to listen to what I also experienced but did not know how to describe. You nailed the difference in sound between my former (integrated) class A amp and my current setup with the freya+. Funny that I love the freya but sometimes have homesick feeling for my old class A sound. Thanks!
I have a FREYA+ for 1 year now, with ROTEL amp (200 RMS), SMSL SU-9 DAC, LUMIN U1 Mini and Wharfedale EVO 4.4, and usually just listen without tubes on and find FREYA+ incredibly transparent and sufficient for my liking . Something unique is that in a Pre of less than 1K US you have three different Pre sounds, without aggressively touching the essence of the music you hear.
Thank you so much for this review. There's so much hype and glowing reviews around this preamp, it's nice to get your no bs take on it. I wish you could review the Freya S. It gets a lot less attention from reviewers because it sits in the shadow of its tube sibling. At $599 I can't think of anything else that allows you to use balanced sources and choose between XLR and SE outputs. It seems like even more of a bargain than the tubed version especially if it sounds as good (but different). I'm sure a lot of people are wondering what the discrete gain stage sounds like compared to Freya + buffer mode and tube mode.
If I got it right, Freya S is basically Freya+ without tube stage... You still have a choice between passive attenuation and discrete buffer. So if one is not into tubes, that can really be a very nice and affordable preamp solution.
@@iiWiReviews Freya S is not the same preamp at all as far as the active modes. It uses their Nexus stage/circuit, not the same buffer stage used in Freya+, so it’s a bit of a different animal sound-wise. Closer to the sound of a Jot 2 (richness and density).
@@iiWiReviews I see your point, it can be confusing, but essentially they are the same design except for the different active stages. I think it's pretty cool that they offer both, especially with the S being so affordable. Kind of like how there is a KEF LS50 and LS50w
After carefully listening to your music selections in buffer & tube mode…I have to say…yours is the most detailed description that I have heard of my Freya +. You are making me a MUCH better listener! My system is MUCH different that yours: R2R DAC, McInTosh Power Amp, DynAudio Contour 20s. I am not really experiencing your issue in the upper mids with vocals and in general. So as you say, different mileage in different systems! ….but I am taken aback by how loose (sloppy) the bass becomes in tube mode compared to buffer…but the overall soundstage is MUCH larger in tube mode with more space. It is fun to have the option! If I had tight bass in tub mode it would be best. 😎 This is all so much fun and interesting….
Last Fall, I purchased a pair of Focal Shape Twin powered monitors for my music/art studio/study and hooked them up to a RME ADI-2 Pro FS R AD/DA Converter - Black Edition DAC/Preamp/headphone amp. The sound was so good to me that I wanted to hook up some analog sources and make it my main system, so I borrowed a Freya+. The Shape Twins have 2 sets of pre ins. I hooked up the Freya + to the balanced speaker inputs and was disappointed when playing any analog source (vinyl, CDs, FM tuner) Everything sounded better when played though the 1 analog input on the RME. Next, I borrowed a Parasound P6 preamp from a local dealer and liked it much better than the Freya+. More expensive ($1600US) but I think it is worth the money. The Parasound has an excellent phono stage built in, tone and balance controls, and sub-out with bass management. Also has a decent DAC and headphone amp that I didn't need.
Appreciate your thoughtful and discerning review. Not one who leans into tube rolling & sound, I tried the Freya S with the much reviewed Buchardt S400MK2’s, a good EQ and 200 watts of A/B power. Found the stage settings of good use for Turntable listening and different room sizes as well. Considering the limited options for a solid state preamp of this kind on the market, the overall value proposition is significant and fortunately, I discovered the synergy and performance of the Freya S to make it a keeper for my set up.
I think you did an excellent job describing the sound signature for this preamp. People that I know have also commented on the harshness of the upper mid and vocals. The Freya tube sound isn’t what I’d want in a tube preamp. I think I’d rather buy a Conrad Johnson used pre if I were going that route. I saw one here in the US for around $1400. Great job.
I am not experiencing that harshness in the Freya+ in my system…(listed above) …my chain of gear is warm, tho. I think that those LS 50s may expose that more than many other speakers might, right? I am no expert…that's for sure! 😁
I thank you for such a complete review of the Freya+, your expertise is well known. I have listened to tube many times and hours with my friends, but I still am tube virgin. I am considering Yggy+/Freya+, but I am no back to considering Pontus 2/12th and Athena again. I read too many warranty issues regarding Freya. But I still am concerned about only one Denafrips service point in Texas.
Oww thanks for reviewing this! I am really curious what you think of the freya. I trust your taste to no other reviewer. I got the see audio bravery and will get the moonriver 2 soon. Freya is next on the list
I have to say: I always have had a not so good impression about Serbia , but knowing this guy, I changed my mind. It’s not only that he is a very honest hifi expert telling the truth, but also presenting his country in a very positive way!!
Very thorough review of the Freya+. It succeeded in interesting me in the Acoustic Invader. --BTW, pronunciation of Rotel rhymes with go tell and hotel.
Thanks for another nice review. I had the little brother, the Schiit Saga+ which was fine. I thought the passive mode was a tad analytical, and the tube buffer stage did open up the presentation. I read that some preferred active preamplifiers, and so far within my means I am in that camp. I currently use the pre-out from a solid state integrated and am very happy with the results.
My first video from you, must say I really enjoyed your analysis of the differences between the 3 modes. You noted the trade offs between leading edge attack and articulation for more tone and bloom with slight sluggishness. Plus your suggestion of using each mode like tone controls on older say pre-1980s gear to take the bite, nails on a blackboard, out of the presentation
Schitt Freya+ combined with Sylvania 6sn7GTA or older 6f8g (with adaptors) tubes, the sound is simply magical. I would not even test my Freya+ with those cheap tubes you are using in this video.
Herbie's Rx Dampers have made a major improvement in my system, as it relates to the heavy bloat of bass mostly but also how it affects the other frequencies that you mention. It actually makes a very noticeable improvement to tightening the bass and the rest of the frequencies.
@@alekrychwalski Yes, Freya +, using PsVane Cossor on buffer and Sylvania NOS JAN WGTA on gain with Rx Dampers. The Rx Dampers eliminate the excess boominess but maintain detail in highs and improve low end detail. Cheers.
Freya+ is a nice party trick but to me doesn’t do either solid state or tube mode exceptionally well. This was apparent to me when I compared this to a much cheaper valhalla 2 in preamp mode and found the Valhalla 2 had equal if not more detail. (Surprisingly competent as a tube preamp.) As to your point with the acoustic invader, just by looking at the parts used it seems like a superior product. The Freya+ is held back a bit by some of the components it uses, which it has to in order to hit its price point.
Very interesting item and versatile, I have a passive preamp which can sound very good with the right front end .power amp,active speaker, I also like tube pre amps and dac headphone amplifiers with tubes,I assume you could tube roll as well which I like to do . Great in depth review.
I have just bought Schiit Freya (v1) so it is a few years old. I have been looking for a second hand one for two years. I put it in my system which have my TV in it as well. My sons had been watching an action film which they had watched many times before so I know what it sounded like with my old Rotel 1068. Through the Freya it just seemed to be missing the fullness of bass. This is also the same listening to bass heavy dance music. I'm gutted because I have wanted this preamp for a few years, but listening to jazz on vinyl it sounded great. Not sure where I'm going with this but your review was how I felt about my Freya. I will keep to the Freya for a few months but I will keep my old Rotel as well and go back to it. I have other Schiit products and I really like the company but I think for what I listen to which is bass heavy, the Freya isn't for me. Great review and thank you.
I have the original Freya. I believe one of main differences is that the tubes are not always on in the Plus. Since I only use the Freya with the tubes in circuit playing through the bypass input of either my Krell or Atoll integrated amplifiers this would not be a benefit. You are quite right the sound is not that associated with tube amplifiers. It has more of the grip associated with sold state. In my two variant systems with floor standing Castle Howard 2 speakers and using Sovtek tubes (4 years old now) I have experienced different results to those you did with your Acoustic Invaders system using your KEF speakers. Let me say I found the KEF speakers to be too aggressive for my tastes. Thomas & Stereo found that there was a potential for significant improvement with changes in tubes. This review came some time after I settled on the Sovtek tubes. (When I bought the Freya it was much cheaper in the UK than the current price of the Freya + which is £1125 when available.) I continue to enjoy your reviews and have bought headphones and a mobile dac based on your recommendations.
This brings to mind the expression, "Jack of all trades, master of none". Trying to be all things to everyone may make sense from a marketing perspective but more often than not from an engineering perspective. Also, in the beginning you correctly mention the match-up in impedance needed for a passive preamp to operate at its optimum fidelity. Which raises the question; how well did the impedance between your source(s) and the Freya+ match-up?
OK…The song Kepler by Pan-Pot (GREAT artwork)😬….Let me say that I am 68-yrs. old, and every time I play that song I get giddy! It’s just silly fun! It sounds incredible thru Freya+ on my system (listed below in the comments), and in tube mode (NOS GE), my bass is tight, textured…and the soundstage is wide and tall…The steps across the room and up the stairs to the right are vivid. 👍🏼 Also, the crickets 🦗 🦗🦗 at the end of the song go around my room on both sides and come up behind my ears. It’s freaky! I find the Freya+ to be stunning with that song. Everything sounds great "to me" on my kit.
I would like a Freya + I have an almost new Emotiva PT2 that caught my eye because it had an FM tuner which is how I get my classical music fix. Schiit ought to make a modi sized FM tuner with a remote and 4 presets ( find four stations in any market worth listening to).
LOVE your precision review! I could talk to you in depth on the topic…forever! 😁 Freya+ could be chameleon in different systems, as…of course… you mention! . Me: Marantz SACD 30n (streaming & Discs) => Pontus II DAC => Schiit Loki Max => Freya+ => McIntosh MC152 => DynAUDIO Contour 20s (all balanced) My source, DAC, amp and speakers create a very different synergy than yours with the Freya+….especially with your LS50s. I also have GE NOS tubes in the output stage of my Freya+. (I turned away a Denafrips Athena PreAmp when compared to my Freya+. in my system). I will listen to your song choices over the holiday weekend here and report back. Thanks soo much for including specific songs to back-up your descriptions! My Mercury Streamer comes next week (I2S into PontusII), just to drive me completely crazy! 😵💫 would LOVE to hear The Acoustic Invader in my system! 👍🏼😁
A long review ,for me ,is generally a downside but not in this video . You use similar terms as other reviewers and some new terms i've never heard but like very much but that is not why i enjoyed the video . i liked it because you can hold a silent but lively space while the words play within that restful but alert state . i feel ive understood waay more than with other reviewers because my attention was being held in this alert background. An excellent comparison was achieved . VERY VERY good video 👍👍👍
Would be interesting to compare to the Topping Pre90. Fairly inexpensive and reputed to be a very good, very accurate preamp. Also I heard an interview with one of the guys from Schitt and he says he actually prefered the Freya S to the Freya + in a blind test.
I got two custom acustics invader preamps from Goran great guy the owner of Acustics invader, I owned😅 more than 70 preamps that include top notch tube and sold state preamps in last 35 years of my hi fi hobby, acoustic invader preamps are one of the top notch preamps. My search for upgrade ended .
@@iiWiReviews Acustics Invader almost killed my preamp upgrade bug ! Prior to this , I tried, preamps from Audio research, Ayre Acustics, Jeff Rowland. Threshold, Simaudio, Linar, Krell, Adcom, Monarchy audio, TAD, Musical Design, Blue circle, Rougu Audio, perreaux , maridian and many more including some Chinese hifi brands , only three preamps come close Acustics Invader are Ayre k1xe , Threshold T2 and krell KRC-HR, Invader outperform them substantially with much less price tag ! Next I will try acustics Invader "fulcrum" preamp, since you own both acustics Invader preamps what do you think about this upgrade?
@@iiWiReviews Oh, really? Can you please point me where to buy it from? After your videos got me interested in it, my quick googling was showing it at $4,000.
I own the first version Freya and do not like the anemic sound. Pairing it with Schiits equilizer did help, but not enough. I am currently using my old Denon with its pre outs and the sound is richer and more dynamic with its tone controls...imaging is good also.
Thanks for this! If there are a few things I really don’t want in my hifi, it’s too much texture and presence and lack of lower midrange body.. I will be skipping this one 😃 1/2 of all products bought/tried this past year are out the door again for this reason (including Model 5, Chord Shawline RCA, Ares II). Sad that so few reviewers seems to talk about/are sensitive to it. Edit: Everything is system, room, setup and listener dependent. It’s just I happen to know this is not what my systems needs. So nice to be able to avoid (for my specific circumstance).
@@miquifaye You are right of course. Absolutely system, room, setup and listener dependent. But nice when reviewers are able to tell where a product maybe leans and talk about it. I’ve been curious about the Freya but having tried a lot of products and knowing what I in my circumstance don’t need, it’s nice to be able to skip this one 👍
So basically it has the classic schiit sound. In and of itself isn't a bad thing but I do know over time I haven't cared for it as much. One interesting thing is I suggest you try out the Freya s, I don't know for me I bought it when it came out and it was the first piece of their gear that I had purchased where I was like yeah I like this. It sounds sort of like you described except for the fact that tonal colors as well as speed and what the British call Prat it's very much enhanced. Compared to anything else I'd heard of theirs before
Great review. The tubes will make a difference. But not a dramatic one. That said you don't have to spend a lot to get some decent old tubes. Just by some GE tubes, or whatever is cheap over there. That will get you most of the way there. Even many new ones will sound better then the JJ's in this preamp. I like JJ'S in general, but they aren't very good in this pre unfortunately.
Buy a tube amp, remove tubes, make it a solid state. Now I call that a solid plan (pun intended). 😊 I actually made a follow up with some different tubes. It's a good preamp.
A tube preamp is a chameleon and can change sound dramatically depending on the tubes used. I don't think any comprehensive review of a tube preamp should exclude trying different tubes. For a while the Freya came with JJ Russian tubes. These are not great sounding tubes in my opinion and now Schiit uses Electro Harmonix tubes instead. Next week, it might change depending on price and availability.. The Freya is definitely built to a price point so you will not get the best tubes from the factory. If you look at Small Room Audio's review of the Freya + you can see his journey in trying different tubes in this unit. I've owned one for a couple years and have not experienced any spitting or sibilance. I have tried several kinds of tubes and NOS Sylvania brown bass tubes in the gain stage and some old original RCA tube in the buffer have the preamp sounding very good indeed and it doe have a tube character that will differ with solid state preamps. The Acoustic Invader preamp doest seem to be distributed in the US and I dont know if they engage in direct sales and I couldn't find a web site in English. If the European prices I saw are indicative of the US price by the time is is distrusted in the US. The price could be twice the cost of the Freya+ not to mention service backup. I've owned enough audio gear oner the years to put a premium on convenient warranty service.
I don’t agree with the balance of good tubes and using the right side more critical sided use Raytheon On the right and old ge on the left it was much much better
Great review!!! I am considering the Freya+ to pair with my Emotiva XPA-2 gen 3 amp and my (2007 made in England) B&W 604 Series 3 towers. I am thinking a Tube Pre, Class A/B-D of the XPA would be a great blending..... Thoughts?
Thanks! Having never heard XPA-2 but reading about it, it feels like an amp that would pair really nicely with Freya+ but you would have to get a pair of Sylvania or similar tubes to hear it at its best. BTW, 602 S3 were my first speakers. Loved them. 😊
@@iiWiReviews Thank you for the quick reply. Gotta love the older 600 series stuff. 😍😍. Thanks for the advice on tubes. I totally intend to swap around to see what I can do with the Freya+. Any specific link to the tubes you reference you can provide? Or model #. Thank you and love your content.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Sylvania NOS 6SN7 GTB edition for the gain stage. Seller that I've purchased them from (eBay) is out of stock but it's not hard to find them.
How does this preamp compare to the Holo Audio Serene? Is the Serene significantly better or are they very close? I have the Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE and am looking for a preamp. Either I change to the Freya+ and the Yggdrasil dac, or keep the Spring and get the Serene preamp.
Great review, it gave me a pause before purchasing. What appeals to me is the ability to switch between solid state and tube. I use my system for TV and background music as well as critical listening in the evening, so I don't want tubes burning all day. Do you know of any other pre-amp where you can turn the tube section off and use passive or solid state? Going to watch you video on tube rolling now!
Would be great if you could review this amplifier, I think many would be interested. Comparisons, value proposition… AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC. Also be great to review affordable amp(s) with the new Icepower 200AS boards. This amp with a PecanPi Streamer, hooked up XLR. Seems like great value.
Thank you for another great video. This must be the best Freya + digest on the web so far. You ruined my party though. I was just about to to get it to see if it'll warm my Yamaha AS 1200 up. BTW do the feet on Freya+ shown on the video come as standard or is this your add on? Great job !
Excellent comparison! Am really interested in the Acoustic Invader Preamp (also after hearing some youtube demos of it).However according to some other reviewers, the chance of success of mixing different preamp and poweramp brands is quite low. Do you have any idea how flexible AI Preamp is in matching different power amp brands, both Class AB and Class D?
![KSI - Thick Of It (feat. Trippie Redd) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/At8v_Yc044Y/mqdefault.jpg)
A follow-up to this video - Tube rolling video: ruclips.net/video/krf6hmOAcIk/видео.html You suggested that's something I need to do to form a complete picture of Freya+, and I listened.
You're still one of the best at distilling the sound differences you hear, without using the same recycled flowery language. Your choice of words and the consistency of your descriptions about a particular product demonstrates, to me, that you fully understand what those differences actually are. Great job and thank you
Yea he’s the best, and it’s not even his first language lol
You are a breath of fresh air with your organic descriptions making the complex much simpler.
thank you for actually giving an example of what you mean by your adjectives. Describing the pluck of the string and how it changes was something i needed to hear
Dude. Great review. You are an absolute underdog amongst the RUclips reviewers. One of your best. Keep up the great work. Love the variety of what you review too. I like that you seemed based in reality.
You’ve done quite an excellent job of capturing what I heard from the Freya + with the stock JJs. I switched out the tubes at the recommendation of a some consensus forum posts - and it really did improve significantly. I found the stock JJs a bit harsh and edgy and even after several weeks that didn’t really go away.
I have the Freya solid state preamp in a system upstairs and unsurprisingly its an excellent partner in certain contexts. It’s definitely a better solid state preamp than any of the stages on the Freya +. It’s likewise less fussy but when you get the Freya + fed with known better tubes I prefer it nearly always. I get that one needs to be in the mood to fiddle with tubes and at a point you might just lose patience with the process.
I’ve never really cared about neutrality or transparency or really appreciated how such claims can be made -but only about whether the music sounds sweet to my own ears.
During your review I kept thinking you might like to add one of schiits EQs - god forbid I suppose to many a hard nosed audiophile - to tweak things still further as per your liking. More fiddling which to me is part of the fun :)
Thanks for what you’re doing out there and I find your insights and especially your ability to articulate what you’re hearing quite excellent.
Loki Max…all the WAY! 🤗
I’ve had the same experience with the Freya S, it’s a superior SS gain but I prefer the smoothness of the tubes vs microdetails. Freya S seems to be overlooked though for those that like the type of music it would be well suited for. (Classical and Electronic for starters)
One thing about Eq that’s overlooked - it’s beneficial as room correction. Most rooms will not give you ideal response. I have a room that resonates a bit around 50 hz and a simple adjustment to EQ can correct that quite nicely.
I know its late reply but can i know what tubes you upgraded from stock tube?
I really enjoy your reviews and your explanations - thanks for all your work
The detailed descriptions in this review are conveyed with a wonderful personal style that is delightfully understandable. I appreciate the lack of cliché statements and your precision. We'll done.
the way you explain the quality of the sound is completely comprehensible and absolutely exquisite. Appreciated.
It took me forever to get through your review with all the great music selections...sublime! thanks Sir!
Great review. I own a Freya+. Two things: In jfet buffer mode it is a class a circuit.
Changing the tubes makes a huge difference. I found the JJ tubes sound exactly as you describe. I switched to the Tung Sol tubes and it made a tremendous difference. They were much more natural sounding, have tighter and more agile bass, less sibilance, and way more detail. The JJs are holding it back. I definitely recommend some tube rolling.
My first gen Freya came with Chinese tubes. After trying Russian Tung Sols and Electro Harmonix, my preference are the EH tubes for the best holographic sound stage and base response.
My favourite tube are RCA nos 5692’s. Magical.
@@kenwong9796 are you Tyco Dog? I love those videos. If I can my hands on some, I will try them.
I first want to say that I truly admire your detailed reviews. You are absolutely one of my most respected reviewers! Thank you keep it up!
My listening environment is very revealing to what gear is up to. A small studio with 36 sound blankets up. Hedd Type 2 active monitors. A pair of 15" active HSU sealed subs. Minidsp SHD doing most of the heavy lifting. With flavor of the season DACs flowing through the studio.
I do agree with your assessment of the Freya+ 'pass thru' path. Which is not supposed to touch the analog signal path coming from your DAC. It is simply a pass thru, that allows you to use the quality volume attenuation of the Freya+. The Freya+ uses a quality resistor relay stack for attenuation, that's the clicky clicky. This is important because (generally) you should run a DAC's digital attenuator at full volume into the Freya. Because most DAC digital attenuators (typically) murder dynamic range in direct proportion to turning the DAC's digital attenuator down. Generally, turn the DAC volume down, turn your dynamic range down.
As well I agree with your very articulate description of the the second (non-amplified) 'mosfet filtered' path. LoL, if I owned a bar or was throwing a party, I would use that mosfet path, because it gives the sound a bit more square edge to cut through the noise and make the sound more identifiable. But having said that I never use the mosfet path personally because it gives an annoying artificial sound to the music to my ears.
For the tube path, I have a different perspective. Your review of the Freya+ tube path, although completely accurate. Is not a review of the Freya+ tube path. It is simply 100% a pure review of the tubes that came with the machine. Not the Freya+ tube path itself. ;-) ;-) !
The Frey+ tube path sound radically changes depending what pair of tubes are placed in the input/buffer (left side). And the pair of tubes that are placed in the output/gain stage (right side). I am serious when I say radical.
I have run 12 pairs of different tubes (and a couple sets of four) through the Freya. I can tell you the statement is true.
Think of the input/buffer pair (left side) as the doorway that the sound walks through. The input/buffer pair of tubes do not effect the 'sound' of the Freya+ much. But it hugely affects the size of the doorway that the sound can pass through. Great tubes in the input/buffer stage transforms the size of the sound stage, and your perception of detail allowed through that doorway. You sensation that the Freya tube stage takes away information, I assert was only because of those (my experience & opinion) lousy JJ tubes. A pair of 'great' tubes in the buffer stage completely transforms the Freya+ performance. Best so far (my perception) are LinLai Elites.
Here is where the magic starts. Think of the output/gain stage (right side) pair of tubes, as the tubes that provide ONLY color to the sound. These two tubes are where sound color changes. Once again, where you felt that the Frey+ tube path felt a bit harsh, that again was just those not so good (my opinion) harsh JJ tubes.
Playing with the color of the sound in the output/gain stages is one of the joys of the Freya+. Warm Sylvanias, Reverby (very microphonic) super fuzzy Electro Harmonics, Musical GEs, Straightforward RCAs, Neutral Zeniths, Different versions of Tung Sols Etc., Etc., all sound really different. My current fave flavor are some dirt cheap no-name Russian military tubes I will never find again, that sound tight accurate and awesome to my tastes. Remember the output/gain stage is about color. And simply color has absolutely nothing to do with how much you pay for the tubes. It's just paint on the music.
One last note on my personal bias. I think that it's so silly that everyone angsts over which big buck $$$$$$ preamp gives you what 'single one note sound color' ..... that you can only hear in your imagination before you buy it. And then you are stuck with the expensive decision. Like closing your eyes, reaching out and hitting one random key on a piano. When just swapping out a $60 pair of little tubes, gives you a brand new preamp sound.
So.... LOL, I tease you. Your review of those JJ tubes was totally accurate :-) !!
Again thank you so much for this detailed review, and all of your reviews. I am thankful and truly appreciate you and your excellent hard work.
Thank you. You’ve hit the nail on the head with all your observations. The buffer stage is the least used option for me. It sounds much too in your face to me. Also, it’s “more meat on the bone” bass completely overwhelms the deep bass and, ultimately, makes it sound bass shy. I am lucky to have a Benchmark DAC and PS Audio tube stage that pair wonderfully with the Freya in passive mode. I couldn’t ask more of a preamp used this way. The tube stage with the stock Tung Sol tubes is much too colored for me. It is a effective detail filter as well.
I was surprised how much change you get out of the buffer stage. I was so focused on only the gain. Using old marconi tubes in the gain are wonderful along with some old rca gtbs. Nice warm full sound but swapping out the rca in the buffer to the new production tungsols tighten up the bass nicely while still maintaining the wide open and deep sound stage the marconi provide. So much fun!
With these detailed reviews you should have 200 thousand subscribes at least now.
Thank you for the relatable descriptions of the sound of the three preamp modes.
I don’t need to duplicate the well earned praise you are receiving from so many. Your ability to transmit what your ear hears- knowingly and expertly- to other people is like 4 or 5 skills in one, and so enjoyable to see.
I would also like you to turn that high powered focus on time domain, as I keep hearing more and more about it and, as a lifelong stat panel fanatic (I owned Quad ESL57s and many Martin Logans, for decades) I think it’s a hugely important topic. Perhaps even one idea that can be tied together with phase shift, if that’s something that you focus on more.I wonder what you observe and think about the separate focus of “time domain.“
I like you "adjectives game" in describing the whole package of content. Kudos!
Excellent description of the sound differences.
I appreciate your honest, objectively and detailed reviews. Great review thanks.
I happen to own Freya OG. Unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to compare it directly with Freya+. However from what I heard in your video many of your findings are applicable to tube preamps in general. And everything you said holds true. Tube (pre)amps will never kick as hard nor as fast as solid state preamps. But what makes Freya a really great contender on the hi-fi audio market is her unprecedented versatility. This versatility is not only about giving you the option to choose between passive, solid state buffer (JFET) and tube mode (which is already something that you cannot get from any other preamp on the market that I heard of) but most importantly that tubes on Freya are replaceable. The biggest advantage of adding tubes to the system is the possibility to roll tubes and by that having a significant influence on the sound signature. AFAIK Freya+ comes with a two pairs of cheap JJ Electronic 6SN7 tubes that are barely decent or if you wish: on pair in terms of sound quality and characteristics with other cheapest 6sn7 tubes being in production today. All JJ or Electro-Harmonics will lack a body in midrange frequencies same as they will have pronounced, sometimes even harsh trebles. Everyone who's familiar with 6sn7 tubes knows that. What makes a big deal about Freya is that with higher quality (and sadly more expensive) tubes you can get an amazing, unparalleled sound. There's even more to it: you can modify and adjust this sound to your liking at the relatively low cost. And at the end of a day if you want to listen to some serious techno smash (e.g. Pan-pot tracks you mentioned in your review) you just switch to JFET mode and you're more than happy.
Tube rolling - I agree with that point. My Freya + came with TungSol 6SN7 GTB. Gonna find a much nicer tube to replace them. Some say the GE 6SN7 GTB is better... In regard to the mentioned "laid-back-ness" of the Freya +, I think it depends on the amp/speakers. My ARC D130/Triangle Antal 40th Anniversary speaker combo is lively. I find all music to be "live" even those that are supposed to be laid back. Its like the musicians are there about 8 feet and more behind you in "live" manner. Its even more surreal when the recording is "live" like the Bee Gees - Live at the MGM Grand.
I have doge 8 clarity preamp. Disagree it doesn't kick hard or fast. Prodigy Roni size etc etc are ferocious sounding but it is driving 600 wpc power amp
Excellent description of sound characteristics. Thank you
Great review! I love the focus on different HiFi components, not alot of coverage on preamps which I think is is one of the most important pieces in a separates system. I used to own the Rotel RC1580, I noticed exactly the same thing. Very clear clean sound but no soundstage depth or width. Everything was just placed vaguely between the speakers, with very blurry imaging. Rotel makes great budget integrated pieces but I find their separates leave more to be desired.
Very Good Review! I Have also a Freya + and a lot of Gear to compare (Kef LS 50 Meta, Wharfedale Lintons, Sonus Faber Concerto Grand Piano...) and i agree with you that the better match is with the Lintons, impressive results with the Freya but tube rolling for me made a difference, now i have NOS GE GTA and GTB tubes that put the preamp in a different league from my point of view. Also interesting that sometimes i prefer the Freya S for the rest of the gear i have.
I am jealous of your ears.😁 because you hear more detail than anyone I have ever reviewed. And that is a compliment.
Seems 80% of freya + users end up prefering buffer mode most of the time anyway...messing with tubes and not getting much of anywhere special....So I opted to go for the Freya S and add on a lokius for the same price as a Freya plus....I can color it anyway I want with less distortion and more detail...put tube money into cables and gear...
he is doing very good job describing the sound differences. One thing to remember: Each sound review refers to specific system. The same component may compensate issues of given system or aggravate them. The first difference I see the reviews differ when reviewer is used to full range speakers vs stand speakers. Also everyone of us is used to specific sound pattern. I compared Freya and Freya + to number of 10x more expensive pre. Both (but with different tubes) could keep the ground surprisingly well, in some aspects being better. Anyway you won't avoid taking it to your place and having a session with it. My observation is Freya + on stock tubes gives a lot of details, is very punchy, proper amount of base (many pre gave too much base in my system). The sound stage is flatter and less homogenous than Solid State mode (he noticed that). What one need to be very careful with is the amount of reverb. He suggest Freya with stock tubes gives too much reverb. My guess it is due to his room having very limited treatment (if any). If you add some sound absorbing pannels to your room, a system which has a lot of dumping (what he calls "just right sound") will sound terrible. Anyone who tried Hegel H200 will probably know what I mean. Anyway I got curious abot the Invador pre.
Freya is good but it’s still built to a price point and compromises in a few places that (to me) leaves the sound being more veiled. But to use high end caps and resistors would make much more expensive. Take a look at the parts used in the acoustic invader and you’ll see less compromises made.
love the halo you have over your shadow, on the television
Haha, that's from my light setup (umbrella light diffuser). It was unintentionall. 😊
I am tempted to crop out just the shadow talking.
@@iiWiReviews some of the greatest inventions happened by mistake 😁
"Like a fat man walking" 🤣🤣🤣
Hey! I resemble that remark! 🤣
Man…exactly what I’ve been wanting. A direct and detailed comparison of the modes of the Freya + AND comparison with a highly capable jfet class A.
I’ve been wanting to move into separates, was looking at the Freya + but hadn’t found any direct/expert reviewer/listener/engineer’s experience until now. Everyone else reviewing it has tended to be remarkably peripheral and subjective. Also the first time I’ve heard those clicky relays working ;) 🙏🏼
The only problem is he's using stock tubes. They have a huge effect on the sound. And he's only using it with his speakers. My Freya+ doesn't sound exactly as he says. But he's very close. The differences between our setups, and likely our rooms, show through in this review.
To me the best way to describe it is. Between SS and Tube. In other words. If you're not into modern precise SS, but don't want syrupy sound from the 60's tube Era either. It's a really nice mix that leans more towards the modern sound, but much more natural.
If you're young you're likely to choose different equipment then an older person. This is kind of perfect for those of us that can appreciate both, but don't want to live with either of them all the time. This is obviously a very subjective hobby. But unless you're a seriously experienced preamp, or you're downgrading to the Freya. You'll probably enjoy it. If you prefer a more precise sound. Go SS instead. The Topping might work in that case. I'm not the best at explaining things, but hope I helped you understand it a little more. ✌️
@@amb3cog I’ve been at the audio thing for many years now, am a professional jazz musician (when I’m not teaching college jazz studies courses). For what I listen to, I tend to favor “accuracy” per say. So I’m torn with the idea of tube rolling and have typically enjoyed the sound of class A SS. Doesn’t mean I wouldn’t enjoy it upon getting started with it, however.
And, have taken into account what you’d mentioned concerning the considerable change in tonal color and behavior that rolling can provide. I’ve been looking at the Freya + and the a musical Paradise MP 701 as possible tube pre’s. But also really like the idea of just a well built class A pre. Decisions! But thank you for the insight 🙏🏼
@@riccitone From my understanding the MP is more tube like. If you really prefer accuracy. I think SS is where you need to be my friend. That's what they do, and usually for less money too. Plus there's plenty of choice. Look into the Chinese ones, they're supposed to be very good. Topping is the most obvious, but there's plenty more out there now. Good luck either way. ✌️
Nice review. I audioned the Freya + and the Freya S paired with the Vidar and Magnepan LRS speakers at the Schiit retail store in Valencia CA recently. The strore manager had said he just swapped the tubes, so I do not known what the new tubes were. In any event, I foundthe Freya + very sweet sounding with the extreme high frequencies rolled off a bit. I found the Freya S to be more dynamic and transparent with more extension in the highs. In this system I thought the Freya + to fit in well with transparent speakers such as thr LRS. As you said system matching is important with preamp selection, but in this case apparently tubes are also important
Tried a lot of tubes with my freya+, finally ended with 2x tung sol round plate + 2x stock tung sol tubes. They give the best sound - much much much better than the 4x stock tubes.
Tubes I have tried: Tung sol round plate. 5691, kenrad vt231, RCA VT231, Sylvania vt231, and some cheap ones. Tungsol round plate + stock tung sol tube kick all other combinations out of the water.
@@tianshiwang3572 which one was in the gain stage ?
@@jdavis234 I put tung 2x sol round plates on the left side and 2x stock tung sol tubes on the right side.
Amazing to listen to what I also experienced but did not know how to describe. You nailed the difference in sound between my former (integrated) class A amp and my current setup with the freya+. Funny that I love the freya but sometimes have homesick feeling for my old class A sound. Thanks!
Very nice and articulate review of the nuances of the preamp
I have a FREYA+ for 1 year now, with ROTEL amp (200 RMS), SMSL SU-9 DAC, LUMIN U1 Mini and Wharfedale EVO 4.4, and usually just listen without tubes on and find FREYA+ incredibly transparent and sufficient for my liking . Something unique is that in a Pre of less than 1K US you have three different Pre sounds, without aggressively touching the essence of the music you hear.
Yes three preamps, but none of them sound good.
Really enjoyed this video I was contemplating the Freya...
You are the best youtube reviewer I know. Thank you very much.
I hope you could do a test with Denafrips amp and preamp.
Excellent review!
Thank you so much for this review. There's so much hype and glowing reviews around this preamp, it's nice to get your no bs take on it. I wish you could review the Freya S. It gets a lot less attention from reviewers because it sits in the shadow of its tube sibling. At $599 I can't think of anything else that allows you to use balanced sources and choose between XLR and SE outputs. It seems like even more of a bargain than the tubed version especially if it sounds as good (but different). I'm sure a lot of people are wondering what the discrete gain stage sounds like compared to Freya + buffer mode and tube mode.
If I got it right, Freya S is basically Freya+ without tube stage... You still have a choice between passive attenuation and discrete buffer. So if one is not into tubes, that can really be a very nice and affordable preamp solution.
@@iiWiReviews Freya S is not the same preamp at all as far as the active modes. It uses their Nexus stage/circuit, not the same buffer stage used in Freya+, so it’s a bit of a different animal sound-wise. Closer to the sound of a Jot 2 (richness and density).
Oh, my apologies then. Thanks for the correction. I wouldn't include "Freya" into the name in that case.
@@iiWiReviews I see your point, it can be confusing, but essentially they are the same design except for the different active stages. I think it's pretty cool that they offer both, especially with the S being so affordable. Kind of like how there is a KEF LS50 and LS50w
Good balanced & informative review. Thank!👍
After carefully listening to your music selections in buffer & tube mode…I have to say…yours is the most detailed description that I have heard of my Freya +. You are making me a MUCH better listener! My system is MUCH different that yours: R2R DAC, McInTosh Power Amp, DynAudio Contour 20s. I am not really experiencing your issue in the upper mids with vocals and in general. So as you say, different mileage in different systems! ….but I am taken aback by how loose (sloppy) the bass becomes in tube mode compared to buffer…but the overall soundstage is MUCH larger in tube mode with more space. It is fun to have the option! If I had tight bass in tub mode it would be best. 😎 This is all so much fun and interesting….
Last Fall, I purchased a pair of Focal Shape Twin powered monitors for my music/art studio/study and hooked them up to a RME ADI-2 Pro FS R AD/DA Converter - Black Edition DAC/Preamp/headphone amp. The sound was so good to me that I wanted to hook up some analog sources and make it my main system, so I borrowed a Freya+. The Shape Twins have 2 sets of pre ins. I hooked up the Freya + to the balanced speaker inputs and was disappointed when playing any analog source (vinyl, CDs, FM tuner) Everything sounded better when played though the 1 analog input on the RME. Next, I borrowed a Parasound P6 preamp from a local dealer and liked it much better than the Freya+. More expensive ($1600US) but I think it is worth the money. The Parasound has an excellent phono stage built in, tone and balance controls, and sub-out with bass management. Also has a decent DAC and headphone amp that I didn't need.
Thank you ! Very good review
Appreciate your thoughtful and discerning review. Not one who leans into tube rolling & sound, I tried the Freya S with the much reviewed Buchardt S400MK2’s, a good EQ and 200 watts of A/B power. Found the stage settings of good use for Turntable listening and different room sizes as well. Considering the limited options for a solid state preamp of this kind on the market, the overall value proposition is significant and fortunately, I discovered the synergy and performance of the Freya S to make it a keeper for my set up.
I think you did an excellent job describing the sound signature for this preamp. People that I know have also commented on the harshness of the upper mid and vocals. The Freya tube sound isn’t what I’d want in a tube preamp. I think I’d rather buy a Conrad Johnson used pre if I were going that route. I saw one here in the US for around $1400. Great job.
I am not experiencing that harshness in the Freya+ in my system…(listed above) …my chain of gear is warm, tho. I think that those LS 50s may expose that more than many other speakers might, right? I am no expert…that's for sure! 😁
I thank you for such a complete review of the Freya+, your expertise is well known. I have listened to tube many times and hours with my friends, but I still am tube virgin. I am considering Yggy+/Freya+, but I am no back to considering Pontus 2/12th and Athena again. I read too many warranty issues regarding Freya. But I still am concerned about only one Denafrips service point in Texas.
Oww thanks for reviewing this! I am really curious what you think of the freya. I trust your taste to no other reviewer. I got the see audio bravery and will get the moonriver 2 soon. Freya is next on the list
I have to say: I always have had a not so good impression about Serbia , but knowing this guy, I changed my mind. It’s not only that he is a very honest hifi expert telling the truth, but also presenting his country in a very positive way!!
@jos5067 This is an unacceptable comment about Serbia. Racists comments don't belong to Hi Fi circles.
Bravo! You do know and hear things like no other.
Very thorough review of the Freya+. It succeeded in interesting me in the Acoustic Invader. --BTW, pronunciation of Rotel rhymes with go tell and hotel.
I have subscribed to your channel just to hear you say schiit. It is so poetic :).
Awesome review. Thank you!!!
Thanks for another nice review. I had the little brother, the Schiit Saga+ which was fine. I thought the passive mode was a tad analytical, and the tube buffer stage did open up the presentation. I read that some preferred active preamplifiers, and so far within my means I am in that camp. I currently use the pre-out from a solid state integrated and am very happy with the results.
My first video from you, must say I really enjoyed your analysis of the differences between the 3 modes. You noted the trade offs between leading edge attack and articulation for more tone and bloom with slight sluggishness. Plus your suggestion of using each mode like tone controls on older say pre-1980s gear to take the bite, nails on a blackboard, out of the presentation
Schitt Freya+ combined with Sylvania 6sn7GTA or older 6f8g (with adaptors) tubes, the sound is simply magical.
I would not even test my Freya+ with those cheap tubes you are using in this video.
Very good a fair comparison. As you said price and system do matter. It will depend on your taste. Thank you
I have the Lokius and Mobius in my rig. Dig them alot. Excellent vid.
Herbie's Rx Dampers have made a major improvement in my system, as it relates to the heavy bloat of bass mostly but also how it affects the other frequencies that you mention. It actually makes a very noticeable improvement to tightening the bass and the rest of the frequencies.
What tubes do you have in your preamp? Is it on Freya+?
@@alekrychwalski Yes, Freya +, using PsVane Cossor on buffer and Sylvania NOS JAN WGTA on gain with Rx Dampers. The Rx Dampers eliminate the excess boominess but maintain detail in highs and improve low end detail. Cheers.
Freya+ is a nice party trick but to me doesn’t do either solid state or tube mode exceptionally well. This was apparent to me when I compared this to a much cheaper valhalla 2 in preamp mode and found the Valhalla 2 had equal if not more detail. (Surprisingly competent as a tube preamp.) As to your point with the acoustic invader, just by looking at the parts used it seems like a superior product. The Freya+ is held back a bit by some of the components it uses, which it has to in order to hit its price point.
Very interesting item and versatile, I have a passive preamp which can sound very good with the right front end .power amp,active speaker, I also like tube pre amps and dac headphone amplifiers with tubes,I assume you could tube roll as well which I like to do . Great in depth review.
I have just bought Schiit Freya (v1) so it is a few years old. I have been looking for a second hand one for two years. I put it in my system which have my TV in it as well. My sons had been watching an action film which they had watched many times before so I know what it sounded like with my old Rotel 1068. Through the Freya it just seemed to be missing the fullness of bass. This is also the same listening to bass heavy dance music. I'm gutted because I have wanted this preamp for a few years, but listening to jazz on vinyl it sounded great. Not sure where I'm going with this but your review was how I felt about my Freya. I will keep to the Freya for a few months but I will keep my old Rotel as well and go back to it. I have other Schiit products and I really like the company but I think for what I listen to which is bass heavy, the Freya isn't for me.
Great review and thank you.
I have the original Freya. I believe one of main differences is that the tubes are not always on in the Plus. Since I only use the Freya with the tubes in circuit playing through the bypass input of either my Krell or Atoll integrated amplifiers this would not be a benefit. You are quite right the sound is not that associated with tube amplifiers. It has more of the grip associated with sold state. In my two variant systems with floor standing Castle Howard 2 speakers and using Sovtek tubes (4 years old now) I have experienced different results to those you did with your Acoustic Invaders system using your KEF speakers. Let me say I found the KEF speakers to be too aggressive for my tastes. Thomas & Stereo found that there was a potential for significant improvement with changes in tubes. This review came some time after I settled on the Sovtek tubes. (When I bought the Freya it was much cheaper in the UK than the current price of the Freya + which is £1125 when available.) I continue to enjoy your reviews and have bought headphones and a mobile dac based on your recommendations.
This brings to mind the expression, "Jack of all trades, master of none". Trying to be all things to everyone may make sense from a marketing perspective but more often than not from an engineering perspective.
Also, in the beginning you correctly mention the match-up in impedance needed for a passive preamp to operate at its optimum fidelity. Which raises the question; how well did the impedance between your source(s) and the Freya+ match-up?
OK…The song Kepler by Pan-Pot (GREAT artwork)😬….Let me say that I am 68-yrs. old, and every time I play that song I get giddy! It’s just silly fun! It sounds incredible thru Freya+ on my system (listed below in the comments), and in tube mode (NOS GE), my bass is tight, textured…and the soundstage is wide and tall…The steps across the room and up the stairs to the right are vivid. 👍🏼 Also, the crickets 🦗 🦗🦗 at the end of the song go around my room on both sides and come up behind my ears. It’s freaky! I find the Freya+ to be stunning with that song. Everything sounds great "to me" on my kit.
Glad you like it, it is a very good one. 🎶
I would like a Freya + I have an almost new Emotiva PT2 that caught my eye because it had an FM tuner which is how I get my classical music fix. Schiit ought to make a modi sized FM tuner with a remote and 4 presets ( find four stations in any market worth listening to).
My favourite reviewer! Any Schitt Kara's you can get your hands on? Would like to see a review of that. 👍🏻
LOVE your precision review! I could talk to you in depth on the topic…forever! 😁 Freya+ could be chameleon in different systems, as…of course… you mention! . Me: Marantz SACD 30n (streaming & Discs) => Pontus II DAC => Schiit Loki Max => Freya+ => McIntosh MC152 => DynAUDIO Contour 20s (all balanced)
My source, DAC, amp and speakers create a very different synergy than yours with the Freya+….especially with your LS50s. I also have GE NOS tubes in the output stage of my Freya+. (I turned away a Denafrips Athena PreAmp when compared to my Freya+. in my system). I will listen to your song choices over the holiday weekend here and report back. Thanks soo much for including specific songs to back-up your descriptions! My Mercury Streamer comes next week (I2S into PontusII), just to drive me completely crazy! 😵💫 would LOVE to hear The Acoustic Invader in my system! 👍🏼😁
Thanks! BTW, great system there! 👍
@@iiWiReviews I left out the two REL T/5X Subs! 😁
Even better. 😊 I'm still using one T5x, contemplating the second one but have to many things nibbling the budget at the moment.
@@iiWiReviews ….oh…that constant nibbling….😬👍🏼
Cool shadow effect on the tv.
Freya S would be interesting next... the "Nexus" circuit.
YOU ARE BEST THANK YOU
A long review ,for me ,is generally a downside but not in this video .
You use similar terms as other reviewers and some new terms i've never heard but like very much but that is not why i enjoyed the video .
i liked it because you can hold a silent but lively space while the words play within that restful but alert state . i feel ive understood waay more than with other reviewers because my attention was being held in this alert background.
An excellent comparison was achieved . VERY VERY good video 👍👍👍
Would be interesting to compare to the Topping Pre90. Fairly inexpensive and reputed to be a very good, very accurate preamp. Also I heard an interview with one of the guys from Schitt and he says he actually prefered the Freya S to the Freya + in a blind test.
great review
In many situations, a passive only potentiometer will make an RC filter. This usually will be a bass cut.
Superb review, and incredibly useful. Rhythm has 2 'h's btw! (Presume English your 2nd language which you speak superbly).
I got two custom acustics invader preamps from Goran great guy the owner of Acustics invader, I owned😅 more than 70 preamps that include top notch tube and sold state preamps in last 35 years of my hi fi hobby, acoustic invader preamps are one of the top notch preamps. My search for upgrade ended .
Great to hear that. Getting a custom build is one of the benefits of small-batch and hand-assembled products. Enjoy them!
@@iiWiReviews Acustics Invader almost killed my preamp upgrade bug ! Prior to this , I tried, preamps from Audio research, Ayre Acustics, Jeff Rowland. Threshold, Simaudio, Linar, Krell, Adcom, Monarchy audio, TAD, Musical Design, Blue circle, Rougu Audio, perreaux , maridian and many more including some Chinese hifi brands , only three preamps come close Acustics Invader are Ayre k1xe , Threshold T2 and krell KRC-HR, Invader outperform them substantially with much less price tag ! Next I will try acustics Invader "fulcrum" preamp, since you own both acustics Invader preamps what do you think about this upgrade?
Why had I not already subscribed? 1,000 apologies.
Great comparison review! I'm surprised to hear that $1,099 Freya + competes well with $4,000 Acoustic Invader.
Thanks but this Ai preamp is $1400.
@@iiWiReviews Oh, really? Can you please point me where to buy it from? After your videos got me interested in it, my quick googling was showing it at $4,000.
There are contact details at acousticinvader.com/lang/eng/index.html
You can email Goran for current price listing and any other information.
@@iiWiReviews Thanks!
My Freya is in its box, under a bed somewhere... I found the same as you stated in the review.
I own the first version Freya and do not like the anemic sound. Pairing it with Schiits equilizer did help, but not enough. I am currently using my old Denon with its pre outs and the sound is richer and more dynamic with its tone controls...imaging is good also.
Thanks for this! If there are a few things I really don’t want in my hifi, it’s too much texture and presence and lack of lower midrange body.. I will be skipping this one 😃 1/2 of all products bought/tried this past year are out the door again for this reason (including Model 5, Chord Shawline RCA, Ares II). Sad that so few reviewers seems to talk about/are sensitive to it.
Edit: Everything is system, room, setup and listener dependent. It’s just I happen to know this is not what my systems needs. So nice to be able to avoid (for my specific circumstance).
it's all system dependent. none of the issue he described are present in my setup.
@@miquifaye You are right of course. Absolutely system, room, setup and listener dependent. But nice when reviewers are able to tell where a product maybe leans and talk about it. I’ve been curious about the Freya but having tried a lot of products and knowing what I in my circumstance don’t need, it’s nice to be able to skip this one 👍
but the question is how does Freya + compare to Freya Noval?
You explain things the way reviewers should.
I’d love to see some Bryston gear reviewed. Why doesn’t anyone do it?
So basically it has the classic schiit sound. In and of itself isn't a bad thing but I do know over time I haven't cared for it as much. One interesting thing is I suggest you try out the Freya s, I don't know for me I bought it when it came out and it was the first piece of their gear that I had purchased where I was like yeah I like this. It sounds sort of like you described except for the fact that tonal colors as well as speed and what the British call Prat it's very much enhanced. Compared to anything else I'd heard of theirs before
Great review. The tubes will make a difference. But not a dramatic one. That said you don't have to spend a lot to get some decent old tubes. Just by some GE tubes, or whatever is cheap over there. That will get you most of the way there. Even many new ones will sound better then the JJ's in this preamp. I like JJ'S in general, but they aren't very good in this pre unfortunately.
The 6SN7 tubes can also be rolled with much better tubes or replaced with solid state variants that contain mosfets.
Buy a tube amp, remove tubes, make it a solid state. Now I call that a solid plan (pun intended). 😊
I actually made a follow up with some different tubes. It's a good preamp.
A tube preamp is a chameleon and can change sound dramatically depending on the tubes used. I don't think any comprehensive review of a tube preamp should exclude trying different tubes. For a while the Freya came with JJ Russian tubes. These are not great sounding tubes in my opinion and now Schiit uses Electro Harmonix tubes instead. Next week, it might change depending on price and availability.. The Freya is definitely built to a price point so you will not get the best tubes from the factory. If you look at Small Room Audio's review of the Freya + you can see his journey in trying different tubes in this unit. I've owned one for a couple years and have not experienced any spitting or sibilance. I have tried several kinds of tubes and NOS Sylvania brown bass tubes in the gain stage and some old original RCA tube in the buffer have the preamp sounding very good indeed and it doe have a tube character that will differ with solid state preamps.
The Acoustic Invader preamp doest seem to be distributed in the US and I dont know if they engage in direct sales and I couldn't find a web site in English. If the European prices I saw are indicative of the US price by the time is is distrusted in the US. The price could be twice the cost of the Freya+ not to mention service backup. I've owned enough audio gear oner the years to put a premium on convenient warranty service.
Let me know when your channel launches
@@paulwg2112 Right after you start your fan club for the gullible.
@@fletchermunson6225 the Stagger Lee tube rolling fan club. Sure. I’m on it.
@Stagger Lee spot on ..
I'd love to see a review from you of a Schiit Yggdrasil if you can get your hands on one!
Thanks.
Doge 8 vs Acoustic Invader would be a good shootout
I don’t agree with the balance of good tubes and using the right side more critical sided use Raytheon
On the right and old ge on the left it was much much better
Great review!!! I am considering the Freya+ to pair with my Emotiva XPA-2 gen 3 amp and my (2007 made in England) B&W 604 Series 3 towers. I am thinking a Tube Pre, Class A/B-D of the XPA would be a great blending..... Thoughts?
Thanks!
Having never heard XPA-2 but reading about it, it feels like an amp that would pair really nicely with Freya+ but you would have to get a pair of Sylvania or similar tubes to hear it at its best.
BTW, 602 S3 were my first speakers. Loved them. 😊
@@iiWiReviews Thank you for the quick reply. Gotta love the older 600 series stuff. 😍😍. Thanks for the advice on tubes. I totally intend to swap around to see what I can do with the Freya+. Any specific link to the tubes you reference you can provide? Or model #. Thank you and love your content.
I can wholeheartedly recommend Sylvania NOS 6SN7 GTB edition for the gain stage. Seller that I've purchased them from (eBay) is out of stock but it's not hard to find them.
JJs actually work really well in buffer stage.
Man, that shadow of you on the tv monitor!!!
Oh, that's just my evil alter ego showing itself. 😄
How does this preamp compare to the Holo Audio Serene? Is the Serene significantly better or are they very close? I have the Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE and am looking for a preamp. Either I change to the Freya+ and the Yggdrasil dac, or keep the Spring and get the Serene preamp.
Cant help but notice you look like an enlightened saint speaking truths of life on your TV with light around your head…;)
Great review, it gave me a pause before purchasing. What appeals to me is the ability to switch between solid state and tube. I use my system for TV and background music as well as critical listening in the evening, so I don't want tubes burning all day. Do you know of any other pre-amp where you can turn the tube section off and use passive or solid state? Going to watch you video on tube rolling now!
Would be great if you could review this amplifier, I think many would be interested. Comparisons, value proposition…
AUDIOPHONICS MPA-S250NC. Also be great to review affordable amp(s) with the new Icepower 200AS boards.
This amp with a PecanPi Streamer, hooked up XLR. Seems like great value.
Thank you for another great video. This must be the best Freya + digest on the web so far. You ruined my party though. I was just about to to get it to see if it'll warm my Yamaha AS 1200 up. BTW do the feet on Freya+ shown on the video come as standard or is this your add on? Great job !
Feet are my add-ons, but tomorrow I'll upload another short video about my experience with tube rolling to compliment this one.
This Acoustic Invader Pre Amp sounds interesting but I am having issues finding reviews on it.
What you're hearing in Freya is tube distortion. Which may not be a bad thing, subjectively.
Excellent comparison! Am really interested in the Acoustic Invader Preamp (also after hearing some youtube demos of it).However according to some other reviewers, the chance of success of mixing different preamp and poweramp brands is quite low. Do you have any idea how flexible AI Preamp is in matching different power amp brands, both Class AB and Class D?