Schiit Freya Preamp Review (Episodic)

Discussion in 'Preamps' started by purr1n, Jan 14, 2017.

  1. skikirkwood

    skikirkwood New

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    A friend of mine has a Playback Designs DAC with a very large, aluminum remote. I remember unpacking the first Freya, looking at the remote, and going ok, it didn't cost me $6500 like my friend's DAC. But now that I have the new remote I have to say I prefer it to the Playback Designs. I'm a big guy but the small size is perfect for me. They got the balance and form factor down perfectly.
     
  2. khragon

    khragon Acquaintance

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  3. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    I knew I should have checked this site first!

    - I just emailed Schiit about this as well for a replacement remote (ordering an Eitr, so figured I'd throw a new remote in and save on shipping hopefully). Will let you know if I get a different answer! :eek:

    UPDATE: Schiit confirmed I would be shipped the new style remote as well :punk:
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2017
  4. simonleemd

    simonleemd New

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  5. Gustavo

    Gustavo New

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    I had the same issue with the pops or cracks sounds on the Freya, in fact in 3 times happened that frya didn't give any sound, so I power off and then it gave sound, but with that wear noises, I rolled the tubes and it seems fix the pops and cracks, but the microphone effect is stronger on one channel than the other, my fear is that the circuit have some issue, not just because the tubes!
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2017
  6. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Greetings Cskippy!
    Can you please chime in about differences between your zana deux vs freya/jot combo?
    Thanks
     
  7. cskippy

    cskippy Creamy warmpoo

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    Hmmmm, Freya/Jot doesn't really hold a candle to Zana Deux if you use phones that work well with ZD. But for harder to drive planars or darker headphones, Freya/Jot can really waken them up and give them some extra energy and excitement while getting close to the 3D soundstage of Zana Deux. Overall balance can be close but I would say in general, Freya/Jot will be more energetic in the treble and overall brighter with a sense of glare or whatever you want to call it only when compared to Zana Deux. HD650 works well with both. Zana Deux feels more musical and lets the music flow freely. Jot is still the weakest link, but by no means a slouch, so Freya can only do so much to help.

    And with HE-6, it's no contest. Transients and overall dynamics are a decent step up with Jot/Freya compared to Zana Deux. But neither combo is really ideal to run HE-6 to it's full potential.

    Also, Jot is still an excellent amp. I sold my Liquid Carbon in favor of Jot. It's now in my bedroom rig.
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2017
  8. Peter78

    Peter78 New

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    Can you flip the tubes to see if increased microphonics move to the other channel? If so, that should be able to help you determine if it's the tube(s).
     
  9. drgumbybrain

    drgumbybrain Science Nut

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    Sorry about the noob question: I have a ragnarok and I want to use Freya as a tube buffer before my speakers and headphones.
    Should I put ragnarok volume all way up and control it with Freya?
     
  10. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    Yes, but from what i've read, a few vets from around here recommend turning up the volume 3/4 of the way give or take on the ragnarok because volume pots tend to be more balanced further away from their extremes. (at least that way my take away, someone please correct me if i'm mistaken)
     
  11. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    I just turned the volume up all the way on the Rag when I was running the freygllrock setup, and adjusted the gain depending on if I was using it for speakers or headphones. What do you mean by "more balanced?"
     
  12. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Rag volume is relay switched resistors. No pot. Crank it up. But dial it down if noise.

    Volume pots have L / R tracking errors at the extremes. Depends upon quality of pot.
     
  13. e.schell

    e.schell Friend

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    Sorry about that...I meant channel balance (left and right channels) is supposed to be better when volume pots are not turned up all the way. Example: i turn my Jotunheim 3/4 of the way up and do all my volume control with freya.

    **Edit**

    Ah yes i forgot Rag didn't have a potentiometer

    Nevermind me, in trying to be helpful i am just causing static and confusion... haha.
     
  14. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Thank you for this, I needed a good chuckle after a long crappy day at work.

    Real question for the group: Despite trying 3 different types of tubes in the gain stage of Freya (stock-2 sets; Sylvania GTBs; RCA GTAs), I still hear the relays clicking amplified through the tubes. Is this normal or am I unlucky with microphonic tubes?
     
  15. winders

    winders boomer

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    I think you are unlucky with tubes. I have noticed a trend in that the 6SN7GT and older Sylvania tubes tend to be the most microphonic and the Raytheon VT-231 seems to be the least. Ken-Rad VT-231 and RCA Vt-231 grey glass tubes are all over the place. Some are and some aren't.

    Even with the sensitive Sylvania tubes the relay click is not passed through to the audio channel. The blur is if you change volume quickly. I do have Herbie's isolation feat and tube dampers on Freya.
     
  16. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Thanks @winders for your reply, per quote above what do you mean by blur?
     
  17. winders

    winders boomer

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    If you just the volume quickly on Freya the sound is a bit blurred while the volume is changing. It's a strange sound and not what you get with a traditional potentiometer. I am not sure why it happens. Probably because of the steps instead of it being continuously variable. But I could be wrong....
     
  18. ckwong

    ckwong New

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    @cskippy Have you had a chance to listen to the Saga + Jot combo? Wondering if you had any opinions on the Sagaheim vs Freya + Jot with HD650s.
     
  19. Dr. Higgs

    Dr. Higgs Boson - Member

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    Same here. No issue with mid-1950's Tung Sol 6SN7GTBs
     
  20. pedalhead

    pedalhead Friend

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    Tubes definitely make a difference with Freya. I had the Schiit UK chap round my house the other day & we were playing with Vidar and Freya tubes. Very noticeable difference between his new production Tung Sols and my old stock Sylvania chrome tops. Hint, the Tung Sols sucked in comparison :).
     

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