Schiit Freya Preamp Review (Episodic)

Switched tubes around and no more annoying noise. Still microphonic but whatevs. My impressions of the tubes haven't changed much.

Tubes->Passive->JFET

Tubes seem a little hazy and midrange detail pushed up. Still excellent extension on both ends. I'm sure NOS tubes will bring the goods. Also, Jot, while being a helluva amp is showing it's weakness holding back Freya with sound stage and instrument placement.

Freya->Pioneer Spec 2->Philharmonic AAMs is quite the showstopper. AAMs laugh at headphones for layering and tonality.

Pioneer Spec 2 is going to be replaced by Vidar/AHB2/Bryston/Sugden in a couple months.

Great job on another FANTASTIC product at a ridiculous price. Competition be shaking in their boots.

 

I'm curious if anyone has tried a Freya into powered speakers yet? I'd be curious to hear about your experiences if you have....

 

Am I putting the tubes in the right place?
The Freya Manual conflicts with the SBAF Schiit 2-Channel Compendium as to where to put the pairs.
See below......

Freya Manual:
The right tubes are for the differential voltage gain stage.
The left tubes are for the cathode follower output stage

SBAF SCHIIT TWO-CHANNEL GEAR COMPENDIUM:
Freya:
"You'll want matched pairs at least on the front tubes on Freya. Front
tubes are voltage gain, rear tubes are output buffers on Freya.
Matching is less important on output buffers, but in general it's a
good idea." Id.


I have my real good tubes on the right side for the gain stage

 

you have it right, unless you meant the bigger tubes as the output stage

 

Pic of Jot on top for those interested. It hangs off a 1/4 inch the way it currently sits but feet are still comfortably on top.

https://goo.gl/photos/tBefEDHMfR2AAVUY8

 

I'm not seeing the pic

 

Hmmmm not sure why?

EDIT: Added link in case it goes down again. Should work now.

 

I was seeing it yesterday, but not today.

 

Oh Ho. There it is. My god there is a few things there. A lot of Schiit as they say.

Now that you have the Freya..... is there any "Should I stay or should I go" items in the mix?

I'm very excited for you. The Freya will be your friend. You don't have to walk it. Just turn me on to warm up me tubes. Then once warm I will tell nice sound stories.

 

My Krell throws some heat. I will be posting about how I am going to deal with that in the next few posts. I am building a bridge over the Krell.
The Schiit products don't seem to cook eggs on top. What the hell, my Krell does......
Go figure.

 

@cskippy
I want the gurl or guy undr the Freya. Trades......

 

Modi Multibit plus $1000 and it's yours. (As long as Fryggy is possible)

 

@cskippy
So how is the Freya treating you. Is she showing nice manners?
I just got my Freya suspended with some kind of $22 pointy things over the Krell amp. She likes it so far. Hasn't complained. Still singing a good song.

 

Freya is doing great! Loving the tubes. I'm giving it time to break in before doing any more changes. I'm enjoying the music which is kind of the point of all of this.

 

Awwww that revert wiped my post about tube rolling : (

 

I feel ya.

 

Yeah Mine to cskippy! I was asking about the difference in the Sylvania 6sn7GTB's... found some all in similar price brackets, the short black base with green or yellow print and chrome top, the coin base with yellow print on the glass, or some tall bottle chrome dome black base green print...trying to do some more homework on identifying them, years, etc. but thought i'd see if anyone here had some info. I plan to order a Freya in the next few days and want to order some good NOS tubes so i don't even have to unbox the stock tubes... also don't want to spend a small fortune collecting loads of tubes to roll... ideally i'd just like to get 4-8 good tubes that won't set me back more than a couple hundred bucks, pop them in and enjoy!

 

At some point soon I am going to be in the same position. Probably you have found these, but here are some good resources:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/117677/the-reference-6sn7-thread
http://db.audioasylum.com/default.mpl?forum=tubes
http://www.audiotubes.com/6sn7.htm

I figure I can work out enough from these to find something to my sonic preferences and reasonably priced ($40-50/pair) and then start punting away on eBay until I am happy.

 

I think we are in the same boat! I was digging through that same 6sn7 reference thread and bouncing around on ebay. Hah

Please share your findings if you start experimenting with different tubes tailoring your sonic preferences...if not in the thread i'd be interested to receive a PM from you about it sometime down the road.

Thanks!

 

Ebay seems like the place. Take your time, and the good deals will come. Still need to stick the suckers in the Freya and see how they sound for a couple of days. More than $25 each may be too much. Owner of 16