4 New Schiit Preamps (Saga and Freya variants)

Discussion in 'Preamps' started by rlow, May 28, 2019.

  1. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    4 new preamps announced as part of Schiit’s new “Product Thunderdome”:

    https://www.schiit.com/about/news/preamp-thunderdome

    Saga S (solid state)
    • Single-ended passive or JFET buffer remote controlled preamp with 64-step relay stepped attenuator, $299.
    https://www.schiit.com/products/saga-s


    Saga + (tube)
    • Single ended passive or tube hybrid buffer remote controlled preamp with 64-step relay stepped attenuator, $399.
    https://www.schiit.com/products/saga-2


    Freya S (solid state)
    • Balanced and single-ended passive or Nexus™ solid-state gain stage remote controlled preamp with 128-step relay stepped attenuator, $599.
    https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-s


    Freya + (tubes)
    • Balanced and single-ended, passive, discrete differential buffer, or discrete differential tube remote controlled preamp with 128-step relay-stepped attenuator, $899.
    https://www.schiit.com/products/freya-2


    I knew I should have sold my Freya! :confused:
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
  2. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

    Which one are you getting Freya + or S?
     
  3. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Probably the S - I think I’ve had my tube fill for now. Will see.
     
  4. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    So the + version is like the previous versions while the S version is now solid state? Given I have Freya now, I'm not sure what I would gain by going to Freya +...
     
  5. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    The ability to shut down the tubes completely for one. ;)

     
  6. Cakecake

    Cakecake Guest

    Just purchased Freya S, will report comparison to goldpoint probably.
     
  7. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    WTB: "Sys+" preamp. (Just a Sys, but balanced.)
     
  8. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Yeah me too. With a remote. Which is why I may not buy any of these and wait for the next round in Thunderdome...decisions.
     
  9. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    That's basically what Freya S is, plus the Nexus circuit. A Sys+ would likely not have the relay attenuator volume control, maybe not even a remote, and may have worse measurements given the smaller chassis.
     
  10. crazychile

    crazychile Eastern Iowa's Spiciest Pepper

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    This was a brilliant move by Schiit. I like keeping my equipment on all the time so the original Freya wasn't a good fit for me. Then there were all the reports that the Saga sounded a little better, but then you lose the balanced I/Os. Maybe the new Nexus implementation makes the sonic differences more negligible. I'm really looking forward to the impressions of the Freya S.

    Then if I go with 1 or 2 Aegirs, theres only the amp to remember to turn on/off, which is doable. I don't trust the family members to remember the power sequence when amp and preamp is involved. Freya S just might be the perfect solution for me.
     
  11. Elnrik

    Elnrik Super Friendly

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    Nothing wrong with Alps on something basic.

    I don't need a remote, so... Literally, just want a balanced Sys.

    Anyway, back on topic... Anyone hear these yet? I am curious about the non-tube implementation and how it sounds.
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2019
  12. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Sort of. Nexus circuit with variable gain, more inputs, not really sure I need the stepped attenuator, etc. I was really just wanting the simplest passive balanced volume control possible. Freya S is closer. If it’s as transparent as Sys or better, I’d be fine with it TBH - more flexible for the future. But more complexity I am learning in many cases means less transparency. We’ll see if Schiit have conquered it.
     
  13. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    I'm also curious as to whether the attributes that others have heard in Ragnarok 2 are inherent to the Nexus topology and are thus carried over into Freya S. See: https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/schiit-ragnarok-2.7453/page-4 (posts from @purr1n and one from me summarizing another video).

    EDIT: Chapter is up: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...bable-start-up.701900/page-3124#post-14977751
     
  14. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Thanks dude. There are a few things in that update list that are mighty tempting but would end up costing me $700 CAD at least to sell the old and buy the new. Hrrrmmm.
     
  15. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    I was hoping for something saga sized but balanced :(
     
  16. supertransformingdhruv

    supertransformingdhruv Almost "Made"

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    Sounds like it could still happen in the next round if that's what people are interested in.

    (Personally, I'm hoping for a phono Thunderdome once Sol is out)
     
  17. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    I need a new phono also, was holding off on mani just in case. A balanced Sys for my headphone rig also ! I'm happy with saga for my 2ch/vidar setup.
     
  18. Syzygy

    Syzygy Friend

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    The flaw in Jason's Thunderdome on the market research side is that it does leave out those that are not looking for that at the time it's in the cage match, or like me can't afford it due to other priorities at the time (for me it's a home A/C). Of course all market research has limits and is invalid in different ways.

    Those preamps all look interesting, and I will be building a new 2-ch system, but prolly not til next year. Even though I'm a toob guy, I'd love to hear the Freya S in a system. That and the Freya+ are most interesting to me. Hope they survive the carnage.
     
  19. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    Honestly I'm tempted by Freya S so I can run my Vidars Bridged.

    I have no issue running saga 12+ hrs a day since it has just the one tube but 4 is a bit much.

    @schiit is Freya S fine running (thermally) with a Bifrost on top of it, i guess on the left where you stay the power supply? Else I need a longer RCA.
     
  20. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    Yep, Freya S runs almost dead-cold. Unlike Freya+, which runs hotter than the original.

    You're assuming the preamp Thunderdome is only for a short period of time. We do big runs. This experiment will last a good long while. How long? No clue. But the first to go out of stock will certainly be the first to win...and we will have additional runs cued up for those, so there shouldn't be an out-of-stock situation.

    Maybe best to think of this as The Long Road, if you want a more obscure literary reference. Except there may be more than one winner.
     

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