Schiit Saga Thread

Lol damn it @sphinxvc!!! Beat me to it.

 

Well in my case I bought my Saga primarily for the sonic improvement ("pleasing harmonics" - I like that phrase) with the idea that the stepped attenuator, remote control and added system flexibility were icing on the already yummy cake. No, it isn't a huge difference over running the Jotunheim in stock form but then again I wouldn't want it to be.

My thinking was, Jot + Saga is still $100 less than a Mjolnir 2 (which would have been the next thing I tried) but operates in a similar manner in terms of taking on some hybrid amp sonic characteristics and you still get all of the functionality that a nice pre brings to the table. In the scheme of things, $749 for the Jot + Saga is still a good deal for the overall quality of the sound and the added functionality.

That's my justification, anyway, and so far it seems to be working out really well.

 

Me as well. I think to get what I want to achieve, which is more than subtly and A/Bing to really notice a tube(s) was added to the chain, a different preamp or likely a better investment, different speakers is where I am going to focus my wallet. This seemed like a cheap option to add tubey goodness but for my goals I don't think it added enough to warrant purchasing but it did add somet much to my surprise. No fault of the Saga.

Different strokes.

 

Noob Question, Would a Schiit Modi 2 Uber (which puts out like 1.5V I believe) have enough power to use the Saga in passive mode? I read somewhere that you want your source at around 2V for proper performance. Thanks

 

Saga would act as a line-level after the Modi 2 Uber. If you're wondering if you can use it with headphones, probably very few would be able to. If you're using it as an input to an amplifier, then it should work.

tl;dr- Saga will output at pretty much the same volume as the Modi 2. Will most likely need additional amplification after regardless of use.

 

I keep thinking I might be barking up the wrong tree with the Saga if what I want to do is color the sound going to the Jotunheim.

It seems like @MattRG is having some success with intentional coloration, but others have stated that the Saga is pretty neutral.

Luckily for my wallet, I haven't purchased a Saga yet because there aren't any in black finish available.

 

I like my jotunheim a lot better with the Saga in the chain. The coloration isn't huge and differences are very nuanced but it's there. I'll agree though, if you're interested in changing the character of the Jot in larger ways, skip the Saga. (I use it as a splitter/volume control between the Jot and my BH Crack.)

 

Regarding putting the Saga before the Jotunheim, I still think it's a pretty silly idea and wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone but my theory is it has more to do with the pivot point topology than any amount of coloration or bloom coming from the Saga.

I don't think Jason hasn't disclosed enough about how the pivot point topology works to understand how the SE inputs of the Jotunheim are processed into a differential signal so this is purely conjecture; but I believe it has more to do with the >10V RMS output of the Saga's active tube buffer versus say the 2V RMS output of a Modi MB. Somehow this pre-amplified signal may make subtle differences to the amps character due to the topology. Just a theory, and not a very fleshed-out one.

 

@Luckbad after seeing your post and what others are saying I now think "coloration" is probably the wrong word. The Saga is too neutral to be coloring the sound coming out of the Jot. @monacelli used the term "pleasing harmonics" a page back and I think that term is right on the button. I also hear an improvement in instrument separation and staging in general, especially with the Psvane tube.

The sound coming out of the Jot is still crisp, clear and forward but now it has some additional "tubey goodness" due to the Saga's influence. As I've said before, now that I've heard it this way I won't be going back to the stand alone Jot.

 

@Mystic was the mysterious eBay denizen who purchased the black Schiit Saga. He did nothing wrong! He was watching like a hawk for these and saw it on eBay, then snapped it up almost immediately. After discovering he snagged it out from under a friend at SBAF, he was super amazing and sold it to me! Unexpected, but utterly appreciated.

The chain: Schiit Eitr -> MHDT Labs Orchid -> Schiit Saga -> Schiit Jotunheim -> Sennheiser HD650 (XLR)

I've seen varying degrees of claims about the Sagaheim. Some say it takes up a level, some can't seem to hear a difference. I hear a very obvious difference, and to my ears, it is a marked improvement.

I've become used to tube amps over the years, and they have a certain element to them that I've never been able to find in a pure solid state solution.

The Jotunheim alone is an incredible solid state amp that is worth far more than the asking price. Nobody tell @schiit though. I love its price point.

So far, I've tried it out with a stock 6N8S, Sylvania 7N7, and GE 7N7 (note: loctal tube adapter is required for these tubes).

In every case, the changes were audible when putting the Saga in front of the Jotunheim. Edited listening impressions until I get more time with it.

I also read a comment from Jason somewhere that 6SL7 can technically be used.

I have some Sylvania 6SL7, a handful of 7F7 (loctal equivalent), and my favorite: Russian 6N9S MELZ metal base.

I popped the 6N9S in since Jason didn't say not to.

Measurably more distortion? I guess so. Audibly? Not so far. The 6N9S MELZ metal base improves stage depth and width, imparts some tube sweetness, and improves extension over the other tubes I've tried.

Am I crazy? Has anyone else tried a 6SL7?

This makes me far too curious about the 6N8S MELZ metal base with perforated anodes that go for close to $100 a piece.

 

Nice to hear some impressions about the 6SL7. I have toyed with the idea of trying some in the Freya but never got around to it (being slightly put off by the comments in the manual).

I highly recommend the phase reversal trick with the Jotunheim to improve soundstage. I suspect it would make a positive difference to the Saga, too, since it's not balanced.

 

I've been googling around for software solutions for this (want to use it with my speaker setup), but cant seem to find any. Do you guys have any suggestions?

 

This entire post in the linked thread? https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...nnel-polarity-phase-reversal.2942/#post-83615

Or

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...larity-phase-reversal.2942/page-2#post-132009

Or

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...larity-phase-reversal.2942/page-2#post-137910

 

whoops, absolutely stupid on my part. I never ended up scrolling through that thread once I reached the second post and saw that the cable method was being addressed. Then google, and somehow that didnt link back to the thread. Thanks!

 

I have a brown base Sylvania both in 6SN7WGT and 6SL7WGT version and compared the two in my Saga for an extended period, but they sounded very similar except that the 6SL7 had more gain.
Also tried an '75 Reflektor 6N23P with a converter a couple of times. It has a smoother and sweater sound. I think this one completely avoids the distortion cancellation in the Saga while the 6SL7 variants just doesn't have an optimally calibrated one.

 

When people talk about Saga being an exceedingly transparent preamp, are they talking about it when the tube is bypassed?

Swapping between passive and active mode is incredibly obvious, which means it's not completely transparent in at least one of the two modes.

I'm not complaining, mind you. When I got it, I was worried I'd be unable to hear any differences between the Jotunheim with or without the Saga, but that is not even remotely the case.

10/10 times I randomly press the button until I'm completely unsure how many times it's been pressed, I can tell if the tube is being used or bypassed, and I don't have golden ears... maybe copper ears at best.

 

I can also tell which mode is which easily, but I wonder if there is a slight difference in the gain between the modes. I remember reading something like that, but can't find where.