The All Purpose Advice Thread

So, I’ve narrowed it down to 2 options: Saga + / stereo Aegir or Freya + / dual mono Aegir. The former outputs 20W and the latter 80W. Assuming I use sensitive speakers that could easily be driven by a single Aegir, should I go for Saga + / Aegir? Or, if price is not an issue, would Freya + / dual Aegir still produce better results? I’m asking this because I’ve read somewhere that Saga is actually better sounding than Freya (but I’m not sure if the same could be said for the + versions).

 

I use 2 of these and they've been recommended by others here.

https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-adapter-male-female-assembly/dp/B0009MFRW0

 

What would be better between that and using the pass through on one of the amps? If using that adapter can you have both amps on at the same time?

 

I was attenuating down to 8-10 on a 40 point scale, so quite a bit. I think my dac attenuates linearly so I may have been losing 5 bits of resolution, if I understand correctly (low confidence here).

Point taken about Roon. I may try a free OSX solution before trialing Roon.

I confess I’m more of an old analogue guy and am still navigating my way around streaming/etc.

I do really appreciate your advice.

 

Tough to say.
I think double Aegir is better because it gives more bass heft and easeness to the sound that makes it more dynamic but some people say single Aegir is a bit sweeter which I didn't detect confidently.

Saga + vs Freya +
I would still think Saga + is a notch higher in transparency, which I value more over other qualities Freya brings(perhaps the tube staging?)

Perhaps best start with saga and Aegir. Can add Aegir later and easier to sell saga. What speakers btw

 

Both are the same as far as I'm concerned. Theoretically, the hard connection would be better I guess.

I can have both amps on at the same time (if I want to warm both up, for example), but usually only listen to one at a time

@atomicbob answered this question once but I forget the answer, something about as long as the inputs are wired a certain way (which most are) there shouldn't be a problem. Basically, there should be a problem doing so.

 

How much does your DAC output? Is 5V the average you need, or is it the max? If the max your DAC can output is less than 5V, then your only option is an active pre. But I think you already knew that. If your DAC is capable of outputting greater than 5V, then a passive pre should work perfectly fine. I have tried multiple digital attenuation, and always felt that analog attenuation was better than even the best digital attenuation. So my vote goes for a passive pre if you are trying to avoid an active pre. Any of the pro passive volume controller that @rlow suggested should work fine, as those can do Balanced in and out.

 

I've got a random information question that I just don't think is worthy of a thread.

Why aren't balanced iem jacks done with 3.5mm size jacks, the same way microphone/remote 3.5mm jacks are done? That way you could use a balanced 3.5mm jack or unbalanced 3.5mm jack in an unbalanced output. There's be no need to get two sets of cables and all the hassle, and two jacks on sources. God it would make things a lot nicer

Is there a technical reason the second channel couldn't be put on a 3.5mm jack just like the remote/mic is?

 

No 'technical' reason, probably just market forces.

Actually, I guess that the answer is embedded in your question -- 'source' manufacturers didn't want to run the risk of folks possibly plugging in those earbud/remote mic cables into the balanced out of their DAPs. Plus, A&K was 'early to the party' as far as balanced out from a DAP, they standardized on 2.5mm, and the industry followed. I think the 2.5mm ==> 4.4mm switch was done to deliberately by-pass the possible 3.5mm confusion.

You'll may well hear other answers/guesses which are equally likely to be true

 

Would something bad happen if you plugged a mic 3.5 mm jack into a balanced output?

 

Well one of the 4 poles on the jack is a common ground for both L & R channels, and that's the big issue plugging SE equipment into balanced jacks. On the amp side, there is no ground, only L- & R-.

I'm not well-versed in the technical details, but you frequently hear about the possibility of damage to balanced amps when this is done. I can't imagine it would be a good thing

 

Agree mainly with @Hooncake on this, but the decision should be primarily focused on what amp/speaker combo you end up with, then choose the preamp. If you need monos, then it’s no debate on which preamp. If you are going to get by with stereo Aegir, then I think it’s a question the source you’re using and does it have better balanced outputs (e.g. Yggdrasil or Gungnir Multibit) and also, do you want more tube flavouring or less. I can tell you that Freya+ is far more transparent than OG Freya was, so I suspect it is pretty close with Saga now (actually I think Freya+ is likely even more transparent than OG Saga, going by memory) - personally, I would base the preamp decision on other factors than transparency, like I mentioned. And of course $$$.

 

I would go with passthrough, not sure about THX 789but in my amp, old Talisman T3H, passthrough works even when I turn off the amp. Mean no active components and higher quality connection than those noodle like wires

 

It's too bad this isn't possible, it would get rid of so much hassle and adapters and multiple cables and output jacks. damn AK for setting a stupid standard!

 

Thanks! Super helpful. So there’s no risk when having two amps on and hooked up to the same DAC that they draw too much power from the DAC?

 

You mean through my pre-amp? No, doesn’t seem to matter whether just one or both amps are on. Volume doesn’t change. I guess that makes sense as the DAC is a voltage source.

 

Again, not an "expert", but amps tend to have high input impedances, so the DAC would be seeing the net impedance of the 2 amps in parallel, which would still be high.

And aside from the fairly uncommon situation that @atomicbob warned about (I think somebody asked the same question in the thread of an another amp, can't remember which), it will be fine. One amp is the THX 789, right? What's the other one? Someone should be able to answer definitively.

 

Freya+ took about 4 seconds to completely smoke my (now sold) OG Saga. But even if Saga+ has evened the score on transparency, Freya+ still has the advantage of a 128-step volume control over Saga+'s 64. I found that to be a real advantage going in to a high-gain power amp feeding sensitive speakers, but I am particularly tweaky when it comes to volume levels so may not be a factor for you.

 

I think @dmckean44 had the best advice about choosing synergistic Schiit 2-channel gear to complement your speakers:

 

In continuation to my separate thread (I haven't posted a sketch of the room but I promise I will), I've narrowed my DAC search to a few options:

NAD M51
Exasound E20 MK3
Something just... different: Abbas Audio https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAC2-2-a...6N6P-EZ80-TDA1541-CS8414-mp-cap-/173875183638

I don't believe in NOS, at least not in the pseudoscience that's supposed to make us believe OS is flawed, and vintage parts don't give me boners but who knows, maybe it just sounds good for some fucked up reason?