@oldrooney Thanks for the information. I see that now in the manual about converting single-ended input to balanced output. But I still don't understand if there is any way to fix the volume of the Freya when you have a singled ended AVR input and balanced outputs to amp. If you want to have the Freya's volume controlled by a connected AVR (single-ended), you would put the Freya in buffered mode and then do what with the volume. turn the volume all the way up like they suggest to do in passive mode? Or do you have to determine where the volume should be for playing the AVR and just put it at that spot every time you switch to AVR? Or would it not matter where the volume is? This is where I remain confused.
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@jcwilson et al, It is my understanding that the Freya+ in this situation, is functioning as a preamp. That is, the AVR sends it signal to the Freya, and the Freya passes it to the amp which powers the speakers. So with the volume turned up on the AVR, the Freya is going to see a strong signal at it’s input. I would advise starting with the Freya’s volume minimized, adjust the AVR to where the speakers it controls are where you want them, and then bring the Freya’s speakers up to match their volume level. Now, when you adjust the output of the AVR, the Freya should respond in like manner. The trouble comes in if there is a mismatch between the voltage output from the AVR and the Freya, but I wouldn’t expect a problem if the AVR is Line Out to the Freya’s Line In. Another issue is differences in gain between the AVR preout and the Freya, but if you stick with the Freya’s buffered unity gain mode that should be a nonissue as well. Some might warn of impedance mismatching, but I would think the volume knob on the Freya would allow you to compensate for all but the worst cases. What the Freya will NOT allow you do is adjust the level of its inputs, that is, create an ‘offset’ for the AVR or any other device to allow easy switching of sources without fear of deafening blasts or disquieting stillness at the speakers whenever you switch sources on the Freya. You just have to mark the setting which works best for you and make sure the Freya is ready for the AVR input before you switch the Freya to it. Disclaimer: I’m no expert in these matters, I’ve just been fiddling with this stuff for years, and sharing what I THINK will happen, or should happen, or at least what I expect to happen. The advantage of a true Home Theater pass-through is that they guarantee what will, and will not, happen. Usually they are allowing the AVR to send its signal directly to the amp downstream of the preamp. This is not the case with the Freya, the signal must go through one of the three modes the Freya can be configured. Passive: SE in — SE out no gain, FET Buffer: SE or Balanced in — SE or Balanced out (conversion possible) unity gain (a bit stiffer than passive mode), Tube amplification; SE or Balanced in — SE or Balanced out (conversion possible) significant gain available [12dB]. I think I’m staying on topic here. |
@oldrooney thanks for that. I feared that is how I would have to do this if I moved the freya to my HT system. |
Thanks everyone for your help. There were a few posts that recommended keeping my 2 channel system and home theater separate and it made sense for my setup. I already have a very nice desktop system and that will be the system I go with tubes. The home theater will stay multichannel and if I want to listen in stereo I'll just use the Pure Direct analog mode of my Marantz processor. |
I currently use a tube preamp with HT bypass for both of my systems. I use the Quicksilver Linestage in my family room. It’s great and I really like it. I also have a Prima Luna EVO 300 in my main system, which I love more for its main purpose as a stereo preamp. The Quicksilver is more convenient for HT because it stays powered off in bypass mode. |
