Wow. Thanks for all the great input!
Sounds like the Schiit Freya at 7 bills is a no-brainer. Lots of fans. I was surprised to hear about the step attenuator (relay-volume) can be heard through the speakers when raising the volume? Weird.
Ive checked out all the preamps mentioned in your replies. Please keep em coming!
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I would recommend the micro zotl mz2 tube pre-amp. Check it out at lineartubeaudio.com
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I feel compelled to point out one negative characteristic of the Schiit Freya that I auditioned recently. When one moves the volume control knob, the pre-amp emits a clicking/beeping sound that gets sent through the speakers and competes with the sound of the program material. According to the Schitt salesman I spoke to, this "feature" can't be shut off. Frankly, it was a deal killer for me, as there are so many other pre-amps to choose from that don't do this. |
I also have the Emotiva A300. Originally ran it through a rebuilt Conrad Johnson Premier 2, all tube preamp. Still the sound was as yours, forward, bright, grainy and irritating. The CJ slowly expired and too much $ to fix. Got a previously owned Van Alstine SS/ Tube preamp from Van Alstine. Same sound problems. Replaced the Emotiva with a heavily modified Adcom 535 (done by Hoppe's Brain). Huge difference - sweet and rounded, full mids and lower mids. Just budget nice sound. Point is, no matter what you pair the Emotiva with, probably won't tame it. It is what it is.
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Another hearty vote for the Schiit Freya. I’ve got one and love it. I’m running a pair of CBS Hytron 6SN7s in the voltage gain and a pair of tung-sols as the followers. |
Classe SSP-25 $250-450 if you look or make an offer. Utilitarian in nature but solid 2 channel. Can find a programmable remote if need be. Cheap but been a favored purchase. Sorry, chump change budget dude. I find that I keep spending more though? |
Sonic Frontiers Line 1 or Line 2. Once you have one you’ll never need anything else. |
Van Alstine
Quicksilver
Odyssy Candela
ARC SP 15 and above, killer, still supported tank, sounds great
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Um, despite needing a preamp, have you considered different speakers? They have the largest affect on the sound. A generalization but I’ve heard some of the lower end Focals and didn’t like their metal tweeters. I’d find it hard for anyone to say the house sound is warm or analogue. In the 807 stereophile review, they compare to 3 other speakers and amongst the various comparison notes, the Focals are stated to have the brightest treble of all of them. |
The only criticism of the Freya (and my other little Schiits like the Loki and 2 Magni 3s) I have is that the LEDs are too bright...if you take the thing apart like I did to put a some green marker on the lights (this works), you may spend a lot of frustrating (trust me...I nearly went insane, or more insane than otherwise) time getting the LEDs to line up with the faceplate holes when putting it back together...not recommended, but they eventually popped into place...still a GREAT preamp with more features and a silly cheap price. Mine is on right now...can you hear it? No? |
As mentioned several times above, the Schiit Freya is a no-brainer.
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Van Alstine Vision is unbeatable under 1K and a contender under 2k .
I've heard systems that went from 5k to 25k and the AVA needs no replacing .
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A year ago I purchased the Luminous Audio Axiom II, Walker Mod, 3 in, 2 out, single ended, remote unit ( New, under $1500 ). I could not be happier. Enjoy ! MrD. |
Burson audio soloist about 700.00. Burson solid state has a rich full character. A sweet little pre.
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I also agree with those that suggested the Schiit preamps. I own several of their products and have not been disappointed, a lot of bang for the buck at their price range. Of course paying more for a preamp could deffinately buy you more as per other suggestions above.
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Sounds like good Schiit! Off the top of my head, Schiit seems to build mostly desktop solutions. Is it fair to say, they’re branching out and into some 2 channel audio products vs the headphone amp/dac components? Also, isn’t there a new turntable in the works etc? Thanks for the input wolf.
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I have a Schiit Freya and it not only sounds great, but is utterly unique at any price...USA made, 3 operating modes (preamp and remote selectable) of passive, FET, or tube (I use the tubes mostly, and the other modes to make sure the tubes are being honest), various fully balanced or single ended ins and outs, 4 6SN7GTB tubes for tube rolling fun, and 700 bucks. Not sure if it's a "sleeper" as it's a well regarded bargain home run from this refreshingly quirky company, but there's nothing I know of that comes close to this thing in price or otherwise. |
