Yamaha A-S201 is a Integrated Amplifier and can’t use as a power amp, so the Schiit Audio Freya Pre-Amp is not needed.
If you want the Schiit Audio Freya Pre-Amp in your setup, you need a phono stage and power amp.
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imhififan is correct. However, in your list, I think the Yamaha is your weak link. The Shiit Freya is a really excellent preamp, especially if you start looking at alternate tubes (i.e. Electro-Harmonix, etc.). But there will be an additional expense of a dedicated 2-channel amplifier and a phono input preamp. The Yamaha won't have the tube magic. |
Thanks imhifiman and auxinput.
So, I couldn't use the Schiit Freya (as the preamp) connected to the CD input on the Yamaha?
I already have an Onkyo TX-NR686 but thought a dedicated 2ch amp would sound better. |
As stated above the Yamaha is an integrated amp, meaning it has a preamp and amp together in one box. It's not really a dedicated 2 channel amp; you would need a power amp.
The CD and other inputs can only be used for source components such as CD, tape deck, streamer. The preamp section in the Yamaha controls these sources.
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If you exchanged your integrated for a Yamaha or other power amp you could use the Freya. But then you'd still need a phono preamp (phonostage) for the TT.
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Ok, so if I changed the Yamaha A-S201 for the Schiit Vidar this will work well?
Then I could add a second Vidar later when funds permit for a balanced setup yeah? |
Yes, that sounds like a plan. The Vidar should be able to drive your speakers no problem. And two Vidars (monoblocks) will make a very good system.
You still would need a phonostage for the TT.
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There is no reason to get two Vidars, one is plenty of power for those speakers.
Schiit makes a great phonostage for $130. |
Some integrated amps do have preout/main in jumpers or just preouts, but the A-S201 does not.
2 Vidars would be sweet!
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Keep and use the Yamaha as a phono stage through its "tape out" into the Freya. |
Yeah, two Vidars running balanced would provide better channel separation and higher S/N. I'll bet there would be a terrific black background.
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I appreciate the input guys but seriously confused with all the talk of also needing a phono stage when I already have a preamp (Schiit Freya). Why do I need two preamps?
Roberjerman, interesting idea running through the Yamaha tape out and into the Freya but could you please explain the whole setup? |
A turntable is not a normal audio device like a CD player or tape player. It requires a special input circuit to handle the very low level signal and impedance of the turntable needle. You cannot just plug it into a normal "CD input". The Yamaha integrated does have a phono input (you should not connect anything else to that input!!!). If you are into Schiit, the Mani is a phono preamp that you can use. It's very cheap at $129 (and will likely be better than what's in the Yamaha). While you could connect the output of the Freya to a CD input on the Yamaha, it's still going to go through the preamp section in the Yamaha (which is not as good as Freya). It's just not a good solution and a dedicated amp is much better. Don't buy two Vidar amps like mcreyn suggested. Bridging stereo amps is never a good idea and only works well if you have high impedance 8 ohm speakers that never drop down to low impedance areas. You have a 6ohm speaker, but the actual impedance can drop down to 2-3 ohms in certain areas (like bass or midbass/midrange). One Vidar amp will be just fine in your case, and will likely sound much better than the Yamaha So it would be like this: Sony turntable ==> Mani phono stage ==> Freya preamp ==> Vidar amp ==> Dali speakers |
The Yamaha A-S201 is like a phono stage, preamp and amplifier all built into one unit. While it is very convenient to have it all in one unit, it is not going to be as good sound quality than higher end separates devices (like the Schiit equipment). However, the Schiit separates are definitely more expensive. |
A preamp, and a phono preamp are two different things. They have different amounts of gain (phono has more, because the output of a turntable is lower then other sources, like a cassette deck, tuner, or DAC), and the way a phonograph works is that records aren't recorded like a cassette is. In order for it to play the music it needs an EQ, and a phono preamp has what's called an RIAA EQ built in. Basically without the EQ, it doesn't sound right, even if you had the extra gain. This has to do with how the records are made I think. Sorry, I'm a digital guy, and hopefully somebody, besides myself, can explain it better to you. But that's the gist of it. You could just buy a Little Bear tube phono preamp at Amazon too. They're very reasonable, like under $100. Good luck. BTW I agree with the Vidar idea. That will make a great setup. |
Yeah, rojerman has a good idea if you don't want to buy a phono stage at this point. You could use the Yamaha A-S201 as a phono stage for now, but you would still need a separate amp. In that case, it would be this: The "==>" is an RCA interconnect cable. The ">>>" is speaker wire, of course. Sony turntable ==> Yamaha phono input ==> Yamaha tape output ==> Freya preamp ==> Vidar amp >>> Dali speakers |
Great point about the 2 Vidars. They definitely won't do well below 8 Ohms. Besides, there's other alternatives out there if you really want mono blocks. Which are great, but not necessary really. Kind of a bonus. You could also look for a true dual mono stereo power amp. That's a great way to get almost mono block sound, but not use up as much room, or money. |
The Vidar looks like a really nice amp (which doubles its power into 4 ohms). Sorry about the monoblock suggestion, I missed the fact that monos are only rated into 8 ohms.
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Ynos,
I am suspicious that you are playing with the forum with some
of your replies. Am I right?
If not I apologize. My thought is that you find a mentor in a local
AV store or forum and start learning from him/her. (Won't be a her
by the way). You have some good Schiit so far. But who advised you to buy the Freya when you had an integrated???
Find someone to take you to the next step.
I did and with patience it has paid off!!
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Hi firstnot, I assure you that I'm not playing with the forum. I may come off short & to the point but that's just who I am and if my questions just sound too ridiculous to be real... Sorry they're real.
With all the reading I've done and YouTube videos I've watched reviewing products, none have taken the time to actually break down what each component does. All I ever heard from people is that you just need three things to listen to records - the player, pre-amp and 2ch amp. Turns out that's not entirely accurate.
Anyway I just want to thank everyone here for the helpful advice, especially auxinput for breaking it down for me.
I've now ordered -
MANI PHONO PREAMP
+
VIDAR POWER AMPLIFIER
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You don't need the Schiit. And I'd pack up the turntable unless you have developed a record obsession (apparently not, because you cannot even use the thing in your current set up).
Plug in your phone. |
Kahlenz - Thanks for the redundant advice.
Also if your first contact in a conversation starts with arrogance and sarcasm, you are most certainly making a bad first impression and come off like a d**k.
If you took the time to read the entire thread, you'd know the situation has been resolved.
So I'd appreciate you keeping your 2c in your pocket.
The rest of the guys here have been respectful and provided constructive criticism to my questions.
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