Schiit Freya+(Plus)

Ok I started a discussion, not realizing this one was here. I need a little advise, on valves. I’m not very familiar with the tube complement in the Freya +. I heard this unit off and on for over a month with stock valves.
I could see it was quite a little nugget. I’m a planar person, and lean towards the sound of RCAs and Telefunkens and the older GEs. I think the one I ordered is voiced with EH.

I certainly don’t want to spend another fortune on valves, figuring it all out.
I listen to a lot of Island music, salsa, flamingo, latin and smooth jazz.
Honestly though, I’ll listen to anything BUT Yoko Ono.. no Yoko Ono..

I’m a Mcintosh guy from birth, I was raised on Mac and JBL, and have a full complement of vintage Mac gear.. My C2500, I pulled out service for a repair. I side by sided this little SF+ with some pretty great gear. I still came back again and again for another listen.. I like it.. I use class a-z when it comes to amps. I’m a tube guy but not a snob. I like valves but, summer is coming, so it will be class d for 4 months or so. Cary, Mcintosh, VTL, I use them all.  I'm leaning towards Cary lately for valves.

Valve suggestions, that aren’t a bloody fortune. If your use to the sounds of the the above valves, what’s sonically close. Smooth top to bottom, but more MB, and MID forward. The highs gotta be clean, not bright, (Sylvania kind of bright).

Thanks

Regards

Ok I got the little Freya +. Delivery was fast. Looked good.
I took it out of the box voiced it, plumbed it and turned it on.

I couldn't select the input, via remote or manually on the machine.

I turn it off, make sure everything is right, check the connections,
AGAIN. Turn it back on, same thing, 3, 4, times. Then it powers
up and works. Magic...

THEN

It plays for 30 min or so and got so hot, the tubes shut down.

I walked over, I couldn't put my hand on the cover. LOL
That's hot, even for me.  It was at 20-30% volume.

I went to turn it down with the remote, it wouldn't volume all
the way down. So I turned it down, gently, it was stuck.

I used the remote again and it worked. BUT the valves were still off.

I turn the unit off, unplug, swap PC, to an all copper. Turn it back on
and it worked.

Everytime from that point on If I used the valves the volume would stick after about 20 min or so. It overheated once and shut down. That stopped. It sounded good. 

It went back, no problems so far.. I just lost my confidence for sure
on that one. They were quick to respond. Send a shipping label.
It was packed correctly. The box looked unharmed.

I used another one over a couple week period. Not a hitch..

Maybe in a couple months..I went back to a C20 Mac, No remote..
I like a remote..

Regards

Not trying to get off the subject too much, here OP.

The unit was setting on a slotted grate, Lots of air all the way around.

Ambient temp was 65-75.

When I started monitoring with a temp gun, it stayed right at 96-7 F.
The valves 145-150 F. Stayed pretty constant after the first overheat issue.

I was thinking a valve had something inside the glass that may have moved in transit, flipped upside down a couple time.. Duno..

I should have tested the valves, but I was in a bit of a panic ;-)

Customer service and support both contacted me QUICK.
Pleased with the response for sure..

The unit sure had a nice feel, weight, and look. Crap, I’m gonna order another one, pretty sure. I really wanted to tinker and I like a remote.

As far as 12XXX valves, I've used them so long, and they're in everything I use. Mac, VTL, Cary.  Easy to roll and a TON to choose from. Do they run Cooler? LOL  They run a lot cooler 1/2 the heat. Even my hot rodded C20 is not close to the heat.. of the Freya...

Back to soldering.

Regards