I recently purchased a B-stock Freya + preamp from Schiit as I wanted a balanced preamp to work in a second system. Right now, I have it connected in my primary system in place of my Audio Research LS7 tube line stage. The Freya + came with JJ 6SN7 tubes, but I already had a matched pair of OS GE gray plate side getter 6SN7’s and a matched pair of new production Tung Sol 6SN7’s. I installed the GE’s into the voltage gain stage (right side) and the Tung Sol’s into the buffer stage (left side). I used some really nice socket savers from Eurotubes in Portland, OR. These are quality constructed socket savers using octal tube bases with Micalex octal sockets. The socket savers allow me to remove the tubes easily from the Freya + sockets.
I connected my SMSL SU-8 v. 2 DAC with Mogami 2549 balanced XLR cables to the Freya +, and then used another pair of the Mogami balanced cable from the Freya + to a Pass DIY Aleph J amp’s balanced inputs. The Aleph J drives my modified Klipsch Forte II’s.
I started out listening with the JFET solid state buffer mode for the first two hours. I was really impressed with the black background, tonality and large, deep soundstage. Then I switched to tube differential mode and allowed the preamp to play for 20-30 minutes before any critical listening. There was no hum, no pops or crackles or any noise for that matter. What I heard was a an even larger soundstage with with a palpable presence. Now I understand others who have reported hearing the Freya + cast a holographic sound stage. The separation was outstanding and I was impressed by the rich, “almost creamy” tone. It definitely sounds different from my ARC LS7 line stage. They are both great line stage preamps, and it’s too early to draw clear comparisons. What I can say is that I really like the balanced connections from my DAC to preamp to power amp. The background is black and allows me to hear subtle details and nuanced tonality. The preamp does get rather warm in tube mode, but not scorching hot. In completely passive mode or JFET buffer mode, the amp does not get warm at all. For background music listening, the passive or JFET buffer modes are great sounding and will not wear out the tubes. For active listening, I do prefer with the tube mode.
My experience really mirrors what most reviewers have positively written about the Freya +. I am not sure why some people have had problems with tubes or noise. The Freya + came as advertised offering tremendous value for a $900 preamp.
