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Schiit Freya+(Plus)

Freya+ users:

For me, sending DAC input through tube output clearly adds warmth, bloom, punch, musicality, presence.
However, when used with analog inputs (TT, FM, cassette), the tubes (current stock JJ 6SN7 supplied with the unit) sound too lush, rather over the top, sometimes frankly bloated. I mean at equal volume (not volume SETTING).

Despite balanced output to power amp, the SS buffer stage sounds inferior to pure passive mode. So it's tubes with
DAC, passive with analog, SS buffer with nothing.

Questions: (1) does my experience sound typical?
(2) should I experiment with rolling Tung-Sols or other recommended upgrade tube?
(3) does any of this bespeak some peculiarity elsewhere in the chain?

Advance thanks for diagnoses/suggestions.

hickamore
hickamore OP
659 posts
 

First thing, EMAIL SCHIIT using the email form on their website. Bet they will tell you XLR is not the solution to tube mode buzz. Could be a tube not fully seated. Or a defective tube receptacle. Or . . .

Meanwhile, always turn Freya volume to 0, then mute, and put amp in standby mode before powering off Freya. Don’t put your speakers at risk!

 

mikem
260 posts
 

@alymere 

Very similar experiences, I have the modi multibit, Yggdrasil, Loki, Magni, Freya+, Aegir And others I gave as gifts. 

the Yggy is a permanent fixture in my main rig.. The Freya+ sits on the shelf, the others are in my 2nd setup. While Schiit makes some great gear and value, They can become a weak point in some upper end rigs.

yoramdiamand's avatar
yoramdiamand
1 posts
 

Hi I ordered my Freya+. I have an XLR dac output and a SE power amp. I understand Tung sol is good enough but I will try Linlai Elite E-6sn7 quad when I want to spend 400 dollar on tubes. If it sounds good I'll tell

swordsman1
4 posts
 

@Hickamore I would like to purchase the Freya plus to replace the Proton AP-400 PRO preamp (SS) currently paired with the Proton dual mono AA-461 PRO amplifier(SS) , to give more finesse, detail and clarity to the sound. What do you think? Do I need to be careful of anything in particular?
Thanks, Pietro 

hickamore OP
659 posts
 

@swordsman1 Not a pairing I have tried or could speculate on. Just make sure the output tubes used on the Freya maintain a low impedance. Whether you like the match or not, it will certainly be different.

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