Schiit's solid-state 6SN7

"Solid-state tube replacements aren’t a new idea. However, most of them go on and on about how they sound “just like tubes.” We’re not going to say that. We will say that they sound very good. We will also say they have lower distortion than tubes, though with a similar overall profile. Beyond that, it’s up to your own perceptions."

So...they're tube-shaped? Is that what we're all secretly hankering for? Tube-shaped objects? Not that there's anything wrong with that. 

     That had to be one of the funniest, Seinfeld run-on, jokes ever aired.

             They offer a fifteen day, money-back, trial period.

     At least it would be a low-risk experiment*, for the, "curious".

                               *No poxes, just postage

But why?

Butt plugs!

nice one jasonbourne.  nice one.  your exclamation points really get me engaged

So you want to try a tube preamp, and you hear that 6SN7 tubes are supposed to be a good sound, then yadda yadda yadda, you wind up with some solid state schiit. Lol. Is it an interesting idea? Sure. Is it possibly longer lifespan compared to tubes? Maybe. If it sounds good, that’s all that matters. So far I’ve yet to see (er, I guess hear?) them put out a bad product compared to their asking price, so only time will tell how this is received.

Whatever this product is, specifically, there are a number of things that are true about Schiit -- they try new things, they don't lie, and they don't take themselves too seriously. Their stuff is well made and they have good customer service.

@hilde45 Wrote:

Whatever this product is, specifically, there are a number of things that are true about Schiit -- they try new things, they don't lie, and they don't take themselves too seriously. Their stuff is well made and they have good customer service.

! agree 100%

Mike

Modern tubes are pretty reliable and last a long time. Mine will likely outlast me. Why turn your tube preamp into a solid state unit. Just buy solid state to being with.

Steve Guttenberg just reviewed the Freya+ with these. He likes it.

Personally I don´t get the product. Usually people get tube amps for a reason and the reason rarely is that it should sound like a solid state. But for a reasonable price people who do want to have that option now have one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uwu7pn5_4Y

So the real reason Schiit put these on the market here is because of the low availability of tubes right now.  Yes they did have these before but the higher push Now is to provide something to keep your equipment running while you may be hunting down good tubes.  You can also keep a couple or set on hand as your “spare’s”.  Something to throw in quick.  Face it, they’re selling tube preamps that need tubes and if you can’t find good tubes temporarily then they can’t sell preamps.  If they have a solid state substitute to get you through and sounds decent they can continue to sell preamps.  They know most people will eventually find good tubes put those back in. This makes things very versatile as far as sound differences you can have from your preamp. 
Although, If your going to buy a tube preamp and permanently put in solid state tubes then you might as well buy a solid state preamp!

@harpo75, no doubt you're right. Although one can get JJs and the superior Tung-Sol 6SN7s (whose price has more than doubled in six months), it's a struggle finding NOS or Electro Harmonix (now PSVane). I have been sent dud tubes from two different dealers. Replacements take forever and are never matched. So yeah, I'm giving the new plugs a try & will report any findings of interest.

@harpo75,

 I think you're right.

Mike

I didn't know about the SS or the 6n1p variant (found this shootout via Google).

 DeKay

@dekay thanks for sharing

Tried them a few years ago on my (original) Freya.  They sounded more like the SS setting than the tube setting with tubes, imo.  If you're after that "tube magic" stick with tubes.