2. amps-preamps
  3. 151454-19397

Schiit setup troubleshooting

I have 2 Aegir amps set up in monoblock configuration. The Schiit Freya S serves as my pre-amp. My source is a Lumin U1 Mini, connected via optical to a Chord Qutest DAC. The Qutest is connected to the Freya via single-ended connections, and the Freya is connected to the 2 Aegir amps via XLR. So, single-ended input into the Freya, then balanced output to the Aegir amps - this setup is not producing any audio. I have confirmed that there is a signal traveling to the Freya from the DAC. As recommended by Schiit, I am using the NEXUS modes on the Freya pre-amp (i.e. active modes, which should convert the single-ended signal to balanced), to no avail. Any thoughts on what might be causing this?
vingard

Showing 5 responses by vingard

vingard OP
36 posts
 
@almarg The speakers are connected correctly. I was not aware of the start-up delay on the Freya S, but it has been running continuously since I powered it on last night. I do have a powered sub connected to the speaker terminals on the amps (correctly, as far as I am aware), but I have turned the sub off as I attempt to troubleshoot this issue.  The speakers are passive - Buchardt S400.
vingard OP
36 posts
 
This is the Freya S - a solid state version of the preamp (i.e. no tubes).
vingard OP
36 posts
 
I'll give that a try when I get home this evening. Is there any possibility that using a single-ended input into the Freya (in this case the DAC), then outputting via balanced XLR to the amps could be the cause of the issue?
vingard OP
36 posts
 
I actually disconnected the sub completely and this did not solve the problem - it is a REL T5i.  
vingard OP
36 posts
 
I checked my speaker<->amp connections last night and it turns out that they are connected correctly. I removed the Chord Qutest from my system and inserted a Schiit Yggdrasil in its place, connected to the Freya S via balanced XLR. Now the system works perfectly (fully balanced throughout). Perhaps the Qutest is the issue - I will need to test that separately this weekend.
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