Schiit taking orders (as of Dec 23) on Freya preamp

Glad to see others interested in this next phase of Schiit’s plan for audio world domination! :-)

The FREYA certainly looks like a high value offering, lalitk.
Will definitely be watching for reviews.

Yes, JayC - They recently introduced the SAGA pre-amp for $349. It can function in either passive or tube buffered mode (no JFET); has a relay stepped attenuator and remote but is not balanced.

Hoping you find that box, Michael.  After you get some time with the Freya please post your impressions.  

I've had a Freya for approx. 9 months now.  I remain very pleased with it.  I especially appreciate the balanced design.  I believe that is (at least) one advantage over Saga.  Freya's ability to accept balanced input made a big difference in the sound using my CDP.  I'd never had opportunity to hear it using balanced out.  The listening experience with the CDP is now a close second to ripped CD files through an Aries Mini/Gungnir MB combination also via balanced out to Freya.  

@lak

I don’t listen in tube mode very much and have actually pulled the tubes...not out of any unhappiness with the tube sound or noise level - though the as-supplied, stock 6SN7s WERE noisy! Schiit did very quickly replace a couple for me when I "complained".

In my set up right now with Gungnir MB and a Hegel H200 (used in HT by pass mode) the sound from JFET buffer mode seems really close to the tube sound (whether NOS RCAs, "better" NOS Russian 6SN7s or current production EH installed). There is a difference to the SQ in tube mode (apart from higher gain) but it is not a "night and day" difference. The difference between JFET & tube mode might be greater when using Freya with a Class D Taranis amp. Overall, interconnects seem to affect SQ more than the tube type...at least to my ears. With tubes pulled, I enjoy being able to leave the Freya powered up all the time without concern about tube-life. Consequently, I can’t give you an "as of this moment" report about noise levels with tubes..

Going by memory (increasingly less reliable), the better tubes did quiet things down a lot (though possibly there was/is still some very faint "warbling" when the Freya is muted but not receiving signal). When playing, I don’t ever recall tube noise issues between tracks or when the source is paused but Freya is left unmuted. Having lived with various tube amps and a tube preamp for years and years, some occasional slight noise from tubes just seems part and parcel of the "experience". By comparison, I’d say the Freya with good tubes is quieter...certainly no worse.

Running in JFET mode now, there is NO noise with volume all the way up after pausing the CD I’d been playing. With CD playing and Freya muted, if I put my ear very close to the speaker I can hear some faint (bleed through?). It is barely audible with an ear only an inch or two from the driver. Absolutely not anything I can hear at the listening position. With Freya muted and no signal, there is no noise at all.

I had wanted a passive pre-amp when the Freya came out, so it suits me just fine. As mentioned earlier, I appreciate the balanced design. The flexibility...e.g., 2 balanced and 3 SE in is another positive. I think the sonics with Freya in the chain are great. I’m probably 90% digital and might run tubes when I play vinyl. That extra gain in tube mode comes in handy then. Pardon the long-winded reply. Hope it is useful.

"Does the Freya sound over bright, etc."

aberyclark - assuming that was directed at me...
No, the Freya does not sound over bright to me. Bright/harsh is something I have worked to eliminate from the system, especially given the Totem Forests in use have metal dome tweeters. The CDP I have, while very detailed, could "bite" depending on the quality of the recording. Since running it with balanced outs into the Freya, it has become a consistently enjoyable source. Of course, as you know, that improvement is a product of the entire audio chain, including cabling and power amp.

No experience, lak.  Didn't even realize they made such a thing.  As with a lot of their Schiit, it looks interesting.  

FYI - I'm curious about their LISST "tubes" and possible application of such to Freya.  

@lak
Agreed...
it does look like the currently offered LISST tubes are designed for Mjolnir or Lyr - NOT Freya.
I though I read something on HeadFi about LISST for Freya...it might even have been Jason talking about a future LISST offering for Freya. Will have to see if I can find that.  Let you know if I do.

@wolf_garcia 
Was hoping you would post experience with the Freya, Wolf.  Glad it is sounding good.  Those Tung-Sols have also gotten good press over on Head-Fi.  I followed your comments about the Dennis Had SEP amp and the Preludes.  Then when I started a thread soliciting input about another integrated, @skoczylas mentioned First Watt.  As a result of your experience and his suggestion, I'm "auditioning" an F7.  It's day 4 now though just four hours after hooking it up, I was already seriously impressed.  So, "THANKS".  Not an integrated but it's working great with the Freya and Preludes.  (Loki does look like it could be a handy little gizmo for managing recordings with nasty highs.)

FWIW - an update on Freya:
In another thread (can’t find it at the moment) I’d commented about some "warbling" heard when Freya was in mute. The other night I noticed I could hear this noise from the listening position when Freya had been switched to passive or tube mode and not just when muted. In JFET mode, Freya was/is absolutely dead quiet. Total silence when no signal was being received.

Did a little investigating, turns out the DC wire plug end of the iPower I’d been using on an Aries Mini was causing the noise. Don’t understand why. The interference seems airborne (EMI or RFI?) as opposed to originating through the AC house wiring. When plugged into a different circuit than supports the audio gear, the nearer I bring the iPower’s plug end w/15V adapter to the equipment console and also when I plug it into the Aries Mini, the noise can be heard from the left speaker - even if the Freya is off. Thinking it might be something the unshielded IC on the left powered sub is picking up. Need to check that out further. Anyway, I started a ticket with iFi though the iPower is out of warranty and certainly for the low price could just buy another, but would prefer to understand if this is "normal" or indicates a defective unit. Any input on the topic would be appreciated.

Bottom-line, apart from some noisy as-supplied 6SN7 tubes (which Schiit replaced quickly and with no hassle). Freya is very quiet. Having replaced the stock tubes with a pair of NOS RCAs and some NOS Russian 6SN7s from Upscale there’s no noise associated with tubes. I’ve been trying a low power Class A amp with Silverline Prelude Plus speakers so need the gain tubes provide. Very pleased with the results from this combination using Freya in tube mode.