2. amps-preamps
  3. 175898-166628

shiit Freya+ muffles the base? Recommendation for preamp please

I have always liked the sound of B&W. So I recently upgraded my speakers to 804s. They’ve been sitting there for a while as I do not have a proper amp to drive them, till recently I got a Classe CA-2300. So I set everything up, excitedly!

my system got:

- Shiit Bifrost

- Shiit Freya+
- Classe CA-2300

- B&W 804s

 

so right after I turned on, I noticed the lack of base. The mid and high are sweet and clear. But the base is just not there, completely. A friend suggested to go from DAC to amp which I did. It suddenly brought forward all the missing base, tight and clear just like how it should be. Plus I am hearing some details I don’t get with Freya+ in the middle.

 

So I am wondering why the Freya+ is muffling the base? Just because it’s not in the league now? 
 

while without the preamp it got all the base, I do find it’s dryer and less musical. I do like how the tube preamp tune the sounds.. so any recommendation for a good tube preamp?

 

thanks all!

 

Azmixr

 

azmixr

Showing 2 responses by azmixr

azmixr OP
3 posts
 

@lowrider57 & @pesky_wabbit thanks for the recommendation

@djspinner thanks for the pointer. yes i use single ended... will try XLR and report back!

@noske I am new to audio and no expert here. that said, it's not a comparison of 804S to other speakers. there is a huge difference with or without Freya+ in the middle. if you say the perfect bass scores 10 and 804S is 6, then when i have Freya+ i got probably 3 or 4... anyway, now i took Freya+ out and am decently happy with the bass (till i hear something better...). 

 

azmixr OP
3 posts
 

@ronboco @curiousjim 

I bought the speakers second hand. You'd think it's broken in. but you never know if the previous owner put enough power into it...

 

all said, I tried XLR cables and it made a big difference! If I rate the bass at 7 when the system goes from DAC to Amp,  I probably got 4 with Freya+ in the middle (with single ended cable). with XLR cable from Freya+ to Amp, the bass is 6 or 6.5 but now I got the tube color. So interesting...

 

I am in market for a good tube preamp now. but at least the system is not enjoyable. 

 

thanks all!

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