Another very happy Freya owner here. A $1000 budget would get you the Freya with $ left for some decent ICs and NOS tubes. The Freya is very responsive to changes in cabling and tubes. I've been using 1950s-era NOS RCAs and GEs in the gain stage. With noise-tested tubes it is dead silent, even with volume full up and ear only inches from drivers. Good luck in your decision.
tubesforhifi VTA sp14 or shiit freya
any thoughts on a VTA sp14 for about $1,000 or a shiit freya preamp for $700? I would be using it with a hafler 500 that has been restored with new caps and dahlquist dq10s or dq20s with the thought of buying a pair of magnepan .7 or 1.7s in the fall. I have a marantz 8005 cd player or pandora as a source. My room is 18 by 24 thanks, alex