I’m running an RP-1 (stock tubes) into a Benchmark AHB2 driving a pair of Fyne Audio 702s. Sources are NAD 568 CD player and Apple Lossless via iPad Pro & iFi Zen Stream, both through Schiit Bifrost 2 DAC. My result is superb open sound, with wide sound stage and excellent reproduction of the instruments and voices. With many recordings, it is as if the performer(s) are right in the room.
I am wondering if going to balanced interconnects from the DAC to preamp and preamp to power amp would make any difference. That would mean a new preamp, and I was considering the Freda+ for a trial. Perhaps the Rogue Audio RP-7 or the Backert Rhumba 1.3 would be more appropriate preamp options, although they are a great deal more money.
I have had dealings with both Rogue’s and Schiit’s customer service, the former with questions and the latter with a faulty remote, and both were prompt and fully satisfactory with their responses—Schiit sent me a replacement remote within two days.