Schiit's solid-state 6SN7

Modern tubes are pretty reliable and last a long time. Mine will likely outlast me. Why turn your tube preamp into a solid state unit. Just buy solid state to being with.

Steve Guttenberg just reviewed the Freya+ with these. He likes it.

Personally I don´t get the product. Usually people get tube amps for a reason and the reason rarely is that it should sound like a solid state. But for a reasonable price people who do want to have that option now have one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Uwu7pn5_4Y

So the real reason Schiit put these on the market here is because of the low availability of tubes right now.  Yes they did have these before but the higher push Now is to provide something to keep your equipment running while you may be hunting down good tubes.  You can also keep a couple or set on hand as your “spare’s”.  Something to throw in quick.  Face it, they’re selling tube preamps that need tubes and if you can’t find good tubes temporarily then they can’t sell preamps.  If they have a solid state substitute to get you through and sounds decent they can continue to sell preamps.  They know most people will eventually find good tubes put those back in. This makes things very versatile as far as sound differences you can have from your preamp. 
Although, If your going to buy a tube preamp and permanently put in solid state tubes then you might as well buy a solid state preamp!

@harpo75, no doubt you're right. Although one can get JJs and the superior Tung-Sol 6SN7s (whose price has more than doubled in six months), it's a struggle finding NOS or Electro Harmonix (now PSVane). I have been sent dud tubes from two different dealers. Replacements take forever and are never matched. So yeah, I'm giving the new plugs a try & will report any findings of interest.

@harpo75,

 I think you're right.

Mike