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Best Value Line Stage Tube Preamps?

Given they are all multi-input, multi-output, balanced line stage tube preamps, what are sonic benefits of a serious Rogue RP-7 or Prima Luna EVO 400 vs. the $899 Schiit Freya Plus? Currently these would feed a Parasound Halo A21 into Legacy Signature SEs, with all cables and speaker placement constant. I know the relevant mfrs/dealers all offer trial and/or return policies, but living far from any source and disliking return hassles, I'm soliciting expert opinions before (preferably, in lieu of) undertaking in-home experiments.
I know that much depends on one's own listening habits and sonic signature preferences, but surely differences in power supply, output impedances, etc. might be objective benefits to spending the 5x more coin for a bigger, badder device?
hickamore
wolf_garcia
6,711 posts
 
I own an original series Freya (landed on NOS GEs as my preferred tubes) for a few years and have had no issues with the sockets as anybody with a modicum of tube experience should know how to wiggle tubes out of an amp. Easy peasy. Mine has been dragged around to try in friend's systems including ones with some very pricey preamps, and it matched or bettered each and every one of 'em. Made in USA, a brilliant balanced preamp with multiple balanced and single ended ins and outs, and 3 operating modes...I don't know of anybody who makes a better sounding line stage preamp.
melm
1,082 posts
 
Without comparatively rating any of the preamps mentioned, anyone who talks about "high value" or "best value" MUST include the Freya+.
jchiappinelli's avatar
jchiappinelli
117 posts
 
Mofimadness,

Of course PL's new line has the prescript EVO which includes amps, preamps, integrateds, etc but the OP's question was specifically in reference to the PL EVO 400 preamp which does not, as Millercarbon claimed, have a dedicated power amp included.  
hickamore OP
675 posts
 
If an ur-guru like wolf_garcia says Freya+ stands sonically with the best, durable, no tube rolling trouble, that's good enough for me. Whatever risk may remain is easily worth a $900, trade- value-retained gamble. Thinking if/when I "upgrade" from Freya+, it will be more for cosmetic than sonic reasons. If this works as hoped, my next question will likely concern digital preamp upgrades. Thanks to everyone for bundles of useful information.  
dsper
663 posts
 
FWIW, I own a PL Dialogue Premium preamp. It has been back twice for repairs.

Had a bad capacitor within 90 days of purchasing it and some sort of a "circuit problem" about a year later. Both covered under warranty by Upscale but just the same....

In my setup, I can tube roll with the PM and hear the differences. Its sound is bold with upfront vocals. Sees to lack texture and nuance to me; is analytical.

Thanks for listening,  

Dsper
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