Have you upgraded from a Freya?


I have had a Freya+ for a few years and like it a lot, but still get to thinking what another notch up the ladder might bring. Looking for feedback and impressions from folks who have upgraded from the Freya.  I mainly use the solid state buffered mode, my listening sessions tend to be shorter and I don't turn on the tubes very often. The rest of the chain past the preamp is Coda #8 -> LS50's.

zlone
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Just an update, I acquired a used Coda 07x to mate with my #8. I am not as excited about as I expected to be, but still evaluating. My primary issue is that it is not great for low volume listening, which is my primary mode. Great soundstage and detail, but lacks a degree of liveliness that the Freya delivers at lower volumes. 

I have some other options on my list, the Holo Serene and the Benchmark LA4. @yyzsantabarbara You have extolled the virtues of the LA4, can you comment on how it does at low volumes? I am also concerned that the level of detail it seems to offer might lead to fatigue, any comment there?

 

Something broke on my Freya so while it was in the shop for repair I tried the maker of my amps preamp. The electrocompianet 4.7. A stunning change and while it’s expensive for a volume knob since I only have one source it’s the anchor of my system. I’ve even gotten by with cheaper amps because this seems to articulate so beautifully. No idea why, but the Freya was fun playing with tubes but that gets old when you could be focusing on the music. 

@dain Thanks! I will check that one out. I only have a single source as well, but as we know a good preamp makes all the difference.

The Freya+ is fun to use, but it lacks some of the usual features of a classic peamp. I still prefer good ergonomics in a preamp, meaning clear selector functionality, ideally a display with settings information or at least indicator lamps for selector settings and volume settings. It has a remote, that’s good, but the panel indicators are tiny and cryptic, sub-optimal. I don’t expect large-print-edition markings, but a quick glance at a well-designed panel should give you a clear indication of its settings and status. The power switch should be located in the front, and it isn’t. This is particularly important with a preamp that you should turn off when not in the room. There aren’t any of the traditional tone and balance controls, a peculiar omission in a device that is meant to use traditional tubes. As for tubes, the Freya+ is good for the tube-rolling-curious user who might also prefer the option of returning to SS use only, with the passive setting or with LISST tubes in place and still have a fully functional device. Any preamp with running tubes will get warm, but the Freya+ could keep your coffee hot (jk) and so placement to allow heat dissipation is essential. It isn’t a device that belongs in a confined space. I don’t want to seem negative, and I think mine sounds nice, but it is an audiophile device, for someone who is not a casual audio user but who likes experimenting with equipment, tubes, settings, etc.