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Schiit Freya+(Plus)

Freya+ users:

For me, sending DAC input through tube output clearly adds warmth, bloom, punch, musicality, presence.
However, when used with analog inputs (TT, FM, cassette), the tubes (current stock JJ 6SN7 supplied with the unit) sound too lush, rather over the top, sometimes frankly bloated. I mean at equal volume (not volume SETTING).

Despite balanced output to power amp, the SS buffer stage sounds inferior to pure passive mode. So it's tubes with
DAC, passive with analog, SS buffer with nothing.

Questions: (1) does my experience sound typical?
(2) should I experiment with rolling Tung-Sols or other recommended upgrade tube?
(3) does any of this bespeak some peculiarity elsewhere in the chain?

Advance thanks for diagnoses/suggestions.

hickamore
shkong78's avatar
shkong78
1,485 posts
 
Right two tubes  are gain, left tubes are buffer.

In theory, gain tubes shall have more effect but in reality, both gain and buffer have almost same effect on the sound.

You do not need to use same quad tubes.

The best thing is to experiment yourself to find the best sound to your taste.
hickamore OP
659 posts
 
Schiit tells me you will have higher distortion and higher output impedance if not using matched quad (also if using NOS Sylvanias or GEs in place of new production JJ or Tung-Sol). I will of course listen for myself as shk and wolf-g have done with good results. Just reporting the Schiit position. As we all agree, the stock tubes are not bad at all. Yet definitely tweakable with time and patience. 
hickamore OP
659 posts
 
"If you switch between Kenrad and 6n8s, it is kind of having two different pre."  

Most interesting!
doni
354 posts
 
I’ve owned an original Freya for several years, and have enjoyed it very much.  However, I’ve had to send it back to Schiit two times for repair, though service was excellent.  Overall, wonderful preamp for the money, with excellent functionality and sound quality.
213runnin
914 posts
 
Thanks for sharing your tube results, Thomas, I've been wavering on rolling tubes because I don't want to go down that rabbit hole, so to speak.  

I love the transparency and air of the Freya+, but have wondered about tube improvements.  Another reviewer on youtube mentioned Sylvania tubes being a great option for the Freya.  
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