2. amps-preamps
  3. 151454-19397

Schiit setup troubleshooting

I have 2 Aegir amps set up in monoblock configuration. The Schiit Freya S serves as my pre-amp. My source is a Lumin U1 Mini, connected via optical to a Chord Qutest DAC. The Qutest is connected to the Freya via single-ended connections, and the Freya is connected to the 2 Aegir amps via XLR. So, single-ended input into the Freya, then balanced output to the Aegir amps - this setup is not producing any audio. I have confirmed that there is a signal traveling to the Freya from the DAC. As recommended by Schiit, I am using the NEXUS modes on the Freya pre-amp (i.e. active modes, which should convert the single-ended signal to balanced), to no avail. Any thoughts on what might be causing this?
vingard
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Is there any possibility that using a single-ended input into the Freya (in this case the DAC), then outputting via balanced XLR to the amps could be the cause of the issue?
After looking at the manual for the Freya S I don't see any concerns with that, given that you are using a Nexus mode.

Regards,
-- Al



atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,846 posts
 
I know this might be a dumb question but are the tubes in the Freya lit up?
vingard OP
36 posts
 
This is the Freya S - a solid state version of the preamp (i.e. no tubes).
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@atmasphere 

I don't think the Freya S has tubes. I believe the Freya+ is the tubed model.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,846 posts
 
Then that qualified as a dumb question :)
How do you know the Freya is running? If it accepts single-ended inputs, then its easy to tell- you can simply connect an RCA cable to the input and touch the pin of the RCA at the other end. You should hear a buzz in the speaker if the volume is up a bit. 
You can perform this same test on the amplifiers. So if it won't pass the signal through the Freya, try that test on the amps. If that's a no-go, make sure your speakers are connected properly, if that's OK then this points at the amps...
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