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Adcom GFP-710 to Schiit Freya - upgrade?

looking for some thoughts...

It’s been a while since I’ve done anything with my system. I’ve been running a Mac Mini streaming AIFF via Kimber USB into Bel Canto
Dac-3, running the DAC into Pass Labs X250.5 via balanced BlueJeans XLRs. Speakers are Dynaudio S5.4
I recently added a Rega P2 table and that forced me to break out the Adcom GFP-710 that I had laying around in order to be able to switch between sources. Adcom has a built in phono pre, but I bought Schiit Mani as well. I kind of like it a lot. 
I feel that the Adcom may be the weakest link in the chain, and am looking at possibly upgrading a pre. 
Seeking thoughts on Schiit Freya, or any other preamp used or new around $1k that would offer an upgrade in resolution, soundstaging, imaging, etc. 
Balanced or single ended, tubes or solid state, with or without a built in phono pre.

Has anyone compared the Freya to any of the Adcom or comparable preamps, what can you share? What other preamps should I put on a list?
128x128audphile1
wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
I went from an Adcom GFP something or other (had balanced outputs, remote, and I can't remember the model) to a balanced Kavent (Vincent) monster that sounds FABULOUS, but tube preamp curiosity got to me to a Schiit Freya...along with Atmasphere shaming me with a comment somewhere which was something like, "A tube preamp generally supplies more detail." So it's all his fault really.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,441 posts
 
...a side step
audphile1's avatar
audphile1 OP
4,791 posts
 
Wolf...so was Freya an improvement over adcom and vincent?

Stringreen...That’s my fear. Can you elaborate 

wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
To clarify, I use it because it's a better sounding thing than any preamp I've used in my system (tube rolling is also more fun than otherwise since with a solid state preamp the tubes just roll off onto the floor) including the Kavent and any of the Adcoms I've used...extremely low noise floor, low noise ceiling, and low noise edges and corners, and a reticent yet florid essence of tubishness with an old oak finish of profound musicality and tonal accuracy, and it gets hot so I assume it's enjoying itself. I have no desire to replace it which for an audio freak is a good sign. The LEDs are too bright but I fixed that.
tomcarr
1,485 posts
 
LOL!
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