New Schiit Freya or used Conrad Johnson PV-10AL/BL, or?

Mapletree Line 2  - I looked at these because everyone says hey have excellent sound.  I do believe that.  However, if I am going to drop $800.00  I do not want control knobs that are from the 1940's.  I have seen antique radios with these same style of knobs.   I know, you cannot judge a book from it's cover.  My opinion only, I think they are ugly looking.  They look like they were made in someones garage.  I just cannot get past that.  The Freya if even a close competitor is very nice looking and the route I will go unless something else strikes me before I buy.  The Freya has a remote too. 

If you use balanced and single ended for different sources , be careful . I bought the Freya , it produced a loud hum through my speakers . I couldn't have both single ended and balanced plugged in at the same time . had to return it . 

@maplegrovemusic  that sounds like a serious issue..   Had you verified with Schiit  to be sure it wasn't something else?   Anyone else experience this?   Assume you mean can't use balanced and rca  at the input at the same time.    What good would the option be really if that is happening.   I am considering going for one but this not boding well in terms of their design topology .  

@skiroe  I ran the Freya this way : Sonyhaz1es - balanced into freya for music listening . Oppo 203 - rca input into Freya for tv/movies. There was a loud hum that stayed consistently loud when both inputs were connected , but only using one at a time . Once I took out either the balanced or RCA input connection the hum would be gone . I used a balanced out from the Freya to my amplifier . 

@maplegrovemusic didnt catch this when you posted. I havnt sprung for the Freya plus as of yet. I had a Modwright LS100 in here and to me quite a revealing change for the better in sonics compared to my Line 1..  While I did not A/B it certainly appeared to sound that way just from memory.  

Quite pleased. Although,, not really caring for the huge size of the unit--would need to move the feet on the bottom in order to fit in the rack and then a bit cramped. Volume control not the best..

The overall challenge was could I replace my Sonic Frontiers Line 1 full featured preamp (recent upgrade to its volume operation and fresh caps in critical area) with one of the best remotes in the biz with the LS100.. Apparently I did not think so and sold it.

But more to the point--have you found out what the issue was with the hum in your Freya? Ground loop comes to mind.

BTW--what had impressed me with the LS100 which was my first foray into 6sn7 based preamp which to me proved to be a huge benefit sonically than the many pre’s I have had using typical 6922 or 12ax7 or 12au7 .

6sn7 being a motivator to try the Freya + .

The other potential is Icon Audio LA4 mkiii of which there is SCANT info .. 6sn7 based with tube rectifier and tape monitor although no balanced in/output and a Alps (?) motorized volume control. Likely not quite the sound quality as stepped per Freya + although I have read of a few complaints in that regard for Freya’s new implementation on volume control and not quite getting what the poster was getting at.