Schiit Freya S or Freya +?

The difference between the two stated components is that the Freya+
features a tube stage as well.
So three Pre-Amps in one.
Passive / Differential Buffer (SS) / Tube Stage.
Freya+ is promoted as "Refinement" over the previous generation.
Using the ’Tube Gain Mode’ was important for me when I owned the first
generation Freya / Vidar combo.
I don’t think that Bass would change due to any particular Pre.
Except for any sound difference between tube and SS.
Still relying on Schiit for my Headphone Gear ... Valhalla 2 / Mjolnir /
Gungnir,Multibit and Delta-Sigma.
In my experience.
I will say that the Bass is handled much better with the Schiit DAC’s.
My suggestion would be to look for a used SS Pre that would complement the level of the Reference 1000 Mono-Bloc’s.
I think that the ICE Power Amplification is well worth building on.

There is an audiophile on youtube that reviewed the original Freya.  He goes by the handle "Thomas & Stereo" and thinks the Freya gives him 90% of what his $3500 preamp does, at 1/5th the price.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwMXMtSprxI

Now the Freya+, with several refinements and spec improvements will do even better than that.  I don't have deep pockets for audio these days, but I'll be picking up the Freya+ by the end of the year.  I really don't think one can go wrong with either Freya version, but I want the XLR connections for my Gungnir DAC.  

I have the original Freya which offers three choices: passive, JFET buffer, and tubes with 12 dB gain. My source is the Oppo 103 out to a Schiit Modi Multi DAC. I MUCH prefer the tubes. Highly recommend the Freya. It makes MUSIC.

Tom

PS- bass is definitely more "organic" with the tube output...

I like to roll through the 3 output options on my "original version" Freya from time to time although it's in the tube mode normally...it's a way to see if your tubes are in good shape, and that's possible instantly on my Freya. To satisfy some critics, Schiit decided to allow the tubes to be shut off in the non tube modes with the Freya +, allowing the thing to be on without tube wear...I suppose that's a good idea to many, but it eliminates my instant mode switching thing, and helps my decision to not upgrade! My Freya is already very quiet in tube mode, and although I'd buy a Freya + if I needed another system, I like the one I have just fine. Nothing like it out there at any price...I do wonder why anybody wouldn't spend the extra 200 bucks over the Freya S since it actually won't burn tubes or whatever people worry about, but hey...to each his or her own I suppose.