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tube rolling with Schiit Freya +

Just purchase  a Schiit Freya + preamp and would like do some tube rolling. The preamp is connected to  pair of  Passlabs X260.8. I really like the sound but want to experiment with different variants of the 6SN7 tubes.

Schiit customer service sent me an overview of different tubes with some descriptions of their characteristics which helps but I thought this forum of any  users based on actual  experience would also help. I'm looking for a fatter ( more tubey) sound with emphasis on the midrange

Thank

O

oglethorpe
213runnin
914 posts
 
On breaking in the tubes, with the Freya + one would need to have the tube mode selected, because it turns them off in the other two modes.  

I’m listening to the Mission soundtrack as I type this, the sound is clear, open and impactful. The bass has good weight to it, it’s the best I’ve heard this music sound.

213runnin
914 posts
 
I should add that I went over my notes and I only had about 55 hours on the Freya at the time of my last post.   I just noticed tonight as I’m closing in on 70 hours that the jfet buffer mode is starting to have more depth to the soundstage than the tube mode.  

So I let the tube mode run for an hour and noticed that it’s improving as well.  In either mode, things like piano and cymbal have an authenticity that I’ve never heard from my Tannoys before.  This is fun!
jetter
3,035 posts
 
213runnin, I don't have a Freya so take this with a grain of salt, but my tube preamp runs 4 12ax7 tubes and gets only a bit warm to the touch.  However, the tubes are situated inches under the cover versus above the cover.  So not sure why your pre gets so warm, maybe another Freya owner will chime in.
melm
1,082 posts
 
The major heat in the Freya+ does not come from the tubes.  The tubes are effectively external with many vent holes surrounding them.  The heat comes from a point between between the tubes and the transformers. 

My best guess, and it is only a guess, is that the heat emanates from the rectification for the regulated 300V rail.
213runnin
914 posts
 
I can update my findings on the heat issue as well. The Freya + isn’t heating up as much now, it still gets pretty warm, but not as much as previously.  I have it on its own shelf of an open unit with about 6 inches of space above it.

Reading up on the various Freya threads at SBAF forum, apparently it does run pretty warm when in tube mode, nothing to worry about.

This pre is a real treat.  The audio quality is simply superb.  I’m presented with a sound stage that is seamless and doesn’t seem to be coming from the speakers’ locations whatsoever.  I’m surprised at how much benefit a good pre adds to the end result.
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