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Schiit Freya+(Plus)

Freya+ users:

For me, sending DAC input through tube output clearly adds warmth, bloom, punch, musicality, presence.
However, when used with analog inputs (TT, FM, cassette), the tubes (current stock JJ 6SN7 supplied with the unit) sound too lush, rather over the top, sometimes frankly bloated. I mean at equal volume (not volume SETTING).

Despite balanced output to power amp, the SS buffer stage sounds inferior to pure passive mode. So it's tubes with
DAC, passive with analog, SS buffer with nothing.

Questions: (1) does my experience sound typical?
(2) should I experiment with rolling Tung-Sols or other recommended upgrade tube?
(3) does any of this bespeak some peculiarity elsewhere in the chain?

Advance thanks for diagnoses/suggestions.

hickamore
wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
My Freya (original version) has never sounded boomy with any of the piles of tubes I've used including the JJs, Tung Sols (new production), original Russian "mystery" tubes, Sylvania "Chrome domes," etc...I prefer NOS GEs in the thing and the sound is spectacular.
hickamore OP
651 posts
 
wolf_garcia, are your good results irrespective of input source (DAC or analog)? Tubes give me great improvement with DAC input, but sound overdramatic with phono & tuner inputs.
wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
In any great system everything played on it sounds different from anything else, as it should...suffice to say that the sources are all equally superb sounding, and I've done an instant  comparison using the same music...streamer, LP, and CD playing the same thing and they're remarkably similar although the levels need adjustment for a comparison like that. My current rig is by far the most transparent I've owned. Not sure what "overdramatic" means to you. 
hickamore OP
651 posts
 
Thank you for an excellent idea. Will find a suitable test recording handy on both LP and CD, plus streamable from Tidal. (CD runs COAX into DAC rather than RCA into Freya -- a test within a test). Given any takeaways I can then experiment with NOS or other tubes as may be indicated.

I assume, Wolf, that you use the Freya tube output for all serious listening, irrespective of input source?
wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
Yeah I use the tube setting all the time, except when simply switching it to see how my tubes are doing...a useful thing, but the tube setting is more detailed seemingly. The Dennis Had 12wpc amp I use really requires a hotter signal from the preamp to get it going so the tube setting’s gain is much appreciated for good synergy.
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