Schiit Freya+ or Saga+? Vidar or Aegir?

larshepping OP


If you have 95db efficient speaker, then probably all you need is the Class-A Aegir. If you have under 90db then the Vidar.

But if you have the money and speakers that have two sets of speaker terminals (highs/lows), then an Aegir on the highs and a Vidar on the lows.
And because they won't be the same gain a $49 Schiit Sys passive on the louder amp to equalize it down to the quieter amp.
Then a Schiit Freya as the preamp volume control for all of it.

Cheers George     

I have a Saga+ and a single Aegir running my 88 dB sensitive Ohm 1000 speakers. I moved to this combo after using a much higher power Hypex Class D amp. At my preferred listening volume (around 85 dB max average), the Saga/Aegir combo has more body and clarity than the Hypex.  I sold my Hypex.

I was initially worried that the Aegir might not have enough power, so I used my VTVM to monitor the amp's output into the speakers while I listened. On average, I was only using about a quarter of the amp's power at my loudest listening level with peaks running only to half power. The amp showed no audible signs of not having enough power. 

Now, if my preferred listening volume was in the mid-90 dB range or higher, the Aegir would run out of gas for me. However, with your 95 dB efficient speakers, you should be fine unless you listen at extremely loud levels. 

Whether the 0 dB gain of the Saga+ will be sufficient or whether you'll want the extra gain of the Freya depends in large part on the voltage output of your music sources. If your DAC, tape deck, tuner or phono preamp put out 2 volts or more at peak volume, then you should be OK with the Saga.  Currently, Schiit says Sagas are in stock and can ship immediately while Freya's are back-ordered and won't be available until late March.  With Schiit's 15 trial polcy, you could try out a Saga knowing you could return it for only a 5% restocking fee if it doesn't work for you. (The web site says Aegirs are in production and should ship in a week or so.)

Thanks for all the input!

My speakers only have one pair of binding posts so bi-wiring or bi-amping isn’t an option, alas. 

So how does one find out or determine the output voltage of a component? In my head all components are at a standard voltage level so I guess I’ve got some research to do?

I have these sensitive speakers but I get caught up in all the discussion about amps and components.

Some people say that any amp operating outside of it’s clipping zone will sound the same as any other as long as it’s well designed. Some people say that every amp has its own different sound signature...“more bass, more heft, more clarity, etc.” And it goes back and forth about confirmation bias vs. measurements. Argh!!!

I’ve been around the internets the last day or so and some say having lots of overhead in watts is great (buy Vidar) others say lower watt amps are better because they’re “cleaner” or whatever (buy Aegir). 

The output voltage of a line source component should be shown on the specs page of their marketing material or owners manual.  

The "more power is always better" mantra is the more popular approach these days -- I think the popularity of Class D amps which have lots of watts for their size/weight/cost has fueled this sentiment.  As noted previously, I've tried both approaches and the Aegir is working spectacularly for me. However, as they say, YMMV.  

The problem with amp specs is that they are primarily static measurements while the music signal is incredibly complex and dynamic. And, not every manufacturer has exactly the same method for measuring the specs they do list.  So, while numbers are important and meaningful, it still boils down to what YOU hear when YOU listen.

From the comparisons I’ve read I got the impression that the Aegir is hands down better if you don’t need more power. I’ve also heard they sound even better run as monoblocks. (In which case you can’t use the Saga because you need XLR to run in mono) I never even considered the Vidar for my setup. 

Most digital sources - anything with a DAC - run 2V peak out. Typical phono pre out is 300mV peak (I’m not a turntable person, so I could be wrong)
Look up the specs on your sources. Saga works for me because I’m only running digital.