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Tube preamp: Cary SLP-03 vs Schiit Freya+

Hello all.

I realise it’s a slightly odd comparison, given the age gap, but I’m looking to add a tube preamp to my all-SS chain (Mytek Brooklyn Bridge going straight into ELAC Navis powered speakers). The Schiit Freya+ has been getting rave reviews, especially for its price point and its versatility (passive, buffer or tube), but is currently back-ordered and also it is said to feel a bit flimsy (no miracles). As a result I have been looking at older, formerly more expensive, tube preamps that can be had for a similar price today, leading me to the Cary SLP-03. I have also looked for ARC, BAT, etc but they all tend to be well above my price range (max 1500). 
Would you, we’ll-read and listened fellas, have any views on the above choice or any other recommendations? I’ve been scouring forums and used gear websites for literally tens of hours and I need a bit of advice at this point.

Many thanks in advance!

laimac
laimac OP
10 posts
 

Well, I have just done a deal on a used Freya+ - it’s heavily back-ordered here in Europe, well into 2022, and I want to enjoy it over Christmas next to a wood fire. It comes with a quad of CV181-Z which, though no NOS, have received good reviews. I am looking into NOS tubes that are “affordable” and am quite interested in trying 7N7 tubes with an adaptor - getting some great reviews for the price.

I much appreciated all the advice received and will be sure to post my views when I have had the time to listen to it. The Cary was tempting but, for the price, the Schiit seemed to offer more tech and more options (and easier to resell). Bel Canto and the likes simply out of my current set budget for this piece.

wturkey's avatar
wturkey
856 posts
 

Great news. Enjoy the Freya+!

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
2,211 posts
 

@laimac,

Glad to hear that! Let us know what you think of the Freya+ preamp.

wolf_garcia
6,805 posts
 

Too bad the supply chain or whatever denies instant gratification for gear purchasers...I wanted the balanced Loki and man...they told me it's gonna be months. I'm an "early adopter" of an original series Freya and it easily hangs with any preamp I've compared it to, including a few very pricey tube preamps in systems belonging to friends (when I first got it I was forcing it on others for comparison as clearly I'm a raging bully)...much to their (and my) surprise it equaled or surpassed all of 'em. It's built very well and not at all "flimsy" (where people get this stuff is a head scratcher), and responds to tube rolling instantly (I've tried many new and NOS tubes in the thing over the years and settled on NOS GEs which last a very long time and sound great). My Freya is a very low noise example that just sounds superb, and shows what a smart and discerning person I must be...I just am...maybe...or maybe not...always shilling for Schiit...*sigh*...can't help myself.

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
2,211 posts
 

Check out the new Loki Max from Schiit nice.

https://www.schiit.com/products/loki-max

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