Have you upgraded from a Freya?

I own a Frey+. Just as fun piece of equipment and for burning in cables. It is very good for a budget preamp.

It is good to put as much money into your preamp as possible. Typically for me it has been of equal or greater cost than my amp (over the last 50 years). It sets the tone… and since it works with lower voltages it needs to be of really high quality.

Looking long termed, think about investing as much as you can. Tube preamps are very natural sounding and reliable. Consider a used Audio Research, Conrad Johnson (not older than about 10 years), VAC… maybe (hesitation) Rogue (not in the same league in reliability).

I have the CODA #8 and also LS50’s. I have the Freya+ with the Benchmark AHB2 amp and KEF LS50 + KC62 sub. I mainly use the tube setting and have grown fond of this pairing.

The CODA #8 sounds incredible with the Benchmark LA4 preamp. Each week, I tend to listen 60% with the LA4 on the #8 and 40% with the 3x more expensive CODA 07x preamp. I just love the LA4 + #8 combo. I also loved the AHB2 + 07x combo. The 07x + #8 is what I am listening to now as I post this, and it is a nice change of pace for me.

I upgraded to a Supratek Cabernet. It is an obvious improvement, bigger sound, bigger sound stage, more natural sound. I thought things sounded great when I had the Freya+ but now it sounds harsh in my system. Granted, with the customization of allowing me to use 12sn7 as well as 6sn7 the Cabernet cost 4x what the Freya+ did so it better sound better!

Be prepared to spend a sizable sum to get a significant improvement.  I just upgraded from the original Freya to an Atma-Sphere MP 3.  The Atma is 10 times the price of the Freya and considered to be one of the better preamps available at any cost.  Is there an improvement?  Sure.  But it also shows me how good the Freya really is.

@marco1 

Be prepared to spend a sizable sum to get a significant improvement.  I just upgraded from the original Freya to an Atma-Sphere MP 3.  The Atma is 10 times the price of the Freya and considered to be one of the better preamps available at any cost.  Is there an improvement?  Sure.  But it also shows me how good the Freya really is.

Thanks for the response and insight, good to know. Based on my experience and what everyone else says, I was pretty sure the Freya was a high performer. I am intrigued by the Benchmark LA4, though it may just be a lateral move with a different sound.