2. amps-preamps
  3. 175778-2383

Schiit Freya + Class A in Stereophile

I know there are a lot of audiophiles who don't think sterophile knows what they are talking about but I think its' pretty impressive that a 1000 preamp is put in the same category as 50K and up.  I can't really believe that the Freya + is that good.  I have one and do think it's pretty amazing for all that you get and you can really make it even better with some better tubes.  I am constantly blown away at the sound of the Freya + into the Decware Zen triode amp. 2K for the combo and just about the best sound I have ever had in my home.  Great news for less well heeled audiophiles.  

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aberyclark
1,355 posts
 

I’d like to compare one to my PA Audio BHK pre. 

fittebd
101 posts
 

They do not have enough categories (ABCD) to get a ranking.  Its an A recommendation, not a ranking.

wolf_garcia
6,695 posts
 

I've had an original version Freya for years and it astonishes me with how great it sounds every day...NOS GE 6SN7GTBs boogie my sneakers away.

gregdude
222 posts
 

Fwiw I own a stereophile "a" piece of kit ( AQ dragonfly cobalt) and can vouch that it does perform well and sound great. It may be the one of their cheapest recommendations but it has surprised a couple listeners with it's SQ. 

isaacc7
42 posts
 

The Freya+ really is a remarkable preamp not just of the sound quality but for the features. Lots of inputs and outputs both balanced and single ended. The remote is quite nice. It's nice to have a remote controlled stepped attenuator despite the clacking involved with it. It has "passive", buffered, and active modes of operation. I'm pretty sure the active tube section is the Aikido circuit designed by John Broskie of TubeCad Journal fame. 

I put the passive mode in quotes because it does actually go through some minimal active circuitry so that single ended inputs can be converted to balanced. It's a clever design. So while it still is a passive stage in that there is no buffering, the fact that no signal goes through it when the power is off means that there is some active circuitry. 

All that said, I'm selling mine. My Supratek Cabernet gives me more of what I'm looking for in a preamp. I'm very happy with it. At 4 times the price I try not to think about the ugly reality of diminishing returns but I am happy with it. 

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