Budget preamp with quality volume control

@lanx0003 Wrote:

Great. One of the reason I did not include Freya + in my list is because I do not want to bother with tube replacement in the long run. But Schiit says they have longer lasting alternative called solid state tube, LISST, that triggers my interest. What do you feel about them, @audioman58, @ditusa and @riie if you don’t mind? Do they really sound good as claimed? If not, what are the good choices?

I have no experience with LISST tubes. See my previous post below the Schiit Freya+ stereo preamplifier:

ditusa

1,344 posts

11-05-2021 at 05:55pm

@jayctoy @ditusa @wolfe_garcia @georgehifi and others who have commented so positively on the Schitt gear. Good to hear such high praise of the Freya. Quick question - is it your "forever" preamp? Or are you of a mind to eventually replace it with something else?

The Schiit Freya+ stereo preamplifier is without doubt an excellent performer, Its three preamps in one. I use it with my solid state amps and tube amp and it sounds great with stock tubes. My speaker’s efficiency is 2.7 % In my system the Freya+ is noise free. I use NOS 6sn7GT Ken-Rad (Pre-Ge) staggered plates with black carbonized glass. For me it’s a keeper. You will not find a better tube preamp that is balanced and remote controlled with a 5-Year Warranty and Easy Return Policy, and you can purchase brand new for $950.00! BTW, The Ken-Rad tubes are dated 1944 cost $300.00 factor that in the total price. You must try it in your rig to know if you like the way it sounds. Hope that helps. Mike 😎

Please see the article below for details for mods Freya+ preamp:

https://diyaudio.de/the-schiit-freya-multi-mode-preamp/?fbclid=IwAR3ypuKA9dE4YPySgw5kgygLJ5ln8UarumST_ZLq9z1Gs9xNkvY2mkfnyCo

Used Peachtree preamps with built in Sabre DAC as well for around ~$500.  

I use the PS Audio Gain Cell preamp, have for about 3 years.  My system is quite resolving and I can attest that even at low, and sometimes very low volumes I don't seem to lose a thing.  No bass loss, no high end loss, all is still there.  The DAC is quite good also.  You can find them used from time to time at "The Music Room" website and you have a trial period if you don't like it.  They are very good to work with.

If you are satisfied with the output from your DAC, just need to be able to reduce it, then a passive preamp might be the ticker.

I'm using a Khozmo Acoustic preamp, 3 inputs, an outstanding volume control (i'm using the shut+z-foil), extremely transparent. The remote controls power on/off and volume only, the input must be changed manually (which is not a big deal to me...).

The passive preamp Schiit SYS is first thing I tried. Although many people have attested it is a good sounding preamp, I found the low end notes thru it are softened. High end notes are restrained and less airy. On the paper, the SYS’s output impedance is as high as 5k ohms so the ratio of load impedance to its output does not reach the desired 10. It has impedance mismatch issue. I am not thrilled by it and that is the reason I am only looking at the active preamp with gain.

Neverthless, I will keep looking into Khozmo preamp while its spec. seems not available even on its own site. Thank you for the recommendation.