2. amps-preamps
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Pre-amp with solid state/passive AND tube modes (Like Schiit Freya+)

I'm considering purchasing a Schiit Freya+ for two reasons. I want a balanced tube pre-amp and I really like the idea of being able to switch to a solid state mode and turn the tube section off. I use my system for more than critical listening, I use it for background music while working and use it to watch movies/tv. This means it stays on quite a few hours a day, being able to turn off tube section suits me well. Is there any other pre-amps with this function? My hesitation on pulling the trigger is that I've read that its a bit of a jack of all trades and master of none. thanks guys!

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strateahed
297 posts
 

Congrats ... FWIW, the Schiit Freya+ is fully balanced. 

mc1969
76 posts
 

The Freya + is the Swiss Army Knife of preamps. It is fully balanced. Nice little preamp. 

marco1's avatar
marco1
496 posts
 

I owned the first version of the LS 25. I also tried the original Freya just to see what all the fuss was about but didn't hang onto it for too long.  While the newer versions of each i'm sure sound a little different from what I had, the sonic improvement of ARC over Schiit i'm also sure remains considerable.  You made the right  choice imo.

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bulbous_blues OP
8 posts
 

Glad to hear some people enjoyed the LS25. I have used a passive pre-amp in the past. I liked it with older amps that were softer but found it flat and hard with newer amps, then again I didn't have a particularly  expensive one. As with all these things depends what you have in your whole system. I'm using class D amps at the moment which are very neutral, I was running straight from my DAC and didn't like it. I want the arc to give a nice big sound stage and I don't mind saying a little character.

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