Schiit Audio Freya + and Aegir Review. Tubes, Class A. Affordable Audiophile!
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- #SCHIIT #HIFI #FREYA
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Today I talk about my experience with a Schiit Audio Freya + Pre amp and a Schiit Audio Aegir Class A Amplifier. I place these under $2000 comments into my reference system and see how they stack up against my "end game" Pass Labs gear. I also try them in a lower cost system and hear them shine.
You can read more about these (or order them) directly at the Schiit Website!
www.schiit.com/
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The purr of the cat is pure class A !
Absolutely- and cats should be in more youtube music and audio videos in general
Isn't that only if you put a constant current accross it's eppiglotiss?
Class A all day way baybee
Freya S and Vidar feeding Magnepan .7 in 9 x 14' room makes beautiful music. Nice review.
Very good review, I have two Aegir run in mono with Freya+ connected to Klipsch Forte speakers and have been blown away
dream system
I've got Cornwall IVs and am strongly considering the Freya+ and Aegir monoblock setup!
At the moment I'm just torn between car upgrades and system upgrades haha. Two very expensive hobbies I have here lol.
Hi, I have the fortes ad well. Do you run the amps in a cabinet? I heard they can get hot.
Whole-heartedly agree with the value and performance of the Freya+, I can’t praise it enough. Only complaint is lack of 12v trigger makes it a bit cumbersome in my system paired with Parasound A21 amp.
it would have been interesting to compare two Aegirs as mono blocks compared to your pass labs amp and preamp.
I just purchased the Freya +. I ordered JJ 6SN7 tubes from another source. Even without having broken everything in, the Freya + sounds better than my old preamp, the Parasound P5. I agree with you about staying in tube mode. Thanks for the wonderful review.
How? Preamps shouldn't be changing the sound.
@@maynardewma preamp creates a signal path. Of course if affects the sound. Different components, capacitors, wiring, tubes, all have different sound signatures.
@@maynardewm In my personal experience, changing preamps affects the sound much more than changing power amps so long as you are operating comfortably within the capabilities of said amplifier.
I own the Freya+ the Mani and the Loki. Also use a Dynaco ST70. Love all of it.
Isn't that the point? To enjoy the music? I love my Schiit gear. Thank you for doing this review.
Love that cat! One of my cats came from a feral litter. He's lean, and super strong and will fight anything, me, the dog, other cats, it doesn't matter!
Nice looking shot. The browns of the background compliment the shirt and skin tones. Just enough background softness, with the figure tack sharp. Even got a complimentary color bracelet there.
The Freya is great, but I wish the case had a built in pan so you could cook eggs on it.
I had the Freya+ and Aegir monoblocks into my Focal bookshelf speakers.Sound was sublime at moderate volumes but tended to hardened up and compress when pressed. Still have the Freya+, seems to be a sweet spot for building a pre-power that will compete with higher end integrated amps.
I have focal, and the aegir doesn't have enough output for me.
An amp with low power, like Aegir, should be paired with speakers that have higher sensitivity ratings and don’t drop below 4 ohms.
@@scottlowell493 Most amp manufacturers brag about 80wpc being powerful and "able to drive most speakers "
Pathetic
I'm also running a Freya with a pair of Aegirs, driving Harbeth 30.2s. Front end is a Bluesound Vault 2I into a Schiit Gungnir Multibit DAC. It's all the system I'll ever need.
Yes!, a pair of Aegir amps!!! Wonderful extra sonic benefits!!!
How's the heat from the setup?
They run in class A. Class A means heat. Lots of heat. I'm considering fans although they probably are not required. Better to be safe than sorry.
@@robertwebster8615 Record Day Ron?
Must be a great system
I just began running two vidars as monoblocks with the Freya + into an old pair, early 1980's, Infinity RSII's. When I got the Vidars, they took about 24 hours to open up. The Freya took about 4 hours. Adding the Freya put the system many levels ahead than with my old pre-amp. I would suggest that if the + is not quite in the budget, you will love the S. The buffer mode is excellent. The Tube mode is even more so. No regrets on this purchase.
Reflections on hearing them with the two Vidars.
WHat is the buffer mode?
@@marcusaurelius2988 in passive the signal input goes directly to the speaker output. Buffer or active sends the signal through the caps etc, which have a slightly different personality, and of course tube mode sends the signal through the entire pre-amp.
Thank You for an excellent review! Love the channel.
UPDATE: I went and ordered the Freya+, should be here in 3 more days. I already own the Schiit Modi and Mani so I am familiar with their products. The Freya+ will replace my over 30 year old NAD 1600 preamp/tuner. The NAD has served me well and still works fine but I wanted to modernize a bit. I also wanted to try something with tubes. Should go well with my Carver M500t power amp. I would love to own the equipment that you have but it's not to be but I am very happy with what I have. When I kick back I enjoy what I hear. Thanks again for the review. Keep 'em coming 🙂
Ha!…you had me at small jazz ensemble. Now really want that Freya +….wondering how it would sound with a Van Alstine power amp and quad S2’s. Of course, the kitties are also very important to every listening sesh 🐈
We ordered ours last month and we’re still waiting for the arrival of our gear!
Nice spot-on review!
Past reviews say rolling tubes brings it to another level.
Running two Aegir mono blocks give you 80wpc. Would be curious to see your review of that setup as i understand it would “fill out” the mid range and bass
Love the seamless convo of HiFi to feral cat and back ~
I'm thinking about going the Freya+ and Vidar route for my next upgrade. They look really nice in that black finish. A great thing is that you can put a Loki (or Lokius) in the chain and have excellent tone controls.
But with a dac that makes 4 boxes.
12:45 Thanks for letting us hear what the volume clicking sounds like.
Should have mention tube upgrades. I run my freya+ with 4 psvane cv181mkII and it's another world from the JJ stock tubes in the review... also cables... And yes everything in audio is meant to be compared, a comparison with some tube gear like the linemagnetic would have been more interesting.
Try Brimar 6sn7...you will not regret a bit.
@@stephenlee4704 There’s like $300 a tube
Knocked it out of the park. Thank you.
I appreciate your comments on tubes should sound tubey; otherwise just buy solid-state. My sentiments exactly.
Another wonderful review. Nice job!!
the $150 schiit modi 3 changed my life. the next piece i got was an Agier and now i have the Freya+ and a gumby multibit on order. can't wait to see what all of this sounds like on a pair of klipsch RP-600's
How is your Aegir/Freya+ combo working with the RP600Ms? I currently have the RP600Ms and Yamaha A-S801 which sounds great IMHO but I'd love to get into entry-level tubes and this combo seems to be a great affordable way to do it.
@@sepsism138 the tubes are great. The agier and the RP600's go great together. but adding the gumby was a real game changer. holy wow is the soundstage amazing. next upgrade im going to do is get another agier and do the monoblock thing
@@mathurm100 Nice! Looks like a serious DAC. I was looking at the Bifrost or the Denafrips Ares II as I think they’re about on par price and performance-wise. The ESS DAC in the Yamaha actually isn’t too bad and is currently outperforming my turn table. The monoblock Aegir setup should be awesome, let us know what it’s like if you go that way. Cheers.
@@sepsism138 almost went with the denafrips but all the talk of klipsch and schiit complementing each other, i went with the gumby. just put in my order for the second amp. will run a passive vertical config.... we'll see if i get it before summer time lol...
@@mathurm100 Running Bifrost 2 with mono Aegirs/Freya+ with RP600Ms. Adding the second Aegir kicks it up to the next level. Have a volumio raspberry pi 4 setup. USB to USB into the Bifrost 2 is outstanding . Very happy with the Freya+ tube stage. Built my Schiit stack to use while waiting for Decware Zen . Will be upgrading the speakers . They sound great , but is the weak link in the system. Enjoy!
Great review, I just may try out this preamp. Love Muscles!
Nice delivery.
I would have liked to have heard how the combo compares to the Willsenton R8.
Me three
Me 3 I have the R8 already
oh default tubes :( The stocks are "fine" - but do roll away! you don't have to go crazy with NOS.. but the JJs aren't great. a new TS is are much better new tube. (of course a great NOS will blow it away.) Using Aegir in mono blocks is pretty amazing too.
Came for the review, stayed for the cat. Thanks for including her.
How do they compare to the Wilsenton R8? I have a Cambridge AXR85 with a pair of Klipsch Forte II speakers updated with ALK crossovers and ti diaphragms. Not unhappy with the overall performance, but thinking about getting a tube amp.
Great analysis thank you!
haha love your cats. they are so clingy. will there be any cat reviews, lol
As of 2024, the Vidar and the Aegir are both class A/B amps.
I have a feeling that many audiophiles are cat lovers. I'm an audiophile and like 🐈's. I have seen other audiophiles on UA-cam who also have cats. Perhaps there's a common personality among audiophiles that makes them cat people. Interesting indeed!
Probably due to the low noise floor of a purr vs. the harsh high db disturbance that comes from a barking dog :)
@@ITStechy lmfao 😂
OMG, et tu, Brute? I have two sets of speakers I alternate between, 86 and 87db. I'm using the amazing SMSL VMV A1 10watt high class A biased integrated. It is more than in the average UK sized living room.
The Aegir is not a Class A amplifier however it sounds great. Replacing it with a Vidar will get you more power but the sound will be different and maybe not as pleasant.
New subscriber. Nice review. Summarizes the value proposition for Schiit products very well. I use McIntosh vintage electronics with a Bifrost 2 and a Node 2I. I may replace the Bifrost as I just bought a Denafrips Ares 2.
is not that a lateral movement? I do not regard any as better, but different trade offs.
@@BastianUllr Ares has more air and space. Throws a much wider soundstage. Tonal characteristics aren’t much different. I have places for both.
Have ya tried the XDUOO tube headphone amps? Dirt cheap and sound nice, especially with Russian tubes.
I'm waiting for my second Aegir, One didn't cut it for me I hope running mono will give me what I'm looking for with my Cornwalls iv.
One should’ve done the job?
Am I the only one that heard the cat meow and started looking out the window? >_< LOL.
Except maybe when playing loud & then only on short dynamic peaks from an uncompressed music source like Vinyl.... (or hi-res digital, i can only presume as my 50'ish CDs are all old style 16/44.1 & all but the mellower minimalist accoustic stuff is clearly dynamically compressed) ...you'll never need to go out of Class A with that Schitt power'amp playing into Klipsch La Scala's in a normal sized listening room. There's something about the immediacy & dynamic range of the Klipsch sound i like, even at late night volumes. ive also heard it in some other hi-efficiency speakers like the larger 15" Tannoy D.C.'s & a few better horn loaded designs.
I absolutely love my Freya + but currently it is teamed up with some class D amps from XTZ. I would need to run some more electrical to the room in order to run class A amps
Why is that?
Thanks.
Perfect news do more of it
Would using two Aegir class A amps in monoblock config come closer to your end game Pass combo?
Not sure how it would stack up against Pass Labs gear, but my prior system was far more expensive, the amp alone cost what my current system cost including the turntable and phono and while it did sound more detailed and powerful, for the cost the Schiit stack with Klipsch wins.
A composer could use the volume knob on the tube amp to compose a score for the next arachnophobia movie.
Do you plan on reviewing the Marantz 40? I would love to hear how you feel this setup and the Marantz compare and which one would be a better value. Thanks for considering.
I will try to get one to review. If I can then I will do my best! Thank you.
Can you review your two cats please? ❤️
I was thinking about purchasing the Ares II. I have the Schiit Freya + pre amp. Would these two work well together? I'm a little confused about impedance and how it factors in. What could I expect, performance wise, if I used these two components together. As far as I can see...the Ares II dac has a 2.4kohm output impedance using XLR.
I’ve tried it works wonderful
How is the heat? Can you put these in a cabinet? Thanks
Interesting, I was looking at the loaded Ragnorak at the same price. I wonder how the sound would compare with the Vidar as you suggested for more power.
I see some are using 2 Aegir amps instead of a more powerful Vidar.
@@kevincorr2985 I don’t think they sound the same though I think one sounds better
I have the Diamond 225. Will this speaker sound better with this combo or the Willsenton R8 tube integrated amp that you just reviewed. I never had a tube amp before but I’m curious about them. By the way, I’m new subscriber to your channel. Just to let you know I really enjoy watching your channel and appreciate your time and effort (passion) doing all these reviews. Please let me know. Thanks, Luis.
I have both of them so Wilsonton 8 is much more powerful would be matched with many more speakers the adgier it’s very beautiful and sweet sounding as well
can't go wrong with the R8
Lets pull tubes out by the glass envelope! Tesla opposites at Schiit Audio
Please do a cat review!
I like the Freya+ sound, but I will never own one due to the remote and buttons causing too much frustration.
What is frustrating about the remote and buttons. I tried the Ragnarok2 and really enjoyed it but returned it to get Aeger/Freya+. I didn’t have issues with the remote or buttons being any issue. I’m a very impatient 63 year old and in one sitting I had them down. What did you find frustrating if you don’t mind me asking, hoping I’ll have the same feeling for this combination. Thanks in advance for your time.
@@garyarnold5699 I also wish the remote was improved. The buttons are small and not very responsive.
Sounds like Schiit!
Cambridge audio did the resister ladder volume control and they used the wrong relays. The relay they used was a type not suitable for 'continuous on' performance and they had a high failure rate after a year or two. has the Schiit volume control been designed and built to avoid the same issues? It is the only thing making me hesitate about going for the Freya+
I wouldn’t let that stop me don’t worry about it
Where did QA Concepts 300 go:)?
Did you tried them with Pass?
Can you try a DynaSchiit combo? I wonder if it’s enough power for the Heritage Special. Maybe with 2?
How does the cat behave when you are listening, does it stay outside? How do you stop it scratching stuff like speakers? Just curious I was thinking of getting a cat:)
So add a Dac and it is about the price of a Hegel H120. I wonder how that would compare for sound quality?
One box instead of three.
Good point
Hallo.WHat do you think about pairing with wharfedale Linton in a medium room (20 square meters)? Using freya+ of course is Better Aegir or Vidar2 Thanks
A lit bit
CATS AND AUDIO,,,,PURRFECT!!!
I have a pair of speaker Volent VL3.5 which is a 88db efficiency. Can the Aegir mono block work well with them? Will Vidar work better in my setup?
how was it with the heresy ivs? Good review
How does this preamp compare to the Holo Audio Serene? Is the Serene significantly better or are they very close? I have the Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE and am looking for a preamp. Either I change to the Freya+ and the Yggdrasil dac, or keep the Spring and get the Serene preamp.
I have Sonus Faber Olympica III speakers and I tried a single Schitt Aegir power amp with a Krell preamp for the volume control, and an EAR 834 phono stage for my Linn LP-12. After playing just 3 songs at moderate sound levels, the Aegir amp shut down! I know the Olympica's are 4 ohn speakers, but I thought that I could, at least "hear" the Schitt in order to test drive it. Will using 2 Aegirs in mono (80 watts) and a Freya preamp, work safely? I did like how the Aegir sounded before they shut down. In not, which preamp and power amp combination do you recommend (within a reasonable price ceiling--that is why I wanted the Schitt to work because of their cost, as I am a retired airline Captain) to get the most out of my Sonus Faber?
Try the audiolab 6000A fantastic amplifier $1000
This amp can't drive KEF LS50 meta as a balanced monoblock. It shuts down at moderately loud transients. I went through 4 and none of them worked.
Not the best speaker for the amplifier 90db or higher
I tried a pair of Schiit TYR amplifiers with the LS50 and KEF R3 and they shut down at high volume too. Surprisingly!
@@perryler Disappointing to say the least.
It wasn’t at all designed for low efficiency speakers.
Kitty!!!!!
Can you bridge two AEGIRS?
No two of them into mono blocks
Do I need the pre-amp if I want to go cheap with the Wharfedale 225?
You’re going to need a much more powerful amplifier
Any turn on or turn off thumps with Aegir? My speakers are 98dB efficient so thumps can be alarmingly loud.
I have Aegir with Tektons so I was concerned about that also. Glad to report that mine has zero thump powering off or on or putting in standby mode...
Would that set up work with my Klipsch Heresy IV? Plus turntable and CD player?
Try to get an amp at least 30wpc.
Lampizator Amber is 4 times the price of Qutest.Of course it will destroy it!
Any chance that 2 Aegirs in mono configuration (Should be 80 watt in 8 ohms per block) could drive the 85 db Dynaudio Heritage Special??
But I do not think that is clase A Amplification
I wish he would have tube rolled.
Cant tell with piano music, play some rock
how many cats do you have?
man seriously called a $1000 pre-amp "not end game" lol
snobbery. its the design that matters most. I bought a topping d90se and its destroyed my $8000 DAC. Only $900!