finally! I've been looking for a proper comparison between + and S for so long. Seems like S is a great deal but Freya + sounds better not just different. I see Freya S as a super affordable Swiss army knife of a pre. If you're looking for balanced in/out, remote control, multiple outputs (essential for bi-amping) - nothing else on the market has that feature set of Freya S for under 1k.
Love mine, it does duty with two different amps and handles my two SVS SB3000 subs with ease. I really like the clean and nuetral sound of the Freya S along with its gain stage (Nexus), again, very clean. I honestly do not see why there are not more reviews on this little preamp, as it does so many things so good, at an affordable price.
I own the Freya S and the original Freya tube model. The Freya is in its box, I prefer the sound of the Freya S by a long shot. I use it regularly with the XTZ Edge A2-400 Class D amplifier along with the Class A/B Denafrips Thallo amplifier. I use the Cayin RU6 dongle DAC via a TRRS L/R XLR and the Ares II DAC. Streaming I am using the new Node and a 2018 Mac Mini via ethernet. The speakers are the KLH Model 5. The sound of the Freya S is very neutral, and keeps everything together. I have the Denafrips Hades preamp too, a true Class A/B that has a rich and very pleasing sound to it, just incredibly smooth and buttery sounding, love this preamp. The issue with the Denafrips Hades, is the fact that it is zero gain, and will only play to 60db, not concert level sound when one wants to light up the living room. That is where the Freya S comes in, and it does a helluva a job, clean and loud, with very good separation and clarity. With the two R2R DACs in the mix, it has none of that solid state digital sound. The DACs take care of that issue. It actually sounds more A/B than solid state. I bought mine used on Audiomart, I think I paid $300 for it, and I would not hesitate paying Schiit for a new one, it is that good, and punches way above its price point. It is a keeper.
@@marcgabor9690 I know that, but when I look at an inexpensive unit that is billed as Solid State by its own manufacturer, I call it solid state when comparing a piece with a more old school A/B build. My apologies for upsetting your sensibilities.
@@marcgabor9690 I was attacked unmercifully prior to your comment when I mentioned that the Cayin RU6 dongle DAC sounded better than the Ares II. These guys went full bore, personal attacks, my apologies.
@@michaelwright1602 All good. Sorry others were so disrespectful towards you. At the end of the day it's all about system synergy and what sounds good to you. FWIW I have an Ares II and I think it sounds great in my system😂
I think you may have the gain/buffer sides reversed. Per the Schiit manual... "Looking from the front, the right-hand tubes are for the voltage gain stage. The left-hand tubes are for the cathode follower output stage. All tubes are of the same type on either Freya." BTW -- Great videos with very useful information.
They came out with the Noval because of the tube availability issues, and they have a surplus on hand of the Noval tubes. It was made as a stop gap. The explain it in their literature. It seems to me the Noval is a better option, not because it is $400 dollars cheaper, but because there seems to be a larger variety of tubes that are compatible. I may be wrong, this is my first time owning any tube equipment, though I grew up in the 70s and 80s and am pretty familiar with tube systems. They just weren't mine and usually weren't to be touched by my grubby hands. LOL.
I can’t say that my Freya s is “ hard.” That description usually denotes artificial and/ or harsh. I’ve gotten to use the pre amp from mellow dynamic speakers and headphones to horns and analytical. I never got anything but neutral. My SCHIIT TUBE devices never sounded too tubey. They just come across as more laid back.
Compared to the 1x FET buffer of the Freya +, the Freya S did have a "hard" sound. It was more up front and the Freya + is more laid back. If you can believe that.
@@stereoazimuth as of 5/1/2023 I have been mulling a Freya+. I recently tried my LYR+ as a pre amp, and it had qualities I preferred to the freya s. (Tung sol 6sn7gtb). what i got was all the detail and slam, but a more natural tonality and soundstage dimensionality . (Like a slight soft filter vs stark/raw image) I would want at least that level of "tube" without either rolling off or getting muddy bass. I am looking at which tubes would be the best for the +.
I just got the Freya+/N. $599 with tubes on clearance from Schiit. I couldn't pass it up. I have been eying the Freya+ for quite a while and was checking their web page. Saw they had 9 left at $599. thats about $400 less than I would have paid for the + with tubes. Bought it, but it got delayed in the blizzard, it is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Petty exited.
@@berkyberry as far as I know the Freya + and Freya N are identical, minus tube types. The produced them because there was concern of a tube shortage, so they went to the Noval tubes as a stop gap. I have heard tubes before but never owned them, so my experience with comparisons is limited. I will say, it sounds great and the tube stage's 13db output boost is nice. The volume knob clicks when turning it up and down, which I kind of like, but it is audible and if you don't mind the clicking it's a pretty good preamp.
Excellent video, keep them coming!
ahhh.... yes ... thank you for showing the volume knob noise surly thought it was broken 😊
finally! I've been looking for a proper comparison between + and S for so long. Seems like S is a great deal but Freya + sounds better not just different. I see Freya S as a super affordable Swiss army knife of a pre. If you're looking for balanced in/out, remote control, multiple outputs (essential for bi-amping) - nothing else on the market has that feature set of Freya S for under 1k.
Love mine, it does duty with two different amps and handles my two SVS SB3000 subs with ease. I really like the clean and nuetral sound of the Freya S along with its gain stage (Nexus), again, very clean. I honestly do not see why there are not more reviews on this little preamp, as it does so many things so good, at an affordable price.
I own the Freya S and the original Freya tube model. The Freya is in its box, I prefer the sound of the Freya S by a long shot. I use it regularly with the XTZ Edge A2-400 Class D amplifier along with the Class A/B Denafrips Thallo amplifier. I use the Cayin RU6 dongle DAC via a TRRS L/R XLR and the Ares II DAC. Streaming I am using the new Node and a 2018 Mac Mini via ethernet. The speakers are the KLH Model 5. The sound of the Freya S is very neutral, and keeps everything together. I have the Denafrips Hades preamp too, a true Class A/B that has a rich and very pleasing sound to it, just incredibly smooth and buttery sounding, love this preamp.
The issue with the Denafrips Hades, is the fact that it is zero gain, and will only play to 60db, not concert level sound when one wants to light up the living room. That is where the Freya S comes in, and it does a helluva a job, clean and loud, with very good separation and clarity. With the two R2R DACs in the mix, it has none of that solid state digital sound. The DACs take care of that issue. It actually sounds more A/B than solid state. I bought mine used on Audiomart, I think I paid $300 for it, and I would not hesitate paying Schiit for a new one, it is that good, and punches way above its price point. It is a keeper.
What do you mean "more A/B than solid state"? A/B is solid state.
@@marcgabor9690 I know that, but when I look at an inexpensive unit that is billed as Solid State by its own manufacturer, I call it solid state when comparing a piece with a more old school A/B build. My apologies for upsetting your sensibilities.
@@michaelwright1602 I wasn't upset I was curious what you meant. questions ≠ attacks
@@marcgabor9690 I was attacked unmercifully prior to your comment when I mentioned that the Cayin RU6 dongle DAC sounded better than the Ares II. These guys went full bore, personal attacks, my apologies.
@@michaelwright1602 All good. Sorry others were so disrespectful towards you. At the end of the day it's all about system synergy and what sounds good to you. FWIW I have an Ares II and I think it sounds great in my system😂
I think you may have the gain/buffer sides reversed. Per the Schiit manual...
"Looking from the front, the right-hand tubes are for the voltage
gain stage. The left-hand tubes are for the cathode follower
output stage. All tubes are of the same type on either Freya."
BTW -- Great videos with very useful information.
Yep.
They came out with the Noval because of the tube availability issues, and they have a surplus on hand of the Noval tubes. It was made as a stop gap. The explain it in their literature. It seems to me the Noval is a better option, not because it is $400 dollars cheaper, but because there seems to be a larger variety of tubes that are compatible. I may be wrong, this is my first time owning any tube equipment, though I grew up in the 70s and 80s and am pretty familiar with tube systems. They just weren't mine and usually weren't to be touched by my grubby hands. LOL.
Freya N is now discontinued due to slow sales. Although there still might be a few on closeout.
Very nice.
I can’t say that my Freya s is “ hard.” That description usually denotes artificial and/ or harsh. I’ve gotten to use the pre amp from mellow dynamic speakers and headphones to horns and analytical. I never got anything but neutral. My SCHIIT TUBE devices never sounded too tubey. They just come across as more laid back.
Compared to the 1x FET buffer of the Freya +, the Freya S did have a "hard" sound. It was more up front and the Freya + is more laid back. If you can believe that.
@@stereoazimuth as of 5/1/2023 I have been mulling a Freya+. I recently tried my LYR+ as a pre amp, and it had qualities I preferred to the freya s. (Tung sol 6sn7gtb). what i got was all the detail and slam, but a more natural tonality and soundstage dimensionality . (Like a slight soft filter vs stark/raw image) I would want at least that level of "tube" without either rolling off or getting muddy bass. I am looking at which tubes would be the best for the +.
On the Freya S does it run xlr + rca at the same time or only xlr or rca?
Both at the same time.
I have my amp(s) connected via XLR and the RCA outputs I use to feed my two SVS SB3000 subs, works like a champ! Love the sound of the Freya S.
I just got the Freya+/N. $599 with tubes on clearance from Schiit. I couldn't pass it up. I have been eying the Freya+ for quite a while and was checking their web page. Saw they had 9 left at $599. thats about $400 less than I would have paid for the + with tubes. Bought it, but it got delayed in the blizzard, it is supposed to arrive tomorrow. Petty exited.
I did too for my headphone rig! The Freya + is on my main speaker 2ch rig.
Is the Freya N? Is it good? I am thinking taking one for $600 from closeout sale in there website.
@@berkyberry love it
@@ericnortan9012 Tnx man. Any idea how it differs from the current Freya+ other then the tube types ?
@@berkyberry as far as I know the Freya + and Freya N are identical, minus tube types. The produced them because there was concern of a tube shortage, so they went to the Noval tubes as a stop gap. I have heard tubes before but never owned them, so my experience with comparisons is limited. I will say, it sounds great and the tube stage's 13db output boost is nice. The volume knob clicks when turning it up and down, which I kind of like, but it is audible and if you don't mind the clicking it's a pretty good preamp.
All of the Freya line does not have enough gain
It’s 1x unless you use the highest, then it’s 4x. And 4x should be plenty of gain.