According to Schitt it performs identically using the passive buffer.Right, that's arguably the main selling feature of the +. I just prefer cool running under use case conditions is all. I'm sure the + performs great as well.
According to Schitt it performs identically using the passive buffer.Right, that's arguably the main selling feature of the +. I just prefer cool running under use case conditions is all. I'm sure the + performs great as well.
I was talking about the active states, the passives are the same yes.According to Schitt it performs identically using the passive buffer.
Which ones?The good news is there seems to be several active preamps with measured performance we could only dream of in a lab a few years ago.
Thanks.The Topping for sure ( As measured here) . The JDS Atom Amp, The Schiit, take your pick.
Inputs are selectable, outputs can be non-active if you leave whatever is connected in the off position. Shouldn’t affect performanceOne thing im trying to figure out, and excuse my ignorance or poor forum-searching, but is the fact that all outputs on the Freya are active a problem in any way?
Initially I was hoping that I can select and switch between my inputs and outputs freely. This is now obviously not the case. But how would this even work in passive mode? If im feeding balanced/se input to the Freya and I have things hooked to say 3 of the five outputs, will all perform equally well (can I terminate on the receiver end and only leave the relevant one active)? I am having a hard time imagining how the output is not getting degraded. Then again, if the passive mode is powered..
As many other people I have two inputs (record player and my DAC). The issue is, I have at least two outputs too (headphone amp and speaker amp), tendency increasing. Im looking for something (probably in addition to the freya) that can switch between outputs :C
From the manual:Inputs are selectable, outputs can be non-active if you leave whatever is connected in the off position. Shouldn’t affect performance
There you go.From the manual:
Can I use both outputs at the same time? Most of the time, yes. If you have products that short the input when turned off, then that can cause distortion.
Haven't heard of any but I've never thought about it.There you go.
Anyone know what amps short input when turned off?
Awesome review, thanks for the doing the good work. Also, just wanted to mention that the Ranking Index still shows Freya S as not recommended. In light of this second review, maybe that should be updated. Thanks again!A few weeks ago I reviewed the Schiit Freya S preamplifier. It performed really well in passive mode, providing fully transparency to my ultra low distortion and and noise audio analyzer. In active mode, one channel produced excellently low distortion and noise but the other was some 9 dB worse. One or two dB is normal but not such a wide gap. After the review was published, company contacted me and offered to send me another sample to test. This is article is the results of measuring that unit. FYI, the owner of the unit who loaned his to me received a unit with a new board.
As I noted in the previous review, the ultra wide and not so tall height produces a much more attractive look than some of the other Schiit products:
The back panel shows the nice balanced connectivity:
Combined with the stepped attenuator providing good channel matching, this is a very attractive set of features.
Preamplifier Audio Measurements
I won't be repeating all the previous measurements but rather, focus on where the issue was starting with active "0 dB" mode. This is what we had before:
As you see, there is 9 dB of difference in SINAD between the two channels. Here is how the new unit performs:
View attachment 50796
The two channels are much closer and within margin of error I normally see. There is a slight drop in how good the one channel is though and we can see that in follow on measurements:
View attachment 50797
View attachment 50798
I think some variation is inevitable given the architecture here (stepped attenuator with many passive parts).
Conclusions
Honestly, there is no way I could ever build you a preamp with this functionality and performance and sell it at this price. Many of us who need a preamp have a digital source (DAC) and one analog input (Reel-to-Reel in my case, turntable for others). Having balanced preamplification including a passive and low gain mode is quite excellent here.
With the channel discrepancy fixed, I am happy to put the Schiit Freya S on my recommended list.
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As always, questions, comments, recommendations, etc. are welcome.
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Also check out @Kal Rubinson 's review of the Freya+ in the current issue of Stereophile magazine. Very positive review and measurements. Basically the Freya S is the Freya+ without the tube drive stage according to Schitt.Awesome review, thanks for the doing the good work. Also, just wanted to mention that the Ranking Index still shows Freya S as not recommended. In light of this second review, maybe that should be updated. Thanks again!
.. resulting in around 6dB gain. Can I be hearing this?I was surprised when I selected "0 dB" active mode and it produced fair bit of gain at max volume. So I had to dial that back to still get 4 volts out
One day I'll have a nice setup like thisMade the jump and bought some Schiit. Super happy with the KEF350 as well. Only gripe is the cases on the Vidars and the Freya+ do not match (different color).
View attachment 197851
"the cases on the Vidars and the Freya+ do not match (different color)"Made the jump and bought some Schiit. Super happy with the KEF350 as well. Only gripe is the cases on the Vidars and the Freya+ do not match (different color).
View attachment 197851
"the cases on the Vidars and the Freya+ do not match (different color)"
Speaking of non-matching cases — ever take a look at your furniture?