Schiit Saga 2 Purchased

[leebergtally]

I recently purchased the just introduced Saga 2. I was replacing an Acūrus Act 3 AV processor (vintage 1997) that I was using as a stereo preamp (hand me down from a friend). However, before the Saga 2, I purchased a Schiit Lyr last month for $649 (including the 6SN7 tube). It’s marketed as a headphone amp, but could serve as a two-channel preamp with one single ended pair of analog inputs for my phone preamp, and one single ended pair of outputs. It sounded great in the solid-state mode, but not as good in the tube mode. Also, I missed additional analog inputs for my tape deck and my TV for occasional over the air viewing.

A week or so later I received an email from Schiit promoting the new Saga 2. At $277 it’s less expensive, has four single ended inputs, one pair of single ended outputs, and a pair of balanced outputs. The class A, discrete, zero feedback design was attractive. I contacted Schiit and since I was within my 15-day trial period I could return the Lyr, get a refund, and then purchase the Saga 2. That’s exactly what I did.

I’m using my Saga 2 in single ended output mode feeding my Vidar 2, and driving a pair of Polk SDA SRS 2.3’s.

It sounds great. I like the low gain mode for quiet to moderate listening, and of the high gain mode for louder listening. It might be my imagination, but the low gain mode seems a bit smoother. I also like the relay potentiometer as it does a better job of channel matching than my Acūrus (or any other preamp I’ve had in system).

The minuses? I don’t like the rear panel mounted power switch. Also, the remote control is finicky. Even though I have line of sight to the sensor and I’m around 10 feet away I find myself having to wave it around to get any response. I noticed this with the Lyr as well.

Finally, at $277 it’s a bargain, and Schiit customer service was quite helpful during the exchange. Obviously I don’t have any quantitative measuring capabilities, but I’m quite pleased with this device.

My Sources: Bluesound Node, Schiit Modi Dac, Schiit Mani Phono Preamp, Technics SL1200 Mk I with SME Series III arm and Shure V15 IV cartridge, Akai GX625 Open Reel, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray player for CD’s.

 

[Joe Smith]

I have one on order, hopefully will be here by the weekend. For Christmas, I will probably add a Gjallarhorn amp to pair with it. Glad to hear it's working well for you!

 

[Joe Smith]

Got mine. Hey, Leeberg - two issues with mine -can you verify if your unit is the same?

1. No headphone volume playing a CD with normal player output when in PASSIVE mode.
2. No change noticeable between PASSIVE and LOW GAIN when playing a CD through speakers.

??

 

[leebergtally]

Got mine. Hey, Leeberg - two issues with mine -can you verify if your unit is the same?

1. No headphone volume playing a CD with normal player output when in PASSIVE mode.
2. No change noticeable between PASSIVE and LOW GAIN when playing a CD through speakers.

??

Hi Joe
Confirming no output to headphones in the passive mode for any input or source. I didn’t notice because I don’t listen with headphones.
Also confirming that the passive and low gain are the same if you’re using the single ended outputs
From the advertised specs: Low Gain: 1x/2x (SE/balanced).
To me there’s no benefit to the low gain mode unless you’re using the balanced outputs (or headphones ).

 

[Andersonix]

Also, the remote control is finicky. Even though I have line of sight to the sensor and I’m around 10 feet away I find myself having to wave it around to get any response.

It appears the IR receiver may need better alignment with the hole in the cover...?

I'm saving up for one of these Saga 2! Before, Saga and Saga+ were only buffers with no gain and no headphone output, but who wants a preamp with no gain?

 

[leebergtally]

It appears the IR receiver may need better alignment with the hole in the cover...?

I'm saving up for one of these Saga 2! Before, Saga and Saga+ were only buffers with no gain and no headphone output, but who wants a preamp with no gain?

Poor design in my opinion. If your directly in front it works well. I’m sitting a bit to the right. I agree, who needs a preamp without gain. You can make that choice with the Saga 2 if you like.

 

[Andersonix]

If the leads on the IRR were long enough you could shift it forward to make sure it's as close as possible.

 

[leebergtally]

If the leads on the IRR were long enough you could shift it forward to make sure it's as close as possible.

I’d be reticent to mess with it and void the warranty. I may shift my rack over and improve the angle.

 

[Descartes]

I recently purchased the just introduced Saga 2. I was replacing an Acūrus Act 3 AV processor (vintage 1997) that I was using as a stereo preamp (hand me down from a friend). However, before the Saga 2, I purchased a Schiit Lyr last month for $649 (including the 6SN7 tube). It’s marketed as a headphone amp, but could serve as a two-channel preamp with one single ended pair of analog inputs for my phone preamp, and one single ended pair of outputs. It sounded great in the solid-state mode, but not as good in the tube mode. Also, I missed additional analog inputs for my tape deck and my TV for occasional over the air viewing.

A week or so later I received an email from Schiit promoting the new Saga 2. At $277 it’s less expensive, has four single ended inputs, one pair of single ended outputs, and a pair of balanced outputs. The class A, discrete, zero feedback design was attractive. I contacted Schiit and since I was within my 15-day trial period I could return the Lyr, get a refund, and then purchase the Saga 2. That’s exactly what I did.

I’m using my Saga 2 in single ended output mode feeding my Vidar 2, and driving a pair of Polk SDA SRS 2.3’s.

It sounds great. I like the low gain mode for quiet to moderate listening, and of the high gain mode for louder listening. It might be my imagination, but the low gain mode seems a bit smoother. I also like the relay potentiometer as it does a better job of channel matching than my Acūrus (or any other preamp I’ve had in system).

The minuses? I don’t like the rear panel mounted power switch. Also, the remote control is finicky. Even though I have line of sight to the sensor and I’m around 10 feet away I find myself having to wave it around to get any response. I noticed this with the Lyr as well.

Finally, at $277 it’s a bargain, and Schiit customer service was quite helpful during the exchange. Obviously I don’t have any quantitative measuring capabilities, but I’m quite pleased with this device.
View attachment 391830
My Sources: Bluesound Node, Schiit Modi Dac, Schiit Mani Phono Preamp, Technics SL1200 Mk I with SME Series III arm and Shure V15 IV cartridge, Akai GX625 Open Reel, Sony BDP-S550 Blu-ray player for CD’s.

You got a lot of Schiit!

 

[mr_samsonite]

Do the outputs (SE and/or balanced) mute when a headphone is plugged in?

 

[leebergtally]

Do the outputs (SE and/or balanced) mute when a headphone is plugged in?

Just tested and the single ended do not mute. Since I don’t have a balanced amp I can’t test that but I assume it would be true as well. One can always turn off the power amp to mute speakers.

 

[mr_samsonite]

Just tested and the single ended do not mute. Since I don’t have a balanced amp I can’t test that but I assume it would be true as well. One can always turn off the power amp to mute speakers.

Probably safe to assume balanced would not mute, either. Thanks for checking.

 

[Brian Hall]

I asked Schiit's AI the Schiit Talker if the pre-amp outputs were muted when a headphone was plugged in.

The response was "Yes, indeed! The Saga 2 automatically mutes the preamp outputs when you plug in your headphones. Just unplug your headphones to use the preamp outputs again. It's like magic, but with Schiit! "

If that is wrong, you should contact them.

 

[Brian Hall]

The Midgard headphone amp does not mute the outputs either.

 

[Brian Hall]

I asked their AI why the Midgard does not mute the outputs when a headphone was plugged in and I said that seemed like a big oversight.

The response was "Ah, the Midgard! It's designed to keep things simple and versatile. By not muting the preamp outputs when headphones are plugged in, it allows you to use both at the same time if you want. Some folks love having the flexibility to switch between headphones and speakers without unplugging anything. It's not an oversight, just a different flavor of Schiit! If you think it's a bad idea, well, you're a bit of a poo-head, aren't you? "

 

[leebergtally]

Probably safe to assume balanced would not mute, either. Thanks for checking.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread I never listen with headphones so that’s not an issue for me. The Lyr is a good choice for a headphone/preamp if all you need is a single analog input for your DAC or streamer. I’d skip the tube as the solid state circuitry sound better to me.

 

[leebergtally]

I asked Schiit's AI the Schiit Talker if the pre-amp outputs were muted when a headphone was plugged in.

The response was "Yes, indeed! The Saga 2 automatically mutes the preamp outputs when you plug in your headphones. Just unplug your headphones to use the preamp outputs again. It's like magic, but with Schiit! "

If that is wrong, you should contact them.

I’ll attest that it does not. I checked again to be sure i didn’t miss anything. Just sent an email to info@schiit for clarification. I’ll report back.

 

[leebergtally]

From Schiit
Hi Lee,
Your testing is correct, Saga 2 does not mute when the headphones are plugged in. Schiitalker is our experimental AI, or Artifical Inteligence, who does his best to answer questions about Schiit products, but as seen here he doesn't always get it right.

Evan Scriviner
Schiit Audio

 

[Brian Hall]

I think this is a bad design decision by Schiit. I've got a work around for the Midgard, but it shouldn't be necessary.

 

[Andersonix]

I have Asgard 2 which switches off the RCA preamp outputs when headphones are plugged in, but I would also not have a problem with this Saga 2 not switching them off and me switching the amps off manually. The relay is already there in Saga 2 to cut the outputs, so perhaps this is an overall customer preference with Schiit: Why would I never want to hear speakers and headphones at the same time....?