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Post by Loop 7 on Apr 9, 2019 21:22:27 GMT -5
This thread smells like Schiit.
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Post by pop on Apr 9, 2019 21:39:15 GMT -5
This thread smells like Schiit. Don’t be Schiity
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Post by pedrocols on Apr 9, 2019 21:53:58 GMT -5
Last I checked they still had the 15 day MBG. What's to loose? Give them a try. They aren't 100+ pound subwoofers you have to return to SVS if you don't like them. Try em. You might love them or hate them, but at least you'll know. I think I’m going to order the Valhalla’s B-Stock. No return policy but at $50 off a unit if I don’t like them surely I can flip them Easy. The whole point of this project is to build a nice room for my wife and I. It’s 11x11 so it’s pretty small. Since we have the twins now, my wife challenged me to keep it as inexpensive as possible. But I wanted to go all tube, so that’s why I’m looking towards a preamp vs just using the oppo as one. And unfortunately I don’t have dealer accounts with any tube products. So far heres what I’ve got so far Used Airmotiv 6s - $425 Extra Oppo 105 source - free Sennheiser HD650 Massdrop version x2 - $220 (already owned one set) Vallhalla 2 x2 bstock - $600 Freya Russian tube - $700 Periapt 10ft Senn cables - $160 Interconnects - currently owned. Ultimate support speaker stands - currently owned Entertainment cabinet - repurposed piece of furniture Panasonic UT50 plasma - currently owned Furman 15 PFI - currently owned Total: $2105 I’d say that’s pretty damn good. If I wanted to get real tight with it I could skip the freya and use the Oppo as a preamp and add a DAC to operate the 2nd headphone amp. Saving about another $400-500 I’ve always wanted an all tube setup, and since the kids my upgradeitus has really slowed down. Besides my 140” projector HT upstairs integrated is the tits. The headphone necessity is so we can sit together and enjoy while the toddlers sleep Tell your wife no new shoes or a purse/bag for her until the twins start college. I am sure she would love that 😂
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Post by garbulky on Apr 9, 2019 22:01:26 GMT -5
Interesting choices. I haven't heard the Valhalla. I have heard the Freya, 650, 600, and 700. So is the purpose "tube sound"? Because if not, I personally think the DC-1 coupled to the bas-x A-100 to the HD700 is a nicer bet Just freaking wonderful imo.The HD700 is worth the (high) price it commands. However, you aren't getting a screaming bargain with it either. It's not worth twice the HD650 if you talk about it objectively. However for me, it certainly is because it does what I set out to do. I bought the HD700 to be a headphone I could listen to without missing my speakers like I do when I listen to my HD600'.
A shout out to my A-100 in direct drive mode, it throws Sennheiser headphones around like nobody's business and it sounds amazing. Is the Valhalla as nice? I don't know. But it may be slightly quieter. Would I go with the valhalla over my A-100? No. But what do I know?!
But getting back to your question. The Freya is remarkably transparent for a standalone tube preamp. So you may or may not like this. People buy tubes for tubiness and this one isnt really about tubiness. But it looks GORGEOUS and does its job. But tubey holographic sound, umm, not really. The one negative as audiobill pointed out is that the remote feels not good in the hand. The relay switches for its volume control though clearly high quality does have a LOUD clicky sound and it is cumbersome to change the volume by remote. I would buy it for its looks which are lovely. But I also find myself wondering what it brings to the table over a direct connection from my DC-1.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Apr 9, 2019 22:04:56 GMT -5
I have a Freya, I like it a lot. Although since the Valhalla is single ended you may be better off using a Saga preamp. How do you find the overall performance of the Freya? It sounds great. Unlike audiobill I did not find it toy like and since I understand and appreciate the purity of the relay attenuated volume control I love it. In pure tube mode it sounds like preamps costing ten times the price.
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Post by pop on Apr 9, 2019 22:27:18 GMT -5
Interesting choices. I haven't heard the Valhalla. I have heard the Freya, 650, 600, and 700. So is the purpose "tube sound"? Because if not, I personally think the DC-1 coupled to the bas-x A-100 to the HD700 is a nicer bet Just freaking wonderful imo.The HD700 is worth the (high) price it commands. However, you aren't getting a screaming bargain with it either. It's not worth twice the HD650 if you talk about it objectively. However for me, it certainly is because it does what I set out to do. I bought the HD700 to be a headphone I could listen to without missing my speakers like I do when I listen to my HD600'. A shout out to my A-100 in direct drive mode, it throws Sennheiser headphones around like nobody's business and it sounds amazing. Is the Valhalla as nice? I don't know. But it may be slightly quieter. Would I go with the valhalla over my A-100? No. But what do I know?! But getting back to your question. The Freya is remarkably transparent for a standalone tube preamp. So you may or may not like this. People buy tubes for tubiness and this one isnt really about tubiness. But it looks GORGEOUS and does its job. But tubey holographic sound, umm, not really. The one negative as audiobill pointed out is that the remote feels not good in the hand. The relay switches for its volume control though clearly high quality does have a LOUD clicky sound and it is cumbersome to change the volume by remote. I would buy it for its looks which are lovely. But I also find myself wondering what it brings to the table over a direct connection from my DC-1. \ Gar! What’s up man!? I prefer the HD650 over the 700. I think it’s a fantastic headphone especially at $220! Not to knock the 700, still a fine headphone. I do prefer planar, but I sold off my Audeze a while back and really am not interested in paying to play in that market. Even at my cost. To answer your question, it is all about tube for this Setup. I understand the freya might not be as lush as other tube preamps but I’m excited just to have it for that little bit of tube love. The vallhalla I have heard is a wonderful mate for the HD650. So I’m pretty excited about it all. Really Schiit is hitting the price point I want to be at. My boat and fishing takes front seat to all other hobbies. Finally getting a listening room back!
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Post by pop on Apr 9, 2019 22:30:16 GMT -5
How do you find the overall performance of the Freya? It sounds great. Unlike audiobill I did not find it toy like and since I understand and appreciate the purity of the relay attenuated volume control I love it. In pure tube mode it sounds like preamps costing ten times the price. That sounds more in line with the reviews I’ve read. I’ve never seen or read of anyone having the sentiments bill does towards it. Not to take away from the SP14, but it’s functionality isn’t where I need it to be. I like the .5 dB increments on the freya as well, I think I’m just going to go ahead and order it. It’s backordered until end of month. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts
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Post by garbulky on Apr 9, 2019 22:59:28 GMT -5
Interesting choices. I haven't heard the Valhalla. I have heard the Freya, 650, 600, and 700. So is the purpose "tube sound"? Because if not, I personally think the DC-1 coupled to the bas-x A-100 to the HD700 is a nicer bet Just freaking wonderful imo.The HD700 is worth the (high) price it commands. However, you aren't getting a screaming bargain with it either. It's not worth twice the HD650 if you talk about it objectively. However for me, it certainly is because it does what I set out to do. I bought the HD700 to be a headphone I could listen to without missing my speakers like I do when I listen to my HD600'. A shout out to my A-100 in direct drive mode, it throws Sennheiser headphones around like nobody's business and it sounds amazing. Is the Valhalla as nice? I don't know. But it may be slightly quieter. Would I go with the valhalla over my A-100? No. But what do I know?! But getting back to your question. The Freya is remarkably transparent for a standalone tube preamp. So you may or may not like this. People buy tubes for tubiness and this one isnt really about tubiness. But it looks GORGEOUS and does its job. But tubey holographic sound, umm, not really. The one negative as audiobill pointed out is that the remote feels not good in the hand. The relay switches for its volume control though clearly high quality does have a LOUD clicky sound and it is cumbersome to change the volume by remote. I would buy it for its looks which are lovely. But I also find myself wondering what it brings to the table over a direct connection from my DC-1. \ Gar! What’s up man!? I prefer the HD650 over the 700. I think it’s a fantastic headphone especially at $220! Not to knock the 700, still a fine headphone. I do prefer planar, but I sold off my Audeze a while back and really am not interested in paying to play in that market. Even at my cost. To answer your question, it is all about tube for this Setup. I understand the freya might not be as lush as other tube preamps but I’m excited just to have it for that little bit of tube love. The vallhalla I have heard is a wonderful mate for the HD650. So I’m pretty excited about it all. Really Schiit is hitting the price point I want to be at. My boat and fishing takes front seat to all other hobbies. Finally getting a listening room back! Very nice. I think you have thought this out well. The most important part is that you have auditioned a good amount of what you are getting. The Freya is all about tube love. I thought it was beautiful then and I think it's beautiful now. It's good to see you on this forum. Make sure to give us your thoughts.
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Post by creimes on Apr 10, 2019 1:18:11 GMT -5
I think you will be very happy with the Freya and Valhalla's combo, the Schiit gear is really nice on the eyes as well, I say go for it.
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Post by pop on Apr 10, 2019 9:10:12 GMT -5
I woke up at about 4am last night and said “screw it” And ordered it all. Freya appears to be out of stock until end of month so I’ll have to wait a little bit
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Post by brutiarti on Apr 10, 2019 9:23:32 GMT -5
The Valhalla is an excellent headphone amp. I really enjoyed it but then I bought the Mjolnir. You will not be dissapointed. Valhalla + Beyerdynamics = Heaven
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Post by pop on Apr 10, 2019 10:01:00 GMT -5
I’m stoked! Can’t wait to get this all setup
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Post by monkumonku on Apr 10, 2019 10:06:24 GMT -5
I woke up at about 4am last night and said “screw it” And ordered it all. Freya appears to be out of stock until end of month so I’ll have to wait a little bit I really don't know what took you so long... I have the Vahalla 2 and like it. It does pair nicely with the 650's... but next on your list should be the 800's. Those are definitely a step up from the 650's.
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Post by pop on Apr 10, 2019 10:31:05 GMT -5
I woke up at about 4am last night and said “screw it” And ordered it all. Freya appears to be out of stock until end of month so I’ll have to wait a little bit I really don't know what took you so long... I have the Vahalla 2 and like it. It does pair nicely with the 650's... but next on your list should be the 800's. Those are definitely a step up from the 650's. Hey Rickie! You know I think the 800 are great, but there complete lack of low end takes them out of contention for me at that price point. Soundstage and Imagining are spot on for sure, but the music I listen to I need some oomph. At one point a couple years ago I had about $7,000 worth of headphones at the house. 800 were one of them, sold them. At $220 for the 650, they check a ton of boxes.
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Post by pop on Apr 10, 2019 10:35:50 GMT -5
I do have one bone to pick with Schiit. I’ve called them twice and sent multiple emails with no response. Then I place my order last night with a note attached to it and get a prompt response this morning about my order. Not a good first step in customer service IMO
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Post by garbulky on Apr 10, 2019 10:40:15 GMT -5
I really don't know what took you so long... I have the Vahalla 2 and like it. It does pair nicely with the 650's... but next on your list should be the 800's. Those are definitely a step up from the 650's. Hey Rickie! You know I think the 800 are great, but there complete lack of low end takes them out of contention for me at that price point. Soundstage and Imagining are spot on for sure, but the music I listen to I need some oomph. At one point a couple years ago I had about $7,000 worth of headphones at the house. 800 were one of them, sold them. At $220 for the 650, they check a ton of boxes. Nick told me about the lack of base about them too. Do you think they have less base than the HD 700 ?
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Post by pop on Apr 10, 2019 10:43:36 GMT -5
Hey Rickie! You know I think the 800 are great, but there complete lack of low end takes them out of contention for me at that price point. Soundstage and Imagining are spot on for sure, but the music I listen to I need some oomph. At one point a couple years ago I had about $7,000 worth of headphones at the house. 800 were one of them, sold them. At $220 for the 650, they check a ton of boxes. Nick told me about the lack of base about them too. Do you think they have less base than the HD 700 ? You won’t like my answer here as you own the 700. I think they are arguably the bottom in the entire series. I didn’t find anything particularly special about them. I seem to recall a little more low end on the 700 than 800. But it was puffy and a little bloated to me.
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Post by monkumonku on Apr 10, 2019 10:52:31 GMT -5
I really don't know what took you so long... I have the Vahalla 2 and like it. It does pair nicely with the 650's... but next on your list should be the 800's. Those are definitely a step up from the 650's. Hey Rickie! You know I think the 800 are great, but there complete lack of low end takes them out of contention for me at that price point. Soundstage and Imagining are spot on for sure, but the music I listen to I need some oomph. At one point a couple years ago I had about $7,000 worth of headphones at the house. 800 were one of them, sold them. At $220 for the 650, they check a ton of boxes. I have the original 800's, which I guess now have been replaced by the 800S which are supposed to have better bass response. For my own tastes, I think the 800's are balanced and not lacking in bass for me but I can see how others would prefer more oomph like you pointed out. And they're a lot more expensive than the 650's, that's for sure! I really liked the 650's and those were my favorites until I got the 800's but both of them are great. I think I'm a Senn fan... my first "hi-fi" headphones were the 424's, then came the 580, 650 and now the 800. I've had several other brands (AKC, Beyerdynamic, Grado, Oppo) along the way but I always wind up with Sennheiser. Anyway, enjoy your new toys, hope the Freya shows up soon!
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Post by pop on Apr 10, 2019 10:59:04 GMT -5
The Oppo Planars were FANTASTIC at their respective price point. I wish I had them back.
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Apr 10, 2019 11:37:25 GMT -5
I do have one bone to pick with Schiit. I’ve called them twice and sent multiple emails with no response. Then I place my order last night with a note attached to it and get a prompt response this morning about my order. Not a good first step in customer service IMO Did you use the email addresses on their web site? And remember they are a very small company with fewer than 50 employees. General questions: info@schiit.com Questions about your order: orders@schiit.com
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