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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 16, 2019 12:35:03 GMT -5
Disclaimers:
I've not tried any other pre-amps in this rig (Been using the Legacy Wavelet DSP as a pre-amp) I'm not a very eloquent writer and tend to write like my mind processes it; messy yet hopefully productive
Gear in order of signal path:
Oppo 105 * Schitt Freya plus * Legacy Wavelet DSP * Pass Labs X 260.8 amps * Legacy Valor speakers
Pros: Versatility with 3 different modes: Passive - Differential buffer - Differential tube output stage Differential buffers convert single ended signals to balanced Beautiful piece that blends well in most rigs
Small profile for ease of placement Tubes and heater are shut down when not in use to save tube life Remote control
Excellent price point
Cons: Generates a lot of heat for its size when tube stage is in use Small amount of hiss audible from ~3' from speaker from adding another piece of gear to the rig (working on quieting that this week)
Wish they made a unit with a DAC option & digital inputs
The Freya + was well packed in custom formed foam supports and the unit was bagged in plastic for extra protection.
Setup was quick and easy and the instruction manual was concise with relative images.
The Wavelet is a bit of an outlier in that it acts as an active EQ to the Valors which are a 4 way design. One of the downsides is the large number of XLR cables that are tough to keep separated and orderly in appearance. This also prevents the Freya from being used after the DSP in the chain. Not a biggie but it would be nice to be able to sample it both ways to see if there were any appreciable sonic differences.
Sound in passive mode changes are imperceptible. In tube buffer mode there is some added "warmth" and depth of stage you'd expect from tubes. The magic is found in tube output stage. Part of this is due to the added gain that happens to be a better match for the Wavelet which is being used in theater bypass mode.
The stage collapsed at first listen but still sounded fantastic with enhanced separation of instruments. There was a greater depth to the music as well. Toeing the speakers out about 1.5" at the face (MLP is ~ 14' from speaker face) expanded the stage beyond the boundaries of the speakers. (Of course this changed with each recording sampled)
Old familiars for sampling:
Peter Gabriel So Steely Dan Gaucho
Chesky recordings David Crosby All Coming Back To Me Now
Other than a small amount of hiss coming from the tweet/super tweet, it is a dead silent pre-amp. To be fair the Valors are 101 dB efficient and greatly magnify everything in the signal path.
Next comparison I'd like to do is the new McIntosh MC 2600 tube pre-amp that lehighvalleyjeff has in his rig. Nice to have a fellow audio nut and life-long pal nearby. 
Verdict: The Freya + sounded great as part of this combo, is well built, attractive, and very versatile. It's price point makes it a deal sealer..... for me for now, you know the drill...
Scott
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Post by creimes on Nov 16, 2019 13:36:54 GMT -5
I will take this review with a grain of salt as i see no cable lifters are used in this review  In all serious notes that is a fantastic looking setup, wish I was able to give a listen but more than a few miles separate us haha. Very nice Scott Chad |
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Post by klinemj on Nov 16, 2019 13:38:38 GMT -5
Nice review. I'd love to hear that system!
Mark
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Post by tropicallutefisk on Nov 16, 2019 14:00:45 GMT -5
Love your set up, and you’ve got some beautiful gear. I’m going to be very interested to hear your comparison of the c2600 against the Freya. I’ve heard the c2600 many times but never in my set up or with gear similar to mine. I do own the Freya+ and have been very impressed with it. It was a huge improvement over running two channel through my Marantz 8802a. As for the hiss, I do not notice any. Though my speakers are very inefficient Maggie 3.7is, so that could be the difference.
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Post by audiobill on Nov 16, 2019 14:17:46 GMT -5
Scott, I'd love to hear a VTA SP14 in your system!! I happen to have two......
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Post by vcautokid on Nov 16, 2019 14:21:10 GMT -5
Love the system. Schiit is doing allot things right lately. The Freya for sure is one of them. Unlike allot audio today, it has not gone stupid expensive. USA made has its advantages. Mike and Jason there are making some good moves.
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Post by rbk123 on Nov 16, 2019 15:04:56 GMT -5
I will take this review with a grain of salt as i see no cable lifters are used in this review I will double down on the salt and point out that what power cords were used was quietly left out of the review... Those tubes look pretty darn sexy, especially between those Pass amps. Beautiful and wish I could hear it. |
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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 16, 2019 19:18:25 GMT -5
Nice review. I'd love to hear that system! Mark You ever get up this way you got a place to crash as well as cold beers Mark.
We're an hour West of NYC and an hour North of Philly. Scott
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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 16, 2019 19:20:53 GMT -5
Love your set up, and you’ve got some beautiful gear. I’m going to be very interested to hear your comparison of the c2600 against the Freya. I’ve heard the c2600 many times but never in my set up or with gear similar to mine. I do own the Freya+ and have been very impressed with it. It was a huge improvement over running two channel through my Marantz 8802a. As for the hiss, I do not notice any. Though my speakers are very inefficient Maggie 3.7is, so that could be the difference. I think part of the hiss is coming from the Wavelet. I'm not so sure the pass through is a true pass through if that makes sense.
Much of the architecture of these things is above my pay grade but when I lower the output volume of the Wavelet the hiss gets substantially quieter to almost silent. Scott
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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 16, 2019 19:23:05 GMT -5
I will take this review with a grain of salt as i see no cable lifters are used in this review I will double down on the salt and point out that what power cords were used was quietly left out of the review... Those tubes look pretty darn sexy, especially between those Pass amps. Beautiful and wish I could hear it. Next thing will be to try some Gold Lions in this Schiit. It comes packed with JJs.
Scott
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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 16, 2019 19:23:59 GMT -5
Scott, I'd love to hear a VTA SP14 in your system!! I happen to have two...... That could be part of an upcoming shootout. I'll keep you posted. Scott
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Post by lehighvalleyjeff on Nov 16, 2019 23:41:00 GMT -5
Great review and very accurate description of what went down as you piped it into your system. I like the warmth and holographic effect of the tube buffer being active. My opinion was clear Freya + sonically exceeded the Wavelet in every way.
I’m also excited to hear the c2600 in your system but I have an expectation bias after using the Mc for a few months. For value the Schitt offered a hell of a lot for 1/5 of the price of the Mc.
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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 18, 2019 9:55:29 GMT -5
Great review and very accurate description of what went down as you piped it into your system. I like the warmth and holographic effect of the tube buffer being active. My opinion was clear Freya + sonically exceeded the Wavelet in every way. I’m also excited to hear the c2600 in your system but I have an expectation bias after using the Mc for a few months. For value the Schitt offered a hell of a lot for 1/5 of the price of the Mc.
Spinning some old school Cream sounded really nice with that TT combo.
Looking forward to a multi pre amp shootout in the near future. I've got 4 different tube models in mind for comparo.
Scott
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Post by audiogeek on Nov 18, 2019 15:42:16 GMT -5
Scott, that looks like you guys had a blast.
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Post by simpleman68 on Nov 18, 2019 19:51:58 GMT -5
Scott, that looks like you guys had a blast. Yeah we did. It was a very needed break from my 4 wonderful, yet exhausting kids.
Jeff and I have been pals for 35 years too.
Hoping to do some more get togethers in the future. There are plenty of audio nuts in the NYC/Philly area. Just hard to get the time to make it happen.
Scott
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Post by audiogeek on Nov 18, 2019 21:21:23 GMT -5
Scott, that looks like you guys had a blast. Yeah we did. It was a very needed break from my 4 wonderful, yet exhausting kids. Jeff and I have been pals for 35 years too. Hoping to do some more get togethers in the future. There are plenty of audio nuts in the NYC/Philly area. Just hard to get the time to make it happen.
Scott
My college buddy was over this weekend too. I picked up some factory renewed Stealth 6s at the open house and we rung them out pretty good. They took it like champs. |
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