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Post by selind40 on Dec 17, 2020 12:21:27 GMT -5
Wondering if my old XPA-2 Gen 1 or my PA-1's would sound better running my T2+? Does anyone have one of these combo's running? I've not pulled the trigger yet on the Schiity preamp, but will be within the next couple weeks......going to wait for the Christmas shipping mess to settle down a tad. All opinions welcome.....never owned tube gear before, looking forward to seeing if the rumors are true.  |
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Post by garbulky on Dec 17, 2020 12:37:17 GMT -5
Sound better versus what? Or you are asking which one sounds better? I think they are on very similar footing imo. They are slightly different in tone. The PA-1 is slightly more treble titlted/ airy sounding. The XPA-2 has a bit more slam in the bass. The XPA-2 gen 1 however may be able to drive electrostats and maggies and tough loads better. If you are asking which one I would pick if I was given the choice, it would be the PA-1, but like I said...similar. The schiit tube preamps don't have much tube sound. I mean it is there but slight. If I didn't know there was tubes in there, I wouldn't have even guessed. So...barely perceptible. I've heard the Freya (old version) and Saga (old version)
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Post by selind40 on Dec 17, 2020 13:28:27 GMT -5
Sound better versus what? Or you are asking which one sounds better? I think they are on very similar footing imo. They are slightly different in tone. The PA-1 is slightly more treble titlted/ airy sounding. The XPA-2 has a bit more slam in the bass. The XPA-2 gen 1 however may be able to drive electrostats and maggies and tough loads better. If you are asking which one I would pick if I was given the choice, it would be the PA-1, but like I said...similar. The schiit tube preamps don't have much tube sound. I mean it is there but slight. If I didn't know there was tubes in there, I wouldn't have even guessed. So...barely perceptible. I've heard the Freya (old version) and Saga (old version) Wondered between the 2 which might sound better paired with the Freya+........ultimately I'll end up doing a comparison once I get the Schiit in my hands. Just wondered if anyone had any experience with either set-up, I reckon I could have done a better job with my original question. Interesting that it had little sound difference in your opinion....I guess that's good in a way. It'll be replacing my XSP-1 G2. |
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Post by garbulky on Dec 17, 2020 13:35:10 GMT -5
Sound better versus what? Or you are asking which one sounds better? I think they are on very similar footing imo. They are slightly different in tone. The PA-1 is slightly more treble titlted/ airy sounding. The XPA-2 has a bit more slam in the bass. The XPA-2 gen 1 however may be able to drive electrostats and maggies and tough loads better. If you are asking which one I would pick if I was given the choice, it would be the PA-1, but like I said...similar. The schiit tube preamps don't have much tube sound. I mean it is there but slight. If I didn't know there was tubes in there, I wouldn't have even guessed. So...barely perceptible. I've heard the Freya (old version) and Saga (old version) Wondered between the 2 which might sound better paired with the Freya+........ultimately I'll end up doing a comparison once I get the Schiit in my hands. Just wondered if anyone had any experience with either set-up, I reckon I could have done a better job with my original question. Interesting that it had little sound difference in your opinion....I guess that's good in a way. It'll be replacing my XSP-1 G2. The Emotiva PA-1, Emotiva XPA-1 gen 2, and the XPA-2 gen 2 (and also a custom modded Heathkit Tube monoblock amp) were the very best amps I have heard. I think the PA-1 are almost as good as the XPA-1 gen 2. The XPA-2 gen 2 is also almost as good as the XPA-1 gen 2. |
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Post by LuisV on Dec 17, 2020 16:07:15 GMT -5
I have a pair of Schiit Vidars and a Freya +, rest is in my signature... I don't miss my XMC-1 nor XPA-2 GEN2 for music.
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Post by selind40 on Dec 17, 2020 16:47:56 GMT -5
I have a pair of Schiit Vidars and a Freya +, rest is in my signature... I don't miss my XMC-1 nor XPA-2 GEN2 for music. I'd like to update to those amps as well......but unfortunately my finance manager said I need to sell some of the surplus items laying around before updated amperage is happening |
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Post by LuisV on Dec 17, 2020 16:54:39 GMT -5
I have a pair of Schiit Vidars and a Freya +, rest is in my signature... I don't miss my XMC-1 nor XPA-2 GEN2 for music. I'd like to update to those amps as well......but unfortunately my finance manager said I need to sell some of the surplus items laying around before updated amperage is happening I took the plunge and then sold my HT setup to pay off the new room; still have a few items to sell. I'm just lucky that my wife loves this hobby as much as I do, so it's not an issue for me to upgrade, change things etc...  |
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Post by mercury on Dec 17, 2020 17:45:37 GMT -5
Same here looking at the Freya+ to replace my XSP-1 that I'm afraid to put on stand-by mode because it might not turn on again. It's been on for more than a year now.
Will pair the Freya+ with the XPA 2 Gen1 or an XPA200. Or maybe get the Vidars. But...I'm on the same situation as fellow member selind40 re finance manager..lol!
Will eventually get it soon through my confidential funds...
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Post by LuisV on Dec 17, 2020 17:53:38 GMT -5
Same here looking at the Freya+ to replace my XSP-1 that I'm afraid to put on stand-by mode because it might not turn on again. It's been on for more than a year now. Will pair the Freya+ with the XPA 2 Gen1 or an XPA200. Or maybe get the Vidars. But...I'm on the same situation as fellow member selind40 re finance manager..lol! Will eventually get it soon through my confidential funds... So far, zero regrets. Currently rolling various tubes to see which ones I like best. In case you guys missed it, there is another Schiit thread: emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/57864/stay-clear-schiitAnd my decision to go head back to 2 channel... at least for now. emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/57382/heading-back-2-channel |
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Post by selind40 on Dec 17, 2020 18:21:22 GMT -5
Same here looking at the Freya+ to replace my XSP-1 that I'm afraid to put on stand-by mode because it might not turn on again. It's been on for more than a year now. Will pair the Freya+ with the XPA 2 Gen1 or an XPA200. Or maybe get the Vidars. But...I'm on the same situation as fellow member selind40 re finance manager..lol! Will eventually get it soon through my confidential funds... Holy crap Mercury.......your XSP-1 does that too eh'?........mine does this, and I sent it back for a flat rate $300 to Emo to have it fixed......which it was fine until about a month ago I shut everything off to move some furniture around, and bingo XSP-1 wouldn't turn on after being off for a day. Hair dryer blown in top vents for about 5 mins fixed the issue......I've had to do the hair dryer trick twice now.......crazy, maybe a cold solder on one of the boards?  |
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Post by mercury on Dec 18, 2020 2:55:19 GMT -5
selind40,..I had to put the XSP-1 gen1 on top of the heater in one room for about the same time 5 mins then it turned on. Did that maybe 2 years ago and I have not turned it off since then. I have 2 other preamps but i like the XSP-1 cause i use xlr cables from cd player to amplifier. I might send it to Emo to have it fixed or try to fix it myself if i know the values of the caps and other parts that need to be replaced.
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Post by selind40 on Dec 18, 2020 7:59:30 GMT -5
selind40,..I had to put the XSP-1 gen1 on top of the heater in one room for about the same time 5 mins then it turned on. Did that maybe 2 years ago and I have not turned it off since then. I have 2 other preamps but i like the XSP-1 cause i use xlr cables from cd player to amplifier. I might send it to Emo to have it fixed or try to fix it myself if i know the values of the caps and other parts that need to be replaced. Interesting......well, if you send it in, it's a $300 flat rate to have it fixed. Keep in mind, I sent mine back and they replaced c5,13,15,18 caps on my power board......and it worked fine for a year. I also like the balanced options available on the XSP-1....but I do travel at times for work and don't like leaving things "On" while I'm a few states away......hence the move to a Freya+ for my future preamp needs. Until I pull the trigger on the Schiit, I've got a DC-1 w/ the SP-1 add on......but loose the balanced thing, I bought a PT-100 for the garage, could use that I suppose....also have a couple Parasound Zpre's laying around and an old Sunfire Theater Grand.....I need to have Craigslist garage sale apparently. Well, good luck with your XSP-1 G1. |
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Post by garbulky on Dec 18, 2020 13:50:33 GMT -5
selind40,..I had to put the XSP-1 gen1 on top of the heater in one room for about the same time 5 mins then it turned on. Did that maybe 2 years ago and I have not turned it off since then. I have 2 other preamps but i like the XSP-1 cause i use xlr cables from cd player to amplifier. I might send it to Emo to have it fixed or try to fix it myself if i know the values of the caps and other parts that need to be replaced. Sigh that is not how quality products should be made |
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Post by selind40 on Dec 18, 2020 14:38:40 GMT -5
selind40,..I had to put the XSP-1 gen1 on top of the heater in one room for about the same time 5 mins then it turned on. Did that maybe 2 years ago and I have not turned it off since then. I have 2 other preamps but i like the XSP-1 cause i use xlr cables from cd player to amplifier. I might send it to Emo to have it fixed or try to fix it myself if i know the values of the caps and other parts that need to be replaced. Sigh that is not how quality products should be made Couldn't agree more Mr. Garbulky.......I really like the XSP-1 and hate trashing it, but the facts are the facts......when she's working it's a great piece, but when you can't trust it, that's a deal breaker. I'll be selling it with a well represented description of it's " Issues"......and what it might cost a potential buyer to have it fixed " AGAIN" for the same issue it had in Nov 2019. The problem is establishing a price point that's a win / win......I know what I've got invested to this day, but I also realize the audio habit usually ends with you taking a loss.....kinda like marriage |
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Post by mercury on Dec 18, 2020 23:07:27 GMT -5
You're 100% right Garbulky...not good at all. The XSP-1 gen1 or 2 is a good preamp. I like it very much but...
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Post by selind40 on Feb 25, 2021 10:11:00 GMT -5
Calling all Freya+ owners....I need your advice!! So last night while listening to my system I decided to engage the tubes on the Freya+....the light blinked the tube heaters did their thing and then all hell broke lose. A super loud distortion out of the right speaker....LOUD NOISES. I quickly turned off the Freya and the power amps....worried I just fried my NEW Tekton Pendragons, I began drinking, 3 fingers of bourbon on the rocks.....then another one, don't judge me I'm not sure what happened or why. I had been listening to the system for several hours in the differential buffer mode with zero issues. Anyone know what might have happened? I pulled the Freya+ out of the system, and put back in my XSP-1. I'm afraid to turn this thing back on now. Thanks for any advice that might be coming. Scott |
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KeithL
Administrator 
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Post by KeithL on Feb 25, 2021 10:36:47 GMT -5
Hmmmm.... sounds like it could be a bad tube. (Unlikely to be a power supply issue if it only happened in one channel - although it could be something else altogether.)
The easiest way to check the tubes would be to swap them between channels. (Which would be safe if you have something with a Volume control to run it through.)
Calling all Freya+ owners....I need your advice!! So last night while listening to my system I decided to engage the tubes on the Freya+....the light blinked the tube heaters did their thing and then all hell broke lose. A super loud distortion out of the right speaker....LOUD NOISES. I quickly turned off the Freya and the power amps....worried I just fried my NEW Tekton Pendragons, I began drinking, 3 fingers of bourbon on the rocks.....then another one, don't judge me I'm not sure what happened or why. I had been listening to the system for several hours in the differential buffer mode with zero issues. Anyone know what might have happened? I pulled the Freya+ out of the system, and put back in my XSP-1. I'm afraid to turn this thing back on now. Thanks for any advice that might be coming. Scott |
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Post by LuisV on Feb 25, 2021 11:31:07 GMT -5
Calling all Freya+ owners....I need your advice!! So last night while listening to my system I decided to engage the tubes on the Freya+....the light blinked the tube heaters did their thing and then all hell broke lose. A super loud distortion out of the right speaker....LOUD NOISES. I quickly turned off the Freya and the power amps....worried I just fried my NEW Tekton Pendragons, I began drinking, 3 fingers of bourbon on the rocks.....then another one, don't judge me I'm not sure what happened or why. I had been listening to the system for several hours in the differential buffer mode with zero issues. Anyone know what might have happened? I pulled the Freya+ out of the system, and put back in my XSP-1. I'm afraid to turn this thing back on now. Thanks for any advice that might be coming. Scott Sounds like a bad tube or one that isn't seated properly... you should be able to engage the mute button to stop the bad juju from coming through the speakers. Lower the volume all the way and gradually increase it until you hear the noise. Lightly tap on the top of each tube until you find the culprit. Or... simply buy the cheapest quad set of tubes, to make sure the Freya isn't damaged. Then rotate the original four in one by one until you find the culprit. I had a similar experience when one of my RCA 6C8G tubes died... it made a weird noise and then the right channel cut out. Another options... Schiit support is only an email away... |
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