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Best Value Line Stage Tube Preamps?

Given they are all multi-input, multi-output, balanced line stage tube preamps, what are sonic benefits of a serious Rogue RP-7 or Prima Luna EVO 400 vs. the $899 Schiit Freya Plus? Currently these would feed a Parasound Halo A21 into Legacy Signature SEs, with all cables and speaker placement constant. I know the relevant mfrs/dealers all offer trial and/or return policies, but living far from any source and disliking return hassles, I'm soliciting expert opinions before (preferably, in lieu of) undertaking in-home experiments.
I know that much depends on one's own listening habits and sonic signature preferences, but surely differences in power supply, output impedances, etc. might be objective benefits to spending the 5x more coin for a bigger, badder device?
hickamore
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
6,497 posts
 
No Millercarbon. The Pima Luna Evo 400 is strictly a preamp and does not include a power amp stage.

Actually the new PrimaLuna line has all the gear named EVO XXX. There is an EVO 400, Amp, Preamp and Int. Amp. Kinda confusing.

https://www.primaluna-usa.com/integrated-amplifiers
https://www.primaluna-usa.com/preamplifiers
https://www.primaluna-usa.com/power-amplifiers

Even the DAC is an EVO 100.
wolf_garcia
6,892 posts
 
I own an original series Freya (landed on NOS GEs as my preferred tubes) for a few years and have had no issues with the sockets as anybody with a modicum of tube experience should know how to wiggle tubes out of an amp. Easy peasy. Mine has been dragged around to try in friend's systems including ones with some very pricey preamps, and it matched or bettered each and every one of 'em. Made in USA, a brilliant balanced preamp with multiple balanced and single ended ins and outs, and 3 operating modes...I don't know of anybody who makes a better sounding line stage preamp.
melm
1,086 posts
 
Without comparatively rating any of the preamps mentioned, anyone who talks about "high value" or "best value" MUST include the Freya+.
jchiappinelli's avatar
jchiappinelli
125 posts
 
Mofimadness,

Of course PL's new line has the prescript EVO which includes amps, preamps, integrateds, etc but the OP's question was specifically in reference to the PL EVO 400 preamp which does not, as Millercarbon claimed, have a dedicated power amp included.  
hickamore OP
773 posts
 
If an ur-guru like wolf_garcia says Freya+ stands sonically with the best, durable, no tube rolling trouble, that's good enough for me. Whatever risk may remain is easily worth a $900, trade- value-retained gamble. Thinking if/when I "upgrade" from Freya+, it will be more for cosmetic than sonic reasons. If this works as hoped, my next question will likely concern digital preamp upgrades. Thanks to everyone for bundles of useful information.  
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