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Added a Schiit Freya+ to a Sansui 8080

Hi.  I started out with a Yamaha A-S801 and Wharfedale Lintons.  Using a Wiim Pro Plus as my source.

Recently I swapped the Yamaha for a refurbed Sansui 8080.  Sounded amazing.  Tons of warmth!

I got curious and wanted to tinker and added a Schiit Freya+ preamp.  Lost all the warmth!  In return, it revealed much more details, vocals and instruments are more clearly defined and separated.  But I lost the low end and warmth.  It's not bad, it's just different, sounds amazing actually.

I've tried to recapture some of the warmth by adjusting the EQ in the Wiim.  I cannot seem to get there without it sounding muddy.

I'm trying to learn and understand the difference in the amps and what specs might be contributing to my observations.

The Sansui has a 0.2% TDH while the Schiit Freya+ runs much more clean at <0.01%

Is it safe to say that less TDH main contributing factor to what I am observing when I say I've lost warmth?

I've only had a couple of days, so my ears might still be adjusting, but I do miss that vibe and feeling the music created when using only the Sansui.

I do think I lean towards wanting a warmer sound.  This might have just been an experiment in me needing to try something different to learn that.

Other notes:  

The tubes are new production Tung-Sol 6SN7

The Freya+ has 3 modes.  Passive, JFET buffer and Tube gain.  Tube gain is the only stage that is listenable for my ears

steam_engine
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,876 posts
 

The Sansui has a 0.2% TDH while the Schiit Freya+ runs much more clean at <0.01%

Is it safe to say that less TDH main contributing factor to what I am observing when I say I've lost warmth?

These discussions would fill up the pages of Stereo Review and High Fidelity magazines some 35/ 40 years ago.  The general consensus was that you most likely couldn't hear any real differences until you got to the 1% TDH level.  Viewed comparatively, portable players (tape, CD) were usually at the 10% TDH level and that was fairly audible.   

Vintage equipment sounded warmer in comparison to today's components.  Vintage components were just designed and built differently.  Also, vintage components were tuned for analog ... vinyl and tape and FM radio.  No digital in the mix.   Warmth was desired.  There were tone controls to modify the sound a bit if desired.  Then again, I remember the user guide for EPI 100 speakers that suggested listening without tone controls, so the user could hear the advantage of EPI's linear sound.  

The only current speakers that I have heard that sound close to vintage era speakers are the Wharfedale Dentons.  

Your Sansui 8080 was designed to operate as a unit.  I believe you will defeat its charms, by changing that around.  

Rich 

steam_engine OP
7 posts
 

Thanks Rich.  That's sort of the conclusion I have come to in this short period of time - i'm defeating the Sansui's charm.

I had a good thing going and I got greedy  (or let's say curious, rather) :)

Post removed 
steam_engine OP
7 posts
 

Thank you for the thoughtful response.  All makes perfect sense.

Now I feel like I'm at a crossroads.  Continue down the path of separates or fall back to the Sansui (which I actually realize I really liked) and return the Freya 

Or fall back to the Sansui and keep the Freya to build around.   (ie another system)

Where does the madness end?  :P

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