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Considering Schiit equipment

Hi folks,

I love my vintage gear but have an itch to try some new equipment.

I'm looking into a pair of Schiit Tyr F mono blocks and either the Frya +F, Kara F or Saga 2 preamps. 

Mono blocks are a given. I like it better than just stereo.

The preamps are hard to decide on. Frya +F has tubes and I've never had tube equipment. The Kara F seems the same, except no tubes. The Saga 2 is in the running because of the extra RCA  input. I will need 5 RCA jack inputs total.

I see I can get XLR to RCA  adapters but wonder about quality loss with those. 

I can live with one adapter for the rarely used tuner if sound quality loss is an issue with these. 

A big issue with the Schiit preamps is that I don't see a balance control for left and right. Is this something that's done with the remote control or just isn't there? 

 

 

toddsyr
toddsyr's avatar
toddsyr OP
233 posts
 

Thank you two also for the replies. They came in as I was typing my last response.

I will not be using a DAC or headphone amp so that will not be an issue. It is good that you post such information though for the benefit of others. 

genomeip
25 posts
 

I owned the Freya Plus for 2 years,  and currently have it posted for sale on USAM.

If you want to save money ($650), please feel free to consider my listing. 

Putting that aside, here are some thoughts for you to be aware of (also discussed in my listing).

First, with the right tubes, the Freya Plus is a top tier preamplifier (not best of the best, but can compete with preamplifier on the lower end of that top tier), which is unbelievable for the price.

Two, I bought mine with the premium Tung Sol tubes. After first listen, I was prepared to sell it the same day.  It sounded dry, sterile, and no dynamics. I switched out the Tung Sols on the output stage, and replaced them with the Electroharmonix Platinum Cryo-treated tubes from Upscale Audio and it completely transformed the sound... huge changes...honestly...from hell to heaven and those tubes are inexpensive.   My theory is that the Tung Sols are really good at filtering which is why they work so well when left in the buffer stage, and sound so poorly when placed on the output stage.

A PS Audio BHK Signature preamplifier replaced my Freya Plus, and the Freya gave it a good run for the money soundwise using the stock BHK preamplifier tubes and the magical pairing of tubes mentioned above. I bought some new tubes for the BHK and expect those to take SQ to the next level.

Hope this is helpful and best of luck. 

toddsyr's avatar
toddsyr OP
233 posts
 

Thank you for the valuable information Gino. I appreciate the offer but I'm only looking to buy new. The tube info you provided is a big help.

toddsyr's avatar
toddsyr OP
233 posts
 

Does anybody have any input on what I said about using RCA to XLR interconnect adapters? It would be appreciated. 

BTW, another hectic work week starts tomorrow. I'll reply as I find the time and will always appreciate the input. 

easystreamer
122 posts
 

Adcom has a great heritage.

1. Get a couple of bridgeable GFA-555ms (125 wpc) at $1,549 each OR

2. Get a couple of bridgeable GFA-555se (200 wpc) at $1,899 each

3. Then get a GFP-915SE preamp, with balance control knob, for $1,100

4. There is a 15% discount off one amp and preamp when purchased together

My dad still has his Adcom stuff circa 1990 and it sounds excellent. Sure it is a revived company today, but it has history. I sold my Adcom stuff long ago.

Regarding XLR-RCA adapters, I would try to avoid them since added connections in the audio signal chain can potentially degrade the signal. Is it audible, I don’t know?

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