Considering Schiit equipment

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?

Schiit Tyr and Freya+ are top notch gear. My own experiments with my Freya gave best results with Ken-Rad VT-231’s in the gain stage and CBS-Hytron (made by RCA?) 5692’s in the buffer. It gives my Cary SLP05 with ultimate upgrade a run for the money.

 For a budget option, Sylvania 6SN7’s of any vintage are pretty good with a sparkly top end. But this preamp sings with vintage tubes, especially of the WW2 era. The Tyrs are amazing, I have been so impressed when I have heard them (and the Schiit Wotan amplifier as well).

I think you will love the Schiit gear.  

You might also check in with Audio by Van Alstine and Odyssey:  highly acclaimed amps!!

I only have experience with the Mani 2 MM/MC preamp - LOVE it - for $150??? how do you go wrong? full MC and MM pre-amp. worked great out of the box and listening to it now. Gives my $1700 tube phono preamp a run for its money, but at 10x the $. It really should not but it does.

When thinking about Schiit gear, it’s good to keep in mind the original company developers, one of which is still doing it, have a long history in the audio world and know what they’re doing. Another thing is, because they don’t go through distributors and retailers, the prices are very reasonable for what you get. If you bought anything they sell from a brick and mortar store, you’d pay at least double. The oft abused, "you get what you pay for" isn’t always the case but a lot of folks will never accept that. Good luck.