Schiit out of luck.
- Thread starter nc42acc
- Start date
Well there's a reason the big-boy preamps cost $5K and up
I'm not a huge fan of the 6SN7 tube either, but the 6H30 is great. I run a Yggdrasil DAC in my headphone rig, and have heard the Mjolnir 2 tube headphone amp. I think the Yggdrasil is very good sounding for the money (as long as you avoid its awful USB Gen 3 input). I wasn't so blown away by the Mjolnir. For the main 2ch rig, I prefer my components to be of more substantial quality that what Schiit has on offer.
Well there's a reason the big-boy preamps cost $5K and up
basically means you like 'neutral' vs 'warm' (ARC vs Cary)
Jack
Active member
And just as many of us prefer it the other way around.
hifinutt
New member
having had lots of pre amps in past like yourself including the ref5se . i am currently using the schiit saga pre and its a super little thing . for the 360 pounds it costs it really is delightful
Well there's a reason the big-boy preamps cost $5K and up
I run a Yggdrasil DAC in my headphone rig, and have heard the Mjolnir 2 tube headphone amp. I think the Yggdrasil is very good sounding for the money (as long as you avoid its awful USB Gen 3 input). I wasn't so blown away by the Mjolnir. For the main 2ch rig, I prefer my components to be of more substantial quality that what Schiit has on offer.
I wish there was more options for the 6H30. The Reflektor tubes are ridiculous at $399/piece. I will try the EH 6H30's one of these days. I just don't think they will sound much different given that it's the same tube (with gold pins).
mep
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2013
- Messages
- 5,081
What's wrong with the commonly available 6H30 tubes? Just looking for new flavors?
There is no difference in sound between the Sovtek and EH 6H30 tubes. They are made in the same factory and the only difference is the gold pins which I prefer due to the fact that the don't really oxidize much. My BAT pre uses 8 of them. They certainly are not a warm and fuzzy tube but they will last thousands of hours.
Well there's a reason the big-boy preamps cost $5K and up
I run a Yggdrasil DAC in my headphone rig, and have heard the Mjolnir 2 tube headphone amp. I think the Yggdrasil is very good sounding for the money (as long as you avoid its awful USB Gen 3 input). I wasn't so blown away by the Mjolnir. For the main 2ch rig, I prefer my components to be of more substantial quality that what Schiit has on offer.
Your assessment of the Yggy is interesting as most people are probably using the usb input. I haven't read many negative posts about the Yggy.
I think the whole concept behind Schiit is good sound for cheap and I think that they succeed given their success with their Bifrost DAC and Mani phono preamp.
jdandy
New member
mulveling.......I have not heard the Gen 3 USB input on the first generation Yggdrasil DAC, but it seems to be the general consensus that the USB input was bested by the AES/EBU and coaxial inputs. Some reported that the USB Gen 3 input was a bit bright, so I can understand your comment. Having said that, the newest Yggdrasil DAC with the Analog 2 upgrade and the newest Gen 5 USB input is astonishing. You may want to consider having Schiit Audio perform the upgrade. My Yggdrasil Analog 2/Gen 5 USB is truly remarkable. I made a direct A/B comparison of the new Yggy to the Esoteric K-01X and discovered they are quite similar in performance despite their wide price difference ($20K to $2.4K). Even with such the huge price disparity the Yggdrasil can definitely hold its own against many top DACs.
If you haven't yet read my Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Review and Esoteric K-01X versus Schiit Audio Yggdrasil you may find those threads interesting.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
In my ARC pre these tubes did sound quite a bit better. An audio club buddy was over and we listened for some time and then we both agreed. A nice improvement. We compared original ARC provided tubes with low hours, and the EH purchased from Upscale, as ARC Select matched pair.
I certainly don't doubt your findings but the Sovtek tubes have the same innards as the EH's minus the gold pins and they are made in the same factory. Could it be just the age of the tubes or better tube matching and microphonics. When I bought my EH's I had them matched and then when I got them, a friend tested them for me and he was surprised at how well they tested and how closely matched they were. Also, it is important to keep the pins on the non gold pin tubes clean. I would clean the pins on my non gold pin tubes once a year with deoxit.
Also, the gold pin tubes seem to fit tighter due the the extra coating making the pins slightly thicker. A better connection in the socket could account for better sound.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
You may be correct. These factors I di not know. This is why I listed that I had purchased the Upscale ARC Select tubes which are supposed to be the tubes that tested the best are are reserved for ARC equipment. Any or all of the factors you mentioned may have contributed.
AJ Soundfield
Well-known member
I have a Freya also and it might be a bit too neutral for those looking for a more "tubey" sound. Haven't used in a couple months so forgot what tubes are in, not the factory stock. It's an outrageous bargain for a full featured domestic product. Add a zero or two and some folks might take it more seriously.
cheers,
AJ
I have a Freya also and it might be a bit too neutral for those looking for a more "tubey" sound. Haven't used in a couple months so forgot what tubes are in, not the factory stock. It's an outrageous bargain for a full featured domestic product. Add a zero or two and some folks might take it more seriously.
cheers,
AJ
That is so true of a lot of gear. Bump up the price and people think it must be great. Many years ago Frank Van Alstine proved this. He had a piece of gear that was budget priced and it was not selling. He rebadged it, raised the price and it sold well. Go figure.
hifinutt
New member
been using the freya every night since i got it a week ago , also added in a townshend dct xlr from my dac and the sound is weighty , tremendous soundstage and gripping . its getting better . an american friend popped in who is not an audiophile and was blown away , said it sounded better than the real thing . i am using all the stock tubes from freya as chap i got it from had some tungsol in the right side and it made too much tube noise in my horns . with the stock tubes all equal its pretty silent and very full blooded . this is a refreshing bargain
just over lunch i have been reading about the new 21k vivid speakers , 13k mac integrated etc etc ..... and here is a pre amp that costs a mere fraction of that price and sounds very good indeed .
just over lunch i have been reading about the new 21k vivid speakers , 13k mac integrated etc etc ..... and here is a pre amp that costs a mere fraction of that price and sounds very good indeed .
nc42acc
New member
- Thread Author
- #20
AJ
The Freya is a great preamp in its league but the REF5SE outclasses it in every sector as it should. I am a budget minded audiophile at heart from my early days in the hobby. I need to dust the Freya off and add some NOS tubes and give it another listen.
The Freya is a great preamp in its league but the REF5SE outclasses it in every sector as it should. I am a budget minded audiophile at heart from my early days in the hobby. I need to dust the Freya off and add some NOS tubes and give it another listen.
I have a Freya also and it might be a bit too neutral for those looking for a more "tubey" sound. Haven't used in a couple months so forgot what tubes are in, not the factory stock. It's an outrageous bargain for a full featured domestic product. Add a zero or two and some folks might take it more seriously.
cheers,
AJ