FYI- I have a Kismet amp and am using a Freya as preamp. Sounds great. If you use the tube section of the Freya, it isn't functioning as a tube buffer, but as a pre with gain.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4PCS-8pin-K8A-Testing-Tube-Socket-Saver-For-EL34-5881-6SN7-KT88-5Z3P-5AR4-274B-/201089492161?hash=item2ed1de24c1:g:fj4AAOSwWxNYoEw0   Will these fit the Freya?   Brand New 8Pin Testing Tube Socket Saver     Material:Bakelite     Quantity:4PCS   Diameter:33mm...

Freya remote: I know it is infrared; does anyone know what remote protocol it uses: RC5, NEC, etc?

Actually, MQA is a separate company from Meridian. 

MQA has specifically stated that there will be no full unfolding of files thru software. I'd assume you are going to get the same thing that is being done in the Tidal desktop app: the first unfold (to 88  or 96k), but not any higher, and no application of the DAC specific "deblurring". For that...

Fasting: you can get many of the same benefits (lowered blood sugar, lowered blood pressure, lowered cholesterol, weight loss) just by cutting out sugar, white flour, and simple carbs from your diet. In fact, start out cutting out all starches and grains (even whole grains) for a couple of weeks...

True. Which one is correct?

 After the one tube has been on a while, I see a very small glow (you really have to look for it) from the one tube that seemed not to glow. Talked to the vendor (Watford Valves). and was told that if the tube is working, it is fine. It was tested as a match in a pair with my other Tung Sol...

Newbie with tubes. Tube question:   I put in a matched pair of  new Tung Sols for the gain stage. Seems to work fine, and I've got equal volume out of both channels. However, one tube distinctly glows, the other doesn't seem to have a visible glow. Is this normal with tubes, some glow much...

  Same here. I hear it also in JFET mode. Not a biggy, apparently that's the way the preamp is built; I don't hear it with other input devices, just the Freya. 

I actually managed to break the center pin on one - and I didn't use that much force. But some Tung Sols are on the way as replacements.

Got my Freya yestereday. Haven't listened to the tubes much yet, am concentrating on the SS section as I am used to SS preamplification.  My previous preamp was the analog pre section built into my DAC (Mytek 192 DSD). Pretty good pre, as good as some standalone preamps sold to audiophiles...

As far as sound, I will say this (I've been listening mostly to SS Jfet mode): very clear sound, with a lot of detail (not too much).Yet doesn't sound "cold" or analytical. The passive mode sounds similar, but with less output.   Before this I was mostly using the analog preamp section of my...

Any comments on EH Gold vs regular? I've been told there's no difference in sound.

Freya - Trying other tubes for fun:   I don't want to try anything expensive. Don't want to get too involved, just see what something else sounds like. The tubes locally available to me are: EH 6SN7 regular EH 6SN7 Gold   Any difference between them? There's about $1.50 difference in price...