Alcophone - Thanks so much for pulling those quotes together. I did in fact search in HeadFi and elsewhere. Did not come up with the info you provided. Thanks again. I'm a bit surprised about this. Wish something had been placed in the owner's manual (or in the Schiit FAQs). Looks like...

Hello folks. A quick question (hopefully). Have had a Freya (Gen 1) since early 2017. It's been great. Very flexible. Quiet (other than from the occasional noisy tube). Very satisfied with it. I mostly use the JFET buffer mode on it and install tubes only occasionally (do have socket...

No. That way might work but it defeats the purpose. The idea is use a separate power supply and NOT the noisy supply from the computer's 2nd USB port. Take only signal from the computer. Easiest way is get a little 5V USB charger like for an iPhone to power the USB connection. It works very...

If you are convinced you want to go with an AQ Diamond, check US Audio Mart and see if you can find used. That will save you some $.

First - you won't get any argument from me about the V-Link. I thought it was a good performing/high value device. Putting it between Aries Mini and Gungnir really made things sound great. I actually bought a second to have a backup spare if the first should go south. This was before I got...

I think Coax is still preferred over USB (even Gen 5) but not certain about that. In any case, the reason I'm using Eitr is because I have an older Gungnir that was not mftd. with a USB input (when I got the MB upgrade, I chose NOT to do a USB mod to it). I'm using Eitr as a USB/SPDIF...

PS to Pharmaboy - I'm using a Blackcat Silverstar 75 coax to the Gungnir MB. I'd love to try the Oyaide DR-510R based on the positive experience with the Neo. BUT the whole cable thing can become a kind of madness (and I used to be wire skeptic)....there is ALWAYS going to be something new and...

Hi Pharmaboy. Yes, you got it. The Class A Oyaide Neo from Aries Mini to Eitr improved the sound over the admittedly entry level AQ Pearl and the slightly more upscale Pangea Ag. Expectation bias? Someone might claim such but I think not. The intelligibility of the lyrics improved, for one...

Hello hikaru12 - Short answer based on my experience is "Yes". Upgrading the USB cable made a difference. In my setup that means running USB from an Aries Mini to Eitr and Coax from Eitr to Gungnir w/MB upgrade. I didn't spend crazy $ on USB cables. First tried an Audioquest Pearl (pure...

Soundsgoodtome - Glad to have found your report. I was going to post a new query asking for a REALITY CHECK on what I think I'm hearing. Hunted a bit through past posts in this Freya tube rolling thread before writing and came across your comments from April 2017. I have some NOS RCAs that...

Pardon the typo, that should read, "...you might not NEED the Eitr." Emphasis on "might" as per subsequent responses from others.

If your DAC will already accept USB input direct from your computer, you might not meet the Eitr. It is a USB to SPDIF converter, so I'm using it with a DAC that does not accommodate USB input.

Thanks to all. Sorry for the delayed response. Dr. Jam , I like the wood tools you've used. Was also thinking maybe a small plastic paint spatula would work. I do find elevating the tubes has made a big difference in how warm the chassis gets. Can't be a bad thing. Thanks again to everyone...

@jseymour Double up on the socket savers. GENIUS! If I can't figure out a way to extract tubes without the whole thing coming out, I will definitely try that. THANKS.

@jerick70 Thanks for the response. The top of the PartsConnexion socket savers are flush with the bottom side of the Freya's top plate. Given how tight the tube pins fit in the socket saver, I might have to use some kind of flat plastic tool to keep the savers from pulling out when I change...

Folks - A quick Freya-related question, though a bit off-topic from latest discussions. Would appreciate member expertise... I just received socket savers from PatsConnexion as recommended elsewhere in this thread. Right now, using them with a quad of new production EH 6SN7s. The socket...

Hats off to you! Great outlook and attitude. Hope you make the perfect decision...whether the Schiit separates or the integrated. Have to say, for me right now, the gear, including Freya, is pretty much in place. Sure there's always something better out there but at this point the music is...

Wow...that is a heavy load you carry. Sorry to hear about it. Hope you will continue to find the strength you need. Providence is always a reliable source. As far as your audio decisions, I think I've pretty much exhausted my little store of knowledge. No idea which option might sound...

In my O-pinion, the Freya is pretty low maintenance. You don't HAVE to do all the tweaks to get decent sound from it. You don't even have to run tubes. I have tubes but honestly, for most listening, don't have them installed. Just use the JFET buffer mode. That simplifies life a good deal...

Sorry - can't tell you what specific reasoning led to the 13 db gain associated with tube mode. However, it does come in handy for listening to lower voltage sources (e.g., phono pre) AND when using it with a low power (20 wpc) First Watt F7 amp. I think this would also be the case for folks...

Hello - I've had the Freya since Jan 2017, so around 15 months now. I had NO problems with Freya from day 1 other than a couple of the stock tubes being noisy. Schiit quickly replaced those for me. Based on my experience with another preamp (2-6H30; 1-EZ80) Freya does NOT run especially hot...

Not an odd question, I don't think. Mostly agree with purehifi...maybe not as hot as conventional glass 6SN7s, but hot is a better descriptor in my experience than calling them "very warm"! Their operating temp was a bit of a surprise to me. Along with the noise that eventually developed...

+1 for Soundsgoodtome comments about the EH 6SN7s. They are neutral and dead silent in a chain consisting of... Aries Mini>>Schitt Eitr>>Gungnir MB>>Freya>>various power amps>>Prelude Plus or Totem Forest speakers

Glad the LISSTs are working out for you. My bad luck, I guess. Had they not started generating that noise, I probably would have kept them but now that they are gone, not missing them. Only need the gain from tube-mode with one amp. With the other two, I've been very happy using Freya in...

To anyone interested... The LISSTs are on their way back to Schiit. During the second day of use they started producing noise in the right channel. No signal being applied and Freya in mute mode. Something getting through that shouldn't have. Sounded like a short and, actually, a lot like a...