[Ableza]

I hate to sound like an old curmudgeon but that's what I'm about to do.  I say use audio products the way they are intended to be used and stop complaining that they don't have features you think you want for your personal convenience.  Either something works for you or it doesn't, and if it doesn't then you need to find something that will.  It's simple.  And get off my lawn.

 

[FLTWS]

  I hate to sound like an old curmudgeon but that's what I'm about to do. 

 
Nothing wrong with that, I find it gives me great satisfaction to get my curmudgeon on!

 
 
 

  I say use audio products the way they are intended to be used and stop complaining that they don't have features you think you want for your personal convenience.  Either something works for you or it doesn't, and if it doesn't then you need to find something that will.  It's simple.  And get off my lawn.

 
I agree, although I'm a renter and so don't own any lawn to allow me to yell at people to get off of.

 

[bigro]

  I hate to sound like an old curmudgeon but that's what I'm about to do.  I say use audio products the way they are intended to be used and stop complaining that they don't have features you think you want for your personal convenience.  Either something works for you or it doesn't, and if it doesn't then you need to find something that will.  It's simple.  And get off my lawn.

I am in my mid thirties, I have much respect for Old Curmudgeons, no excuses, just solutions and action. I tell my wife I want to be like that Guy when I get old , she always laughs and says I am pretty much there. I laugh then Wonder if she means I am now considered Old or Curmudgeon like .

 

[bigro]

   
Nothing wrong with that, I find it gives me great satisfaction to get my curmudgeon on!

 
 
 
 
I agree, although I'm a renter and so don't own any lawn to allow me to yell at people to get off of.

Here you go. Grass Welcome Mat. Designed for Curmudgeons in need of a lawn.

 

[FLTWS]

LOL!

 

[Rodmunch]

   
That's one of the things that baffles me about the Freya and Saga. No fixed volume pre out.
 
A preamp without a headphone amp from a company that made their bones with headphone amps makes sense. But no fixed out means you can't even conveniently use one of their headphone amps in the listening chain without having multiple volume pots each adding their particular sound signature to the results. So they're actually cutting their own products out of the purchasing equation by assuming the pre-amp is going to be used only with speakers and buyers will not be using headphones to, e.g. listen to their LPs.
 
Baffling.
.

I have to agree, this baffles me too.  I've always run my headphone amps out of the fixed output tape loops on my pres and integrateds.  That way I can use my headphone amp with any source connected to my pre.  If you follow everyone's advice about splitting the output from the DAC to a headphone amp, then you are limiting the devices that you can use headphones with, meaning they would all have to be digital sources connected to the DAC.  I was so looking forward to owning a complete Schiity system, but this simple omission means it just won't work for me.  Hopefully a version 2 comes out in the future with a fixed output.
 
EDIT
After reading some of the replies regarding the lack of a fixed volume preout, I decided to edit my post a bit to better explain my system and situation.  I live in a modest (small) apartment, so I only have one real stereo system.  I share it for TV/speaker/headphone use.  I also don't have a ton of money, so one system is the only realistic solution for me.  I also run a powered sub.  So if I were to use the Saga and Vidar, both variable preouts would be taken.  None left for a headphone amp unless I run an RCA splitter.  And I would have to deal with the dual volume control as well.  I'd prefer not to do all that, so I will move on and continue to use what I have until something else comes along that can fill the void.  I don't expect Schiit to cater to my needs.  I can however be a bit confused at their decision to not include a fixed volume preout to use with their headphone amps...it seems like it would be a relatively cheap addition.  I love their gear and will continue to buy from them when a piece of gear comes along that fits my needs.  The Fulla 2 is looking really good for a home desktop solution right about now.

 

[Topmounter]

Or maybe a baby Vidar headphone amp for use with the Saga and Freya preamps?

 

[Ableza]

Or hey, how about maybe use the Saga or Freya to drive power amplifiers intended for loudspeakers?  And, you know, use it as a preamp in a stand-alone 2-channel system?  Which is what I believe Schiit designed it for?

 

[Topmounter]

  Or hey, how about maybe use the Saga or Freya to drive power amplifiers intended for loudspeakers?  And, you know, use it as a preamp in a stand-alone 2-channel system?  Which is what I believe Schiit designed it for?

 
You're going to cripple the Internet with your crazy ideas

  Regardless, I'm just waiting on the Freya for my 2ch system which doesn't even know headphones exist.

 

[monkuboy]

  I have to agree, this baffles me too.  I've always run my headphone amps out of the fixed output tape loops on my pres and integrateds.  That way I can use my headphone amp with any source connected to my pre.  If you follow everyone's advice about splitting the output from the DAC to a headphone amp, then you are limiting the devices that you can use headphones with, meaning they would all have to be digital sources connected to the DAC.  I was so looking forward to owning a complete Schiity system, but this simple omission means it just won't work for me.  Hopefully a version 2 comes out in the future with a fixed output.

 
If the Saga uses a relay attenuator for the volume control, then why couldn't you just turn it all the way up when connecting it to a headphone amp and use the headphone amp volume control?  It doesn't sound like the preamp would introduce any alteration in the sound except whatever was caused by the tube if you chose to use that mode versus the passive mode. 

 

[nedifer]

  I have to agree, this baffles me too.  I've always run my headphone amps out of the fixed output tape loops on my pres and integrateds.  That way I can use my headphone amp with any source connected to my pre.  If you follow everyone's advice about splitting the output from the DAC to a headphone amp, then you are limiting the devices that you can use headphones with, meaning they would all have to be digital sources connected to the DAC.  I was so looking forward to owning a complete Schiity system, but this simple omission means it just won't work for me.  Hopefully a version 2 comes out in the future with a fixed output.

 
Gumby and Yggy have dual SE outs (not to mention a balanced out) so for those who can afford them, there's a ready place to hang your headphone amp.  And, for the rest of us, Freya and Saga are cheaper.  Currently both SE outputs on my Saga are connected to power amps.  If Saga were more expensive than it is, I wouldn't have it.

 

[bigro]

   
If the Saga uses a relay attenuator for the volume control, then why couldn't you just turn it all the way up when connecting it to a headphone amp and use the headphone amp volume control?  It doesn't sound like the preamp would introduce any alteration in the sound except whatever was caused by the tube if you chose to use that mode versus the passive mode. 

Madness I tell you. or the other way around. set the volume control on the headphone amp to the level needed, and never touch it again and use the saga to adjust. No different than what one would do with powered monitors off a headphone amp.

 

[franzdom]

   
Gumby and Yggy have dual SE outs (not to mention a balanced out) so for those who can afford them, there's a ready place to hang your headphone amp.  And, for the rest of us, Freya and Saga are cheaper.  Currently both SE outputs on my Saga are connected to power amps.  If Saga were more expensive than it is, I wouldn't have it.

 
That doesn't work if you also have another input like a turntable...

 

[nedifer]

   
That doesn't work if you also have another input like a turntable...

I don't get what you mean.  Freya and Saga have plenty of inputs (five SE inputs on Saga and 3 SE + 2 balanced on Freya).

 

[bigro]

We must Be in the Matrix, This is like Deja Vu as i feel we have already hashed this out right after the 2 Channel announcement.
 
What tubes are people planning to try with the freya?