I'm saving up for Freya+ now, it will be awhile before I can think about Yggy. Bifrost 2 is more doable for me. One day... Maybe when I win the lottery, wait I don't play it
I still have trouble believing I actually have the Clear and the Jot
I bought a Freya S last week, direct from Schiit in US.
It meant I had to pay extra shipping costs and import duty, but there is no stock in the UK and I doubt that we will ever see any here again.
I was finally spurred into action when Jason confirmed that once all Freya S stock is sold , there won't be any more.
It has already happened to the Saga S.
I had thought about getting a Freya+, as on paper, it seems to give all that the Freya S does, as well as the option of tube output, for about £250 extra ( $300 difference on Schiit website).
However, on closer reading, I realised that the 4x gain stage option in the Freya+ only works with tubes- quite understandable really.
I previously tried an original Freya and didn't like the tube output at all. I liked the active buffer output the best. I also didn't like passive as it sounded 'flat' in my system.
So, I went for the 'buy now while stocks last' approach and got the Freya S.
I have now been using it for 5 days.
My initial impression, straight out of the box, was that I wasn't sure it was an improvement on having no preamp in my system, and suffered some momentary 'buyer's remorse' when I realised that if I wanted to return it to Schiit, I'd have to pay return shipping, suffer a 5% restocking fee, and have all the hassle of reclaiming VAT and import tax.
I persevered, listening late into the night and switching the Freya S in and out of the system and also trying all the three output options - Passive, 1x and 4x.
The verdict, after 5 days- I love it!
It definitely sounds better than having no preamp.
I really like having the two active output options of 1x and 4x.
Personally, I don't like passive, so I don't use it.
For most of my listening I use the 1x active gain stage.
On some poorer recordings, which I have always regarded as a bit 'flat' and lacking any dynamism, the 4x gain stage seems to inject a bit of life, maybe artificially, I don't know, but it means I can now enjoy some of my old albums again. They all sound great!
Many people love tubes, in which case the Freya + is a great option.
I am not going to make any recommendations, as choice of any audio kit it is a very personal decision, but for me, in my system, the Freya S, is perfect.
I don't know of another balanced preamp that gets any where near it, even at many times the price.
Hats off to Jason and the team at Schiit for another superb product.