[CarlosAudio51]

Expect this to go on for a while longer. I think we're about halfway through the piles.

Keep them coming. More choice for us cheap Schiit-heads.

 

[Derrick Swart]

As for the DAC, I might wait and see. I’m in Canada and so it’s not quite so easy for me to utilize the return period (high shipping rates).

even more reason to go for bstock
try the saga, you can always roll tube after, many many experts here, master of tubes is bcowen i believe. He can hear the thickness of the glass

 

[Jason Stoddard]

Oh, and since we have sooooooo much trouble keeping Pyst in stock, seriously just buy this:

https://snakeoilsound.com/collections/frontpage/products/mini-link-interconnect

Better and much cleaner.

 

[yonson]

I did some heavy duty reflection about my, at times, rabid fascination about Brand X, Y, or Z (pronounced, zed , not zee). #3 and 2 were especially poignant with me educating myself about this gloriously ridiculous hobby...

I spy at least 5 pieces of Schiit...

 

[Derrick Swart]

Oh, and since we have sooooooo much trouble keeping Pyst in stock, seriously just buy this:

https://snakeoilsound.com/collections/frontpage/products/mini-link-interconnect

Better and much cleaner.

keep your schiit together!!! hahá!

 

[A Jedi]

Have you heard the Saga in tube mode? Is it a substantial difference?

I have a Saga +. The difference in tube mode is very slight. The Freya would be more susceptible to sound changes from tube rolling.

 

[Derrick Swart]

I spy at least 5 pieces of Schiit...

and he doesn’t keep it together

 

[Balthazar B]

For a DAC, consider Modius for $199, Modi Multibit for $249, or Bifrost 2 for $699. Modius and Bifrost 2 are the same footprint (for stacking) as Saga series with 9" width. the chrome cast unit is likely using a D/S (delta-sigma) DAC chip, if you like that kind of sound. The Multibit DACs are a bit reminiscent of the older philips CD players (the ones with TDA1451, before the 1-bit models were introduced), but with improved sound, IMO.

The Chromecast Audio carries a AK4430 DAC chip. It's decent, but IMHO what even the lowly Modi Multibit produces is much fuller. less brittle, and more musical than with a CCA doing the conversion.

Would suspect even a plain Modi will be a bit nicer than the CCA's onboard DAC, but I haven't listened to one of those.

 

[hearditontheX]

I have a Saga +. The difference in tube mode is very slight. The Freya would be more susceptible to sound changes from tube rolling.

My Saga + is my first preamp and first tube amp. The difference in tube mode is slight but noticable. The remote is very handy (no pun intended).

 

[Subtle Sam]

I have not heard any of the Saga preamps, but Jason Stoddard I believe said that he liked it (Saga original) better than Freya (original). The original Saga also measures very well as far as being quiet. I haven't compared the specs between the old Saga and new Saga+. Most people said that Saga did not sound very tubey. The original Freya was fairly tubey sounding by most accounts. I have one and really like it. Freya+ in tube mode has a much lower noise floor than Freya, but it is said that Freya+ is not quite as tubey sounding. If you want to play around with tube sound, picking up a used Freya for say $450 isn't a bad way to go either, although Freya+ has had lots of improvements.

I have my original Freya, a Freya S that I picked up used, and have a Freya+ on order (backordered). I'm planning on comparing them when I have all three. I would still vote for you to grab the $199 Saga (original). You can try out some other options down the road, and if you decide to sell Saga, you're not out much money.

Any Saga OG owners want to weigh in on the merits of a $199 Saga OG vs. a $379 Saga+?

I definitely appreciate the suggestion on the $199 saga. This could be the path forward, at least temporarily.

 

[Subtle Sam]

The Chromecast Audio carries a AK4430 DAC chip. It's decent, but IMHO what even the lowly Modi Multibit produces is much fuller. less brittle, and more musical than with a CCA doing the conversion.

Would suspect even a plain Modi will be a bit nicer than the CCA's onboard DAC, but I haven't listened to one of those.

I compared the CCA on-board DAC to my Denon 1612 AVR DAC and preferred the Denon slightly. So I’d expect pretty much what you have said-that I would prefer the Modi slightly. Damn, now should I get a DAC too!?! I feel like I may be entering the belly of the beast by joining this forum. In a good way of course...

 

[Subtle Sam]

even more reason to go for bstock
try the saga, you can always roll tube after, many many experts here, master of tubes is bcowen i believe. He can hear the thickness of the glass

Good advice. Sometimes I feel the same way about the tubes in my 1974 Traynor guitar head. Hopefully bcowen chimes in.

 

[Subtle Sam]

My Saga + is my first preamp and first tube amp. The difference in tube mode is slight but noticable. The remote is very handy (no pun intended).

That’s great! The pure fun factor of being able to switch between modes is appealing. Do you just set it and forget it or do you prefer different settings for different types of recordings?

 

[A Jedi]

Keep them coming. More choice for us cheap Schiit-heads.

Um no. Seriously, no. I don't NEED more stuff. This b-stock madness will make me doing do something I will not regret but my wallet will lol.

 

[Balthazar B]

I compared the CCA on-board DAC to my Denon 1612 AVR DAC and preferred the Denon slightly. So I’d expect pretty much what you have said-that I would prefer the Modi slightly. Damn, now should I get a DAC too!?! I feel like I may be entering the belly of the beast by joining this forum. In a good way of course...

IMHO, a separate DAC -- especially the bargains from Schiit -- is always a good idea. And you have choices:

• The D/S Modi - super bargain, and likely better than whatever your integrated players or other components can produce;
• The Modi Multibit - at $249, it's a significant upgrade in cost, and most probably feel that it's worth the premium;
• The Modius - a good companion for a Saga in terms of dimensions and feature "fit";
• The Bifrost 2 - if you can afford one of these, you've future-proofed yourself since it's modular and will almost certainly have very attractive upgrade options over the next few years.