Schiit Freya inbound

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Samac

Here’s couple quick impressions. My Freya is the “S” that has a solid state output (no tubes). So, it’s been on for a bit over 24 hours. A bunch of internet radio and selections from the music library along with 4 episodes of Monk have been run through it. The interconnect for the output of the Freya S has been sitting dormant for a number of years so I’m sure it’s going through some settling in itself.

So far I’m pleased. The Freya S started opening up and blooming a bit a couple hours ago. Many things are an improvement over the pre section of the NAD C320BEE. There is excellent detail, tone and timbre and very good dynamics. The micro detail and ambient retrieval is great and music sounds very natural.

The C320BEE on its own has a bit weightier, slightly warmer and a slightly bigger sound to it and the music is a bit more artificial and mechanical. There is a slight veil and graininess to it. The Freya S on the other hand is smooth and refined. Brass and cymbals sound real and less splashy and more like brass. The one reservation I have at this early stage is that I want the Freya to open up a bit more and flesh out a bit from the lower mids through the bass.

I am impressed with the build quality and look of the Freya. It’s very well made. The relay switch volume control is excellent, just excellent. Perfect tracking and such fine adjustments to get the perfect volume you desire. Of course it has those infamous clicks people talk about. I happen to love it but my wife and daughters are not fans.:-)

I’ll add some more impressions after the Freya S has had a few more days of settling in.

Cheers,

Scott

Thanks for the initial impressions, Scott. I'm pretty confident once you get past 200 hours or so, you'll start to get the full measure of Freya S. I'm quite confident that Freya will open up quite a bit once the caps are formed, and pretty sure the bass and foundation will improve with more hours, as well.

Cheers and thanks!

[Samac]

Your welcome, Puma Cat. Thanks for the encouragement. And your right, I bet it will be 200+ hours for the Freya S to completely settle in.

It sounds pretty good tonight. It’s very early but if it keeps improving I may just add the Schiit Vidar amp and the Gungnir MB DAC.

Really thought I’d go with another integrated (which is still a real possibility) because I wasn’t looking to go back to separates but the improvement the Freya S has made to my C320BEE has me questioning that.

We shall see. I need to cool my jets and see how I feel in a week.

Cheers,

Scott

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Samac

Your welcome, Puma Cat. Thanks for the encouragement. And your right, I bet it will be 200+ hours for the Freya S to completely settle in.

It sounds pretty good tonight. It’s very early but if it keeps improving I may just add the Schiit Vidar amp and the Gungnir MB DAC.

Really thought I’d go with another integrated (which is still a real possibility) because I wasn’t looking to go back to separates but the improvement the Freya S has made to my C320BEE has me questioning that.

We shall see. I need to cool my jets and see how I feel in a week.

Cheers,

Scott

I've got the Gungnir MB DAC aka Gumby and like it very much.

[Formerly YB-2]

Nice. Gave the Freya S some serious thought before going with Elekit TU-8500. Glad you like it. Had a Vidar and found it pretty milquetoast in my system. Not bad, but it did not stay around long. The Aegir gets some good reviews.

[Samac]

So , I wanted to wait until I was a week in with the Freya S before I added more impressions. It has just shy of 200 hours playing time. There was a couple of challenging days of break-in over the weekend. But by Monday night I was really enjoying the stereo with the Freya S.

I haven’t enjoyed a piece of equipment this much in a long time. As far as musically satisfying I’d put it up there with the deHavilland UtraVerve pre-amp and Art Audio Carissa 845 SET I had at one time. Two pieces of gear I should have never let go.

Don’t think I’ll let go of the Freya S. It has me seriously considering adding a Gumby and a Vidar or two to the system. Wait, I thought I wanted an integrated.

I may still go that route but the integrated Amps I am considering go for between $4k and $7k. A Schiit combination might make me happy for whole lot less. We’ll see after I live with Freya S a few more weeks.

Cheers,

Scott

[Samac]

Hey, Glenn, sorry the Vidar didn’t work out. Could you tell me a little more about your experience with the it? TIA

Cheers,

Scott

[Formerly YB-2]

The Vidar simply was not that 'musical' to my ears. Flat sounding, if you will. I tried a pair and did not improve. The Vidar(s) simply did not work for my ears in my system. YMMV.

[Samac]

Thanks for your thoughts, Glenn. Hopefully I’ll find a good match. In the meantime I’ll enjoy what I’ve got.

Cheers,

Scott

[Formerly YB-2]

Scott - the Vidar may be fine in your system. Doesn't Schitt still offer a "shipping cost, only" trial period? If so, you are only out the cost of shipping to give one a try.

[Samac]

You’re right, Glenn, the Vidar may work well in my system and Schiit does have a 15 day return policy with a 5% restocking fee (not bad).

I more than likely will give the Vidar a shot. I don’t have lofty goals for it. If it sounds as good, or ideally, a bit better with more headroom than the NAD I’d be satisfied.

Cheers,

Scott