That’s right—the Schiit Audio Freya 2 preamplifier can be run as an all-tube preamp, as a MOSFET-based solid state affair, a hybrid deal, or even as a passive pre with no gain stage. Different flavors to suit your taste.
The Freya 2’s volume control employs a relay-switched stepped attenuator which according to the company is “literally the best volume control possible with perfect channel matching and unmeasurable distortion”. Also packed inside Freya 2 is Schiit’s Forkbeard, their exclusive multi-product, multi-stack, unified control system.
Like all of Schiit’s products, the Freya 2 is built in the USA and is available now directly from Schiit Audio for $999 in Black or $1029 in Silver.
Freya 2 Specifications (from Schiit)
SPECS THAT MATTER
Noise: inaudible
Distortion: unmeasurable by APx555 when run in passive mode, better than any transducer even in tube mode
Heat: gets quite warm when running all 4 tubes; not surprising for a tube-based, Class A device
Size: rack size, fits well with other 16” wide Schiit products; not super desk-friendly
OTHER SPECS
Passive
Noise and distortion unmeasurable with APx555, below analyzer limits
Solid State, Low Gain
Gain: 1 (0dB)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.05db
THD: <0.0007%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS
IMD: <0.0006%, CCIR
SNR: >120dB, A-weighted, referenced to 4V RMS
Output Impedance: 75 ohms SE, 150 ohms balanced
Solid State, High Gain
Gain: 4 (12dB)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.05db
THD: <0.0008%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS
IMD: <0.0009%, CCIR
SNR: >110dB, A-weighted, referenced to 4V RMS
Output Impedance: 75 ohms SE, 150 ohms balanced
All Tube, Low Gain
Gain: 1 (0dB)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.05db
THD: <0.006%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS
IMD: <0.007%, CCIR
SNR: >124dB, A-weighted, referenced to 4V RMS
Output Impedance: 75 ohms SE, 150 ohms balanced
All Tube, High Gain
Gain: 4 (12dB)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.05db
THD: <0.003%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS
IMD: <0.003%, CCIR
SNR: >115dB, A-weighted, referenced to 4V RMS
Output Impedance: 75 ohms SE, 150 ohms balanced
Input Impedance: 10K ohms
Crosstalk: >90dB, 20-20kHz
Inputs: 2 XLR pairs plus 3 RCA pairs
Outputs: 1 XLR pair plus 2 RCA pairs, all active continuously when preamp is not muted
Volume Control: hermetically sealed signal-relay-switched stepped attenuator with discrete 0.5% thin-film resistors, 128 0.625dB steps
Power Supply: One 48VA c-core transformer and one 24VA c-core transformer with 300V main rail with shutdown, 6V DC tube heaters with independent regulation and shutdown, double series regulated -30VDC rail, plus regulated 5VDC for relays and 3.3VDC for microprocessor
Tubes: 6SN7, 6N8S, and 5692 types all OK. Other types may be accommodated with adapters. Do not exceed 2.4A total heater current for 4 tubes. CV181 tubes not recommended.
Remote:
Standard IR remote for all front panel functions: volume, input select, gain, mute, etc.
Standard Forkbeard control system for all the above, plus advanced functions including system health and alerts, and additional capabilities when more Schiit Forkbeard products are added to the stack
Power Consumption: 50W all tube, 36W half tube, 22W solid state 3.5W standby
Size: 16” x 8” x 2” + tube height (about 2.5″ more)
Weight: 11 lbs