SCHIIT Freya S Balanced Remote Control Preamp Owner’s Manual
- June 4, 2024
- SCHIIT
Table of Contents
FREYA S
BALANCED REMOTE CONTROL PREAMP
IN NORSE MYTHOLOGY, FREYA IS A GODDESS ASSOCIATED WITH LOVE, SEX,
BEAUTY, FERTILITY, GOLD, SEIÐR, WAR, AND DEATH.
LEAVING ASIDE THOSE LAST THREE, THAT SOUNDS PRETTY COOL.
SHE ALSO APPARENTLY HAD CATS. YEAH.
WE DON’T RECOMMEND YOU LET YOUR CATS SLEEP ON FREYA,
BUT WE’RE NOT GONNA COMMENT FURTHER.
OWNER’S MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
Freya S is a no-compromise, ultra-high-end balanced preamp that’s essentially a Freya+—but without the pesky tubes. Instead, Freya S uses Schiit’s new Nexus™ differential topology for both the low and high gain output, seamlessly converting single-ended to balanced and vice-versa. You won’t find any volume- control chips or other shortcuts in Freya S, just uber-quality techniques like a relay-switched stepped attenuator—you know, just like what’s used in the most expensive audio gear.
IN THE BOX
- Freya S
- Power cord
- Pesky tubes
- Stick-on feet (they’re pressed in)
- Wall-warts (they’re not needed)
The following is required by the roughly 9,542 government agencies and regulations we have to comply with. If you have some common sense, they should seem pretty straightforward. In any case, read these instructions before proceeding further, follow all instructions, and heed all warnings. Or else!
- If you don’t know how to install audio devices, get a qualified professional to help.
- Never use this device near water, and clean only with a dry cloth.
- Assure adequate ventilation, do not block any ventilation openings, or place them near heat sources.
- Use only the supplied power cord or a suitable replacement. Route cords away from traffic areas and protect them from being pinched. Unplug the cord from the outlet if the apparatus is unused for a long period of time.
- To prevent electric shock, do not use the plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or outlet unless blades can be fully inserted.
- Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Service is required when the device has been damaged, including cord or plug damage, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the device, the device has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS DEVICE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
CONNECTIONS
-
Balanced Inputs
Freya S offers two sets of balanced inputs. Connect to your balanced sources using XLR cables. You can select your source with the front panel controls. -
Single-Ended Inputs
Freya S offers three sets of single-ended inputs. Connect your single-ended sources here using good RCA cables. Note that Freya will not convert single- ended to balanced sources when you are in passive mode. -
Balanced Output
Connect to external power amplifiers or powered speakers that accept XLR connections, using good XLR cables. -
Single-Ended Output
Connect to external power amplifiers or powered speakers that accept RCA connections, using high-quality RCA cables, especially for longer runs. -
Power Switch
Up for on, down for off. No tricks here. -
Power Inlet
Plug the end of the supplied IEC cord in here. You can also use fancy audiophile types, but they won’t really do anything— what about the thousands of feet of crap copper cables in your walls, huh?
CONTROLS
-
No Tubes
Unlike Freya+, Freya S is completely solid state. That means no tubes! -
Mute LED
This light is on when Freya S is muted. -
1X Gain LED
This light is on when using the Nexus differential stage with a gain of 1. This acts like a differential buffer. -
4X Gain LED
This light is on when using the Nexus differential stage with a gain of 4. This gives you the gain you need to achieve peak volume in some systems, especially with music that has large dynamic range. -
Mute Button
Press to toggle mute on and off. -
Output Select
Press to select the output stage: ASSEMBLED IN USA
• Passive (resistor ladder only, 0dB gain)
• Nexus 1X (Nexus stage, 0dB gain)
• Nexus 4X (Nexus stage, 12dB gain)
The Status light will flash and there will be a 5-second pause when engaging Nexus 4X to allow DC levels to stabilize. IN 3 IN 4 IN 5 BAL OUT -
Volume Knob
Turn up to increase volume. Stop before your speakers explode. -
Input Select
Press to select the input you want to listen to. -
Input
These lights indicate which input you’re listening to, from 1-5. -
Remote Window.
The IR remote beams invisible light through this hole to control the preamp remotely. Magic! Don’t block it and expect it to work. SE OUTS -
Status.
When this light is flashing, Freya S is in the process of doing something—usually starting up or changing to 4X gain.
REMOTE CONTROL
Yes, this preamp comes with remote control. Unlike earlier Freyas, this is now a fancy milled aluminum model. It’s still inexpensive to replace in case you lose it or want another one, however.
- Input. Press this button to select the input you want to listen to. If you skip the input, keep pressing—it cycles back around.
- Volume Up/Down. Press the up arrow to turn the volume up, and press the down arrow to turn it down. Simple as that.
- Output. Press to change between passive and tube hybrid buffer output.
- Mute. Press to mute the preamp. All input lights will turn off.
Changing the Battery
- Flip the remote over to reveal a single hole on the back.
- Push the remote open by inserting the end of an open paper clip into the hole in the back and pushing firmly. It’s held together with magnets.
- Replace the battery inside with one of the same type.
- Reassemble the remote by first inserting the clear LED in the front, then dropping the panel down onto the matching magnets. Press down gently to pop the panel in place.
FAQ
I hear the hum, what do I do?
You may hear a small amount of hum when using 4X gain in some extremely
sensitive systems. Use 1X gain to lower the noise floor. Hum should not be
audible from the listening position.
No, I mean, I have a LOT of hum!
You may have a ground loop. Try a ground loop isolator or a device like the
EbTech HumX to eliminate the ground loop.
I hear hiss in 4X gain mode, why?
A small amount of hiss may be audible when using the higher gain mode,
especially with high gain power amplifiers and high sensitivity speakers. Use
1X gain for a lower noise floor if necessary. The noise should not be audible
from the listening position.
I hear small pops when I change output modes.
This is completely normal with DC-coupled amplifiers. Freya S is also
completely DC-coupled (no capacitors in the signal path), so minor changes in
the DC level may make small pops.
There’s no sound for a while after I turn Freya on.
That’s perfectly normal. Freya S delays the output for 60 seconds after you
first turn the preamp on and flashes the Status light to indicate that it is
working.
What’s with the clicking noises when I turn the volume?
That’s the sound of the mechanical relays in the relay-switched stepped
attenuator. Also normal.
Does Freya S convert from single-ended to balanced?
If you are using the 1X or 4X gain settings, yes. You can run single-ended
inputs and get balanced output in both gain modes. You can also run balanced
inputs and get single-ended outputs in both gain modes. Nexus allows you to go
either way—without converting to single-ended or back again.
Why doesn’t Freya S convert from single-ended to balanced in passive
mode?
Short answer: think about it. Longer answer: it’s passive, so it can’t do
anything except attenuate the signal you put into it. If you put in a balanced
signal, you get a balanced signal out. If you put in a single-ended signal,
you get a single-ended out.
Can I use both outputs at the same time?
Most of the time, yes. If you have products that short the input when turned
off, then that can cause distortion.
I have the volume all the way down and still hear faint music.
Yes, that is normal with a relay attenuator. If it’s bothersome, hit the Mute
button to completely mute the preamp.
It doesn’t turn on, what do I do?
Plug it into a different AC socket. Ensure you are not currently in a
blackout. Then email us if it still doesn’t work.
WARRANTY
Schiit Audio warrants to the original purchaser that the product shall be free
from defects in material and workmanship for five (5) years from the date of
purchase.
Exceptions: Tubes and remote controls. Tubes are covered by a 90-day limited
warranty with the same terms, and remotes are covered by a 1-year limited
warranty with the same terms. If a defect covered by this warranty occurs
during this warranty period, Schiit Audio will repair the defective product,
free of charge. The date of purchase will be based on customer-submitted
receipts, otherwise, the date of manufacturing will be used to determine the
warranty period.
OBTAINING WARRANTY SERVICE
If you believe you need warranty service, contact us first. There may be a
simple solution to your problem. Schiit Audio products sent back to us without
a Return
Authorization (RA) will be returned to the sender without repair. To contact
us and obtain an RA, [email protected]. We
will respond quickly to email inquiries.
WARRANTY LIMITATIONS
THIS WARRANTY SHALL NOT APPLY IF THIS PRODUCT: (a) IS MODIFIED OR TAMPERED
WITH; (b) IS DAMAGED BY NEGLIGENCE, ACCIDENT, UNREASONABLE USE, COFFEE, OR BY
OTHER CAUSES UNRELATED TO DEFECTIVE MATERIALS OR WORKMANSHIP; OR (c) HAS HAD
THE SERIAL NUMBER ALTERED, DEFACED OR REMOVED.
ANY APPLICABLE IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE HEREBY LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE
WARRANTY PERIOD (5 YEARS). IN NO EVENT SHALL SCHIIT AUDIO BE LIABLE FOR
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE BREACH OF ANY IMPLIED
OR EXPRESS WARRANTIES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN
IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS OR EXCLUSION OF CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO
THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights
which vary from state to state or province to province.
This product is in compliance with the standards
and regulations of the European Community.
