SCHIIT FREYA+ Balanced Remote Control Preamp Owner’s Manual

SCHIIT FREYA+ Balanced Remote Control Preamp

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.

INTRODUCTION

Freya+ is a no-compromise, ultra-high-end balanced preamp cleverly disguised by a low price tag. You won’t find any volume-control chips or other shortcuts in Freya+—just uber-quality techniques like a relay-switched stepped attenuator and all-triode gain stage—you know, just like what’s used in the most expensive audio gear.

IN THE BOX

• (1) Freya+
• (1) Power cord
• (4) 6SN7 tubes
• (0) Stick-on feet (they’re pressed in)
• (0) 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 farther, follow all instructions, and heed all warnings. Or else!

1. If you don’t know how to install audio devices, get a qualified professional to help.
2. Never use this device near water, and clean only with a dry cloth.
3. Assure adequate ventilation, do not block any ventilation openings, or place near heat sources.
4. Use only the supplied power cord or 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.
5. To prevent electric shock, do not use the plug with an extension cord, receptacle, or outlet unless blades can be fully inserted.
6. 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.

GETTING STARTED

CAUTION! Dangerous voltages inside!

1. Before plugging in the preamp, insert the tubes. Carefully align the key in the tube base to the notch in the tube socket for each tube. It doesn’t matter which tube goes where—all tubes in Freya+ are the same type.
2. Ensure tubes are well-seated. Push down firmly until the tube is seated on the tube socket. This may take a fair amount of force.
3. Plug it in, turn it on, and select Tube Output if you want to use tubes. Otherwise the tubes won’t turn on. Freya+ only turns on the tubes when you need them.
4. Connect your sources. Connect up to 5 sources to Freya+’s balanced and single-ended inputs.
5. Connect the output. Connect the output of Freya+ to your amp or amps using XLR or RCA cables.
6. Ensure the volume is turned down if you’re using Freya for the first time. You don’t want any big surprises!
7. Power it up, turn it up, and enjoy your music!

REPLACING TUBES
Freya+ accommodates any 6SN7, 6N8S, or 5692 tube type. 6SL7, 6N9S, and equivalent types also work, but will have higher distortion and higher output impedance.
The right tubes are for the differential voltage gain stage. The left tubes are for the cathode follower output stage. All tubes are of the same type on Freya.
To replace or swap tubes:

1. Turn off and unplug the preamp. Wait a while for the tube to cool. Seriously, these suckers are pretty hot.
2. Carefully extract the tube by gently rocking it back and forth and pulling upwards.
3. Carefully insert the replacement tube. Align the key to the notch and press down firmly until the tube is seated.
4. Plug the preamp back in and turn it on.

REMOTE CONTROL

Yes, this preamp comes with a 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.

1. Input. Press this button to select the input you want to listen to. If you skip the input, keep pressing—it cycles back around.
2. Volume Up/Down. Press the up arrow to turn volume up, press the down arrow to turn it down. Simple as that.
3. Output. Press to change between passive and tube hybrid buffer output.
4. Mute. Press to mute the preamp. All input lights will turn off.

Changing the Battery

1. Flip the remote over to reveal a single hole on the back.
2. 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.
3. Replace the battery inside with one of the same type.
4. 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.

CONNECTIONS

1. Balanced Inputs
   Freya+ offers two sets of balanced inputs. Connect to your balanced sources using XLR cables. You can select your source with the front panel controls.

2. Single-Ended Inputs
   Freya+ 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.

3. Balanced Output
   Connect to external power amplifiers or powered speakers that accept XLR connections, using good XLR cables.

4. Single-Ended Output
   Connect to external power amplifiers or powered speakers that accept RCA connections, using high-quality RCA cables, especially for longer runs.

5. Power Switch
   Up for on, down for off. No tricks here.

6. 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

1. Hot Tubes
   When using the tube gain stage, Freya+’s tubes get hot. We don’t recommend letting your pets sleep on them.

2. Mute LED
   This light is on when Freya+ is muted.

3. Buffer LED
   This light is on when using the buffer. This solid state stage provides SE-to- balanced conversion with 0dB gain.

4. Tube LED
   This light is on when using the tube gain.
   This provides SE-to-balanced conversion and 12dB gain.

5. Mute Button
   Press to toggle mute on and off.

6. Output Select
   Press to select the output stage:

   • Passive (resistor ladder only, 0dB gain)
   • Differential buffer (0dB gain)
   • Differential tube gain (12dB gain)
     There will be a 45 second delay when selecting the tube stage to allow it to stabilize.
     During this time, the Status light will flash.
     You may cancel tube power-up by selecting a different output within 5 seconds of selecting the tube stage.

7. Volume Knob
   Turn up to increase volume.

8. Input Select
   Press to select your desired input.

9. Input
   These lights indicate which input you’re listening to, from 1-5.

10. Remote Window. The IR remote beams invisible light through this hole to control the preamp remotely. Magic!

11. Status. When this light is flashing,Freya+ is in the process of doing something:
    start-up delay, turning on or off tubes.

FAQ

I hear hum, what do I do?
A small amount of hum when using the differential tube output stage may occur with some tubes. Try other tubes. The noise should not be audible from the listening position in most typical systems.
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 tube gain output mode, why?
A small amount of hiss when using the differential tube gain stage may occur with some tubes, especially with high gain power ampli-fiers and high sensitivity speakers. Try different tubes. The noise should not be audible from the listening position in most typical systems.
There’s no sound for a while after I turn Freya on.
That’s perfectly normal. Freya+ 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.

The Status light flashes when I select tube output mode.
Yes, this is normal. Freya+ only powers up the tubes when they are in use, so when you select tube output mode, the tubes have to come up to their proper operating point before you use them. There is about a 45 second delay between selecting the tube output mode and the tube output being enabled. You can cancel tube start-up if you select a different output mode within 5 seconds of selecting tube output; this allows you to skip back and forth between passive and differential buffer without triggering the tube turn-on sequence.
The Status light flashes when I go out of tube mode, too!
Yes, when Freya+ is powering down the tubes, it also needs to carefully sequence the shutdown to prevent any pops or thumps through your speakers. You can continue to use the preamp as the tubes are powering down.
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.

5-YEAR 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. Date of purchase will be based on customer-submitted receipts, otherwise date of manu-facturing will be used to determine 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 info@schiit.com. 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 SE-RIAL 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 standards and regulations of the European Community.
SCHIIT.COM
INFO@SCHIIT.COM

References

• Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California

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