New Schiit / Preamps and Power Amp (was Putting the Schiit Signal Up)

Optional add-in: power supply from a decommissioned nuclear sub.

 

There, there... volume controlled DAC's are a thing you know. If I was building a speaker system I'd go for a DAC with built in volume control rather than a two box solution. Others might do it differently.

 

Yup, Freya goes upstream of the amps. If there's only one balanced output from Freya, that goes to the Vidar(s)...either both left and right to one Vidar in stereo mode, or in monoblock mode left and right each to their own Vidar. Without an additional balanced output pair you can't hang a balanced headamp off Freya, so you'd have to put it upstream of Freya and feed Freya from the headamp balanced out. Which would work, but would seem to be less than ideal. With the headamp hanging off of Freya its volume control is independent...if it's upstream it affects everything and puts more Schiit in the 2 channel signal path.

 

Sorry, I misread your post. Didn't realize you were talking about adding a headphone amp.

 

More random thoughts...Jotunheim+DAC-->Vidar-->Philharmonitor+HD650 for well under $3000 shipped would hit very hard for very little!

 

I feel like it's time for Schiit to make a balanced SYS with volpot bypass. All of their gear only has one set of XLR outs.

 

@zerodeefex

I'm sorry but I really don't see where you're coming from here. Lots of high-end DAC's are coming with volume control these days. And lots of guys (like myself) are specifically looking for DAC's with inbuilt volume control to pair directly with power amps. I think the market is there myself. But we're getting off-topic...

Answer to below: It's not a specialized product. Where do you get this stuff from? Lots of high-end DAC's have volume control there days. Cheer up by the way, have a beer, enjoy the weekend.

 

Jamming everything into a single box increases EMI/RFI pollution(electrical crosstalk) as well as shared power supply pollution(higher power draw increases pollution). There's a reason why monoblock amplifers and separate pre-amps have better stereo separation specs than integrated stuff(i.e. Integrated stereo amp, Integrated preamp+amp).

In theory, you want to split the weak left and right raw output signal from the DAC and process them as far apart as possible in various stages(think of it as reversed implemented multi-stage rocket as analogy). In the various stages, you can (electrically) plan more carefully with more PCB surface area/electronic parts to reduce/control overall interference.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crosstalk

 

Young man's thinking. In a decade or two he may change his views! Been there, doing that! (OK, contrary view is that, for computer-source music, parametric EQ does a heap more than just a couple of knobs).

But hey... looking like good schiit.

 

Got a bunch of questions on this release of gear.

How does the remote functionality work with the knob? Is there a motor that turns the knob?

How does the Freya handle SE -> BAL or BAL -> SE in fully passive mode?

Are the speaker taps on the Vidar balanced or SE in stereo mode?

Does Vidar accept both RCA and XLR? If so does this mean it has switchable inputs?

Does any of this have a 12V trigger? (Seems like a needed feature when dealing with monoblocks)

 

I just ordered a Hattor preamp with their new socketed opamp output buffer 2 weeks ago so this is driving me insane.. that freya just has every feature in the book and the price is great. I might have to get one to evaluate.. loaner request?!

 

Someone please explain for the ignoranti:
What's the need of preamps when one can directly use power amps? And why the high price-tags for the preamps? (I know 700$ must seem very low for some, but it still seems high to me.)

 

digital attenuation is a lossy process that throws away bits/resolution the lower you set the volume.
edit: also preamps prevent you from going to 100% volume accidentally which happens sometimes if you drive a speaker amp directly from a pc, which can destroy speakers etc

 

Generally, analog volume control and switching between multiple sources. Take a look at @sphinxvc's helpful thread on preamps generally.

Prices are what they are because materials cost money and these designs are more advanced than SYS (particularly the selectability between active/passive functionality which is atypical).

 

I was admiring a DIY monoblock kit from the UK. I thought that would be the only way I'd afford that luxury. Shiit just said "Hey we'll build them for you at the same price"

 

I asked earlier, but could an EC offerings be the preamp between the Yggdrasil and Vidar? I would love if a ZDS could be that tube pre...