The Schiit Freya S has been in the system for two weeks now. It has exceeded all expectations from packaging to performance. So much so that I am contemplating a complete Schiit system by adding a Gungnir MB DAC and the Vidar amp.
Of course all this is the very early stages with a new piece of gear. I’ll try to be patient and see what the future holds.
I will add a few more impressions of the Freya S after I have lived with it for a couple of months.
You’re confusion is understandable. The Arcam A19 is in a second system in a bedroom/office. I’ve updated descriptions to make that clear. The Schiit/NAD pair replaces the NupPrime amp that died.
I love my A19. It was in the main system for quite awhile. I only replaced it because we simply needed more power in our large room for louder music and movie playback.
Congrats on the Arcam acquisitions. I believe you are going to enjoy those for a long time. In fact I may get the Arcam SA30 integrated in the future.
I have to say, I am a bit confused as to what you are currently using for amp/preamp. Your photos show an Arcam integrated, yet your text indicates NAD, though your components list includes the Arcam integrated.
The reason I bring this up is due to me adding an Arcam AV-9 preamp/processor, and DV 139 universal player. I have been very pleasantly surprised at how good these two units have turned out to be. I bought both of them used, to replace higher-priced components that quit working, so it makes me happy that the Arcam units have acquitted themselves so well.
Nice system, and a very nice room. Regards, and enjoy,
Well, after replacing the power supply on my IDA-16 in February it made a loud pop and died last week. Not quite three years old, very frustrating.
Alas, I have recommissioned my trusty 15 year old NAD c320BEE integrated and it is working great. In a few days I will be pairing it with a Schiit Freya S preamplifier.
I’m very disappointed that the NuPrime failed however I’m delighted how good my little NAD sounds. Been running it about a week and it is sounding so good.
About a year after getting the C320BEE I added a deHavilland Ultraverve Jr 6SN7 tube preamplifier to it and it was some of the best sound I have had.
Honestly, I should have never replaced that set-up. But that was many years and lots of lessons ago. Even though the Freya S isn’t tubed based I have high expectations that putting a better pre in front of the C320BEE amp will again produce excellent results.
Thank you, milpai. The thing about a large room is it can be tough to fill it with music. At this point I finally have very satisfying sound and I don't sit around wondering what I have to do next to get respectable results.
When I was looking into new cables for my system I came across your power cable post from '15. The feedback from it steered my in the direction of Cullen, thanks.
Good to know about your Crossover Series II experience. I recently purchased one and am happy with it. I really like your room. Large spaces make speakers sound so good.
Whoa, I said I'd post more impressions after the Cullen Cables accumulated more hours.
Well, eight months later I think everything is finally settled in. The addition of the Cullen cables tied everything together beautifully.
For the first time in a long, long, long time I am simply listening to music. My brain has finally turned off (in a good way).
The Nuprime IDA-16 along with Bowers and Wilkins 683 S2s is natural, neutral, dynamic and balanced. It presents all the music in a complete cohesive manner and the Cullen cables let them do their jobs.
An indication of how much I'm enjoying my system is the dozens of CDs from my collection that I have ripped and added to my Blusound Node 2 streamer. What a great piece of gear and a tremendous value.
I have another Cullen Crossover Series ll power cable coming. Will be adding it to the power conditioner and moving the Cullen Avius to the Arcam A19 in the bedroom/office system.
Over the last four months I've acquired a full set of Cullen Cables. They are one of they best audio investments I've made.
I have the Cullen Avius power cable to my power conditioner, the Avius C7 cable to my streamer, Nitin Coax cable on my streamer and universal player, Crossover ll power cable to my integrated dac/amp and the Crossover speaker cables to my speakers.
Instead of going on and one about how they sound I'll just say the Cullen Cables simply make my system sound right.
After living with them a few more months all add additional comments. If you come across this post and are considering cables give Cullen Cables a look. Patrick Cullen has an extensive background in the HiFi audio industry. His cables are well made, sound fantastic (neutral and balanced), and are a great value.
The Cullen Cable Avius power cord is approaching the 300 hour mark. I can only say that it is has been a revelation. I have been enjoying my Nuprime IDA-16 for six months. Since adding the Cullen pc the sound coming from my NuPrime has improved in every way
As the Cullen cable settles-in my amp actually seems to be going through another stage of break-in itself. The tone, timbre, dynamics and refinement have all improved. The music is propelled into the room and at my listening position with the music has added weightand body.
Cabling is so system dependent. The Volex 14 gauge pc and WireWorld Stratus did not work in my system at all with my amps; which is strange. There are many people that use the Volex and Stratus with great results in their systems I'm sure.
I've just ordered another Cullen Avius pc and Nitin Coax cable for my Bluesound Node 2 streamer. I'm really looking forward to how they will sound. I really like the gear I have. But I was dealing with a flat, hard midrange and brittle highs; with the music feeling constricted and fatiguing to listen to at length. Switching one pc has changed all that.
If you have settled on your system and it is appropriate for your room size and listening habits and you have addressed cable management but you are still not satisfied with the results; you might want to try different cables. Beginning with power cables might be the best place to start. It has really helped my system.
The NuPrime IDA-16 has settled in nicely. Just replaced the WireWorld Stratus power cord with the Cullen Cable Avius power cord. Looking forward to putting 300 hours on it to hear what it can do. The first twenty hours shows great promise.
New pics of the Nuprime IDA-16. I will refrain from posting comments about it except to say that I am extremely pleased with it. Although at three weeks in I'm sure I'm close to past the "honeymoon" stage but I will wait to go into details about its performance so as to avoid sounding like a gushing schoolboy talking about his first love.;-)
The NuPrime IDA-16 has been in the system for a week now and has accumulated a bit over 100 hours. It is still breaking in. The move from 50 watts to 200 is apparent and appreciated with our large room and speakers.
Added two WireWorld UltraViolet S/PDIF cables that will be used to connect the Bluesound Node 2 and Sony UHP-H1 universal player to the NuPrime IDA-16 integrated dac/amp heading my way.
Really looking forward to what the 200 watt Class D NuPrime will do in my system. Up to this point I've only used 50 watt A/B integrated amps. Should be interesting.
According to the Roon Labs website the Node 2 will be Roon Ready soon. Another reason to try this great affordable streamer. Also, it sounds fantastic.
Pretty nice in a high-end system sounds good to me. That validates my thoughts on how good it sounds in my system a bit.
Real quick; another way it has improved my listening experience is that I listen more and with greater variety. It reminds me of how I used to listen years ago when I would turn the tuner on and listen to all kinds of music as I scanned the dial.
I have heard that Bluesound Node 2 in a $$$$ system and it was pretty nice how you can conveniently stream from it and change it from one system to the next, during a demo. Not that you would be doing it. But I liked the convenience it offers. Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks you, milpai. That's a great question. What it has done for me is to allow me to simply enjoy the music. Sorry, I know that is such a cliche in this hobby of ours. I also don't know why it has elevated my listening enjoyment, except for the fact that music sounds natural and has an ease to it that has eluded me for many years. Is it that it has a great dac? Or that the computer is out of the loop. Or that I'm not using a USB interface.
All I know is that I really like it and I look forward to what Bluesound might have planned for the future. I would be very interested to hear what they could do at the next level. Say, at the $1500 mark, which would be my budget limit.
Check out the reviews on Audiostream and What HiFi. They sum the Node 2 up very well.
New pics. I've had the Bowers and Wilkins 683 S2s for about two months now. It took two years to come to the decision of the B&Ws. Heard many great speakers in the $1,300-$2,000 range. Not a stinker in the bunch, just different presentations.
During my search only a couple of times was I able to hear any of the speakers I auditioned anywhere near their potential. One of the best demos I had was at a BB Magnolia. Actually had a couple of staff members hang out and listen with me for a couple hours. One of the guys took notes of the music I was using. It was a good time. So I ended up getting the B&Ws there. Great staff, great price.
Once in my room and settled the 683 S2s sound better than I ever heard them (which was a big relief). They have fantastic synergy with my Arcam components and WireWorld cabling. Funny, the big review magazines many seem to despise and not trust lead me right to my B&W and Arcam gear. They were also well reviewed by a few of the web review sites I admire.
Anyway, I am very happy to be listening and enjoying the music. Here's to finding the system that works for you!
