Schiit Saga

yeah, sorry for the thread-hijack. :p

back to the Schiit.

:)

PS I actually managed to resist posting an image of the infamous (but apt) Millie Jackson album cover.
 
1. I believe that it is billed as an "integrated amp" and you could use the Almarro as a single input integrated. In use, it acts pretty much like a plethora of power amps I've seen (and had) that have level controls. I have the volume pot all the way up when using it with the Saga. 50% when using it with the Quicksilvers.

Damn, I had a friends Almarro A205a here for a while and I never thought of connecting my preamp to it.
 
Damn, I had a friends Almarro A205a here for a while and I never thought of connecting my preamp to it.

It works and sounds just fine without a preamp and I've used it like that to listen to my Stax SRX III electrostatic headphones.

In the main system, it performs beautifully as a power amp. :)

@Redboy suggested replacing the pot with a Slagleformer - a suggestion that I will act on someday. Can't hurt. ;)
 
The Saga continues to please..... :)

I must say that this is a very impressive line stage - especially for the price.

The soundstage is bigger and deeper through the Quicksilvers.

As previously mentioned, the leading edge is a bit more polite through the Saga.

But I am, in effect, nitpicking a $374 line stage.

I have one of the Shugang CV181 tubes on the way and @mhardy6647 has sent a vintage 6SN7 so I can compare. One or both of these tubes may lift the Saga even higher.

Plus....it has a remote. ;)

In all seriousness, if you are shopping for a line stage and don't feel like spending $1,000 or more, you should audition a Saga. Schiit gives you a 15 day eval period so you can see how it sounds in your system.

More impressions to follow. :)
 
Dang it, how did I miss a SIX PAGE thread on my own Schiit???

Well, that's what I get for life being busy and all. I'm super jazzed about this thread, and that someone else has gotten the bug to try a Saga. What I will find super interesting is how the Shuguang and "oos" tubes will compare. When I got the unit from Woody, I tried the different configurations: passive, buffered (stock tube) and buffered (Shuguang). All three had their own character, and I wound up preferring the Shuguang'ed Schiit Saga over the others, by a fair margin. I'd love to hear an "oos" tube in it, just for another comparo. But the SSS sounds really good to my ears, although I have very little experience with preamps up the food chain. I will say, however, that I can find nothing to nitpick. It just sounds like beautiful music to my ears.

Also, the volume "pot" cannot be replaced, as it is a thin-film resistor ladder on the main circuit board. The clicking sound is relays as they engage different resistors. The Saga has 64 steps, while the Freya has 128. I can't imagine anything improving on the clarity, as the signal goes through a couple resistors and that's it. Although different attenuation schemes may well sound different.
 
Dang it, how did I miss a SIX PAGE thread on my own Schiit???

Well, that's what I get for life being busy and all. I'm super jazzed about this thread, and that someone else has gotten the bug to try a Saga. What I will find super interesting is how the Shuguang and "oos" tubes will compare. When I got the unit from Woody, I tried the different configurations: passive, buffered (stock tube) and buffered (Shuguang). All three had their own character, and I wound up preferring the Shuguang'ed Schiit Saga over the others, by a fair margin. I'd love to hear an "oos" tube in it, just for another comparo. But the SSS sounds really good to my ears, although I have very little experience with preamps up the food chain. I will say, however, that I can find nothing to nitpick. It just sounds like beautiful music to my ears.

Also, the volume "pot" cannot be replaced, as it is a thin-film resistor ladder on the main circuit board. The clicking sound is relays as they engage different resistors. The Saga has 64 steps, while the Freya has 128. I can't imagine anything improving on the clarity, as the signal goes through a couple resistors and that's it. Although different attenuation schemes may well sound different.

The more I listen to it, the more I like it. :)
 
Been listening to the Saga with the vintage JAN-Sylvania 6SN7W.

The first thing that jumps out with the Sylvania is gorgeous, silky, delicate highs. The Russian Tung-Sol sounding a wee touch "coarse" by comparison.

The Tung-Sol lows are a bit fuller and have a bit more "slam", but the two are close.

Given how the tube is used in this circuit, I kind of expect the differences to be subtle.

I keep coming back to the highs of the Sylvania, though.....Loreena McKennitt's voice is gorgeous.

Still listening and evaluating but I am favorably impressed with the JAN-Sylvania so far.

Many many thanks to @mhardy6647 for sending me the JAN-Sylvania. I really appreciate your kindness and generosity. :)
 
Probably time for an update.

Still running the Sylvania that @mhardy6647 sent. Have not had the urge to change it out.

One of my friends was over listening on Saturday. Still have the Belles hooked up but with the Community horns in place of the Klipsch mid-horn. The Almarro A205a is still hooked up.

The Saga/Sylvania is transparent, sweet and has zero issues driving the long interconnects to the power amps. The sound in combination with the Almarro and Belles/Community is simply gorgeous. I really could live with this sound for a long time. Absolutely connects me to the emotions of the music.

In my opinion, the Saga is a real bargain for $350 or so (depending on tube options).

Still highly recommended. :)
 
And now we have the Shugang CV181 plugged in and making music!

photostudio_1523745716760.jpg photostudio_1523745743008.jpg

Didn't need the tube socket extender. The CV181 plugged in and made great contact. Looks like it might be touching the case on one side but I figured, as long as the tube is firmly seated in the socket, why introduce another connection when it's not necessary.

Warmed everything up for at least an hour.

The CV181 is very detailed. Acoustic guitar is rendered nicely. Female vocals are also good.

Still making up my mind, though, and will report back after further listening. :)
 
And now we have the Shugang CV181 plugged in and making music!

View attachment 5678 View attachment 5679

Didn't need the tube socket extender. The CV181 plugged in and made great contact. Looks like it might be touching the case on one side but I figured, as long as the tube is firmly seated in the socket, why introduce another connection when it's not necessary.

Warmed everything up for at least an hour.

The CV181 is very detailed. Acoustic guitar is rendered nicely. Female vocals are also good.

Still making up my mind, though, and will report back after further listening. :)

Shouldn't those be paving stones? :)
 
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