Other than speakers, I’ve found preamps to be the single greatest factor in building a satisfying system.
I’ve used a PS Audio P3 regenerator with Luxman M700u, DeHavilland, two Modwrights, & PS Audio BHK preamps. The only one the P3 regenerator demonstrably improved was the BHK. Otherwise, Shunyata and Audience passive conditioner/distributors worked better in my home with my electrical supply. Now I live in the suburbs with underground utilities and there are no industrial power consumers anywhere near us on the grid. Someone in a different urban environment in going to have a very different situation that might well benefit from regenerated power. There’s no universal right or wrong with regards to most things in audio. Personally, I’d rank a first rate preamp ahead of any regenerator purchase. If my power situation was problematic though, that could well flip my perspective.
As you’ve no doubt read elsewhere, some amplifiers sound better straight into the wall and I’ve found that can be the case.
When you go to an audio show, you are NOT auditioning singular components. Unless you can swap components and compare them you are auditioning a system, not components. You can get a good sense of aesthetics, build quality, etc. but you’ll glean little of value beyond that IMO. What you hear at a show isn’t necessarily going to translate to your system in your home.
As you can see from the variety of responses, YMMV depending on your specific circumstances.
If I understand correctly PP related improvements will depend on the quality of your incoming power. How well your system sounds in the middle of a weekday compared to the late evening may provide some insight.
I can say that I ran my DMP A8 directly to my Schiit Aegir 1 a few weeks ago and found it thin compared to the Schiit Lyr+ headphone amp pre out I was using at the time. I just replaced the Lyr with a Freya+. The biggest difference is a bit more depth and layering. It’s not dramatic, but enough to significantly improve the listening experience.
A year or so ago I demo’d a PP 3 and didn’t hear any obvious improvement so back it went. I’m not giving up on the idea. I think it makes foundational sense but I’m not going to try again until I get a PC O scope to see what my grid looks like. In my case the pre made a difference in my system that the PP did not.
For sure, I will not judge on the sound at the audio show, but to check the quality, different products SKUs, and what is important for me is building a relationship with that brand. One of the reasons I bought the M700/
Listen to Donald, save and get the PMG preamp first. That’s a major upgrade. As for power conditioning, get a couple of dedicated 20amp circutits with 10awg wires to your audio outlets first. That will probably make more improvement to the sound than a regenerator when you have pretty clean power to start with.
those seems to keep there value and others could confirm a good in between from now to the real thing!
It was to late for me, I have already ordered [another thread research] a Schiit Saga preamp with remote and XLR for my in between. It arrived today, and it gave my S300, stellar result and it has XLR output and 4 RCA entry.
With my two sub, that the group help me connect and position very happy result!
I would go with the PS Audio Stellar Gold preamp. I have this same set-up with the M700’s and it’s a great combination and a good fit for your system in my opinion. You might also look for a used power conditioner for your system until you can afford a PS Audio power conditioner. I have also done this with my system. They are relatively inexpensive and they offer protection for your equipment. Not the best for sound but somthing to consider.
Thanks, I was hoping to hear from someone who has a similar setup. I was considering trying the Schitt Kara F Balanced Preamp & Headphone Amp for a trial run until I pay off some of my current investments in my audio equipment. But I am glad to hear that you had a good experience.
If you do I’d recommend saving $50 and opt out of the Forkbeard module if the Kara will be your only piece of Schiit. You can always buy it separately.
I just added a Freya+ F with the module to a full Schiit stack. None of the other pieces are FB enabled so its function is limited to a UI remote. In that role it really doesn’t add anything of value.
My biggest knock on the Schiit remote volume control is poor resolution. The relays provide 0.5 dB resolution but the remote is wildly inconsistent with a brief press of either volume button landing on anything from 0.5 - 1.5 dB. I hoping the FB app would improve on that and provide a visual indication of volume setting.
It does neither-ish. It will provide a visual numerical indication of volume but only when acting to change the volume. But soon as you act to change the volume you lose where you started so it’s really of little use. If you are careful enough using the app slider control you can control the volume in ~ 0.6 dB steps but at that point you’re completely distracted. To save all that I’m much better off using the Eversolo remote to fine tune in predictable 0.5 dB steps.
I like my Schiit, but in this way they failed to address the most basic of remote control functions, mindless volume control.
The Lyr+ I typically use low gain. With the Freya I’ve been using differential buffer (0 dB gain) for background and tube (12 dB) when listening.
I’m not sure what is typical but understand S300 (along with the M700 and M1200) is relatively hot at 30 dB. My Aegir by comparison is 12 dB and low gain is enough for my 90 dB speakers and preferred volume.
