Wolf--can you describe what your Amperex looks like? I did an "auction site" search, and there were a couple different ones....one claimed to have been made by GE, another labeled "made in Holland," and at least one other that I think looks like maybe a Russian re-badge. Price on a couple--whew.
The Schiit Freya is fun, indeed. I'm mostly running it in passive in my office with all balanced connections. Not sure it makes a difference, but that's where the computers are, router, rat's nest computer cabling, etc. Thought it could potentially help with noise. I still haven't made friends with the JFET stage. I don't think the tube stage sounds as good as the LP27a or my other tube pres, but it's "fun" to be able to switch from a passive to add some extra tube-flavor at the push of a button. With the stock tubes, it was pretty sterile and didn't add a whole lot. To be fair, I probably didn't give them sufficient time to burn in. I've tried maybe half a dozen or so combinations--didn't like it with Sylvanias (VT-231, GT, or GTB) or Raytheons. Very much prefer it with GEs, RCAs, and/or KenRad. I didn't try 6sn7w or TS BGRP...I refuse to put tubes in that cost nearly as much as the Freya (or more), especially when the tubes keep burning in passive or JFET mode. I don't find it to be as sensitive to tubes as some others, though. One note--the remote doesn't do on/off, and the switch is on the back of the Freya, if that matters. If you don't need the balanced and aren't interested in the passive or JFET push-button tweakability, still easy enough to try and I think good for the money, but probably could do better on a tubed pre for not a ton more dough.
The Schiit Freya is fun, indeed. I'm mostly running it in passive in my office with all balanced connections. Not sure it makes a difference, but that's where the computers are, router, rat's nest computer cabling, etc. Thought it could potentially help with noise. I still haven't made friends with the JFET stage. I don't think the tube stage sounds as good as the LP27a or my other tube pres, but it's "fun" to be able to switch from a passive to add some extra tube-flavor at the push of a button. With the stock tubes, it was pretty sterile and didn't add a whole lot. To be fair, I probably didn't give them sufficient time to burn in. I've tried maybe half a dozen or so combinations--didn't like it with Sylvanias (VT-231, GT, or GTB) or Raytheons. Very much prefer it with GEs, RCAs, and/or KenRad. I didn't try 6sn7w or TS BGRP...I refuse to put tubes in that cost nearly as much as the Freya (or more), especially when the tubes keep burning in passive or JFET mode. I don't find it to be as sensitive to tubes as some others, though. One note--the remote doesn't do on/off, and the switch is on the back of the Freya, if that matters. If you don't need the balanced and aren't interested in the passive or JFET push-button tweakability, still easy enough to try and I think good for the money, but probably could do better on a tubed pre for not a ton more dough.