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The road to being an audiophile is a long one, and one stop along the way is getting a preamp. The thing is that good preamps tend to be rather expensive. Well, there are companies out there like Schiit that offer quality equipment for good prices. The Schiit Saga 2 is an affordable preamp that will give you great-quality audio.
Schiit has been in business since 2010, and it makes audio equipment ranging from just over $100 to just over $2,000. It’s not the kind of boutique brand that makes getting into the audiophile life scary. Its products are some of the best to get if you’re just getting your audio setup started.
Schiit announced the new Saga 2 preamp
There are a handful of devices you need to start off your audio setup with a bang and one of them is the preamp. This is the device that, as the name suggests, precedes the amplifier. In fact, it comes pretty early in your signal chain. This is the device that brings the audio signal up to a standard level before it’s passed through the amplifier.
Just like most other audio devices, preamps can be pretty expensive. If you’re looking for a professional-grade preamp, get ready to see some large numbers. So, companies like Schiit are a gift from above. The new Saga 2 preamp only comes in at $279, and it brings the goods to make it a valuable part of your audio setup.
Ports
The Saga 2 comes in at $150 less than the Saga+, and it extends the features found in that device. If you want to listen to the music directly from the preamp, you’d be happy to know that there’s headphone output.
As for other ports, the Saga 2 has a fair number of input and output ports to choose from. There are four single-ended RCA ports. As for the output ports, you have the option of XLR and a single RCA port.
Switch
The previous models in the Saga line of preamps were only passive with no gain. However, the Saga 2 flips the script with the ability to switch between passive and active. That just makes this device more versatile. Flipping the switch can add a different quality to the sound with more power and punch.
Audio quality
Despite its price, this preamp has zero feedback. That’s extremely important if you want a clean audio signal. It delivers a high rail voltage of 75V. Since this is a preamp, you have the ability to adjust the gain before it’s sent through your headphones or further down your signal chain. There are two gain settings that you can adjust to refine the sound.
Specs
Weight: 3lb
Dimensions: 9″ x 6″x 1.5″
Passive:
Output Impedance: varies, maximum 4.8 kohms
THD: unmeasurable on APx555
IMD: unmeasurable on APx555
SNR: maxed on APx555 (typically >120dB ref 2/4V RMS)
Low Gain:
Gain: 1x/2x (SE/balanced)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.5db, 3Hz-200KHz, -3dB
THD: <0.001%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 2V RMS
IMD: <0.001%, CCIR (active stage)
SNR: >124db, A-weighted, referenced to 1V RMS
Output Impedance: 75 ohms
Maximum Output: >10V RMS
High Gain:
Gain: 4x/8x (SE/balanced)
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.5db, 3Hz-200KHz, -3dB
THD: <0.001%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 2V RMS
IMD: <0.001%, CCIR (active stage)
SNR: >116db, A-weighted, referenced to 1V RMS
Output Impedance: 75 ohms
Maximum Output: >10V RMS
Inputs: 4 RCA pairs, selectable via front switch or remote
Outputs: 1 XLR pair and one RCA pair, both active at the same time
Gain Stage: Equipoise differential discrete Class A, zero feedback, 75V rails
Headphone stage: booster based on OPA1656, 150mW typical max output
Volume Control: relay-switched stepped attenuator with discrete thin-film 0.5% resistors, 64 1dB steps
Power Supply: Wall wart, 24VAC/6VAC, internal +45V/-28V and 5V/3.3V rails
Power Consumption: 15W typical
This Class A preamp is just what you need to get into the audiophile lifestyle without it costing an arm and a leg. If you’re looking for an affordable, yet powerful, preamp to boost your audio setup, then you’ll want to pick up the Schiit Saga 2.