Schiit - Saga+

DESCRIPTION

SPECS

FAQs

How is Saga+ different than the original Saga?

It’s really just a few things:
1. Saga+ has a motorized pot that tracks the remote control volume, whereas Saga did not; which provides a continuous physical reference for the volume level.
2. Saga+ uses DC heaters for the tube buffer stage, which provides a lower noise floor when in buffer mode.
3. Saga+ uses our new “fastenerless” chassis design for a sleeker overall look.

Why would I need a preamp?

If you’re using a power amp without volume control, you’ll need a preamp. The preamp allows you to control volume, switch inputs, etc.

Aha. So what’s so special about your Saga?

Lots of things. But let’s start where you probably aren’t expecting us to: in the philosophy. Yes, philosophy. Because in the past 20 years or so, audio gear has gone into full gold-plated Bentley/60’ private yacht/$120MM beach estate mode. As in, prices are completely and utterly insane. Go ahead. Look around for a remote passive preamp, and check the prices. Now add a tube stage. Oh, wait, there aren’t any of those, so check out remote controlled tube preamps. Ouch, part 2. And then start looking at preamps that use a sophisticated, perfectly-matched relay-switched stepped attenuator instead of a volume pot or cheap volume-control chip, and we’ll excuse you so you can go scream at the injustice of the world. And then there’s Saga+, at $399.

So how do you make it so cheap?

By making a ton of them at a time, by using automated surface-mount assembly, and through smart design that doesn’t need a ton of hand-work to solder and route wiring. And by selling direct. No magic.

So what’s this about it being passive or active? How does that work?

Passive preamps are great if you have short cable runs and high-impedance inputs to your power amp. On the other hand, active preamps give you the ability to run longer cables and drive low-impedance inputs on some power amps. Saga+ is both. Switch it to passive mode to bypass the tube buffer, or switch it to active mode to use the tube buffer. It’s up to you.

And this bizarre hybrid tube buffer? What’s that?

There are plenty of tube buffers out there, but ours is unique. It’s actually a hybrid push-pull tube buffer, featuring a dual triode tube and a pair of BJTs (bipolar junction transistors), with a unique transconductance-equalizing network that pairs the tube and transistor more seamlessly, and helps cancel distortion. The result is a buffer that measures insanely well—better than some solid-state stages!

I don’t care what it measures like, I care what it sounds like!

Yes, and some people care what it measures like, too. In our opinion, it both measures and sounds great. Of course, we’re biased

And this relay-stepped attenuator thing?

Yeah. It’s cool. Unlike a potentiometer, it gives you perfect channel matching down to the lowest level of the volume knob. And, the knob on the front of the preamp acts just like a normal volume knob—it stops at the bottom and top of its travel. No endlessly spinning encoders here. Just the same easy-to-use knob you’re used to, coupled with sophisticated microprocessor control.

But I don’t want to deal with tubes!

Then you need Saga S, the solid-state Saga. It also saves you $100.

But I want just a passive preamp—can’t you make a version like that?

Yes, and other people want just a tube buffer, or they want a preamp with gain, or they want a preamp with a DAC input, or they want a preamp with a phono input, or they want a preamp that’s based on a different kind of tube, or they want a preamp that’s based on a different kind of transistor, or they want a preamp without a remote, or they want a preamp with an app for a remote, or they want a preamp with Bluetooth, or a thousand other things. While we hope you like the Saga, and that it fits your needs, we can only build them one way. That’s one of the reasons it doesn’t cost like a good used car.

Hey, I want balanced inputs and outputs!

Then you need Freya+, Saga+’s big sister.

So what’s a Saga?

Saga is a seeress, or a goddess associated with wisdom. Once you get off the beaten path in Norse mythology, it starts getting a bit murky like this. But we do think you’ll find Saga+ a wise choice in a system needing a preamp.

Warranty

5 Year Warranty

Don't sweat it, this Schiit Saga+ comes with a 5 year warranty from Schiit that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about Schiit's warranty in India.