That any audio manufacturer in 2024 can introduce a quality high-end stereo preamplifier and power amplifier for $279 and $299, respectively, seems highly unlikely. Especially when they are largely made and assembled in America. Jason Stoddard, a co-founder and analog guru at https://www.schiit.com/ continue to prove that he and his team are certainly not crazy. What they are is a talented team of audio nerds, dedicated to designing some of the finest sounding audio products for discerning music lovers.
The models in question here are the Saga 2 preamplifier and the Gjallarhorn power amplifier. Size matters and the lithe Saga 2, Gjallarhorn combo are both the size of a good mystery book. These are audiophile-grade separates that fit on (or in) a sideboard, a bookshelf or Kallax.
This all started several months ago as I began noticing that my Schiit Audio Saga+, a tube-based preamplifier that I enjoy very much, didn't quite have the upper midrange and treble zing that made music sound more enjoyable to me. Granted, tubes in audio equipment do tend to roll off the treble frequencies (just a bit) and deliver a little midrange bloom (just a bit) but I was missing the snap of a snare drum, the ringing of a triangle and that lead guitar-god frenzy of rock and roll lead. The Saga+ has its own tube-based strengths of its own. The lushness of electronic ambient music, the energy of big band and small group jazz and orchestral can all benefit from tubes and the Saga + certainly offers all these benefits. The low bass inherent in these genres was all there without being overly blown, yet delivered pleasant and well defined bass. All for only $399. I certainly recommend it.
When Schiit introduced the Saga 2 (no tube option) at only $279 and $120 less than the Saga+ I thought this was an opportunity to purchase a non-tube preamp to compare. 2 vs +. Order it I did and five business days later it arrived from Schiit in California. Upon arrival I connected it directly to my Schiit Gjallarhorn power amp, also purchased directly through their website store thirty days earlier. For interconnects between the two I am using Schiit's PYST wonderfully pliable interconnect cable. I knew from running the Glallarhorn with my Saga+ for a solid month that both were burned in properly and that time spent provided me with a real indication of the strengths and weaknesses of that combination.
Once connected into my system my first two weeks of listening were primarily casual. I wanted to give the Saga 2 a chance to burn in and warm up. This also provides time for me to be sure that there are no defects to the sound, no turn on thumps, no buzzing, etc. I did find that the volume control easily slid off but it is still snug enough that it is no bother and I mainly use the remote control anyway. Other than that no issues were found. The build quality is excellent especially when one is reminded of the $279 price and, it's assembled in USA roots.
On Patty Griffin's 'American Kid' (New West Records 60739662782 Griffin's nasal tones break out (in a good way) on "Go Wherever You Wanna Go". On "Faithful Son", Robert Plant's background vocals compliment Griffin's slightly out front lead. Their voices mix well and you can hear both of their voices and recognize each from the other. Nice, subtle detail. And on David Crosby's 2021 release, 'For Free' (BMG 538689942) acoustic guitars come through with a subtle and well-rounded zing, snare and acoustic guitars sound full and natural.
The bass... while not quite as full as it's tubed cousin, the Saga 2 performs admirably while listening to Boris Blank's solo ambient 2024 album "Resonance" (IAN Records - LC84945 0602458 931617). On Craven Faults "Erratics & Unconformities" (Leaf Label BAY 120CD 843190012046 the lower registers in the seventeen+ minute 'Vacca Wall' gradually builds and grows. You feel it without the bass taking over the music. The lower bass register felt yet very complimentary to the gradual tempo build up on this electronic masterpiece.
Overall the Saga 2 is detailed, well balanced, images nicely outside of speakers and the 64-step volume control keeps the left/right balance perfectly balanced even at low volume levels.
But Wait. There's More...
In addition to the passive mode (passive refers to zero gain added by the preamplifer itself to the music volume) there is a 1x and 4x gain setting for components connected via the RCA inputs. When I switched to the 1x gain the sound grew somewhat but when I chose the 4x setting the dynamics, soundstage and small musical details made this preamp sing loudly and dynamically. It became a totally different sounding component with vigor and PRaT (pace rhythm and timing). Music sounded more alive, more dynamic and bigger. The gain setting you choose will depend on your musically tastes. There is no 'right' setting except for what your ears hear and enjoy. Another benefit of the variable gain is when using headphones as some are more difficult to drive than others.
All in all, the Schiit Saga 2 is a well built, great sounding preamplifier. Highly recommended.
But Wait. There's Even More...
This review has been about the new Saga 2 preamplifier. However, I used my newly purchased Schiit Gjallarhorn power amp in tandem with the Saga 2. I'll do a separate review soon on the Gjallarhorn but I have to say that this amazing amp is rated at 10w per channel into eight ohms, 15w per channel into four ohms. You read that correctly. One Gjallarhorn powered my six ohm Peachtree Audio Design 5 loudspeakers wonderfully but with the Saga 2's XLR outputs you can run TWO Gjallarhorn amps together. But that's for another future review.
*I attempted to delineate between the Saga + in bold and the Saga 2 underlined in order to not confuse which model I was describing. I hope that attempt was successful. If not, let me know and reply to this review accordingly to let me know.
**I make to commissions nor any other renumeration from any of the products, components or musical selections that I use and talk about in my reviews. I do it for the fun and enjoyment of high performance audio gear and the music.
Source components used for this review-
CD player- Rotel RCD-1572 MK II connected via Rotel's included RCA cable and a digital coax cable from Audioquest.
DAC- Peachtree Audio i-DAC-iT*X connected via PYST RCA cable to the Saga 2.
Power Amplifier- Schiit Audio Gjallarhorn power amplifier connected to the Saga 2 and Saga+ via PYST RCA cables.
U-Turn Audio Custom turntable with Audio Technica VM95e phono cartridge into Schiit Audio Mani phono preamp.
Loudspeakers- Peachtree Audio stand-mount Design 5 (D5) connected to Gjallarhorn via Monster 16 gauge speaker wire.
Interconnects- Pyst Audio and available at schiit.com
Speaker wire and banana connectors- Monster.
As always, thank you very much for reading and subscribing to Hear More Music.
Doug
