Schiit Saga 2 Preamplifier Review

Today let’s talk about the Schiit saga 2 preamplifier

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Designed and Built in Texas and California

0:00-0:35 opening
0:35-3:26 first thoughts
3:26-8:01 sound quality
8:01-10:10 build quality thoughts
10:10-11:57 final thoughts

[Audiorevue]

So everybody another viewer pointed out how I forgot to mention the headphone amplifier, well I'm going to pin this comment to rectify that.

I did try the headphone amplifier although I sort of forgot to mention it because I got focused on talking about it as a preamp which is how I primarily used it.

I would say that the headphone amp is not as good as one of their dedicated headphone amps and probably even the lowly magni is more powerful with better Bass, but the one that's built in to the saga 2 retains 99% of all the sound quality I talked about when talking about the preamp and would be good for most casual use.

As long as you don't want the absolute top performance it's excellent, I would say that it's equivalent to a good headphone amp on an integrated amplifier. At least in terms of power and things like bass output and general performance.

[antoniocataldi]

Grazie per il tuo contributo. Non preoccuparti di poter esprimere una tua opinione, perché non avrebbe fa parte mia risposte inadeguate. Vorrei solo comprendere meglio se ritieni Shiit saga 2 e Vidar 2 al mio livello di aspettativa per pilotare le Magnepan lrs+. Aggiungerei senz' altro un Rel t5x per completare la risposta in frequenza. Grazie ancora

[ajzepp]

I had some Maggie 0.7s and a couple of those Fosi v3 mono locks sitting around. I decided to grab this Saga2 since I saw it had balanced outputs. I have an original Saga from years back that I still use and enjoy. Im kinda shocked at how good this budget front end sounds. The budget side of the hobby has really gotten crazy.

[HappyHighwayman]

Just picked it up today to power my Zone 2 speakers via balanced to a Crown Class D amp. No more cleanbox :)

[brandongaster]

I completely agree with your insight on the "PRAT" of the Saga 2. My previous preamp was the original Saga. Saga 2 gives the music better detail, energy, and weight.

[carlitosgomez]

Does this get quite warm to the touch, Kara to me (similar to this) sounds best in passive mode less distortion leading notes are clearer, active modes have more punch but you miss a touch of the nuances, if you have a power amp that has reasonable high gain already and a source with good power then it works perfectly in passive

[antoniocataldi]

Complimenti per la tua presentazione del Saga 2! Davvero espressiva, piena di trasporto e intensità, ma sempre motivata e competente. Sto maturando l'idea di modificare per intero il mio impianto, sperando di fare un salto in avanti, come realismo, coinvolgimento e fedeltà. Attualmente ho Eversolo DMP A6, rega elex r e Wharfedale Linton. Ho in mente Cambridge cxn v2, Shiit saga 2, Shiit Vidar 2 e Magnepan lrs+ Se hai voglia e tempo di farlo, mi piacerebbe sapere cosa ne pensi e la tua opinione. Ti ringrazio e ti mando un saluto

[scottbennett]

I did send mine back for no gain on active one mode, but I was impressed with the build quality and surprisingly heavy construction. I noticed you thought it was unimpressive in build quality. I do have to disagree on that. I enjoyed your review, though.

[EricNorstrom]

Well mine stopped working after four weeks. Two weeks after return period. Now I have to send it back at my expense to warranty it. While it worked it sounded okay. Passive was anemic but the active modes gave it some punch at the expense of a driven sound which didn't bother me.

[albeklik]

Preamp can compensate for the power amp people they think if they have a very strong amplifier it means it gets louder that's correct but at the same time it helps with the harmony study about it you will understand😊

[Firebottleman]

I really wish you would have reviewed the Saga+. Not much info on the web about its sound character. Does the Saga+ sound change depending on the valve used? How does the Saga+ compare with the other Saga versions? Since you've owned it, I would like your feedback on the Saga+. I'm seriously looking into purchasing one because I already have some really good 6SN7 tubes I could use with it. Thank you.

[brydon]

Good review. Did you happen to try the headphone amp section? I know it doesn't have the power of their dedicated headphone amps but I bet it still sounds great and I think it would be Class A too.

[mrayars]

Is Preamplifier something I can directly connect to active speakers (Adam T5V) using my PC as source?

[bertroost]

I have my two Rekkrs (in mono block mode) connected to my vintage Pioneer sc 3000 preamp and the sound is excellent. Now, I am wondering if I should go more modern and get a Saga 2 for my Rekkrs?

[TriAmpMyFi]

Don't let bad habits develop early. Cable management is part of the hobby👍.

Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[EddyTeetree]

This dude is so hard core he got a totally schitt haircut just for this product 😁

[scottbennett]

Thanks for this review! I have a question, if you don't mind. Is there a noticeable, obvious change in gain when going from passive mode to active mode one? Thank you

[dariusp]

Why the emphasis on class A? It is a preamp, not an amp. Every preamp is class A. If there is an example of a preamp that is not, please share so that I can try one.

[ScottoGrotto]

Og Saga owner, so this is a cool review to catch!

Have you heard the Kara?

I need two sets of single ended outs in my current setup.

Interesting to pull in the Ayre pre, that’s a nice nod.

Like your review!

[adamcarver]

Great review. Question, would the Modi Multibit be a good desktop DAC?