Schiit Audio has launched the Schiit Saga 2 preamplifier, which combines high-end features and technologies while remaining budget-friendly. This aligns with the brand’s commitment to affordability. As per the manufacturer’s specifications, the new model boasts several key attributes: “relay potentiometer, passive or active modes, class A operation, zero feedback, 100% discrete components, and a differential linear preamplifier power supply rated at 75 V.”
The designers at Schiit have incorporated a circuit operation mode switch, allowing users to select between “passive or active.” Unlike previous versions of the Saga, which only offered passive operation, the new model introduces a high gain mode that enhances dynamics, although it may influence the frequency response. Nevertheless, the measured total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) remains impressively low at 0.000263%.
For input, the Saga 2 features four unbalanced RCA connections, while the output options include both RCA and balanced XLR. Additionally, there is a full-size headphone jack on the front panel, providing a maximum output power of 150 mW through an amplifier utilizing the OPA1656 chip from Texas Instruments. The power supply is external, designed to reduce interference, and the entire unit is proudly “assembled in the USA.” In the United States, the Schiit Saga 2 preamplifier is priced at $280.
Specifications:
Noise: inaudible
Distortion: unmeasurable by APx555 in passive mode, better than any recording and/or transducer on the planet in either active mode
Heat: gets moderately warm; not surprising for a Class A device
Size: desk- and rack-friendly
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 2V 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 2V 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
Size: 9″W x6″D x 1.5”H
Weight: 3 lbs