Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

New Products

Preview: Schiit’s Saga 2 Preamp Adds Balanced Outputs

At only $279, the Schiit Saga 2 Preamplifier claims to be the best volume control in the world.

Schiit Saga 2 Preamplifier Angle Black

2024 has been a strange year in the high-end audio category. Entry-level and mid-tier products that offer excellent performance and value for the money have actually struggled in the market, whilst ultra-expensive components and loudspeakers have outsold expectations.

How do we know this? Manufacturers have been surprisingly forthcoming with information and whilst some brands like WiiM Audio, FiiO, and NAD have done rather well with their more affordable offerings — others have struggled.

There are some significant product refreshes coming in September and October  2024 from brands that have done well in the entry-level and mid-tier categories over the past decade and expect the prices to be higher than you might be used to.

One brand that will not be introducing products with price tags that will raise some eyebrows is Schiit Audio.

The new Saga 2 pre-amplifier includes everything but an internal DAC for $279 and a detailed look through the design features and connectivity options makes us want one.

Saga 2 Preamp

Schiit Audio’s latest product is in the Saga 2 pre-amp. This product includes everything you would find in many preamps but lacks an internal DAC. However, with a price of $279 and a detailed look through the design features and connectivity options make us want one for the desktop.

Schiit Saga 2 Preamplifier Rear

Core Features

Value: Schiit Audio claims that the Saga 2 is the highest price-for-performance preamp they have offered so far. Practical features include switchable gain, balanced output, and a headphone output for private listening. It also includes a 64-step relay ladder volume cpmtrp; for perfect channel matching, fully discrete, Class-A, no-feedback design, and a linear power supply.

Universal Interface: The Saga 2 provides the ability to interface with a variety of sources you might connect to any amp. RCA and XLR outputs are both. Both active and passive gain are provided.

Remote Control: The included wireless remote allows users to select inputs, change volume, and pick from passive, active low, or high gain setting options.

DAC Companion: Although the Saga 2 doesn’t have its own DAC, you can combine the Saga 2 and Modius or Bifrost (or any other of our DACs) for a no-compromise remote-controlled system.

Designed and Built in Texas: The majority of the production cost of Saga 2—chassis, boards, transformers, assembly, etc—goes to US companies manufacturing in the US. The Saga 2 is then assembled at Schiit Audio’s Corpus Christi, Texas facility.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Warranty and Return Policy: Saga 2 is covered by a 3-year limited warranty that covers parts and labor. If you don’t like the Saga 2, you can send it back for a refund, minus 5% restocking fee, within 15 days of receiving it.

Specifications

Schiit Saga 2 Preamplifier Internal Circuit Board
  • Core Design: Class A, Zero-Feedback, Differential Preamplifier with AC Adapter
  • 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

Tech Note:: APx555 Report for Saga 2

Passive Operation

  • Output Impedance: Varies, maximum 4.8 ohms
  • THD: Unmeasurable  (APx555 report)
  • IMD: Unmeasurable   (APx555 report)
  • SNR: Maxed  (typically >120dB ref 2/4V RMS) – ( APx555 report)

Low Gain Operation

  • 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 Operation

  • 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
Schiit Saga 2 Preamplifier RCA Inputs
Schiit Saga 2 Preamplifier XLR Outputs

Inputs & Outputs

  • 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
  • Dimensions (WDH): 9 x 6 x 1.5-inches (desk- and rack-friendly)

Check out the User Manual.

Schiit Saga 2 Preamplifier Audio System

Initial Impressions

We report on a lot of audio components, including preamps and headphone amps that can empty your pocketbook, but fortunately, there are several companies that provide both thoughtful engineering and features that many of us can afford.

Schiit Audio continues its track record and has a loyal following in the inexpensive but practical audio solution category and it looks like the Saga 2 preamp is another example to consider.

Price & Availability

The Saga 2 is priced at $279 at schiit.com and Schiit Audio Retail Store in Newhall, California.

Related Reading

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Hisense 2025 ULED TV line-up

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Brighter, bigger, and more powerful, the Hisense 2025 ULED TV lineup should have something for everyone.

Pro-Ject Automat A1.2 Turntable Lifestyle Pro-Ject Automat A1.2 Turntable Lifestyle

New Products

Updated with a new die-cast aluminium platter, Pick It MM E phono cartridge and other refinements, the Automat 1.2 might be the most logical...

NAGRA Compact Phono Stage Angle NAGRA Compact Phono Stage Angle

New Products

At $4,950, the Nagra Compact Phono is a "lower cost" high-end audio solution for getting the most out of your vinyl record listening experience.

JADIS JS2 SL DAC Front Angle Top Open JADIS JS2 SL DAC Front Angle Top Open

DACs

Do you really need a DAC that costs between $14,000 and $18,000? Bluebird Music thinks the Jadis Vacuum Tube JS5 or JS2 SL are...

Samsung Neo QLED TV 2025 with Vision AI Samsung Neo QLED TV 2025 with Vision AI

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Samsung just unveiled pricing and availability details for its full line of Neo QLED TVs in both 4K and 8K resolution. Potential buyers may...

Samsung HW-Q990D. Samsung HW-Q990D.

New Products

The first soundbar with Eclipsa Audio decoding, Samsung's new flagship Q990F may be the one to beat in 2025.

Gift Ideas?

Cost-no-object Audiophile Gear

Floorstanding Speakers

When money is no-object in building a high-end audio system, this is the audiophile gear you'll want to check out first.

You May Also Like

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Brighter, bigger, and more powerful, the Hisense 2025 ULED TV lineup should have something for everyone.

New Products

The first soundbar with Eclipsa Audio decoding, Samsung's new flagship Q990F may be the one to beat in 2025.

News

The traveling headphone show, CanJam came to New York City last month and we were there. Here are a few highlights.

Music

These Quadraphonic albums have been digitized from analog four-track Quad mixes and are now available on Blu-ray discs.

Music

Craft Recordings announces seven titles coming to participating independent music retailers on Record Store Day, April 12, spanning jazz, salsa, rock and soul.

Daily Deals

Spring time is here and with it the opportunity to bring home a giant TV at a great price to enjoy all the basketball...

New Products

The award-winning Focal Bathys wireless noise cancelling headphones arrive in a new black color option for $699, the same price as before.

Articles

Is it possible to make Hi-Fi and home theater work in really small spaces? EIC Ian White's journey into the great unknown of cabin...

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers