New Schiit Vali 2 Discussion Thread

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by jexby, Dec 11, 2015.

  1. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    @ColtMrFire It's odd that you find Vali harsher than your SS amplifier (I'm guessing it's the receiver you've brought up in the past?). I too switch back between a vintage receiver and the Vali, and the Vali provides a smoother, more laid back listening experience, pretty much the antithesis of harsh. I love solid state feels too, especially when I crave more heft to the low end, but it comes at the expense of sounding a tad more harsh.

    The Bifrost is a great DAC and I love Schiit's implementation of the AKM4490 chip. It felt natural for a sigma delta DAC; not once while listening did I gag and felt disgusted by digititus. Furthermore, I never felt that the Vali exacerbated any of its shortcomings. If anything, it softened the sound, hence the tube wetness you always hear about. Vali 2 continues to improve on the Vali sound. If solid state is truly your thing, then you may be in luck, because Vali 2 does sound more SS than its predecessor. More plankton, widened staging, better extension on both ends, same great Vali mids. Personally, I haven't yet tried it with Modi Multibit, but reading from impressions of those who tried the pairing, it seems like it's the smart choice for a solid mid-tier stack.
     
  2. ColtMrFire

    ColtMrFire Writes better fan fics than you

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    Thanks.

    But I couldn't resist getting a Valhalla 2!
     
  3. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Ironically, though I absolutely loved my Valhalla2, I sold it and replaced it with a Vali and a Project Polaris because of how bad it sounded with my he500s and lcd2s. It sounded like it was broken. It sure was special with my hd600s and dt880-250s though (I know, dt880s suck, etc., etc.), but so is the Vali. I could only afford the Polaris with the proceeds from the sale of the Valhalla though. In hindsight, wish I would have sold the lcd2s and kept the Valhalla2 and added the Polaris. Live and learn.
     
  4. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    reply to self:

    nabbed chinese adapter for $13 + the GE Jan tube for $10. pulled out Amperex 7308 NOS tube, pressed in adapter+GE Jan.
    sounds very close in most aspects, at a big cost savings! dead quiet, not microphonic at all.
    the GE Jan tube has a tad softer bass impact, but it's not sloppy.
    detailing in mids/treble right on par with Amperex.
    sound stage 1 step forward with 1 step narrower also, more intimate/closer.

    can easily recommend that before hunting $80+ NOS tubes for Vali2, try this less expensive option for a high quality, musical with great detailing mini tube.

    not going to compare to PCC88 or any other tube adapter pairs for now. time is short.
     
  5. Out Of Your Head

    Out Of Your Head Friend

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    I just received the same combo. But I am coming from either the stock tube or I've been using a Voskhod Rocket 6n23p '73 XI that I paid $35 for.

    Haven't had time to compare too much, but the GE JAN tube sounds really good.

    Stock tube: Sounds OK, but relative to the other tubes, it's clearly lacking some bass and highs. Sounds a little veiled.
    Voskhod Rocket: Much better. More bass, more clear. more detail.
    GE JAN 5670: Similar bass to Voskhod, maybe a little more. Slightly brighter than Voskhod. Everything sounds more detailed. Close to the Voskhod, but I think this tube sounds the best.
    (Using Utopia and Modi Multibit)

    Things may change as I have more time to compare.
     
  6. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    Bought the set (adapter/GE Jan tube), also picking up the iFi - NOS 5670 set for comparison. Should sound exactly the same or close. I'll post impressions of $25 set vs. $100 ifis. The Voskhod Rocket 6n23p '73 is a great bang for the buck tube.
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2016
  7. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    I'm assuming this is the correct adapter: http://m.ebay.com/itm/191636111735?_mwBanner=1

    There is also a 1pc gold plated for half the price, not sure what that means though.

    The GE Jan tube is $20 on tubestore.com but under $10 from many eBay sellers.
     
  8. JohnnyCanuck

    JohnnyCanuck Acquaintance

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    Yes, that's the adapter you will need. This is for two, though, which would be normal for a stereo application. But, since the Vali 2 only uses one tube the 1pc for half the price is all you need. (Unless you're buying for more than one unit, of course.)
     
  9. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    Time for me to go to bed, of course that's what 2pc and 1pc mean.

    Thanks, haha
     
  10. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    Hope this isn't too much of chasing the dragon, but I'm curious: Do any of you prefer one tube specifically for the HD600? I'm not finding the love for the Philips PCC88 that I was expecting. Maybe its because I'm listening with the HD600. Or maybe I just overhyped the Vali 2. (Source is Modi 2U)
     
  11. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I was not too excited about PCC88 and HD650. Might just boil down to Vali 2 isn't that great with HD6X0, that is why I went with Jotunheim

    Edit: fixed HD6X0 typo
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2016
  12. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Finally got around to the Vali 2 @jexby lent me with the EH 6CG7 lent by @atomicbob and I must say I am impressed! If you put this in an all-in-one chassis it could easily be sold for a few hundred bucks without batting an eye compared to other amps. Gotta try other provided tubes still. So far I do much prefer this over the Ember, I think it was, based on memory.
     
  13. bixby

    bixby Friend

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    Which tube are you using right now, the Electro Harmonix? Did Jexby send you the RCA or the uber pricey Siemens??

    How is it jiving in your setup vs the Jotunheim as an amp?
     
  14. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    EH 6CG7 as mentioned.

    Have not tried Jexby's tubes yet. Just got around to hooking it up today.

    I would say with the EH 6CG7 and Vali 2 combo is a little less extended at both ends compared to Jotun, and I do mean a little, But Vali 2 has a slightly thicker (think mid-bass), slightly more euphonic sound due to the tube, but overall neither are what I'd call particularly colored. Different shades of neutral(?), ha. In some cases I find the Jotun gets a little smeared when music is very complex, but the Vali 2 has more of that 3D, airy, layered stage (tube, again), also being less forward than Jotun, that allows some details to seem more clear when the going gets tough. Vali 2 is also a bit softer and sweeter about edges and details. Jotun seems to kill off some air, reverb, ambiance, etc. that the Vali 2 has. However, Jotun is overall a more technically competent amp from top to bottom, but not by much and only particularly noticeable in the lower registers.

    Vali 2 does not remind me of the Valhalla 2, Lyr 2, or Mjolnir 2. It seems to have its own sort of sound, but it's a very good one at that.
     
  15. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I am looking for everyone's opinion on particularly good HP & Vali 2 combinations. I read extensively and didn't really find a great deal in the subject. I saw @jexby posting a lot of love for Vali 2 and HE400S. I have been listening a lot to this combo at work and think it is fantastic. I tried the HD650 with Vali 2 and thought it was OK which is why I jumped on Jotunheim to maximize my HD650 on a budget.
     
  16. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I thought the Vali 2 + 6CG7 + modded H650 sounded great.
     
  17. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Cool, I was hoping @Hands would weigh in. I should've noted that my opinion was with stock HD650. I just did dynamat mods only and I will have to try it out. I also neglected to note I am running Philips PCC88/7DJ8. There are many variables, but it is always interesting to hear others experiences with this great amp.
     
  18. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    for weeks had Vali2 + HE500 at work also, felt the pairing was good but not quite a Best Fit Butt Match (BFBM (tm)) as Vali2 was with HE400S.
    the clarity, power, speed of Jotun + HE500 seemed to kick it a notch, at the expense of (sigh) what I love: the 3D, layered, airy presentation @Hands mentioned that Vali2 excels at delivering.

    the Vali2 is so damn cheap, probably leaving it with GO2A + HE400S at office #1,
    as office #2 has Gungnir Multibit+Jotun+HE500 at the moment or Jotun-internal-DAC if budget strains hit.

    @Hands and some other Colorado Pyrates can hear such pairings at our micro-meet in a few months.
     
  19. spoony

    spoony Spooky

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    Gold-pin or regular?
     
  20. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Regular I think.
     

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