New Schiit Vali 2 Discussion Thread

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

  1. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Updating the above...
    I recently got an HD600 to try in my work system which includes GO2A and Vali 2 with Philips PCC88. As Marvey stated elsewhere, the HD600 is a much better match with Vali 2. The HD600 has a much less fatiguing sound than the HE400S in this setup. I now hear the "veil" that the HD650 had with Vali 2. The HD600 doesn't have this which is well known.
    Time to sell the HE400S...

    @imackler I suspect you should try a different tube with Vali 2 & HD600. I am going to find an EH 6CG7 to try, please let me know your thoughts if you already tried.
     
  2. doors1991

    doors1991 New

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    Gaspasser did you like the philips pcc88 with sennheiser hd 600 ?
    I have that headphone and want to replace the stock tube.

    I'm torn between these :

    Electro-Harmonix 6922 Gold

    JJ E88CC

    Tesla E88CC

    Gold Lion E88CC

    National 7DJ8

    JAN-Philips 6922

    Tungsram PCC88

    Philips PCC88

    Anyone can give me some feedback ?
     
  3. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    I'm really enjoying the EH6CG7, it's a touch warm and lush, but nice and airy too. It's a really pleasing listen, and as a bonus, isn't microphonic. Beats the Philips PC88, which sounds a bit bland and flat in comparison. It's a really nice match with the Vali 2, and doesn't necessarily sound like a tiny budget amp- quite an addictive sound.

    (I actually can't believe how good the Vali 2 sounds, it's a bit of a gem.)
     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2016
  4. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    Edit: I think @Kattefjaes speaks the truth, so...what he says. Although I will say my stock tube is not microphonic at all.

    I am still debating, I quite enjoy how the stock tube sounds with HD600.

    Others on SBAF like the EH6CG7

     
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2016
  5. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    I wonder if there's big variation between them? I unpacked my Vali 2 at work, and ended up building a ghetto suspension platform out of an old HD and some packing material to stop the typing noise with the stock tube.
     
  6. RiddleyWalker

    RiddleyWalker Friend

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    Just ordered a Vali 2 to hold me over with my modded HD650 until my ZDS is made. I apologize if this has been answered already but do you need an adapter to use 6CG7 tubes on this? I have a few nice 6CG7s (RCA clear tops and black plate Tung-Sols) from my Stax amp tube rolling experiments.
     
  7. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Nope, Assuming there's nothing I have failed to understand, anyway. My EH 6C67 went in directly.
     
  8. doors1991

    doors1991 New

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  9. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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  10. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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  11. doors1991

    doors1991 New

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    Thanks.
    How about Gold Lion ? is good ?
     
  12. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    My advice is simple...which is only based on the experience of owning one inexpensive tube amp.

    Remember how much the amp costs in relation to the price of the tube.

    I bought the "platinum" version of the Philips PCC88 for like $50 with shipping and I like it a lot, but now I moved onto different headphones with the Vali 2 and I think I like the stock tube better. I would go for the cheapest most regarded tube to roll (EH 6CG7 regular pin). Since I thought about selling the Vali 2, I realized that the resale value of these single tubes is not very good.

    If you aren't careful you will spend more than the cost of the amp on finding the "perfect" tube. Just realize that it may be the best tube for your particular headphone.
     
  13. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I wish I had a better way to compare (like two Vali 2...hmmm)... but with the HD600, I've been enjoying the stock tube more than the Philis PCC88 as well. These are just kind of instinctive, visceral responses and not from heavy-duty AB'ing. I put in the stock tube on a whim and have been pleasantly surprised. I'll put back in the PCC88 again and give it a whirl...
     
  14. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Damnit, I am starting to wonder a lot about my stock tube, which is a) very microphonic b) boring. Maybe others have nicer-sounding stock tubes :)
     
  15. imackler

    imackler Key Lime Pie Infected Aberdeen Wings Spy

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    I hate to say but I have to try hard to get microphonics from stock. Which naturally, I don't do.
     
  16. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    Ah, OK. If I have the amp on the desk when typing, I can hear every keystroke through the headphones, and if I touch the chassis of the amp, it rings rather impressively. Clearly my stock tube is a bit pants, then- which explains why my opinion of it is so skewed. Sorry all!
     
  17. doors1991

    doors1991 New

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    The 6CG7 EH is better than Electro-Harmonix 6922 ?
     
  18. DigMe

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    Did you try a modded 650 with the Vali 2 or stock? I'm limited on what amps I can buy because I'm going to be going back and forth between living in Asia and living in the US so I have to be able to go easily from 110v to 220v and back. I plan on buying the HD6XX and I currently have the Vali 1.
     
  19. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Does the Vali 2 support 6N6P? Great match with the HD600 if so.
     
  20. gaspasser

    gaspasser Flatulence Maestro

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    I tried the Vali 2 with Philips PCC88 and Stock HD650. It sounded good but if you look elsewhere and below @Hands tried the Vali 2 with EH 6CG7 regular pin and modded 650 and he loved it. I would recommend you pay attention to what he says!

    I just ordered an EH 6CG7 and I plan to check it out!
     

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