Schiit Valhalla 2

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by Cspirou, Oct 8, 2015.

  1. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Continuation of this thread:

    http://www.changstar.com/index.php/topic,1616.0.html

    Has anyone done measurements on this amp? Also is there anyone familiar with the topology that can tell me if the 6n6p dual triodes are wired in parallel or in a push-pull arrangement?
     
  2. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    SO far I have been unable to find measurements for the Valhalla 2, I searched on CHANGSTAR, but could only find Valhalla 1 measurements. Hopefully some measurements will be posted soon - > (looks at ultrabike)
     
  3. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Do you have a link for the V1 measurements?
     
  4. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I am looking, found it on CHANGSTAR but having a difficult time finding it - I believe ultrabike posted it, I am searching
     
  5. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Having a hard time finding it, I just saw it a few hours ago. I'll ask him
     
  6. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    I found it. Its buried in the HD600 thread. Its a measurement of the headphones through the Valhalla rather then a direct measurement of the amp. I see that 2nd order harmonics dominate the THD which would suggest that it is single ended rather the a PP arrangement. However the headphones throw everything off and its much more likely that the second order distortion is from the headphones rather then the amp. Which means I can't really infer anything about the topology from the measurement.
     
  7. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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  8. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    Sorry Cspirou, looks like you found it before I could post. Sorry I guess I was mistaken. I was looking for V2 measurements and came across that post and kinda skimmed through it since it was more on the V1
     
  9. RanocchiO

    RanocchiO Acquaintance

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  10. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Thank you!!!

    This arrangement explains why measured distortion would be so low as well as how it can have enough current to power low impedance headphones.
     
  11. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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  12. TMoney

    TMoney Shits on SBAF over at Head-Case to be cool

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    Quick question for those who have/have heard both Valhalla 1 and 2.

    I plan on using the Valhalla with HD600 and HD650s.

    Is Valhalla 1 a better sonic pairing with them or should I just go with Valhalla 2?
     
  13. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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  14. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Those would be it. Kind of expensive for a small upg imo. I'm going to be sad when my tube finally dies (it has been hissing), but I don't think I'll miss them too much if I go back to stock.
     
  15. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I got a good deal on them on eBay as an early birthday present. Got a Matched NOS pair for $75
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Valhalla 1 kind of sucks compared to Vahalla 2. Unless you like distorted warm mushy "classic" tube sound. Valhalla 1 was good for pairing with high-impedance Beyers with nasty treble.
     
  17. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I agree with Purrrin on this. I have both V1 and V2 and agree with Purrin's description of their sound. However, I personally really enjoy the V1 as I really like the warm, classic Tube sound. But between the V1 and V2 I think the V2 is better overall.
     
  18. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I wrote this on CHANGSTAR but wanted to post again here. I am still having issues with my Valhalla 2 with "Buzzing". I searched around the house to see what may be causing the interference/buzzing, but cannot find anything that may be causing it. At first a thought it was my son's old tube TV (even when turned off I can hear it buzz) but even after unplugging his TV, the buzzing on the V2 continued. Now sometimes the buzz is not present at all and the V2 is extremely quiet like it should be, but the majority of the time I have that "Buzz".

    Some suggested I need a Hum Eliminator such as HumX, but at $51.41 at Amazon, it is a bit pricey unless I know for sure that will fix the V2 buzzing problem.

    Does anyone have any suggestions as to what could be causing it or perhaps anything I can do to prevent the V2 from buzzing? I would hate to buy a HumX and it not work. Does anyone have a HumX or hum eliminator that they could loan me to see if that fixes my V2 buzzing before I purchase one? If I had one to test, and it works, then I would go ahead and try to get one, but like I said, I do not want to spend the money on it if it isn't going to fix the problem.

    Things I have tried to fix the V2 Buzz:

    • Tried different outlets
    • Tried moving V2 to different areas of the house
    • Tried using a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter (suggested by Nick at Schiit, he also suggested the HumX)
    • Disconnected all components to V2 except headphones to see if it was coming from my source DAC and/or PC
    Nothing I have tried so far as fixed the V2 buzzing issue. I am not sure what to try next other than a hum eliminator, which I don't want to buy unless I know it will fix the problem.

    Any help and/or suggestions would be very much appreciated.
     
  19. firev1

    firev1 Friend

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    Does it buzz at other places(like outside your home or other's place)? That would be some basic diagnostics to do.
     
  20. The Alchemist

    The Alchemist MOT: Schiit - Here to help!

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    I have not tried it outside, but I do have an outlet on my front and back porch I could try. When I loaned the V2 to thegunner a few times, he stated he did not have the buzz issue. So it has to be something either in my home, or near my home like a neighbor's house.
     

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