New Schiit Vali 2 Discussion Thread

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

  1. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Thanks guys I'll check those as soon as I can. I appreciate the referrals
     
  2. thekorsen

    thekorsen Acquaintance

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    Any idea of what tubes might pair well with some ZMF Eikons? Specifically, I'd like a tube which will notably improve the Vali 2's headstage, and bass slam, and sub bass without compromising the rest of the spectrum. Also looking to keep things on a under $50 budget if possible.

    From what I read through in this thread, possible candidates include:
    Valvo PCC88, Westinghouse 6DJ8, reflector 6N23-eb, 6922EH, WE396A, EH 6CG7, Phillips PCC88, GE JAN 5670
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2017
  3. winders

    winders boomer

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    The WE396A with appropriate adapter.
     
  4. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    I have not been able to use my Vali 2 for a few weeks now. The left channel sometimes has crackle or buzzing that reminds me of a static charge. Sometimes tapping the left side of the amplifier (where the power input is) sort of fixes it occasionally.

    Thing is the crackle or buzzing keeps coming back. Next month I will see if the unit can be checked and/or fixed if necessary.
     
  5. jexby

    jexby Posole Prince

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    or the same adapter with a Sylvania gold pin 396A which has a wider headstage in my experience than We396A, along with some air up top. usually cheap enough for a trial run to see if your chain benefits.
     
  6. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    I assume you've tried a different tube?
     
  7. monacelli

    monacelli Friend

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    Have you tried taking the tube out and cleaning the pins? Depending on the age of the tube, you might need to use something abrasive (like an exacto knife) to scrape away surface debris. That's what I did with the JAN GE 5670 I'm running in mine. I followed up with a q-tip and some isopropyl alcohol. I was surprised what a big difference it made visually. Made me a little more confident in using a 40 year old tube.

    Edit: See Garns' post below for a better approach.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2018
  8. Garns

    Garns Friend

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    I would avoid scraping with a knife as it could remove the outer metal coating of the pins. If there is visible oxidation then either a brass wire brush or 0000 steel wool wrapped around a q-tip shaft work well and are much gentler. If you use 0000 steel wool then use a bulb air blower afterwards to ensure there are no conductive fibres left behind on the pins.
     
  9. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Yes, this happened before but it has become worse. The crackle and/or buzzing no longer goes away.
     
  10. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    I am going to pick up a Magni 3 while the Vali 2 is to be fixed/checked.

    Missing out on tubular bliss will be a downer but hey. If my unit is too costly to fixed/serviced I will buy a second one. Simple as that.
     
  11. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    Have you heard the Magni 3 yet? I was pleasantly surprised. Still prefer the Vali 2 but M3 was not disappointing at all.
     
  12. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    The review on IF was convincing enough. I trust you guys for my purchases.

    For the price the affordable DACs, Amplifiers and DAC/Amps Schiit makes, you always tend to get value for money. If you want more value for money go pro-audio with more inputs and outputs (Midi & studio solutions). When I bought the Vali 2 it was a gamble based on trust. Trust has value in this hobby, a lot of value.
     
  13. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    I think it makes sense to keep both around. The M3 works well with about anything, from planars to dynamics, sensitive or not, and the Vali 2 has more of that synergistic magic with high impedance dynamic headphones. Not that the M3 is a slough with those, as it's surprisingly good, but I'm still partial to the Vali 2 in those cases.
     
  14. slankoe

    slankoe Tongue tastes of LH butthole

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    Can anyone tell me exactly what adaptor to get to go between a WE 936A tube into a Vali 2? Want to try. My Vali and Modi multi with a LISST tube just shipped and I'm beyond stoked
     
  15. monacelli

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    This is the one that most people end up buying: 6922/5670 tube adapter [ebay link]. Unfortunately it's approaching Chinese new year and it looks like the seller is on vacation until 2/27. If you don't mind waiting, that's probably the way to go.

    That said, they often come in packs of 2. If you ask in the For Sale section, you might get lucky and find a fellow canuck willing to send you a spare.
     
  16. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I asked in the All Purpose thread, but no response This should be the same tube that comes with the Vali 2. Anyone?
     
  17. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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    The one that came with mine says 6BZ7 and then below that 6BQ7A and then "Canada"
     
  18. nachocheese70

    nachocheese70 Facebook Friend

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    Sorry I meant to respond in other thread. My Mjolnir tube shipped with 6BZ7 tubes as well (it’s on my invoice). I think I threw them already so can’t double check. They are directly compatible with 6922, 6DJ8, E88CC, ... just to many to list. For the WE396A (2C51)/5670 tubes the pin layout is different so you need an adapter but otherwise the voltages are compatible.

    As with all NOS there are only limited quantities available of a particular stock, can’t really “make” more. I believe Schiit checks the basic to ensure they meet spec so a replacement tube that’s of a different stock should work with existing tube since they all pass Schiit spec.
     
  19. monacelli

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    @nachocheese70 nailed it. The 6BZ7 that came with my Vali 2 doesn’t have any print at all. It’s incredibly lean with an etchy top end. No tube magic to speak of. But I’m glad they ship it with basically the cheapest compatible tube they can find because it keeps the costs down and lets the buyer choose how to allocate their tube budget. Sort of like buying a U-Turn with a dirt-cheap cartridge so you can install whatever you want without eating the cost of a cart somebody else picked out.
     
  20. DigMe

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    This thread prompted me to get my tubes out and that therefore led to me rotating some different tubes back in. I've been happily living with a NOS Ultron PCC88 but I forget what the others sound like. Now listening to a 6CG7. It's fun and I'm enjoying it but I remember why I prefer others.
     

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