Schiit Valhalla 2

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

  1. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    12,568
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Huh, that is interesting. The wording of the listing makes me a little wary (specially rejuvenated and so forth), but the proof is in the pudding as they say, and $100 for a pair isn't outrageous given what many 6922 variants go for these days.
     
  2. SpaceLaser

    SpaceLaser Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    145
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    I've been running my Valhalla 2 recently as a dedicated preamp in my stereo rig for the last week or so. It's been performing a lot better than the NAD integrated I was using before, glad to see this little amp is so versatile.
     
  3. wonderbrah

    wonderbrah New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2016
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    3
    That has got to be the sexiest amp I have ever laid eyes on. Is getting a Black Valhalla 2 simply a matter of asking Schiit for the colorway or is it a once in a blue moon rarity type deal?
     
  4. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

    Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2016
    Likes Received:
    6,940
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    There's a discussion about it here: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/schiit-audio-now-officially-on-notice.2468/

    But basically yes, it's unfortunately a rare occurrence that they have products in stock with a black finish and they go pretty quick.
     
  5. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    9,937
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Texas and California
    Home Page:
  6. sphinxvc

    sphinxvc Gear Master (retired)

    Staff Member Pyrate BWC
    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    3,320
    Trophy Points:
    113
    So, I've had a Valhalla 2 on loan here from @thegunner100 while he tries out my Sys/Stratos Plus this week. After a few nights of listening, I'm ready to say that the Sys is decidedly more articulate in the bass, but less alluring in the midrange than the Valhalla. Less is more, I guess.

    With the 650s though, this amp is beyond reproach. I'm contemplating buying one, just for the 650s.

    Edit: just wanted to clarify that when I say "Sys is X or Y", I don't mean that it's adding anything, just that it's masking the output of the DAC less. (Just in case that wasn't obvious to anyone)
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2016
  7. Colgin

    Colgin Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    634
    Trophy Points:
    93
    I just posted in the NY meet impressions thread and the Valhalla 2 was yet another thing that I was interested in but managed to not hear at the meet. I am assuming if it is good with the 650 it should also work very well with the HD 600.
     
  8. Kolohe

    Kolohe Facebook Friend

    Contributor
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2015
    Likes Received:
    98
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    CC of HNL
    Yes, they look wicked, especially when paired with a black Bifrost. Got the black o.g. Valhalla when they were available for order off the website a couple of years ago. I waited for a black Bifrost 4490 to show up on the web site for months (ok, maybe just weeks), when I had just about given up and was about to go in a different direction, I emailed them and asked if they had any coming down the pipes. They said they had some in stock and to just specify in the comments when checking out. Face-palm easy. The moral of the story...email them and ask, you might get lucky.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

    Pyrate Contributor
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Likes Received:
    2,753
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    U.S.
    Let's not get everyone flooding Nick with emails asking about black stock. Jason has already stated that they put them up on the website when they have them available. You probably emailed them at just the right time before they put it up on the website.
     
  10. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,412
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    God, that looks gorgeous. The sweet Schiit font really pops when it's on black.. I bet it looks even sharper in person.
     
  11. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    12,568
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Yes, the Val2 pairs exceptionally well with the 600. That's what I use with mine, connected to a Bifrost Multibit, and even after many months of ownership the sound still manages to take me by surprise at times.
     
  12. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2015
    Likes Received:
    385
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Would you say the 2C51 tube family is a higher end tube than the ECC88 family of tubes?

    Hard to imagine such a smaller tube equaling the ECC88 tubes.
     
  13. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2015
    Likes Received:
    1,461
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Hmmmm, I guess I'm not experienced enough to say, but they are marketed as being "the premium version of the 6922 family" by iFi.

    I think the iFi GE5670 tube set that I bought sounds better than my Valhalla2 stocks, and better than my JJ Gold Pins - although the JJ's have this big lush bottom end that is really pleasant, they seem a tad rolled off in the highs - so the iFi is pretty neutral and resolving, just a little wetter than stock. To me.

    I think these are worth looking into - we need someone with some established ears to hear these, if only to determine if I need to cut back on my crack habit. Or switch to a less toxic brand.
     
  14. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2015
    Likes Received:
    385
    Trophy Points:
    63
    The thing with the 6922 family is that it's a pretty big extended family
    Each of the tube variation are rated at a different voltage, wattage & heater current & among them there are further variations of quality & materials.

    Like the 6DJ8 are 130V/1,8W & the 6922 are 220V/1,8W. While the 7308 & 6H23p tubes have different Voltage/Wattage as well.

    I hope someone gets to test a 2C51 against he heavyweights of Siemens CCA, Telefunken E188CC, Amperex pinched waist or a Reflektor '75 6N23P.
     
  15. MoZo1971

    MoZo1971 New

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2015
    Likes Received:
    15
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Montreal
    Sorry for the delay ...been away with the family. My Bifrost was not Uber so I may have experienced a bigger jump the others on Uber. I have the HD650 stock. One thing that made a huge difference for me was going from a Toslink to a coaxial connection from my pc. I was lucky enough to find a coaxial bracket I was able to connect to the SPDIF header of my sound card. Again sorry for the delay ...
     
  16. SadLikeVivi

    SadLikeVivi New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2016
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Can anyone help me?

    I bought my Valhalla 2 used and I'm hearing this LOUD ASS buzzing/humming noise.. It's clearly audible.

    I'm starting to suspect that it's my source because when the source(input) is not plugged in, I hear NO buzz/hum at all.

    But when i plug in my source(from my Xonar essence STX), THERES THIS LOUD ASS ANNOYING BUZZ/HUM.

    Any solutions anyone?

    What's the cheapest DAC I can get? Apparently my STX as a DAC is better than the Modi 2 so I don't want to exactly downgrade...

    Edit: I USE TO USE IT WITH THE MAGNI 2 AND THERE WAS NO HUMMING/BUZZING WHATSOEVER


    Also NO HUM on low-gain

    humming on ZERO volume
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2016
  17. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

    Pyrate
    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2016
    Likes Received:
    12,568
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Upgrade to the Modi multibit!
     
  18. SadLikeVivi

    SadLikeVivi New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2016
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    3
    :C not sure i want to take a risk on a unproven dac
     
  19. Lingering Sentiment

    Lingering Sentiment Acquaintance

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2015
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Texas
    I had the exact same problem. Went from the Vali to the Valhalla 2, only to hear some loud buzzing. I had a ground loop issue. I have a TV with basic cable on the same desk with my headphone system.The quick fix for me was simply unplugging the cable service wire for my TV. The permanent one was installing a $20 ground loop isolator.
     
  20. SadLikeVivi

    SadLikeVivi New

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2016
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Like this one?

    https://www.amazon.com/PAC-SNI-1-3-5-3-5-mm-Isolator/dp/B001EAQTRI

    How do you install it?

    Sorry... I'm just freaking out right now....

    Though it sounds amazing.. at least i can't hear the humming when i overpower it with my music
     

Share This Page