Schiit Valhalla 2

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

  1. sah

    sah Acquaintance

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    I recently got a Valhalla 2 for use with my HD600s, thanks to some apparently excellent SBAF advice, and I've really been enjoying the way it sounds. Now I'm contemplating my next upgrade.

    The previous owner of the V2 sold it to me with Lorenz PCC88 input tubes that have a 7V heater, but which seem to work fine (and the folks at Schiit say they're fine to use). I was thinking about getting a stock set of tubes anyway, just to compare the sound.

    Or, for a significantly higher price, I could replace the Modi 2U I've been using with a Bifrost 4490 or maybe Multibit if I can find a deal on a used one.

    Any opinions on which direction is likely to provide the most bang per buck? I'd also generally be interested to hear what people are using with Valhalla 2s.
     
  2. Artasia

    Artasia Friend

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    There have been hints Schiit will release a new DAC below $500 that will offer you a noticeable and affordable upgrade from the M2U sometime soonish. Be patient. As far as amps go, what sound signature are you looking for?
     
  3. Pyruvate

    Pyruvate Friend

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    What hints? I know Mike is working on something never done before on the digital side of things.
     
  4. Maven86

    Maven86 Almost "Made"

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    I was pretty much in the same spot as you a couple months back but with the HD650's. I eventually choose to upgrade to the Bifrost 4490 but also had a chance to borrow a friend's Bifrost multibit and compare the two. I came to the conclusion that it's about preference. With the V2 running both stock and Sieman ECC85 tubes, I felt that the multibit was a tad too warm and preferred the airier, more lively sound of the 4490. To my ears, the MB did edge it out in terms of staging and instrument separation (deeper stage, better layering ect.) but not enough to warrant a $200 upgrade IMO. Despite upgrading a couple weeks later, I definitely think that in terms of price to performance, the 4490 is the clear winner and would definitely recommend it. With that said, the MB seems to be preferred by a few members here so they might be able to give you a different perspective.
     
  5. sah

    sah Acquaintance

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    I'm not sure I know how to describe a sound signature well! I've listened to a fair amount of pro audio gear, and I think my preferences tend toward that "audio magnifying glass" sound: wide but precise positioning, clear instrument separation, lots of detail. I enjoy bright treble a lot more than emphasized bass, though bass extension is nice as long as it doesn't muddy up the mids.
     
  6. zonto

    zonto Friend

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    Sounds like you should just buy an HD800 instead of dinking around with tubes or a new DAC.
     
  7. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Supposedly a new Modi is in the works. A prototype made it to one of the SoCal meets, but there hasn't been any word on whether it will actually come to market. Some time next year, a new Multibit board might come out for the Bifrost. Those are the only two DAC rumors I have seen.
     
  8. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    I wonder what it will be called, because Jason has stated that nothing should be coming this year with a "3" behind it.
     
  9. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Rumors of a change to the 4490 chip. But I also saw Jason say that, which is why I think it might have been tabled.
     
  10. SpaceLaser

    SpaceLaser Friend

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    That would kind of cannibalize the vanilla Bifrost, no?
     
  11. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    I wouldn't think so. Just like the Modi2U didn't cannibalize the BifrostU. Different power and output circuits. I think the input board is different as well. All would contribute to performance differences. Add in the BifrostU upgradeability and you have two pretty distinct products.
     
  12. sah

    sah Acquaintance

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    Interesting to hear that the HD800 might be up my alley.

    I'm tempted to keep experimenting with headphones, but I was really surprised at what a big upgrade the Valhalla 2 was over my O2 (to my ears) — and it was a lot cheaper than any upgrade headphone would have been. So now I'm thinking it may be worth pausing to try some amp and DAC configs before I move up from my HD600.

    When I do, though, it might be to the Ether C. I got a chance to hear them (and the Ether) recently and was fairly blown away. But they're not cheap, and incremental upgrades are maybe more fun than one big purchase.
     
  13. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    A mini 4490 DAC would be pretty awesome.
     
  14. HTFW

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    I ended up in the world of tube amps because I knew I wanted a pair of HD600's. After research I picked the Valhalla 2. World of difference with the V2 vs my old Fiio E17, which admittedly can't power the HD600's well. Today I just rolled my first tubes; a matched pair of 1970 Amperex 6DJ8/ECC88 A-frame orange globes. Wow, what a different sound. This tube rolling thing is going to get addictive.... So far I like them better than stock because beyond about 11 o'clock on the volume knob the upper midrange/lower treble just sounded shrill with the stock tubes, and fatigued my ears quickly. The Amperex tubes also seem to have more bass too.

    One thing I noticed with the Amperex tubes is I have to increase the volume to about 2 o'clock to get the same perceived loudness as the stock tubes. Is it normal to have different volume settings with different tubes? Also note I inserted some socket savers at the same time.
     
  15. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Has anyone played around with 5670 tubes using an adapter like Jason suggested in his HF chapter on modding? I love the Amperex 7308s I got with my amp, but know they won't last forever and am curious about the alternatives (that won't cost me $150 for a pair).
     
  16. JK47

    JK47 Guest

    Yes there can be a variance in the gain between tubes of the same type, brand, and year. For that matter, the triodes within the same tube can have a few dB of difference. Most of the tubes I have tested have a 0.5-2dB difference between the triodes within the same tube (6DJ8 family and 12A_7 family), several up to 4-5dB. Also one triode may be perfectly quiet, while the other is noisy (background hiss) and/or microphonic (rings like a bell or reverberates when tapped, generally I don't tap the tube directly. I tap the chassis of the tube tester.)
     
  17. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    I just received a few goodies in the mail that I will compare to the stock tubes in my Valhalla 2. I'm trying the Miniwatts first because I have a feeling I'm going to really enjoy it with my HD 800. :)

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2016
  18. AdvanTech

    AdvanTech Friend

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    Following up on these two sets of tubes, I know I'm not breaking new ground with this comparison but I would use the slightly more engaging Telefunkens for serious listening sessions, but if I'm hungover or tired I think I'd prefer the slightly warmer and creamier Miniwatts. I'm pretty happy with what both bring to the table.
     
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2016
  19. Mystic

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    [​IMG]

    Got my new Valhalla 2 today!
     
  20. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    ^^ that's damn sexy. Are the side & rear metal in black color as well?; or just the folded aluminum piece (that constitutes the bottom/front/top)?
     

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