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Schiit Valhalla 2 Measurements

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifier Measurements' started by purr1n, Sep 16, 2016.

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    The last thing I want is for people to go full-nwavguy on measurements. That would not be good and cause me to immediately stop doing any sort of measurements for amps and DACs. Still does not mean these measurements have no bearing on perceived sound. Remember, not too tight and not too loose with reading these things. (I've been listening for a few hours now and have taken notes. Will get to subjective impressions later.)

    Schiit Valhalla 2 Measurements
    Actually not too shabby. Harmonics are at least 55-60db below fundamental (0.18%) at the specified levels. Very little crap after 3rd order. Some power noise from AC, but this is typical for tube amps. The IMD results are also typical for amps with tubes in them. But, no, we are not seeing "3% tube distortion bullshit" from the tube naysayers "objectivists".

    1kHz @ ~0.550Vrms (using /10 diff. probe) into 330 ohms (high gain)
    v2 1kHz.png

    3kHz @ ~0.550Vrms (using /10 diff. probe) into 330 ohms (high gain)
    v2 3k.png

    50Hz @ ~0.550Vrms (using /10 diff. probe) into 330 ohms (high gain)
    v2 50.png

    50Hz and 7000Hz 2:1 into 330 ohms (high gain)
    v2 50-7.png

    600Hz and 1700Hz 1:1 into 330 ohms (high gain)
    v2 6-17.png
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2016
    purr1n, Sep 16, 2016
    #1
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Telefunken 6DJ8 Vintage driver tubes
    1kHz @ ~0.550Vrms (using /10 diff. probe) into 330 ohms (high gain)
    Less fuzzy crap around 2-3kHz compared to the stock tubes. Subjectively, the Telefunkens are smoother (less sandy) and just slightly better sounding. They are not cheap today.
    v2 1k tele.png


    Telefunken 6DJ8 Vintage driver tubes
    1kHz @ ~0.550Vrms (using /10 diff. probe) into 330 ohms (low gain)
    Ahh, the wonders of more feedback - better measurements. But high gain sounds better than low gain (at least with HD650). Lower gain sounds notably flatter and slightly less expansive and open. So go figure.
    v2 1k tele lg.png

    FYI, I know the Jotunheim is all the rage right now, but the Valhalla 2 also offers exceptional synergy with the HD650; but just a different presentation.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2016
    purr1n, Sep 16, 2016
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  3. OJneg

    OJneg The Most Insufferable

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    wow much plankton
     
    OJneg, Sep 16, 2016
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  4. numbercube

    numbercube Acquaintance

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    Isn't there less feedback in high gain mode?
     
    numbercube, Sep 17, 2016
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  5. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yes. slightly shittier measurements can sound better huh? The Vorlons have known this for some time.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2016
    purr1n, Sep 17, 2016
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  6. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    All that 2nd order distortion must be why this is such a thick, warm, euphonic sounding amp compared to the perfect measurements of the almost sterile, clean, and overly SS sounding Jotun.

    Oh wait...
     
    Hands, Sep 17, 2016
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  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    0.18% THD isn't nearly enough to do that. Maybe 3-5%, as with all other toob amps. Oh wait, I don't I've ever measured a toob amp like that.

    NOTE FOR NEW READERS: We are being facetious - mocking the "nwavguy objectivist movement" view that tube amps have crazy amounts of second order distortion and sound "euphonic". The Valhalla 2 is known for being quite "solid-state" sounding for a tube amp.
     
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2016
    purr1n, Sep 17, 2016
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