New Schiit Vali 2 Discussion Thread

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

  1. Mdkaler

    Mdkaler Friend

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    @LSW Perhaps try connect the Vali 2 to the Jotunheim? Results can vary greatly depending on tube and source, and phase/polarity.

    If the mp3 conversion is done well, you would be chasing shadows and it's normal you can tell very little difference.

    What do they et you demo at SourceAV? I am interested as well!
     
  2. LSW

    LSW Facebook Friend

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    The SourceAV is basically a headphone wonderland. I didn't try their amps when I was there as I was shopping for a headphone, but I saw a lot of big Woo tube amps and they probably have a dozen other models. They have basically the entire Audeze, Focal, Mr Speakers, and Sennheiser (from hd600 and up) lines of headphones. You can audition them with your source/amp or theirs. They have also have a bit of ZMF, and the top end HiFiMan and Sony stuff.
     
  3. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    I'll contradict this. I think the HE-500 sounds great out of tube hybrids.

    The Vali 2 isn't the optimal pairing...the 500 could use a little more juice. But, it still sounds fantastic, and I don't think you can beat it for the price.

    I've never really loved the 500s from solid state. They were a little fatiguing to me using the Jot, and previously, the Asgard.

    It DOES have to be high gain, though. Low gain won't get it done.
     
  4. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Thank you so much. :) Great to know that it could work. I might contact Schiit customer support if it is easy fix on channel imbalance on high gain. I do not think that i can claim warranty since I am not the first owner... If it is hard to fix, then I might look for getting another one or buy alternative tube hybrid. Given the price, I doubt that there is another tube hybrid amp that can outperform Vali2
     
  5. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    I doubt the problem is with your ears. I have always been a fan of imaging on speakers and phones and I always notice small changes in soundstage. I am also listening critically mostly to MQA releases on Tidal. Have fun in Torrance!
     
  6. LSW

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    Yeah, I only swing by LA a few times a year but luckily my company puts us up in Torrance nearby. I could probably spend 8 hours per day in their headphone room. It's worth the trip for anyone who happens to be in LA.
     
  7. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    There are tube hybrids that will outperform the Vali2, as you say, just not many at or near the price. I thought the Vali2 did reasonably well with my he500s, certainly as well as or better than any solid state options at the price other than the Garage 1217 Project Polaris, which had issues of its own but lack of power wasn't one of them. The good thing about a low sensitivity 'phone like the he500 is that you should be using enough of the pot to minimize channel imbalance. IIRC, 1-3 o'clock on the pot on high gain on the Vali2 (depending on the loudness and/or dynamic compression of the recording and voltage output of your dac/source) was pretty loud through the he500s. If you are still having channel imbalance issues above about 10-11 o'clock on the pot, there is a problem with either the amp or the tube imo. And no, no warranty if you aren't the original owner. Sometimes volume pot problems are easy to fix, i.e. canned air to the contacts of the pot. Good luck.
     
  8. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    HE-500/Vali 2 on high gain, I never go past 12 o'clock. Just throwing that out there.

    I might be a quiet listener, though. I've never compared it to the norm.
     
  9. Decomo

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    Great. Thank you for the feedback. I spoke to local dealer where it was originally purchased from (not by me but my friend) and will take it to them to have a look at this weekend. Hopefully it is not expensive to fix.

    Thank you for the info.... I am also listen at reasonably low to medium level so no need to go higher than 1 o'clock position. Just hope that it provide enough current to the driver to open up the sound. :)
     
  10. lm4der

    lm4der A very good sport - Friend

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    Just a quick addition to the impressions, I continue to be impressed by the Vali 2. I'm running a modest tube roll, an EH 6922, which seems to perform very well. I believe that this is a new manufacture Russian tube, for which I paid $26 from Tube Depot. Remarkable little amp.
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2017
  11. mrflibble

    mrflibble Friend

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    I was under the impression that Schiit honoured the warranty even if one is not the original owner - assuming, of course, one has the original invoice and the unit is still within the warranty period. I'm pretty sure I read it on this forum somewhere. It would be worth contacting Schiit about the problem, nothing to lose.
     
  12. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Thank you very much. I actually have original invoice from the seller and Yes, it is still under warranty period. I will check it with shop that was purchased by previous owner. Fingers Crossed. :)
     
  13. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Jason has stated that customers can get "support" for their used units from Schiit (e.g. contact them with questions) but that warranty work is not covered. Their warranties are for the original owner only and are not transferrable.
     
  14. mrflibble

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    I stand corrected :) I'm pretty sure Schiit in the UK honour the warranty though.
     
  15. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Testing the Brainwavz HM5 with the Vali 2 on low gain.

    It is impressive how much livelier the HM5 sounds with Vali 2. Everything has more impact.
     
  16. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    Just out of curiosity.... If you have Vali 2 and only can have HD6xx or HE500 to pair with, which one would you pick?
     
  17. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Couldn't. That's why I have both. :p

    If I HAD to keep only one, it'd be the 650 simply because it plays nice with the Vali 2 at work and the Valhalla at home. The versatility is nice.
     
  18. Ice-man

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    Looking a vali 2 vs MCTH comparison.
     
  19. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Looking for a comparison? I talked about it when I reviewer the MCTH.
     
  20. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Marv also discussed it on his audiophool blog...
     

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