New Schiit Vali 2 Discussion Thread

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

  1. jackasstimO

    jackasstimO New

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    Allright thanks already for the fast responses!

    @Senorx12562 so if i want that perfect match the Vali 1 got with the AKGs i should maybe look into buying them used? I only read good things about this particular combo and thought it would apply to the vali 2 as well.

    Also what you mean by darker tonality? Is the whole sound output just a tad deeper? But it seems like something i would want, as i always had the feeling my AKGs were a bit to high sounding (could be due to my bad soundcard^^)

    @winders Also thanks for the answer, but i guess if I´ll buy the vali 2 i guess im gonna stick to tubes without adapter at first, and then later on maybe look into alternatives with adapters :)
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    ^ That works and is what I use - slightly warm - but those tubes are getting $$$. Amperex 6DJ8 / 6922 A frame for bassier and warmer sound. Actually those are getting expensive too.
     
  3. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Actually just saw a Vali for sale used on hf. Was in EU too iirc. €70 maybe ?
     
  4. winders

    winders boomer

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    Yeah, all the good tubes are getting too expensive especially when you are putting them in a $150 headphone amp. At least it only takes one! The 6922 tube I like best costs more than the amp!
     
  5. jackasstimO

    jackasstimO New

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    @Senorx12562 wow thanks for the hint just wrote the guy.

    So would you all recommend to buy the vali 1 for the Q701 or try the vali 2 with the WE396A/WE2C5 tube (sounds like they get the closest to what i want)?

    Also i stumbled across the IFI Micro Ican SE? and the Little Dot I+ are they also a good match? Someone in another forum said the bass-boost from the Ican on the lowest setting would give the AKGs a just right push in the low frequencies and the Little Dot would also be great because of multiple tubes :)

    Sorry for alle the questions, but i dont want to order something i don´t like as I´m on a budget.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2018
  6. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    Though I have owned both valis, I have never heard the 701. In general I usually don't try to use amps and dacs to try to tune headphones whose tonal character I don't like. I know they are what you have and you may not be in a position to change, but I can't give much assistance matching to that 'phone. I had the ican previous to the SE version, and I thought it was kind of warm sounding, but haven't heard the SE.
     
  7. luckybaer

    luckybaer Friend

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    I'll be honest. Vali 2 is about 85% of my Taurus MkII at 1/8th the price (include upgraded tube for Vali 2).

    Vali 2 falls short on bass extension, decay, and noise floor (maybe expected because... tube?), but it never makes me say, "Yeesh... this thing sucks compared to the Taurus!" In fact, unless I'm really paying attention, I don't even notice much at all. Both amps aren't fatiguing - I can listen for hours if life didn't intrude. I would say that Taurus is much better at bringing out detail - bass extension is much better, separation of instruments all along the FR is a little better, and micro- and macro dynamics are done better. That being said, Vali 2 is one heck of a value (and Taurus has got to be one of the better SS amps out there, IMO).

    Vali 2 is one of the first things I ever purchased from Schiit - 1 year ago as of 1/15/18. It served Schiit's purpose, as it, along with Modi MB and Eitr, performed flawlessly and gave me great sound and functionality (and fun) at a relatively low price. The positive experience with Schiit's entry-level products made me very comfortable in purchasing Gungnir Multi-Bit (April 2018) and Freya (January 2019).

    I'm glad I haven't sold any of my entry-level Schiit gear. Even though Modi MB, Eitr, Loki, and Magni 3 are packed up (waiting for me to sell them), I'm sure I'll find a purpose for them in the future. In fact, I am contemplating taking Loki out and working him into the system. No sense tone control be sitting in a box, right?
     
  8. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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    Agreed.

    I sold my work setup recently, which is where my Vali 2 resided. The Vali 2 remained, however, and is currently being stashed in my TT setup to give me a decent headphone out option. And, if I should ever build a modest work setup again, it'll be ready and waiting.

    It'll be dire times before I sell that thing.
     
  9. donunus

    donunus Friend

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    Vali2 with my reflektor tube is such a great cheap amp for the 6xx. I'll never part with it til its death.
     
  10. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    Vali 2 v1.1 seems to be a thing.

    IMG_0077.jpg

    Power section has been reconfigured, compared to v1.0.

    [​IMG]

    It makes for an awesome pairing with Modi 3 and HD600. I’m not sure if it’s the DAC or the amp, but HD600 seems to be digging surprisingly deep into the low end.
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2019
  11. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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    is there a way to tell if it is upgraded one or old one by looking from outside without opening the chassis? I want to get one used from 2nd hand market if possible since I do not use headphone rig often so save a few dollars if I can. For Mani, the chassis has changed to shiny aluminium finish so it is easy but not sure about Vali 2.
     
  12. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    Serial numbers might be able to help.

    Actually if you remove the tube you might just be able to read the silkscreen and see if it's 1.1 or 1.0.

    ⬇️
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2019
  13. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    IMG_0078.jpg
     
  14. Decomo

    Decomo Almost "Made"

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  15. Scott Kramer

    Scott Kramer Friend

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    Now that's a healthy upgrade. Wonder if there were a few too many singed Vali's from people running ridiculous tubes!
     
  16. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    After a year in use the Amperex ECC88 I was using in my Vali 2 lost the right channel so I had to get my Magni 3 off the shelf. Even after being on for a few days the Magni 3 reminded me why I did not like it: limited depth to the soundstage. For a change I decided to try a 1960's NOS Brimar Ediswan ECC88 from Tubemonger and I quite like it. I have a nice airy soundstage again with good width and depth. Very nice tube for $40.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2019
  17. Metal_Lover

    Metal_Lover New

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    G'Day Folks,
    Long time lurker ..... First time poster.
    Recently acquired a Vali 2 (1.1 as luck would have it). My stock tube was not to bad, but I lucked across, on good old eBay, a couple of National brand 6922's that were made in Italy. Couldn't find much info on them, but tube options in Australia are pretty limited, so why not give them a go. The Italian NOS tube has provided improvements across the board in sound quality. So now to headphones. I am currently using a set of Audio Technica ATH-A990Z, but the 44ohm impedance doesn't really allow me to get the best out of the Vali without getting to ear bleed levels.
    Looking for suggestions/experience on headphones for a metal music fan! Some metal recordings can be a bit poor in quality, over mastered and/or EQ'ed. I need to stick to closed back and I would like to find something pretty high impedance. Of what I can find Beyer's DT770/1770 seem to be very popular.

    I will add that it is very very hard to demo stuff here. There is not a huge audio market in Australia, with nowhere within 300km to test anything and then only a small selection.

    Thoughts/experience on things people have tried greatly appreciated.
     
  18. hutt132

    hutt132 New

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    If I wanted to use my Vali 2 as a pre-amp for my Jotunheim, would I just turn the Vali's volume knob all the way up?
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I can go for that, the Beyer DT770/1770, especially for poor quality metal recordings. If you are near Sydney, there is https://www.minidisc.com.au where you can try all sorts of stuff out.
     
  20. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Turn up Jot's volume all the way. Use Vali as volume control. Not sure if this is a good idea though. Might get the worst traits of both amps.
     
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2019

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