New Schiit Vali 2 Discussion Thread

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

  1. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    I wasn't so concerned with compatibility as with "flavour". I remember reading somewhere that they had come across a huge stock of particular NOS tube, enough to supply them for Vali 2s forever. Just wanted to know if the the tube I got is the same as people have been receiving with their Valis.
    I guess like this one?

    [​IMG]

    Mine definitely has a different internal construction. So it seems I don't have the same tube. I originally bought it to try with the MCTH, but was advised that it isn't fully compatible. But for someone who wanted a replacement for the original tube that came with their Vali 2, it could be a bit of a disappointment.
     
  2. DigMe

    DigMe Friend

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  3. Skyline

    Skyline Double-blindly done with this hobby

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  4. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    The Vali 2 was my first tube (hybrid) amp which I used with my HD800S while Justin was building my Kenzie. Now it is used with the 28" Samsung TV I have in one position of my Ergotron three monitor stand. TV optical out > Bifrost Multibit > Vali 2.

    You don't expect high end sound from a 28 inch TV but I have always found the rig very enjoyable to listen to for Netflix, CNN and concert videos. I finally got around to replacing the stock tube with an Amperex Holland 6DJ8/ECC88 "o" getter and sure wish I had earlier the improvement in SQ is more than worth a $35 tube.

    From a TV no less I am getting a sound stage, bass is clearer, I hear details I did not before and a sweet high end. Really a good step up from the stock tube. I'm sure the Amperex @Skyline recommended is very fine also.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2018
  5. thelonius_munk

    thelonius_munk New

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    That's a nice tube at a pretty good price. A couple of points worth noting: I don't think the tube in the photo is the tube being described. I'm pretty sure the photo shows a late 60s "A Getter" tube while the text indicates he's selling a "circle getter" tube. In practice there isn't much difference. Some people even prefer the A-Getter tubes. However, I would somewhat question how careful this seller is given the (possible) discrepancy.

    Be that as it may 1) ecc88/6dj8 NOS Amperex are not hard to find on ebay as singles, which of course is what you need for the Vali 2 and 2) I'd prefer a reseller who gives specifics about how his tubes have tested and has a selection priced accordingly.

    blueglow_electronics seems particularly transparent in this regard and he has a very good selection of tested NOS matched Amperex Holland Bugle Boys and Orange Globes with full details, ranging from near NOS, closely matched at $23 to "perfect" NOS, perfectly matched at $30. He has some pretty good and informative videos on YouTube as well.

    I bought a "perfect" Orange Globe from him recently for $25 and I prefer it to the more expensive, rarer Brimar/Ediswan cv5358 ecc88 I bought from Kevin Deal some time ago. Recommended.
     
  6. thelonius_munk

    thelonius_munk New

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    Kevin's very big on the PCC88 and even did a YouTube video promoting it. I think he got a lot of them for a good price :) This is a tube I would like to try although I think it probably resembles the Amperex Orange Globe I'm using now more than not. The Philips version of this tube, made in the Amperex Holland factory, seems to be more widely available than the Japanese National branded tube Upscale is selling for $35 (if tested for balance). There is a regular and "mini-watt" version of the Philips tube. The mini-watt is more expensive and I'm not sure what more it offers. Anyway for around $30 I'd rather stick with NOS Bugle Boys.

    But I did find this one reseller on ebay who has OEM boxed "tested" Philips PC88s for only $15 shipped from Utah. They even pay for returns. Kind of a strange seller; they sell clothing and sporting goods too. But they seem to know what they have: "The Philips PCC88 tubes were made at the Herleen factory in Holland in the 1970's...Many audiophiles report excellent performance in 6DJ8 and 6922 tube circuits with no modifications required." No details on the test results but I don't think you can go wrong for $15 from a US reseller.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Philips-PC...s-6DJ8-6922-E88CC-Preamps-TESTED/173441390757
     
  7. huynhhungvnr

    huynhhungvnr New

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    How can i press the knob back to volume pot? It seems like the knob is just glued to the pot.[​IMG]
     
  8. winders

    winders boomer

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    I would loosen the set screw a little bit, slide the knob in place, and tighten the set screw. I suppose you could put a dab of super glue inside the knob opposite the set screw beforehand.
     
  9. huynhhungvnr

    huynhhungvnr New

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    Oh, now that I look at it, the hole in the knob is actually a hexagon screw? Sorry, i saw the old glue in the knob and thought Schiit just glue it in with no holding mechanic.
     
  10. Ice-man

    Ice-man Friend

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    Gotta say NO to the superglue. Too many potentials for clusterfuck issues. Just use locktight on the set screw and you're done.
     
  11. huynhhungvnr

    huynhhungvnr New

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    So yesterday my HD58X arrived, finally got something to plug into the Vali 2, and then I found out my Vali 2 got some hum. 50-60Hz hum, usually kick in when I turn on the amp, slowly fade away a few minutes later (or maybe it just decreases to a level that I can't hear, and then might randomly appear again. The hum is reduced when using low gain, but still noticeable. Does this mean I'm having a ground loop, or am I having a bad tube (using stock tube btw)?
     
  12. Dzerh

    Dzerh Friend

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    Check it with another tube.
    EDIT: to elaborate a little, I have a tube that behave in similar way in Vali2
     
  13. Kattefjaes

    Kattefjaes Mostly Harmless

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    I had all sorts of hum and microphonics with the stock tube. This doesn't mean you don't have ground loops- test by unplugging everything except headphones and power. If it's not ground loop, try a different tube.
     
  14. Slashn77

    Slashn77 New

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    I got a Vali 2 to hook up to my Modi Multibit about a month ago and this is the first time I have ever had an amp with a tube which is why I wanted to start with a cheap amp like the Vali 2.

    I like the Vali 2 overall for the price but I don’t know how much room for improvement there is with a different tube.
    Mainly using my audeze lcd 2 classics

    Some tunes are crazy expensive like half the price of the amp and so many options so I am wondering if someone can chime in with what tube they like with the lcd 2 classics
     
  15. Dzerh

    Dzerh Friend

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    From what I remember EH 6922 is usually recommended for Vali2 and it is not expensive.
    tube rolling is, "usually", not about improvements but about trade-offs. So you can change sound to be more satisfying to your at this moment.
     
  16. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I like the semi-vintage Sovtek 6922s for LCD2C. More aggressive and evident in the upper mids. Counteracts the laid back tendencies of the LCD2C without being bright in the mid-treble. Reasonably priced too.
     
  17. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    Do not spend half the price of the amp or more on a tube for the Vali 2.
     
  18. jackasstimO

    jackasstimO New

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    Hello dear Superbestaudiofriends,

    2 years ago i bought myself a pair of used AKG Q701 and Soundblaster Z soundcard, over the last months i found out that the soundcard was limiting my headphones and so i started searching for a good DAC/AMP combo with a good bang for the buck.
    Right now i narrowed it down to a Modi paired with a Vali 2. My question now is:

    I have been reading a lot about how my headphones sound with the Vali 1 and the Vali 2. It seems like the Vali 1 would be the better match, as it warms up the headhphones quiet a bit more than the Vali 2 does.
    So i thought about tube rolling the Vali 2.
    I also put a bit of time into searching through some tubes and ended up with those 2:

    PCC88 / 7DJ8 NOS
    EH 6CG7

    Does anyone know if this fits my expectations? I am mainly listening to Electronic Musik (Techno, Drum´n´Bass, etc) but also enjoy myself some Indie or Alternative.
    I want my AKGs to sound alive and enhance their bass a bit, as they seem a bit to neutral for me, when driven with my old soundcard.

    Would gladly appreciate any tips or answers and hope i can finally by my first real set up. :)

    Thanks already and hope my english is sufficient as I´m from Germany!


    With kind regards,

    Timo :)
     
  19. Senorx12562

    Senorx12562 Case of the mondays

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    I don't think any tube is going to make the Vali2 sound like the Vali. I really liked the 6cg7 tube with it, at least as compared to the stock tube, but I wouldn't say it makes it warm, though I found it a bit less strident than the stock one. I am not sure any tube will make the Vali2 what I would call "warm," though it still may improve your perception of the AKG vs. your current setup. I actually thought the Magni3 was warmer than the Vali2 with any tube with which I heard it. You might consider the Modi multibit instead of a regular Modi (haven't heard the latest one), for a little darker tonality regardless of the amp you decide on. Hardly comparable in price though..
     
  20. winders

    winders boomer

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    My newer Vali 2 sounds very good with a WE396A/WE2C51 tube. I like the 396A/2C51/5670/6CC42/6N3P tube family better than 6922 family in the Vali 2. You need an adapter but the WE396A sure sounds nice.
     

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