Schiit Valhalla 2

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

  1. RobS

    RobS RobS? More like RobDiarrhea.

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    You sure that's in high gain? 12-1 oclock is plenty loud for those Senns. I get normal volume until 3 oclock on low gain. On low gain that chassis and volume knob get scorching hot. Something ain't right. It sounds dumb but make sure your power cable is plugged all the way in on the back of the amp. I had similar power problems because the cable was loose from the socket.
     
  2. Gazny

    Gazny MOT: ETA Audio

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    Just got the Valhalla 2 to pair with my senhiser 6xx, I was ready to give up on the cans. Love it the Raytheon 2C51 tubes that came with it. I was really missing out on so much till I got an OTL, It makes sense to me now the love for the little glowing dudes. Got more of the low end that I love. Honestly It may be the first time I was able to hear how deep sounds could be in music.
     
    Last edited: May 11, 2020
  3. will_f

    will_f Friend

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    I never really got why there’s so much love for the 6XX until I tried mine with a tube amp. Mine isn’t an OTL but it still somehow turns a $200 headphone into something magical. Not every headphone wakes up the way 6xxs do, so don’t expect the same improvement with everything.
     
  4. likearake

    likearake Acquaintance

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    Hello most knowledgeable SBAF members

    I am revisiting a problem I have with my Valhalla 2 that hum.

    I have taken it to the Australian distributor, who said it is fine since their demo hums even louder (?).

    The hum is there at all volumes and with no inputs connected or with inputs connected. It is not particularly loud but enough to bug the hell out of me over time.

    I checked with my multi-meter and it seems that the top and bottom metal plates are not grounded (like the ASR Jot thread...).

    Could this be the cause of the hum?
     
  5. SSL

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    What headphone? High or low gain? Do you have a habit of listening to silence?
     
  6. likearake

    likearake Acquaintance

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    It's annoying on hd650 on high gain and grado on low gain. Ok with hd650 on low gain but then the amp doesn't sound that great anyway.

    Don't often listen to silence but can be heard during quiet music sections.
     
  7. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

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    Have you tried different tube set?
    When I used to own Valhalla it was humming only on the transformers and of course not when listening with headphones so this is not normal.
     
  8. likearake

    likearake Acquaintance

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    Yes I have tried different tubes (replaced all four) but the hum remains. The hum sounds like the transformer, only... coming through the headphones.
     
  9. Sonorus

    Sonorus Facebook Friend

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    I you are under warranty then i suggest to send it for inspection.
     
  10. SSL

    SSL Friend

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    Mine has audible hum on high gain. Not sure what schiit considers a normal baseline.
     
  11. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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    Mine is quiet. @likearake , have you tried plugging into different outlets or swapping out the power cable?
     
  12. likearake

    likearake Acquaintance

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    Thanks all. Yes I have swapped everything and tried different houses even. And taken it to the dealer to get them to look at it - without a satisfactory outcome (they listened to it and it was quiter then their demo).

    I suppose my question is, should the case be grounded? And can that cause the problem? Then I will be able to point to a possible issue.
     
  13. SSL

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    I don't know the technical cause of the hum, but that explanation sounds plausible. I don't think it will improve your case with Schiit, since there isn't any reason to believe your unit isn't functioning as designed.

    You might be able to mitigate the issue with an Emotiva CMX-2 and/or Furman PST-8D (power conditioners), but that is just a guess.
     
  14. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    if you have tried different tubes, input, AC mains, physical location, etc. and the hum level does not change with signal attenuation then the problem is likely electromechanical in nature. place your hand firmly on the top of the chassis, does this lessen the hum? it is unlikely that chassis ground is an issue.

    how old is this unit? it is more likely that prolonged heat exposure has caused the power transformer laminations to loosen and vibrate with each other. fixes in this case will be replacing the power transformer, or possibly whacking it on the side with a hammer may temporarily alleviate it.

    a bad filter cap is also a potential but the hum would be louder than just annoying in that case. I would not recommend a power line conditioner, it will choke and paralyze the sound, even if it reduces the noise.
     
  15. SSL

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    There are plenty examples of new Valhalla 2 with hum, even replacement units straight from Schiit. I highly doubt it has anything to do with physical deterioration of the transformer or any other component.

    @likearake If your dealer has a satisfaction guaranteed return policy, and you are within the time limit, I would just return the Valhalla 2 and get a different amp. Even if you can persuade them to swap out your unit, you might end up with another one with the same problem. Up to you if you want to go through the trouble of finding a working replacement.

    Bottom line, though, I don't think there is sufficient evidence of a design defect that will help your case. This is pretty normal/accepted performance at this point.
     
  16. k4rstar

    k4rstar Britney fan club president

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    I don’t agree that a hum loud enough to be annoying and audible during silent passages of music is normal. I owned two of these for a long time and they were more or less silent. The power supply has a CLC filter, there is no excuse for it to be amplifying mains noise
     
  17. SSL

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    More likely you just have a better/cleaner power situation. The hum on my unit is at times almost silent (like right now), at times in the past it has been more of a buzz. Granted, I have an older, second-hand Valhalla. But given reports of this problem with multiple new units, I'm more inclined to think this is just how it behaves.

    Moot point, though, since none of this helps @likearake with their dealer. Best alternative is to contact schiit, since I hear their support is supposed to be good these days.
     
  18. Scott Kramer

    Scott Kramer Friend

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    Last edited: Apr 21, 2021
  19. ColdsnapBry

    ColdsnapBry Almost "Made"

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    I'm just curious, isn't that going to be insanely hot? Considering the Val2 was already hot af with 4 tubes.
     
  20. joseG86

    joseG86 New

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    I have no hum at all with mine using stock tubes or 6CG7 tubes, very engaging with Arya and Clear. Only thing I don't like and I understand is distorsion @ bass/sub bass in high-gain with Arya

    If you have problems with heat just install socket savers, it will reduce how hot it gets by 60% at least
     

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