Schiit Vali 2+ Review and Measurements

I'll say this as much as I love Vali 1 and I still have one, I don't feel it handle's Low Z Planars... or really any planar's all that well. I liked OG Vali 2 for it's better power on those cans sounds like the Vali 2+ is what I always wanted from OG Vali 2, happy it's finally here.

 

I would be curious to know how it sounds compared to the Magni 3+ (with stock tube)? There's a lot of folks who seeing the Shiit store and the pricing, will debate whether or not to buy the Vali over the Magni.

 

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.o...ompendium-guide-to-schiit-amps-headamps.3058/
+
https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/magni-3-released.5093/page-3#post-163160

Plus you can extrapolate info on Vali 2 vs Vali 2+ in this thread, plus the one comparing the Vali 2 to the Massdrop/Cavalli Tube Hybrid and the Garage1217 Project Horizon linked above. Not very straightforward, granted, but given how much of all this is kinda preferences at the end of the day that could be to its benefit.

 

Thanks!

I purchased a Modi and the Vali2+ to try out.

It’s probably the Aeons, but this is my last ditched effort. I need a warm gooey amplifier for the Aeons I think. Even with the Mojo of find them grating sometimes, and experience fatigue. The Lyr is probably the right choice but I just can’t afford the Lyr atm. I heard the Aeons on a AudioValve Solaris and that totally wowed me.

I always thought I’d prefer neutral getting into this hobby but I think I’m finally willing and able to admit warm, rolled off, rich midrange and clear vocals are my priorities.

I had a hearing test and apparently I have some hearing gaps in lower frequencies, so maybe it is due to this. I’m a bass head cause I don’t hear bass normally?

I do love the HD600s so much, maybe I can let these Aeons out to pasture. Haha, I just spent so much $$$ that I can’t let em go!

HD600 & Vali2+ should be a great pairing either way.

 

Thanks for the responses about how this compares to the Lyr 3. I actually ordered a Lyr to go with my RME ADI 2 DAC a day before the Vali 2+ was announced. The glowing reception the vali 2+ has gotten here combined with the measurements had me concerned that I wasted a bunch of money.

 

USPS will hopefully be delivering my Vali 2+ today. . . it will be my 1st tube headphone amp so I am pretty excited. Fired up the old modi multi this morning to get ready to feed it.

I'll be able to compare to my Magni 3/Modi 3 stack right next to it. These hybrids are pretty clean, to look at the measurements, and I know the stories of Magni blinds at the Schiiter - I'm trying to adjust my expectations for something relatively subtle.

 

We all don't need to know you purchased something.

Once you guys have time to sit down and listen, then comment with your thoughts. This helps keep the noise down.
Thank you.

 

Is this as forgiving of can like the dt 880 and hd 800 as the regular old vali 2?

 

Maybe could address this to some degree with a darker/softer tube? I have an RCA 6CG7 that I’ve tried in my Vali 2 that would fit that profile...

 

That's kind of a shame. That was one of its stronger attributes for me. The easy treble was the only thing that made DT990's listenable for me. Combined with the 4490 M2U I can honestly say that everything smoothed over nicely, and the M2U had some steady energy higher past those peaks that kept it from getting too dull. That combo had a way of bringing the mids up in the presentation in a way that just felt right... makes you go "Huh. Okay." instead of "Ow, please!" when you put those headphones on. Pull a little tension out of those nasty peaks while still sounding downright clean and timely.

I guess it's all gonna depend on use-case. Different amp, different synergy. I suppose they wouldn't wait all of this time just to drop too subtle a rehash of a cult favorite.

Come to think of it, I had some success doing similar things with my Vali 2 back in the day. And that amp wasn't as sensitive to tubes as I imagine this one would be. But in some ways they were able to at least tip the scale.

Though you always start butting up against that tube-amp value ratio immediately. By the time you start acquiring tubes for a $150 amp, it's not much further before you're pricing your way into a different amp that may even be better suited out of the box. I love that it's there even only as a curiosity, though. There are a bunch of accessible tubes that some may even have on hand to try already. And you only need one to rock out. I can't think of too, too many amps like that in the same space.

 

Purr1n you seem hesitant to make this a definitive upgrade to the original Vali 2? Interestingly enough, I find my original Vali 2 quite neutral and not dark (its more that is has tube bass bloom and treble sparkle making it sound really pleasing, but still qute neutral) Perhaps there's some variance in the stock tubes. Original Vali 2 is my favorite amp that I have. I have a Magni 3+ as well and I find it a just slightly strident on high gain.

I am concerned that the Vali 2+ (high gain) might be in the same direction based on your comments comments as the Magni 3+. Can you comment on how strident the Vali 2+ it is in comparison to the Magni 3+ ?

I'm actually considering a Darvoice 336se OTL instead. Valhalla 2 is also on the list, but the Darkvoice seems like it might be a more colorful, darker, and impactful sounding amplifier, which is what I want (though Id prefer to buy Schiit). I have a lot of dynamic headphones id like to get synergy with (like Dt1990 Pro). I also think it might get me more tonal color and something that is different than what I already own. This seem like the right move?

 

With the Magni 3+ high gain, I get a very similar sensation to what I would get when there is too much energy around 5 or 6 Khz. Its not really an etch/glare you can directly hear per say. I don't want to exaggerate it. There's some edginess I cant really explain and I'm sure it doesn't show up in the measurements. I think you have all talked about it in the 3+ posts on this forum. Generally, I actually like a brighter sound.

The edge does ease a little bit when I go fro my Modi 3 to a warmer DAC and also goes away on low gain.

Perhaps the old trial and error is the best way to find out.

I like your comments about synergy! I have found that true as well. Often matters more than power even.

Do you find the Valhalla 2 to to be a pretty engaging sound with higher impedance dynamic cans? - forgive me if this is the wrong post to ask this.

 

Very interesting! What would you recommend I try tube wise for my Vali2 to change its character? Thanks in advance. Rich

 

I like my Vali 2 plus Modi 3 combo very much.
I would go so far as to say that with an EH 6922 Gold-Pin and my LCD2.2 pre fazor it has some of the best synergies I heard so far, surprisingly good, especially for the price.

And since I sold my little Schiit-Stack to a friend I am wondering how well the Vali 2+ pairs with a Modi 3?
Or would you suggest the Modius at double the price and even tho it has gimped RCA outs
compared to its XLR?

 

Short first impressions of the Vali 2+ vs the Magni 3+ on the HD650, Focal Clear, HD58x, out of the Modi 3.
I didn't have the Vali 2, and this is my first headphone tube amp (outside of guitar/power amps). Got this because wanted to test if this adds a different presentation for the HD650 and Clear.

• I don't notice any warm/tube sound on the Vali 2+. Overall pretty neutral sounding.
  • Still takes the edge and bite off transients, most noticeable on the Clear
  • Helps with the graininess of the 58x
• Vocals and instruments have better layering between them, sound
• But treble percussion is noticeably forward/closer on the Vali 2+, especially noticeable on shakers, cymbals and hi hats. Fine on the HD650, annoying on the Clear.
• I expected texture to be worse on the Vali 2+, but surprisingly it's not noticeably worse (at least vs Magni 3+)
• Less extension in sub-bass on the Vali 2+
• Totally subjective emotional involvement factor (does it give me goosebumps reliably, on songs I've heard hundreds of times)
  • Great with the HD650 (though the Magni 3+ does too) and HD58x
  • Doesn't work that well with the Clears - lukewarm - not warm enough, forward sounding percussion, while losing its bite

Most likely won't keep it and will try for a warmer stack to supplement the Modi/Magni, like the Modius (if/when Multibit), Valhalla 2/Asgard 3.

Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40896bW7voRVHu5MF3BB6O?si=WKZyR4akS2qDGF13kjsXLw

 

Would the Vali2+ with a brighter sounding tube be aggressive enough for music that benefits from a rawer borderline harsh sound? Thinking intense metal, synth, piano pieces. I found the Heresy/Atom too clean & tight/punchy for deliberately low-fi music. I currently have an Asgard 3 so I was thinking it'd make a good complement for when I don't want the music as forgiving.

 

With a genalex gold lion 6922 I would say yes.
But mind you that is not the most dynamic amp