Valhalla 2 with HD650 -> where to from here

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

  1. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    I mentioned those tubes to Hands not because they would significantly improve resolution or openness of the Valhalla 2, but rather because they are warmer sounding. I know Hands, he prefers a slightly warmer sound with more gentle treble. The 7308 types are bassier, which might give the impression of more heft or impact.
     
  2. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    LOL. You just want me to ship you the ZDS. I may just do so. Mine was the prototype Super. Let make sure it's totally up to production spec before I ship it out.
     
  3. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    Ahaha, it would be pretty expensive to ship the ZDS to NY from Cali with 1 day shipping. I'd love to showcase the ZDS at the meet if you are okay with it.
     
  4. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    When is the meet? I'll get it sent out to you if we have enough time.
     
  5. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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  6. Shaffer

    Shaffer Acquaintance

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    I like the idea of auditioning gear in such a manner. Few have the opportunity to have the components in their own systems. This being said, I'm not sending my Elise anywhere. lol

    While we're no the subject, I joined Changstar a time back hoping to escape the banality of the big HP site, introduced myself in the analog thread - as it's my main interest - and was told that the pic I posted has been around for years. Interesting, as I shot it a few weeks earlier. Then a mod flamed me and I never came back. What for? At least the kids on the other forum were funny.

    [rant] In my (audio) world, folks look down on headphones. Most have dedicated room system, as do I, and simply choose to ignore this slice of life. Clearly, that's not how I feel. This is, partially, why it's so frustrating to see many folks new to audio who are interested and enthusiastic being lead to substandard products, like the O2 or the Modi. Or, the absolutely absurd practice of classifying gear based on its price and not its sound. I realize this forum is hoping to serve as an alternative to a similar line of mass intellectual capitulation and that's why I'm here. [/rant]

    I'll bite. Why aren't you?
     
  7. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Damn it. I don't read Head-Fi so I am not aware of these things. I'd like to ship it to you anyways. Keep it for a few weeks. Maybe you can send to back via Jeremy and blow his mind because I just gave him the z28 modded HD800s (which sounded damn good from the ZDS).

    Or you can decide to buy it at the price I bought it from Ric for plus cost of parts for upgrade (which is minimal).
     
  8. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    O2 and Modi kind of suck (they suck in different way, Modi is lean and grainy, O2 is flabby and nasty) but they are cheap and way better sounding than any Auzentech or <insert computer audio card> line output. The Modi 2 with the dedicated wall transformer is better sounding. Modi 1 was great for non-critical applications. When the motherboard audio output on family friend's HP computer died, my Modi came to the rescue. They are very pleased with its sound quality.
     
  9. Shaffer

    Shaffer Acquaintance

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    I'm Upstate. If you're ever in the area, please shoot me a PM. This amplifier isn't going anywhere without me. :)
     
  10. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    You said you've owned the Valhalla 2, right? Is that not a common point of reference? And it sounds like you've heard the Crack+SB then, yes? I've heard a couple high end or TOTL tube amps at meets and such (Teton, modded Super 7 namely). So where does the Elise stand relative to those?

    How does it compare in tone to those amps? You've heard them all apparently, so you should know. Is it a warmer, thicker sort of sound like Crack (somewhat Super 7 too) or a more neutral tone like the Valhalla 2 or Teton?

    Is it a liquid sounding tube amp or does it trend more towards a drier sound like the Valhalla 2?

    Is the stage wide and airy or more compact and in your face (former being Valhalla 2 or Teton, latter being Crack)?

    Does it slam harder and have more macro dynamics than the Valhalla 2? Harder than Crack+SB?

    Or are you just going to go back to assuming I won't understand with your tropics analogy? This is comparing amps, not climates. I've not heard every amp but certainly enough to understand relative comparisons. Are you sure you understand what I'm asking?
     
  11. fierce_freak

    fierce_freak Friend

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    Curious, how far upstate? Probably too far for me, but I'm intrigued.
     
  12. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    How far upstate are we talking? You could pm me if you'd like. NYC is about as south as NY gets. I dont really see myself going upstate for anything so me traveling would be the express purpose of going to a mini meet if you have one.
     
  13. thegunner100

    thegunner100 Hentai Master Chief

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    At the very least, my friend will have the EC 2A3 mk IV at the meet if the ZDS doesn't come on time.

    The modi, while being mediocre in the grand scheme of things, is still a great introduction to beginners. It's certainly better than onboard audio and probably better than all the sound cards out there anyways. It gets the job done and serves as a gateway to better dacs out there.
     
  14. BioniclePhile

    BioniclePhile The Terminal Man - Friend

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    Seconded. I'd love to go for a tube amp in a year or two, and it'd be cool to have a nice description of these.
     
  15. PerfectAnalog

    PerfectAnalog Acquaintance

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    I'm going to give the Elise a try. Should have some feedback in January.
     
  16. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    FYI, I believe the Glenn Studio OTL starting point is only $650. And everything else is upgrades. Upgrades that can happen when you order, and some can be done by sending you amp back to Glenn...
     
  17. Olor1n

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    I have '65 Heerlen factory Amperex Bugle Boys in my Valhalla 2. The BB's are "wetter" in the upper registers, mitigating that slight dryness inherent in the stock tubes. Acoustic instruments sound more natural. Only downside is a slight blunting of macrodynamic attack, they're not quite as toe-tappingly engaging as the stock tubes, but easier on the ears for extended sessions.

    I have some earlier BB's and Orange labels incoming. Hoping to find a pair that has the clarity and smoothness of my current BB's but with a tad more slam.
     
  18. Thenewerguy009

    Thenewerguy009 Friend

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    I can speak for the Woo Audio WA2 & The BottleHead Crack.

    The WA2 is a definite upgrade.
    Both have really great soundstage & imaging, but the WA2 is superior in both instances.

    WA2 also isn't as slow as the Crack. When I was doing A/B testing with the Crack & a few of my solid state amps, the tempo of the music on the Crack felt like it was playing literally at half the speed. This doesn't feel like that with the WA2.

    Neither has great impact or bass slam though.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Might be a good future comparison. I thought the WA2 had a syrupy sound that buried all the details - the opposite of the Valhalla 2.
     
  20. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Out of personal curiosity, what substances were you under the influence at the time?

    Substance X made my Crack sound slow earlier. Like time slowing down slow.

    Substance Y made it sound normal a couple hours later.

    Sober, I don't know. Rare occasion. I guess the Crack sounded fine then.

    Maybe a slow sounding amp is really a better sounding amp because your brain isn't going, "f**k this horrible sounding ass shit!" and trying to speed up your life to get it over with. And the good, regular sounding amp, your brain slows down time so it can actually enjoy something for once. Or substances. I had a good bit of wine recently. Don't ask me.
     
    Last edited: Dec 3, 2015

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