[Live]

Any thoughts on Amperex ECC88? This lady local to me is selling a bunch of Vacuum tubes and noticed these would be compatible with the Valhalla 2. Are they any good for soundstage over stock?
 
Here's a small list of items she is selling:
 
EL86
ECC88 Amperex
EC86 - 4 Gold Tip Bugle Boy
EM84
EF184
EF93
ECF200
EAA917
6360
HBC9
DTBA
 
any other of these tubes compatible?
 
Also, any recommendations for the output tubes? Again, I want to improve my sound stage. I would appreciate a cost conscious recommendation, as I am new to this and just want to try out cheaper options as I mainly want to widen that soundstage for gaming, lol.

 

[bigro]

  Any thoughts on Amperex ECC88? This lady local to me is selling a bunch of Vacuum tubes and noticed these would be compatible with the Valhalla 2. Are they any good for soundstage over stock?
 
Here's a small list of items she is selling:
 
EL86
ECC88 Amperex
EC86 - 4 Gold Tip Bugle Boy
EM84
EF184
EF93
ECF200
EAA917
6360
HBC9
DTBA
 
any other of these tubes compatible?
 
Also, any recommendations for the output tubes? Again, I want to improve my sound stage. I would appreciate a cost conscious recommendation, as I am new to this and just want to try out cheaper options as I mainly want to widen that soundstage for gaming, lol.

Are They matched sets? If not do you have a way to get them tested?

 

[DeadHead57]

I posted this in another thread with no response, any thoughts?
Currently I am running a Audio Engine D1 dac into a Headroom micro amp to power my HD600's. I have been happy with the results thus far but the micro amp is known to have a narrow sound stage. I should be receiving my Valhalla in a couple of days and am extremely excited knowing this will be a huge upgrade. My question is going forward would the biggest sound enhancements come from trying new tubes or should I first look at changing Dacs? If I go the Dac route how big a difference is there between the Modi 2 and the Bifrost?

 

[sheldaze]

I posted this in another thread with no response, any thoughts?
Currently I am running a Audio Engine D1 dac into a Headroom micro amp to power my HD600's. I have been happy with the results thus far but the micro amp is known to have a narrow sound stage. I should be receiving my Valhalla in a couple of days and am extremely excited knowing this will be a huge upgrade. My question is going forward would the biggest sound enhancements come from trying new tubes or should I first look at changing Dacs? If I go the Dac route how big a difference is there between the Modi 2 and the Bifrost?

+1
 
I too am curious how much of a change could be made simply by upgrading tubes. Specifically I own the Valhalla 2, and like the sound. But I will be attending a meet where people will be bringing tube amplifiers costing upwards of $1100 (that's the low end - we had someone bring a Liquid Crimson costing closer to $3K).
 
While tubes seem expensive, such as a set of Russian tubes for $320, they are still at the noise level in cost is compared to the amplifiers I would be auditioning. And at meet conditions, I could only hear so much. So I am more interested in what people here believe. It is worth it to pay as much for the tubes as was paid for the amplifier, for Valhalla 2? This would still cost less than the next upgrade of tube amplifier. But would the quality of the sound be close?
 
Diminishing returns - yada yada yada. No, I want to know could a $680 Vallhalla 2 with the best tubes be confused with a DNA Sonnet 2 or a Decware CSP3? Or are these simply better tube amplifiers?

 

[Mr Rick]

  +1
 
I too am curious how much of a change could be made simply by upgrading tubes. Specifically I own the Valhalla 2, and like the sound. But I will be attending a meet where people will be bringing tube amplifiers costing upwards of $1100 (that's the low end - we had someone bring a Liquid Crimson costing closer to $3K).
 
While tubes seem expensive, such as a set of Russian tubes for $320, they are still at the noise level in cost is compared to the amplifiers I would be auditioning. And at meet conditions, I could only hear so much. So I am more interested in what people here believe. It is worth it to pay as much for the tubes as was paid for the amplifier, for Valhalla 2? This would still cost less than the next upgrade of tube amplifier. But would the quality of the sound be close?
 
Diminishing returns - yada yada yada. No, I want to know could a $680 Vallhalla 2 with the best tubes be confused with a DNA Sonnet 2 or a Decware CSP3? Or are these simply better tube amplifiers?

This is the Valhalla tube rolling thread. You should expect to hear the virtues of that pursuit here.
 
However, only your ears can tell you if tube rolling is the correct path for you. I suggest that you discuss tube rolling with others at the upcoming meet and have someone demonstrate the differences heard with different tubes.  Only then can you make a truly informed decision.
 
In my case, I like the sound of my Valhall 2 with the tubes Schiit provides. I bought a second set of stock tubes from them as spares. I spend my time listening to music, not tubes.

 

[DeadHead57]

So in response to my question I would get more benefits from upgrading my DAC than putting money into higher grade tubes?

 

[Mr Rick]

So in response to my question I would get more benefits from upgrading my DAC than putting money into higher grade tubes?

 
To get the most improvement I buy another set of headphones.

 

[DeadHead57]

I was led to believe that the Sennheiser HD600 was a well respected set of phones in these forums. Obviously I know there are much better out there. In any event I plan on keeping these for awhile. So would you think the D1 is a weak Link or the stock tubes in the Valhalla2?

 

[Mr Rick]

I was led to believe that the Sennheiser HD600 was a well respected set of phones in these forums. Obviously I know there are much better out there. In any event I plan on keeping these for awhile. So would you think the D1 is a weak Link or the stock tubes in the Valhalla2?

 
 IMHO: Don't change anything until you have put several hundred hours on your new Valhalla.

 

[DeadHead57]

Thanks, is that how long it takes for the tubes to be fully burned in and sound their best?

 

[Byronb]

Thanks, is that how long it takes for the tubes to be fully burned in and sound their best?

No but that is how long it will take for you to "learn" what, if any, changes you want to make to the signature.

 

[MadDane]

No but that is how long it will take for you to "learn" what, if any, changes you want to make to the signature.

Agreed! I spent several weeks with my Valhalla before rolling the tubes. Settled on a pair of mid 1970's. Love the sound!!

 

[bigro]

So in response to my question I would get more benefits from upgrading my DAC than putting money into higher grade tubes?

 
I went from a Modi 2 Uber to a Bifrost Multibit and there was a very noticeable improvement in sound stage, layering and Details. Disclaimer I use these primarily with Speakers. Apparently there is a much more dramatic difference with speakers as opposed to some headphones.
 
As others said get some time on the Valhalla Stock tubes. Then Go from There. I my self Settled on a Early Seventies Vokshod Rocket 6N1P- EV Gold Grid. I swapped out the outputs tubes but as others have said there was no discernible difference. Stick with the rolling the Input tubes. I have a Vali 2 and on the recommendations of others I swapped out the stock for an electro harmonix 6922 EH and I really like it. I may get a pair to test in the Valhalla 2. If I don't like it well then I have Backup tubed for the Vali

 

[DeadHead57]

Thanks,
I plan on taking my time before taking the next step. I am very much enjoying the Valhalla 2 so far. Just wondering how much better it can actually get!

 

[RoninChaos]

Are any of you using socket savers to lift up your tubes? Are you using just one or stacking two? I want to dissipate the heat a bit more from the tubes, and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what they did.

Thanks!