[adydula]

OK, Adydula...you were right! I took that little Vali 2 to my downstairs system, compared it head to head with the little all tubed EarMax OTL amp that I have been using for 25 years. While the Vali 2 was not quite as tubey as the EarMax, with the GE 5670/adapter it is close enough that I have retired my EarMax for the time being. I am really liking this little Vali 2, and can hardly wait to hear what it'll do with a 6SN7 tube, once I can get the adapter. And that, with the volume pot barely cracked, because it doesn't sound near as good in low gain mode...no doubt the negative feedback. Headphones are HD 650's.

I have HD650's as well and they work very well with the Vali 2+....enjoy!!

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

Gold Lion 6922.

Bit agressive and edgy sounding tube though, could ruin the 650s legendary smoothness.

 

[Ichos]

Bit agressive and edgy sounding tube though, could ruin the 650s legendary smoothness.

I wouldn't call it agressive but rather transparent and with solid state qualities.
Still not as warm as other variants.
It needs at least 200 hours to mellow and not sound edgy.

 

[Echoic]

Loving my Vali 2+ so far. Anyone have recommendations on a tube with a more laid back sound?

 

[exchez]

Loving my Vali 2+ so far. Anyone have recommendations on a tube with a more laid back sound?

 

[exchez]

I have a 1969 USA Amperex 6922 that's pretty relaxed sounding compared to other 6DJ8 variants. I think any 60's era USA Amperex would be comparable.

 

[Echoic]

I have a 1969 USA Amperex 6922 that's pretty relaxed sounding compared to other 6DJ8 variants. I think any 60's era USA Amperex would be comparable.

Oh wow, didn't expect a recommendation like that. But that sounds really nice. I'll definitely check this out. Thank you

 

[adydula]

Just bought a quad of 6BZ7's for a grand total of $15.
Yup $15. 15/4= $3.75 each.
New, NIB...

Popped one in and feeding it with an MHDT Orchid NOS dac w/tube buffer to the Vali 2+ into my D8000 Pros, high gain...and its
a solid 9+ here...

Just goes to show u dont have to take out a loan for good tubes that perform very, very well....

Ah!
Life is good!

:>)

 

[Willy 2 Streams]

Howsa bout the no label JJ 6922s? I got three of em right before the Russian embargo hit, about $22.00 ea from Tube Depot. They're smoother sounding than the GE 5670's I was using by quite a bit. Like 'em a LOT! That said, just ordered a NOS Sylvania 6CG7, the closest thing to a 6SN7, only you don't need an adapter. Tube rolling...wheeee! Quite the rabbit hole.

 

[timb5881]

What is the lowest impedance headphones that can be used safely on the Vali 2? I have an ancient pair of Koss ESP6 electrostatic headphones with a 1/4” jack. The best I can find is that the impedance vari s between 4 and 8 ohms. These have transformers in the ear cups and originally had a transfer box to allow you to hook them up to a speaker amp. I have tried them on the Vali 2. And I get great volume at 3/4 volume , about 8-9 o’clock position.

 

[Willy 2 Streams]

What is the lowest impedance headphones that can be used safely on the Vali 2? I have an ancient pair of Koss ESP6 electrostatic headphones with a 1/4” jack. The best I can find is that the impedance vari s between 4 and 8 ohms. These have transformers in the ear cups and originally had a transfer box to allow you to hook them up to a speaker amp. I have tried them on the Vali 2. And I get great volume at 3/4 volume , about 8-9 o’clock position.

Don't think you'll get any more power much less than 50 ohms. But if the amp isn't overheating or blowing up, I guess you're good. The output devices are SS.

 

[Willy 2 Streams]

Rolled in that 6CG7 (actually an RCA). I was actually mildly startled at the difference from the JJ 6922. Everything sounded much more relaxed, and pulled apart...by which I mean the soundstage was much wider. The players don't sound like they're sitting in each others lap now, though I wasn't aware of that impression with the JJ 6922's, except in retrospect. Wondering how much of this is because of the higher plate voltage, or is it the greater physical separation of the elements in this tube? Interesting stuff!

 

[Echoic]

Got my new tube today - a JJE88C and this thing is so laid back. I feel like I’m actually getting the real tube experience now. Only thing I dislike about it is how dim it is. I miss the bright glow of the stock tube.

 

[Willy 2 Streams]

Pretty interesting, how you've got that Loki equalized. Guess you rilly like a lotta BASS!

 

[XERO1]

Update!

A new Vali 2++ (yes, that's what it's actually called) is coming really soon!

Just a quick update or two, as I get ready to head back to Corpus Christi:

2. You'll soon be able to buy the dumbest-named product from us, ever. As in, Vali 2++. Yes, Vali 2 Plus Plus. Yes, I know it's stupid. We were gonna go to just Vali Plus, but the chassis still have Vali 2 screened on the front and back. So Vali 2++. Why are we stupid like this? Because we need to switch tube types. It looks like we've literally used up every 6BZ7 on the planet. So, while Vali 2 and Vali 2+ used 6BZ7 (or 6922/ECC88/6DJ8, etc), Vali 2++ uses 6N3P (or 5670/2C51/396A). These tubes have a different pinout, but they're otherwise quite comparable to the 6BZ7 family. If you already have a Vali 2+, there's no need to sidegrade, unless you have a bunch of 5670/2C51/6N3P tubes, or if you want to go full boat crazy and get a WE 396A, which costs more than Vali 2++. Vali 2++ stays at $149. Expect to see it in a week or two.

The original post is here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...bable-start-up.701900/page-6552#post-17110926