I used it when I had a Vali 2. It's not bad. I liked the Gold Lion 6922 better but it makes the sound a little V shaped.

That's the sound I prefer, the EH sounded harsh to me. But that's why there's tube rolling! Right now I'm listening to a bright sounding tube the RCA 12au7a clear top.

Balanced yes, but still not a great tube. Of the 2 6922s I have I prefer the Gold Lion.

Post Deleted

I briefly tried the Vali as a preamp a while ago but was not impressed. Less bass that way. I will give it another try.

I've been using the EH 6cg7 lately because I've been listening so much, I hate to burn up the Tung-Sol 6sn7s or Brimar 6bq7s. If the EH goes oh well, just buy another.

Went back to my old standby the Tung-Sol 6sn7gt mouse ears. Forgot how good it sounds in the Vali 2. Also had to switch from Qobuz to Amazon. The Qobuz app when trying to listen to a hi-res 192k 12 minute long track insists on first downloading the entire track instead of buffering. This...

So will I.

Added a Basic install if the Full version is more than you need.

Please see the first post for version 2 of the install instructions. They've been simplified (I hope) to make it easier. Comments are welcome as are suggestions for improvements. New version 2.1 includes a limiter upgrade.

How do you like the sound?

There is no real go to for the 6sn7. It depends on how much you want to spend A good starting point is a JJ 6sn7 new production tube. $15.95 plus shipping from tubedepot.com Or a Tung-Sol 6sn7gt mouse ears vintage, $25-45 on ebay. Been happy with both IMO.

Congrats on your first post. Welcome to tube rolling. You're off to a good start. I never liked the 6922 EH myself. Wait till you start rolling the 6sn7 and varients there of.

Wait till you try the other tubes.

The equalizer I'd recommend would be the Equalizer APO. But you'd have to upgrade the dac first because the APO installs into the dac's device. I'm using a system similar to what you're proposing. If you want a recommendation for the dac I'd have to say the ifi zen hands down. I use the ifi nano...

There are many free equalizers available. I just need a little more information. I couldn't find anything listed as an es100, did you mean the Astell and Kearn se100? Also what do you use as a source? A windows machine has the widest choice of equalizers and I don't have much experience with...

But the Vali 2 doesn't have enough filament current.

A better amp. Haven't decided on which one yet. Kinda depends on the wife factor.

I've got my sites set on something better. Saving my pennies.:ksc75smile:

Swapped out the hardware equalizers I've been using since the summer for software ones installed into Equalizer APO. What a difference. Open, airy, amazing detail. I can hear strings being plucked on a bass like I've never heard before. A voice sounds like it's singing in my ear just for me...

My current bedroom station. Side of armoire: Top:

Brimar 6bq7+Qobuz+back issues of Stereophile record reviews=heavily used Vali 2.

There are now two versions of the Equalizer APO install. A Basic and a Full version. The Basic installs just the Equalizer APO and Peace configuration utility. This is suitable for those who only need a simple equalizer. The Full installs the complete system. See the Full version introduction...

Sure, ifi IDSD nano black label with a jitterbug and isilencer on the usb input.

For me, the HE4XX + Equalizer APO software + Brimar 6bq7 + Vali 2 = endgame at least for this level.