Update: So, I've had Vali 2 for a couple of days now, and I'm very satisfied with it. I haven't had much time to spend on it yet, but I'd say the sound going through Vali 2 is somewhat fuller and better overall. The volume does get loud enough (if needed with the high gain mode). I'm still not...

I will!

Thanks for your help. I ordered Vali 2.

I'm looking further into Vali 2. It seems like people changing the tube after purchasing the amp is not uncommon. Does the tube make a big difference, and should I be looking into also buying and trying out different tubes if I buy Vali 2? (I understand it's part of the fun with tube amps)

Thanks for sharing your experience. Vali 2 was another amp I was actually thinking about today. It seems like tube amps are perhaps a better choice for my AKG; another amp I have seen recommended in this forum for AKG is ef2a which is also a tube amp.

Yeah, if I get the Magni, I'll buy it initially without also an external DAC to see how it sounds.

I recently bought a pair of AKG k612 headphones. I'm thinking of buying an amplifier since sometimes the max volume on my laptop isn't quite enough. I found a few threads on this issue already but they were a few years old and some of the amp recommendations aren't available for purchase...