Way overdue review. I've had a lot of tube amps. Love 'em. Constantly trying to find gear combos that just make me happy to listen to my music.
The Vali is one of those pieces of kit that I roll into my listening. It has not always blown me away when critically listening to it. But it is a no-brainer to keep one on my desk.
Listening to some Muddy Waters right now. Geek Out 1000 > Vali > Semi-modded HD800. Sounds sublime...
I also have a Wyrd, Magni, Magni 2, Magni 2 Uber, and Modi 2 Uber sitting in my desk stack right now.
Two of the three Magnis are mine. I'll probably pick just one Magni to keep on the desk with the Wyrd and Vali for a very sweet little modular system with rollable components.
These are so reasonably priced that you can keep more than one amp around (Vali on top of Magni) for listening depending upon the recording, mood, phones, upstream gear.
I'm lucky in having different phones and DACs so I can tweak the tonal balance that way. The Vali changes the FR less than you might expect when you hear that it is a tube amp. It's a hybrid tube/solid state design and not supposed to be really "syrupy" or colored. I do happen to find it a bit mid-centric (not as extended at the ends), but it shouldn't immediately sound colored when you try it...don't expect a "darker" sound from it. It is not like Magni is the HD600 and Vali is the HD650. Think smaller differences.
Expectations: The Vali does not let you roll tubes and it not so colored as to be the thing to "tune" your system with. So expectations that you may have about "tubey" sound or coloration may disappoint. Or any expectations that you may have upon first listen based upon our reviews (waiting for a big "wow" or something). Rather, this little amp just works really well and surpasses expectations by being neutral enough, resolving enough, different enough to keep around and enjoy. It is standing the test of time as I try to reduce gear and make some choices. If your preference is absolutely clean/fast sound, this amp is just...slightly...creamier. Different rendering of space- headstage size, separation between the two amps. The touch of "wetness" or "creaminess" manifests in decay, attack, transient response to my ears. Again, not glaring and super obvious but over time these things are revealed. Some recordings and gear combos show it more than others...
Like today- the Vali is accentuating the plate reverb of the vocals in comparison to the Magni 2 Uber . Not as black a background with as much dynamism/attack as the Magni 2 Uber. But it sounds really good and I could listen for hours (I will). The Magni 2 Uber does other things well and is a great amp too. This will be a question of taste. The Vali is just that bit smoother and warmer but both are an amazing deal and have their strengths. I won't list a bunch of recordings and how each sounds different on Vali vs. Magni 2 Uber to me, I am just presenting this example because it grabs me as a good one to explain the small differences that can add up to a different experience with both amps. Which one will be better at which moment? Just switch the RCA cables over to find out...
The Vali is one of those pieces of kit that I roll into my listening. It has not always blown me away when critically listening to it. But it is a no-brainer to keep one on my desk.
Listening to some Muddy Waters right now. Geek Out 1000 > Vali > Semi-modded HD800. Sounds sublime...
I also have a Wyrd, Magni, Magni 2, Magni 2 Uber, and Modi 2 Uber sitting in my desk stack right now.
Two of the three Magnis are mine. I'll probably pick just one Magni to keep on the desk with the Wyrd and Vali for a very sweet little modular system with rollable components.
These are so reasonably priced that you can keep more than one amp around (Vali on top of Magni) for listening depending upon the recording, mood, phones, upstream gear.
I'm lucky in having different phones and DACs so I can tweak the tonal balance that way. The Vali changes the FR less than you might expect when you hear that it is a tube amp. It's a hybrid tube/solid state design and not supposed to be really "syrupy" or colored. I do happen to find it a bit mid-centric (not as extended at the ends), but it shouldn't immediately sound colored when you try it...don't expect a "darker" sound from it. It is not like Magni is the HD600 and Vali is the HD650. Think smaller differences.
Expectations: The Vali does not let you roll tubes and it not so colored as to be the thing to "tune" your system with. So expectations that you may have about "tubey" sound or coloration may disappoint. Or any expectations that you may have upon first listen based upon our reviews (waiting for a big "wow" or something). Rather, this little amp just works really well and surpasses expectations by being neutral enough, resolving enough, different enough to keep around and enjoy. It is standing the test of time as I try to reduce gear and make some choices. If your preference is absolutely clean/fast sound, this amp is just...slightly...creamier. Different rendering of space- headstage size, separation between the two amps. The touch of "wetness" or "creaminess" manifests in decay, attack, transient response to my ears. Again, not glaring and super obvious but over time these things are revealed. Some recordings and gear combos show it more than others...
Like today- the Vali is accentuating the plate reverb of the vocals in comparison to the Magni 2 Uber . Not as black a background with as much dynamism/attack as the Magni 2 Uber. But it sounds really good and I could listen for hours (I will). The Magni 2 Uber does other things well and is a great amp too. This will be a question of taste. The Vali is just that bit smoother and warmer but both are an amazing deal and have their strengths. I won't list a bunch of recordings and how each sounds different on Vali vs. Magni 2 Uber to me, I am just presenting this example because it grabs me as a good one to explain the small differences that can add up to a different experience with both amps. Which one will be better at which moment? Just switch the RCA cables over to find out...
Very good review, and you just planted the seeds of temptation....