Very nicely written. Which tube do you recommend for the best tubish color output from vali2?
I am currently using Lion Gold E88CC, to me it improved the lower range as well as the overall dynamics.

Sorry for chiming in, the Gold Lions are the most "solid state" tubes you can use for your Vali.
If you like more tubey flavor on a budget then you should try Sovtek 6922.

@Ichos : Thank you for the heads-up, I am totally new to tube rolling. Other than budget ones which tubes I should look for?

You are welcome, I don't have experience with NOS tubes because they cost a lot.
I use only current production tubes.
With the Vali is worth experimenting with the Sovtek, EH 6922 gold pins and the EH 6CG7.

Very nicely done. This has now gotten me interested in tube-rolling

Its a great little amp and many tubes to play with...enjoy!

My non-+ Vali 2 sounds best with a ge 5670w tube. Needs an adapter, but the tube itself is still pretty cheap.

Sometimes amplifiers like this that are well thought out and designed well with good quality components perform as well or better than amplifiers costing a lot more.
Entry level is often associated with price. In this case this low cost amp might be all that is needed for a headphone addict. Having a simple path from input to output may be a better one....This Vali 2+ is one of those IMO.

This little Vali 2 + with a Soekris 2541 Dac and ADX 5000's is one of those "magical" pairings...and I have been doing this for a long, long time!!

:>)
Alex

I love my Vali 2+ with e88cc gold lion tube. Compared with stock tube, the e88cc tube is definitely more tubey and not grainy like the stock GE tube. The tubeyness comes close to an OTL amp like Darkvoice or Eufonika H5. I use Vali 2+ during summer. The chassis is only slightly warm which is really awesome.

I just went thru 10 6BZ7 tubes, 5 Sylvania and 5 RCA. 8 out of the 10 new NOS tubes were excellent here. 2 were slightly microphonic. My original tube from Schiit was unmarked as the manufacturer but has the 6BZ7 markings...its excellent sonically but very microphonic...any tapping on its table or keyboard you can hear this...Schiit sent me a replacement, a Channel Master label and its solid and decent as well. Mine gets pretty warm but I play it for hours on end during the week.

I find myself totally amazed at how well it works with high impedance cans like mu ADX 5000's. Really close to what the $1k- $5K setups can produce in a quality listening experience IMO.

Hope the new Vali 2 ++ is as good with the newer tubes!

Alex

Their website shows a Vai 2++ what's the difference compared to the Vali 2+

The new model is not compatible with 6922 tubes.
It can accept 6N3P, 5670, 2C51, 6ECC42,WE396A