[tomb]

  I'll throw my $.02 in here. I just got a pair of 712 Pros and paired them with the Schiit Vali I happened to be using with my HD598s.  I just ran two hours from my "Amp./ Headphone Test Tracks" playlist through them and they seemed to excel at everything from Yo Yo Ma to Judas Priest. And the little Vali never even broke a sweat.  For $120.00 I think it is a hidden gem.

What, no ringing?

 

[Mr Rick]

 
What, no ringing?

None whatsoever. Never has had any. That problem is a thing of the past.

 

[tomb]

 

 
What, no ringing?

None whatsoever. Never has had any. That problem is a thing of the past.

Not unless they changed tubes, and then it wouldn't be the Vali:
 
Schiit Quote:

On Tubes
Just getting into tubes? Be aware of microphonics. Many small tubes, including the ones in Vali, are microphonic. When you plug in headphones, you'll hear a little "tiiinnnnggg...." noise that takes quite a while to go away. If you rap the chassis, it will do the same thing. 

 
 

 

[Mr Rick]

 
Not unless they changed tubes, and then it wouldn't be the Vali:
 
 
 

All I'm saying is that I have a six week old Vali an it has no microphonics. None whatsoever. Not all Vali's can be painted withe same brush.

 

[tomb]

 

 
Not unless they changed tubes, and then it wouldn't be the Vali:
 
 
 

All I'm saying is that I have a six week old Vali an it has no microphonics. None whatsoever. Not all Vali's can be painted withe same brush.

I agree that you were lucky.

 

[Sad Panda]

Hmm well I'm not sure if I'm interested in the Vali if the magni is so much cheaper. I'll just browse for $100 amps I suppose. Can't seem to find a good one that is also portable though :/

 

[billybob_jcv]

I think I would buy the iBasso DZero Mk 2 for $120.

 

[Sad Panda]

I think I would buy the iBasso DZero Mk 2 for $120.

I took a look, and I like it! Seems to be a nifty all in one. Does it go on sale often? I notice it as a vote option on massdrop but it seems unpopular there.
 
Also know if I can still have 3d surround with an external dac or will I just be using the amp in that case?

 

[PurpleAngel]

 
I took a look, and I like it! Seems to be a nifty all in one. Does it go on sale often? I notice it as a vote option on massdrop but it seems unpopular there.
 
Also know if I can still have 3d surround with an external dac or will I just be using the amp in that case?

 
USB audio (USB DACs and USB/DAC/amps) bypass the sound card features.
But a S/PDIF (optical or coaxial) DAC will work with the sound card features.

 

[Sad Panda]

Well after some browsing the for sale section, I decided to go get a used Asgard (much more than I anticipated on spending but based on the reviews I think it has good value). I reevaluated my need for a portable amp given that I find myself using earbuds on my phone more due to the sound leakage from the the 7xx. I also did some reading on dacs and it seems that an external dac doesn't do too much more than what my card already does.