[HWB3]

I agree with Plautus's recommendation. Get the Vali2++. As you begin to upgrade your dac, you can upgrade the tube to keep pace. I'm recently amazed at the quality of sound from this little/cheap amp with a high quality tube (more than the amp). Together they make a great combo. You have a lot of flexibility that you don't necessarily get with other options in this price range.

Just my thoughts. Good luck!

Leo

I have the Vali 2++ and the Modi Multibit2 running that into my SR225X's sounds very good to me.

 

[shlabotnik]

I have a Schiit Magni 3+ and can also recommend the Topping L30 II for use with Grados on low gain.

I’m going to withdraw that comment. After weeks of using the Topping I plugged my Grados into the Schiit earlier today. It is a much better pairing: warmer; punchier bass; less shout and glare. More musical.

 

[shlabotnik]

Now that I’m enjoying my Grados with the Schiit Magni 3+ again I am considering returning the Topping (you have to love the 365-day returns at headphones.com) and upgrading (upGradoing?) to the Vali2++. Recent comments are just too inviting.

Edit: The Topping and the Vali2++ are the same price so it should be an easy swap.

I’m done with Chi-fi. My Hifiman cans were ultimately a disappointment and I never use them, and the Topping L30 II wore out its welcome rather quickly. I do still love my Moondrop Kato, however (with Comply tips).

 

[jonathan c]

Now that I’m enjoying my Grados with the Schiit Magni 3+ again I am considering returning the Topping (you have to love the 365-day returns at headphones.com) and upgrading (upGradoing?) to the Vali2++. Recent comments are just too inviting.

Do it!

 

[shlabotnik]

Do it!

Peer pressure!

 

[DropTekRoon]

No wonder why all my money has been disappearing. It all makes sense now

 

[jonathan c]

Peer Ear pressure!

…those things on each side of your head can be most persuasive……

 

[521282]

Now that I’m enjoying my Grados with the Schiit Magni 3+ again I am considering returning the Topping (you have to love the 365-day returns at headphones.com) and upgrading (upGradoing?) to the Vali2++. Recent comments are just too inviting.

Edit: The Topping and the Vali2++ are the same price so it should be an easy swap.

I’m done with Chi-fi. My Hifiman cams were ultimately a disappointment and I never use them, and the Topping L30 II wore out its welcome rather quickly. I do still love my Moondrop Kato, however (with Comply tips).

Similar experience with the e30ii and also a fiio k7 recently. In the end I opted for a dacmagic200 and found myself saying the same thing about chi-fi. Qc issues galore plus by the time the item has arrived, they have normally released another 5 alternatives... dx170 excluded from rant

 

[TheRealDz]

Now that I’m enjoying my Grados with the Schiit Magni 3+ again I am considering returning the Topping (you have to love the 365-day returns at headphones.com) and upgrading (upGradoing?) to the Vali2++. Recent comments are just too inviting.

Edit: The Topping and the Vali2++ are the same price so it should be an easy swap.

I’m done with Chi-fi. My Hifiman cams were ultimately a disappointment and I never use them, and the Topping L30 II wore out its welcome rather quickly. I do still love my Moondrop Kato, however (with Comply tips).

Don't write off all Chi-Fi. Some such brands steer more towards the objectivist side of sound, and cater to those who appreciate good measuring equipment. Others are more focused on sound quality.

For example, I have Singxer and Gustard equipment that amaze me with how good they sound at reasonable prices. Furthermore, I have semi-generic "Designed by Lee" DACs that absolutely boggle my mind with their sound quality at practically give-away prices.

And yet I had a popular, expensive Topping amp that I couldn't possibly sell fast enough.

That all said, you can't go wrong with Schiit...

 

[shlabotnik]

Similar experience with the e30ii and also a fiio k7 recently. In the end I opted for a dacmagic200 and found myself saying the same thing about chi-fi. Qc issues galore plus by the time the item has arrived, they have normally released another 5 alternatives... dx170 excluded from rant

I have a Dacmagic 100 that has served me well in the past. I have a Bluesound Node (which is Roon Ready) so I’m not looking for a DAC.

 

[YUHaveNoNames]

Don't write off all Chi-Fi. Some such brands steer more towards the objectivist side of sound, and cater to those who appreciate good measuring equipment. Others are more focused on sound quality.

For example, I have Singxer and Gustard equipment that amaze me with how good they sound at reasonable prices. Furthermore, I have semi-generic "Designed by Lee" DACs that absolutely boggle my mind with their sound quality at practically give-away prices.

And yet I had a popular, expensive Topping amp that I couldn't possibly sell fast enough.

That all said, you can't go wrong with Schiit...

I'd take issue with 'others focus on good sound quality'.

It's more a case of they focus on lesser sound quality with higher distortion and roll off filters. Absolutely a warmer sound that people enjoy, but certainly not 'better sound quality' than a clean DAC which are a solved problem.

Same as tubes, some people think they sound better, which is fine. But they are scientifically inferior to solid state in their reproduction of sound.

 

[shlabotnik]

I'd take issue with 'others focus on good sound quality'.

It's more a case of they focus on lesser sound quality with higher distortion and roll off filters. Absolutely a warmer sound that people enjoy, but certainly not 'better sound quality' than a clean DAC which are a solved problem.

Same as tubes, some people think they sound better, which is fine. But they are scientifically inferior to solid state in their reproduction of sound.

I picked up the Topping L30 II because Audio Science Review was so impressed by its measurements and engineering. While that may well be true, it translated into a cold harsh sound.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/topping-l30-ii-review-headphone-amp.36027/

 

[YUHaveNoNames]

I picked up the Topping L30 II because Audio Science Review was so impressed by its measurements and engineering. While that may well be true, it translated into a cold harsh sound.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/topping-l30-ii-review-headphone-amp.36027/

Absolutely it will translate to a cold and harsh sound if you have a preference for warm, consumer tunings. The point is, this isn't putting anything into the music to make it cold and harsh as the measurements state.

Like listening to an hd800, which a lot of people hated for the longest time because they were used to lots of low end distortion and a roll off in the treble. Doesn't mean the hd800 is focused on sound quality less than say a hd650 which is a more popular tuning.

I just thinks it's disingenuous to suggest it's a difference of sound quality, when that which we often link to quality (low distortion, no roll offs etc) is much better on the device you simply don't prefer.

 

[Plautus001]

I picked up the Topping L30 II because Audio Science Review was so impressed by its measurements and engineering. While that may well be true, it translated into a cold harsh sound.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...ds/topping-l30-ii-review-headphone-amp.36027/

Not to mention ASR does not listen to equipment, they measure it.

ASR is a disservice to people looking for guidance and suggestions.

 

[glpsace]

I don´t have experience with dedicated DAC´s. I was honestly, without experience, being sucked in the equipment hype train and, at this point I say luckily, I've found a section of this forum that has a very different philosophy about the equipment real influence, especially DACs and cables, and excluding HP/Speaker which are the pieces of equipment you should really concentrate your money, it doesn't make a difference on how much you will spend for a DAC. You all probably know what I'm talking about, better that I do.

I really don't know which "theory" is correct and honestly I don't care. The result is that it "stopped" my enthusiasm and I'm thinking a little more before purchases. What I have already bought is bought but since I was still looking for a DAC, I just purchased the "minimum" for my needs (in this case a SMSL DO100 which is the least expensive with all the connections I need) and from now on will purchase a DAC at the time (with return possibilities) and compare so that I will make my own conclusions which in the end is all that matters. And no measurement tests and so on. Just straight listening experience. If I cannot perceive the differences just by earing than it doesn't matters what graphics and people say.