[shoegazer72]

I purchased one of these 4 months ago to use with my AKG K240 Studio + ODAC.  Some general thoughts...
 
- Very definitely microphonic.  After plugging in the head phones I hear a "ting" sound that gradually dies out over 15-20 seconds.  Same is true if the amp is moved while on.  This behavior does not constitute a problem for me.
 
- Some have complained about an obtrusively-high noise floor (i.e. background hiss during silent portions of a recording).  I, personally, have not experienced that even when listening to classical pieces.
 
- With the 55 ohm impedance but low-efficiency K240s, I find that the upper end of my volume threshold is reached at around 11 o'clock - 12 o'clock (or perhaps just a bit beyond) on the volume dial on most recordings.
 
- I feel that the K240 amped with the Vali + ODAC is very definitely an improvement vs. the K240 with the humble on-board soundcard of my laptop.  The overall sound is a bit lusher, the bass tightens up a bit and extends a bit better...but there's no extra liveliness in dynamics that I would expect from a valve amp.
 
My general feeling is that this is a satisfactory amp for $119 - but, in retrospect, I suspect that I'd have been a bit happier shelling out an additional $80 for a Little Dot Mk II.

 

[The Lamonster]

Any chance we'll see a Vali 2 anytime soon?  
 
It kinda bugs me that there's no gain switch and Vali doesn't have that nice brushed aluminum that the M2Us have.

 

[notfitforpublic]

I think someone else asked that exact same question not too long ago. I believe the answer was: "You'll be waiting a long long long long time"

 

[ScottFree]

It would be quicker and easier to stick a 2 on the front of the amp. Same method did wonders for my brothers car. He turned a Ford Focus into a Ford Focus RS


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[The Lamonster]

  I think someone else asked that exact same question not too long ago. I believe the answer was: "You'll be waiting a long long long long time"

Who did that answer come from?

 

[RickB]

  Who did that answer come from?

 
Jason Stoddard.

 

[leeperry]

I don't get it, why didn't they add dampers around the tubes

 
http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=4990.0
 

 
 
anyone tried here?

 

[StanD]

  I don't get it, why didn't they add dampers around the tubes

 
http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=4990.0
 

Spoiler: Warning: Spoiler!

 
 
anyone tried here?

The tubes in a Vali are far smaller than these.

 

[leeperry]

I'm sure they are but finding damping rings of the right diameter should be totally doable?
 
Apparently some had partial success with DIY kludges: http://www.head-fi.org/t/685162/new-vali-schiit-amp/3720#post_10444409
 
But not completely: http://www.head-fi.org/t/685162/new-vali-schiit-amp/465#post_9904830
 
Still, a link to buy rings of the right diameter would be really great.......I guess Schiit decided to save a buck as the issue can't be fully resolved apparently.

 

[StanD]

  I'm sure they are but finding damping rings of the right diameter should be totally doable?
 
Apparently some had partial success with DIY kludges: http://www.head-fi.org/t/685162/new-vali-schiit-amp/3720#post_10444409
 
But not completely: http://www.head-fi.org/t/685162/new-vali-schiit-amp/465#post_9904830
 
Still, a link to buy rings of the right diameter would be really great.......I guess Schiit decided to save a buck as the issue can't be fully resolved apparently.

Some people have reported that their newer Valis have little ringing so I would be interested in finding out how Schiit has tamed this beyond bending leads and sticking tubes to the PCB.

 

[jimmers]

  I don't get it, why didn't they add dampers around the tubes

 
anyone tried here?

Oatley Electronics use Raytheon JAN6418 sub-miniature tubes in their headphone/preamp kits and use grommets to damp the tubes. For a more comprehensive anti-ring you could re-engineer to be like these tubes in the Audio-Technica AT3060 - Cardioid Tube Condenser Microphone
 

 

[JamesBr]

  I think someone else asked that exact same question not too long ago. I believe the answer was: "You'll be waiting a long long long long time"

Loll I think thats the answer hehe

 

[Oklahoma]

Some people have reported that their newer Valis have little ringing so I would be interested in finding out how Schiit has tamed this beyond bending leads and sticking tubes to the PCB.

I believe Schiit now has a layer of sorbathane under the tubes that they lay on and this supposedly helped quite a bit with the ringing
I believe Jason said the ringing is a common issue with the small tubes.

 

[Billheiser]

I would think that damping materials on or around the tube could help a bit, but would be limited in effectiveness since the microphonics/ringing is due to the internal parts (cathode, grid, etc) vibrating.

 

[StanD]

I would think that damping materials on or around the tube could help a bit, but would be limited in effectiveness since the microphonics/ringing is due to the internal parts (cathode, grid, etc) vibrating.

+1