[4nradio]

(deleted)

 

[wje]

Do realize that there was some mention of 6088 tubes a bit earlier in this thread. If you perform a web search on 6088 tubes and microphonics, you'll see a lot of discussions in the DIY communities how such a tube has quite a few issues with such a tube. While I initially started to perform mods on mine it became more apparent that a solid fix for some of the microphonics issues was not nearly such an easy fix.

With that being said, I don't sense too much frustration, as to do so would be without merit. For me, I realize this is a very small issue to live with and even that is quickly offset when one hears the beautiful sounds it produces.

 

[thegunner100]

Well, I spent a little more time with the vali and hd600 combo today and it actually doesn't seem to be as bad as I thought it was initially when i wrote this. I think it's mainly because I'm just really used to how the hd800s sound, and the hd600s feel very closed in and upfront in comparison. It's a fine combo. 
 
Curious to hear how the gungnir will change things around with the vali.
 
 

 

[Solarium]

I'm loving my Vali, but it's just really a b1tch to unplug the 2 RCA cables from my sound card to reconnect my desktop speaker cables every time I don't want to use my HP's.
 
To get pre-outs I pretty much have to upgrade to Lyr, which would be another $300.
 
I'm thinking of trying out a Fiio E09K, since that has a pre-amp out and it's pretty affordable. Will I notice a significant deterioration of SQ from the Vali to the E09k, using my HD650's?
 
Also, is there a way to get pre-outs via another source besides an amp unit... like something that can be used with a Vali?

 

[thegunner100]

  I'm loving my Vali, but it's just really a b1tch to unplug the 2 RCA cables from my sound card to reconnect my desktop speaker cables every time I don't want to use my HP's.
 
To get pre-outs I pretty much have to upgrade to Lyr, which would be another $300.
 
I'm thinking of trying out a Fiio E09K, since that has a pre-amp out and it's pretty affordable. Will I notice a significant deterioration of SQ from the Vali to the E09k, using my HD650's?
 
Also, is there a way to get pre-outs via another source besides an amp unit... like something that can be used with a Vali?

Why not just get a RCA splitter? Something like these would do, or even the cheap monoprice ones:
 
http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-splitter-female-15-24cm-cable/dp/B000GUSQJG
http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-adapter-male-female-assembly/dp/B0009MFRW0
http://shop.emotiva.com/products/xrca-1x2
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042904&p_id=7186&seq=1&format=2

 

[Solarium]

 
Why not just get a RCA splitter? Something like these would do, or even the cheap monoprice ones:
 
http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-splitter-female-15-24cm-cable/dp/B000GUSQJG
http://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-adapter-male-female-assembly/dp/B0009MFRW0
http://shop.emotiva.com/products/xrca-1x2
https://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=104&cp_id=10429&cs_id=1042904&p_id=7186&seq=1&format=2

Won't that deteriorate the sound quality? I read somewhere that if I use splitters it increases the resistance or something and lessen the amplification.

 

[thegunner100]

  Won't that deteriorate the sound quality? I read somewhere that if I use splitters it increases the resistance or something and lessen the amplification.

 
I think it has been mentioned earlier in this thread, when people wanted to split the modi's signal to the magni and vali: no loss in SQ.

 

[Solarium]

   
I think it has been mentioned earlier in this thread, when people wanted to split the modi's signal to the magni and vali: no loss in SQ.

Would it work in the same way when I split signals from a sound card as well? I'm presuming it's a yes if it's the same concept as a Modi as a DAC.
 
BTW, how's http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Ultra-Performance-Y-Adapter-MKII/dp/B000WLZSGS/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1387315517&sr=8-16&keywords=RCA+Y+splitter ?
 
I'm also using http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021814&p_id=2864&seq=1&format=2 for my speaker and cable to run from the DAC to amplifier. The physical quality of these cables are pretty poor, will it make a difference in getting higher end ones?
 
I've done a lot of home theater research and found most overpriced monster cable crap don't give any better visuals, especially via digital sources like HDMI or DVI, but do RCA cables matter?

 

[thegunner100]

  Would it work in the same way when I split signals from a sound card as well? I'm presuming it's a yes if it's the same concept as a Modi as a DAC.

Yep, it should work the same way. Give it a try, you don't have much to lose if you buy it from monoprice.

 

[Binge]

  Would it work in the same way when I split signals from a sound card as well? I'm presuming it's a yes if it's the same concept as a Modi as a DAC.
 
BTW, how's http://www.amazon.com/Monster-Ultra-Performance-Y-Adapter-MKII/dp/B000WLZSGS/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1387315517&sr=8-16&keywords=RCA+Y+splitter ?
 
I'm also using http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=102&cp_id=10218&cs_id=1021814&p_id=2864&seq=1&format=2 for my speaker and cable to run from the DAC to amplifier. The physical quality of these cables are pretty poor, will it make a difference in getting higher end ones?
 
I've done a lot of home theater research and found most overpriced monster cable crap don't give any better visuals, especially via digital sources like HDMI or DVI, but do RCA cables matter?

 
Those monoprice cables are a good value and performance as long as they are not damaged.

 

[live audio]

GLS Audio is another choice for inexpensive cables. They seem a little nicer than monoprice. I use them for stage use. I have employed Y-adapters on stage and in studio for years without any SQ issues.
I just ordered a Vali for use primarily with k701s. From what I read this should make a good combination. My sources will be mostly analog. I might get the Modi for use with digital recordings, but I may save for a different dac. Still deciding.

 

[swannie007]

 

  Just got my Vali when I got home today!! Opened it up and found one tube at about a 30 degree angle (hey, it shipped from CA. to Queensland, Australia!) so I took some paper towel and pushed it back down, put the rubber feet on it, plugged in some cans and fired her up. Holy Schiit!!! This little baby can sing!  Not getting any noticeable ringing and I love the detail without the the harshness(hey, I'm no audiophile with years of experience in describing the tonal qualities of equipment, I just know what I like and what sounds good to me so don't take me to task about the lack of technicalities in my description!).
  So far in the last three hours I have listened to this amp paired with a Modi dac and a pair of Q701's , a pair of custom Grado's with aluminium cups and upgraded drivers and right now with my HD650's.
  So far, I like it best with the HD650's but the other two are great as well. The clarity is amazing. Right now I am listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan (Tin Pan Alley) and it is some of the best sound I have ever heard! Now before you get your knickers in a knot, let me clarify that it is some of the best sound I have heard, that does not mean it is the best sound out there but to my ears, it is fantastic.
  I will pair the Vali with my Rotel  RDD06 dac as well as my Audio Engine D1 dac and see what that sounds like. Looking forward to doing some back to back comparisons in the next few days with a bunch of other cans I have.
  So, bottom line, I am a happy camper and must say that this is certainly some of the best money I have spent with this hobby! Thank you Schiit for the great products and also for pricing them at a level that makes them accessible to a lot of consumers who might otherwise not be able to enjoy the pleasure of such good sound.
  Happy holidays to all and enjoy your music.

 


Now that is what this hobby is all about! Enjoy you music! I need another piece of Schiit for the holidays myself.

We all need more Schiit for the holidays!

 

[swannie007]

   
Excellent choice of test material  

  Do you have the MSFL version of the album that's made from the original master tapes? The Tin Pan Alley track is awesome from that album, with the clarity of the album coupled with the Vali's strengths. 
 
The Vali/HD800 (Anax) combo is causing me to go back through all my SRV material. Thanks to the Vali I'm enjoying these recordings like I've never heard them before.

4nradio, I really can't remember what version it is. I think it was a download from iTunes but can't really remember. I am using my MacPro as a source running iTunes with BitPerfect. Cheers.

 

[Makiah S]

  Won't that deteriorate the sound quality? I read somewhere that if I use splitters it increases the resistance or something and lessen the amplification.

if you use a spiltter from ur dac to the amp, the amp is going to get a weaker signal from teh dac. I doubt the loss in quality is audible... at least not with the Modi and Vali
 
the benifit is higher end Dacs also have more output. Audio GD espically, even the low end models have at least 2 rca outs, more if you want more [they also have ACSS outs for use with Audio GD amps] 
 
For example I got my Audio GD dac, not just for the dac but for the increase in inputs and out puts. I have a TV tthat runs SpDif out into my Dac, and I now have 2 amps. So the Audio GD I have [old model less I/o] has like 3 inputs and 3 outputs, and it sounds better. So connetivity is better with high end dacs as well. espically if your connecting multiple devices to one unit 
 

   
Those monoprice cables are a good value and performance as long as they are not damaged.

YES, I use Mono Price cables. They are very find indeed, heck I went and bought $50 Coaxial RCA's from my Local Radio Shack and compared to the mono price it was no differeance... GRANTED Radio Shak is not the GO TO place for cables but honestly... mono price rcas are just fine! I would say don't start upgrading cables till you got ur end game amp, dac and headphones xD 

 

[Wallboy]

Got my Vali/Modi today, both tubes seem to be laying flat, and I hear the microphonics through my K701's when I scratch on the volume knob in the left channel for like 15 seconds, but it's insanely faint, and compared to the noise i was getting from my soundcard before it's nothing. You guys who only have your volume up to 10 o'clock must have really sensitive cans or something. I can get up to 3 o'clock on many of the songs I've listened to before through my pa2v2 before I consider it "loud". Maybe thats just me lol. But I will let this Vali burn in before giving impressions.