wje
Unmodified = Not worth listening to.
PS, for what it's worth on this later unit, can hardly get the Vali to ring. Maybe 5 seconds on plug insert, nothing from tapping it...so quite happy.
If you could share, what is your serial number for your Vali? Thanks.
Been listening to the Vali with DT 770s and an iFi iDAC about four hours a day for the past few weeks. Very, very enjoyable.
Similar situation with me, but just have the oDAC in the chain. I've been using the DT-880 a bit more, though. I wanted to write up a bit better impression / comparison between the Vali and my Asgard v.1, though. But with my DT-880, I've found that the 880s respond well to a bit of an EQ cut using Foobar, so I have a preset created for the adjustment. My Asgard v.1, though, is an amp that doesn't need to have the EQ invoked as with the Vali. With the Vali, the range is extended a bit further, or at least that is my impression. As to the bass, both amps are good in that area, but the Vali takes it further buy a notch or two by having the bass appear with a bit more punch. Interesting signature.
The Asgard v.1 is an amp that would probably pertain a bit better to someone who is a bit more of an audiophile, but the Vali, appealing to those who want more capabilities from their headphones. But, I need to indicate that I like them both quite well.