Official Schiit Vali 2 Thread

[Shane D]

Fwiw, spending a schiit load of $ on tube rolling with the Vali is folly. You are better off saving your $ and buying a better amp. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy mine for what it is, but what it is is a budget hybrid amp the limitations of which will not be fixed by tube-rolling. Of course many disagree. You will find a bunch in the tube-rolling thread of course. Have fun.

I agree totally. I might buy a cheap tube or two. Or maybe one better $45.00 tube.
After that, if I was still a big fan, time to get a Lyr 3.

Shane D

 

[Keno18]

Fwiw, spending a schiit load of $ on tube rolling with the Vali is folly. You are better off saving your $ and buying a better amp. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy mine for what it is, but what it is is a budget hybrid amp the limitations of which will not be fixed by tube-rolling. Of course many disagree. You will find a bunch in the tube-rolling thread of course. Have fun.

But you don't have to spend that much. Get recommdations from the threads, like a recommendation for a 6sn7 type which has a very strong history. I did that with the Tung-Sol 6sn7gt mouse ears, they fit my budget and sonic requirements. So I stocked up have about 5 years worth for a nice consistent sound for the long haul. Don't buy willy-nilly, Do research first.

 

[Mr Trev]

I agree totally. I might buy a cheap tube or two. Or maybe one better $45.00 tube.
After that, if I was still a big fan, time to get a Lyr 3.

Shane D

That's a pretty good idea, and one I've pretty much adopted - except I have more than a tube or 2…
Personally, I find there's a much bigger difference switching between tube families - say going from a 6dj8 to a 6cg7, than trying to compare different 6dj8s. Get a good example (or 2) of each family, and most importantly, don't spend more on a tube than you did for the amp.

 

[Shane D]

That's a pretty good idea, and one I've pretty much adopted - except I have more than a tube or 2…
Personally, I find there's a much bigger difference switching between tube families - say going from a 6dj8 to a 6cg7, than trying to compare different 6dj8s. Get a good example (or 2) of each family, and most importantly, don't spend more on a tube than you did for the amp.

I would not go much over $50.00. Maybe $75.00, but I doubt it.

Shane D

 

[Shane D]

Did some comparing today.
ZX300 DAP feeding SMSL SU-8 DAC
RCA Y cable out feeding Vali 2 and Liquid Spark. Amps were volume matched to less than half a decible.

Both sounded very good, but different. My impression was:
1) The Vali 2 was really pushing the vocals out front, which I really enjoyed. Good full sound, with the vocals dominant.

I was playing about 10 songs from Florence and the Machine that I know very well (about 7 ALAC and 3 AAC). I was even changing the jack in the middle of songs. It was intense A-B testing, for me.

Once I started using the Liquid Spark the difference was noticeable. Mostly, the added/prominant bass. Very nice. With the rest of the music though it all sounded very "even". What I mean by that is that every instrument, including vocals, sounded like it was the exact same distance from me with the exact same volume and prominence. Not sure how to explain it, except that it seemed more balanced. You could hear, clearly, whatever instrument you wanted to concentrate on. Nothing was dominant, but the bass on certain songs kicked in with authority.

Two different sounds, but I liked both very much. If I had to decide which one to keep, I would be screwed. This may change when Jazz, Blues and varied Rock are tossed into the mix.

Now I am listening to the Westinghouse tube. Sounds pretty similar. I am not sure how much difference I will hear between tubes.

Still feeling pretty good about this purchase.

Shane D

PS: Forgot to mention - Grado GH2 headphones used.

Same set-up today except that the Liquid Spark was replaced by a Burson Fun-Classic.

V2 has more bass than the Burson and sounds a bit livelier. I was running many Trombone Shorty songs (in AAC).

I am again impressed. At least initially.

Shane D

 

[tafens]

That's a pretty good idea, and one I've pretty much adopted - except I have more than a tube or 2…
Personally, I find there's a much bigger difference switching between tube families - say going from a 6dj8 to a 6cg7, than trying to compare different 6dj8s. Get a good example (or 2) of each family, and most importantly, don't spend more on a tube than you did for the amp.

Different brands in the same family can make a difference as well, I’m sure @bcowen can fill you in on the sonic qualities of GE tubes

 

[Mr Trev]

Different brands in the same family can make a difference as well, I’m sure @bcowen can fill you in on the sonic qualities of GE tubes

I try not to mention GE around him. I'd hate to have his head explode…

 

[bcowen]

Different brands in the same family can make a difference as well, I’m sure @bcowen can fill you in on the sonic qualities of GE tubes

LOL! GE's are easy to describe: meh. That's the only one-word description I can come up with that the forum won't convert into ****.

 

[bcowen]

I try not to mention GE around him. I'd hate to have his head explode…

Your consideration is greatly appreciated. And will certainly result in less risk of a gross mess.

 

[Mr Trev]

Your consideration is greatly appreciated. And will certainly result in less risk of a gross mess.

Hey, it's the least I could do…

 

[Joe Garfield]

What a drippy little amp! I just got mine today. I’ve been evaluating amps and DACs for a week. Listening to the same tracks with Vali, I’m dimming the lights yet everything is covered in a warm glow, I feel wet, and I just busted out dancing which hasn’t happened in quite awhile! There’s no marking on the stock tube, but I’m wondering if it’s maybe a PCP tube?

Tomorrow I’ll get to do side-by-side with different combinations of Modi, Magni, Mimby, and Vali (and HD650.)

 

[ScubaMan2017]

Drippy or trippy? Meh, it’s good either way. I love my little toaster and am looking forward to re-integrating it into my nook.

 

[Joe Garfield]

Drippy - as in wet

 

[Joe Garfield]

Well after hearing different genres I’m not so thrilled with Vali and stock tube. I like the overall tone/color but seem to be losing instruments and details in the mix. Particularly pianos being artificially warmed, and hand drums losing upper end details. Interestingly, music with warm piano lead sounds lush, but brighter piano supporting other instruments sounds way too artificially colored and warm.

Hopefully another tube will help. So for now, Magni is still the deal of the century.

 

[Joe Garfield]

So, uh, yeah - changing the tube makes a difference.

I got a $35 Amperex Orange Globe, made in Holland. I preferred my Magni with the stock tube, and the Vali with this tube. It’s very musical with great depth, rich mids without too much color, nice deep bass and seemingly pretty accurate all around.

I don’t or didn’t want to spend a ton on tubes with a $150 amp. At the same time it’s a good way to explore tube options before getting in deeper. I’ve got HD650s and hear the Bottlehead Crack is a great pairing. I wasn’t sure I’d like the tube sound so I started with Vali. Vali is half the cost but BH is also a time investment.