[bcowen]

Hi All.

Eager to hear my Grado headphones with a tube amp I took the plunge and have a Vali 2 on order. Also expecting a EH 6CG7 tube.

The source will be my A&K SA700 DAP using the unbalanced output but the Line Out has different voltage options:
1. 0.7V
2. 1V
3. 1.25V
4. 2V

Any recommendation on which V to use?

Thank you very much in advance.

Start with the 1v setting as a baseline, but try them all. Won't hurt anything, and you may find that one setting sounds better than the others.

 

[PhenixS1970]

Start with the 1v setting as a baseline, but try them all. Won't hurt anything, and you may find that one setting sounds better than the others.

Thank you very much for the advice, bcowen.

 

[lifeisbeautiful]

I posted this as a separate question. But, thought would ask it here too. How does the mass drop CTH compare to the Schiit Vali 2?
Thanks.

 

[PhenixS1970]

I just received my Vali 2 and installed the EH 6CG7. Like what I’m hearing . My unit doesn’t have a Led (which I read might be a good thing, lol). Did Schiit change this recently?

 

[bcowen]

I just received my Vali 2 and installed the EH 6CG7. Like what I’m hearing . My unit doesn’t have a Led (which I read might be a good thing, lol). Did Schiit change this recently?

Interesting. The pic on the website still shows the LED. Did you buy it new from Schiit?

 

[PhenixS1970]

Interesting. The pic on the website still shows the LED. Did you buy it new from Schiit?

Yes indeed, from the Schiit Europe site which is the distributor for Belgium

 

[bcowen]

Yes indeed, from the Schiit Europe site which is the distributor for Belgium

Hmmm. Is there a hole there, or is the front solid where the LED used to be? Ditching that floodlight LED wouldn't hurt my feelings any if they decided to schiitcan it.

 

[senorx12562]

Forgot how short my cable was and pulled the whole amp off of my desk. Broke the tube, but saw no damage otherwise. Next time I used it, noticed the led was very dim, but still visible. Knocked the light partway out of the hole, but it was an improvement, so haven't fixed it. Serendipitous.

 

[PhenixS1970]

Hmmm. Is there a hole there, or is the front solid where the LED used to be? Ditching that floodlight LED wouldn't hurt my feelings any if they decided to schiitcan it.

It’s a solid front . As I raised this with the distributor they informed me that recent batches of the Magni 3+ don’t have a led either.

 

[PhenixS1970]

Really like my new (C-lockdown) homeworking setup: (added) Vali 2 (EH 6CG7 tube), A&K SA700, Grado Alessandro PRO (beautifulaudio pads and Turbulent Labs headband), AQ Big Sur RCA.

 

[Mr Trev]

It’s a solid front . As I raised this with the distributor they informed me that recent batches of the Magni 3+ don’t have a led either.

That's good news indeed. I got so fed up with that damn LED, I ripped it out myself.
As a bonus the SQ improved… or did it

 

[bcowen]

As a bonus the SQ improved… or did it

I bet it was a little less bright sounding?

 

[Mr Trev]

I bet it was a little less bright sounding?

True.
I also didn't have to put up with moths being attracted to it anymore.

 

[Neweymatt]

Really like my new (C-lockdown) homeworking setup: (added) Vali 2 (EH 6CG7 tube), A&K SA700, Grado Alessandro PRO (beautifulaudio pads and Turbulent Labs headband), AQ Big Sur RCA.

Nice Covid rig you’ve got there.

I’ve been building out one of my own, and I’m curious your impressions using the Vali2 as amp, vs just using the SA700 standalone?

What sort of improvements, if any, do you notice?

 

[PhenixS1970]

Nice Covid rig you’ve got there.

I’ve been building out one of my own, and I’m curious your impressions using the Vali2 as amp, vs just using the SA700 standalone?

What sort of improvements, if any, do you notice?

Thank you very much. The SA700 standalone is a very good player. I prefer it to the Mojo/Poly I had before. Adding the Vali 2 makes the sound a bit more punchier than the SA700 but without the hint of harshness I experienced with the Chord combination. It’s not a mind blowing change but for the $ of the Vali 2 I find it an effective, inexpensive tweak.