Official Schiit Vali 2 Thread

[Pondoro]

I know there are headphone forums here, but my question is about the Vali. I’ve got two of them and a bunch of tubes. I use them with amplifiers and speakers. But I’m thinking about a set of headphones. I don’t want to spend $$$ on phones for a $149 preamp. What phones make sense with a Vali? I know nearly nothing about headphones.

 

[SolaVirtus]

I know there are headphone forums here, but my question is about the Vali. I’ve got two of them and a bunch of tubes. I use them with amplifiers and speakers. But I’m thinking about a set of headphones. I don’t want to spend $$$ on phones for a $149 preamp. What phones make sense with a Vali? I know nearly nothing about headphones.

Because Vali is a hybrid, it's pretty flexible. It would be helpful to suggest a price range and preferred sound signature so people can give recommendations within your budget and close to your liking.

That said, it's hard to go wrong with the venerable HD 650/6XX.

 

[Mr Trev]

I know there are headphone forums here, but my question is about the Vali. I’ve got two of them and a bunch of tubes. I use them with amplifiers and speakers. But I’m thinking about a set of headphones. I don’t want to spend $$$ on phones for a $149 preamp. What phones make sense with a Vali? I know nearly nothing about headphones.

Pretty much any of the recommended budget offerings will be a good match. Drop Sennheiser, Entry level HiFiMan. Need to know your preferences a little better to make definitive recommendations tho
I'll also add that I'm constantly surprised at how good IEMs sound using the Vali2

 

[LobalWarming]

Pretty much any of the recommended budget offerings will be a good match. Drop Sennheiser, Entry level HiFiMan. Need to know your preferences a little better to make definitive recommendations tho

Maybe we start a Headphone Psychic Hotline. Big timesaver. But you knew that

 

[Mr Trev]

Maybe we start a Headphone Psychic Hotline. Big timesaver. But you knew that

For you… I see an ATH-M50

 

[LobalWarming]

For you… I see an ATH-M50

And for you I see a tall dark combo of airpods wrapped in bose.

 

[Based Krampus]

I'm rocking the HD650s with my Vali 2++ and I love them. However one thing ill say is without the EQ from my loki mini, the HD 650s are seriously lacking bass for my ears. But I listen to mostly EDM and underground rap, and personally need the bass to be rattling my brain around in my skull to be happy.

 

[Based Krampus]

also , @LobalWarming , I bought one of those lil cheapy socket savers to try with my 6SN7 adapter.... i shoulda listened to you bro that lil thing was a piece of junk. considering taking @Mr Trev 's advice and just taking the top off. kinda sketched out about the thought of running topless Vali but I really want to hear these 6SN7s they look so cool

Edit:

 

[Pondoro]

Preferences: I listen to 1960’s and 1970’s rock, 1960 and earlier popular jazz (Basie, Sinatra, Ellington, Goodman), country, traditional Irish. I don’t need stunning bass, but I like clear vocals, distinct instruments, good placement of instruments. My speakers are Klipsch Heresy for the most part. Amps are a Schiit Vidar or a 1960’s Magnavox that has mostly original tubes, but all new capacitors. I have tried a lot of tubes in the Valis (both 2+). My favorites are a Sylvania and an RCA 6SN7’s. But seriously most tubes have pleased me. Price range? What does $150-$200 buy me? I’ll usually use speakers so I don’t want to drop a lot on headphones. Is that price range even reasonable? I’m open to arguments. Since I own two Vali’s I could build a headphone only bedroom system.

 

[Luckyleo]

Preferences: I listen to 1960’s and 1970’s rock, 1960 and earlier popular jazz (Basie, Sinatra, Ellington, Goodman), country, traditional Irish. I don’t need stunning bass, but I like clear vocals, distinct instruments, good placement of instruments. My speakers are Klipsch Heresy for the most part. Amps are a Schiit Vidar or a 1960’s Magnavox that has mostly original tubes, but all new capacitors. I have tried a lot of tubes in the Valis (both 2+). My favorites are a Sylvania and an RCA 6SN7’s. But seriously most tubes have pleased me. Price range? What does $150-$200 buy me? I’ll usually use speakers so I don’t want to drop a lot on headphones. Is that price range even reasonable? I’m open to arguments. Since I own two Vali’s I could build a headphone only bedroom system.

I'm biased, any Grado will be driven quite well. They do sound better, the better the upfront setup is. Regardless, they aren't for everyone. Some become devoted fanboys (me) and others can't wait to sell them... YMMV

Leo

 

[LobalWarming]

Drop HD58X would be an excellent option. @Mr Trev likes his very much. He just won't admit it.

Senn 560S is a slightly cheaper option.

 

[Mr Trev]

And for you I see a tall dark combo of airpods wrapped in bose.

Now that was uncalled for. It's not like I blabbed about your Skullcandy collection or anything

 

[Mr Trev]

Preferences: I listen to 1960’s and 1970’s rock, 1960 and earlier popular jazz (Basie, Sinatra, Ellington, Goodman), country, traditional Irish. I don’t need stunning bass, but I like clear vocals, distinct instruments, good placement of instruments. My speakers are Klipsch Heresy for the most part. Amps are a Schiit Vidar or a 1960’s Magnavox that has mostly original tubes, but all new capacitors. I have tried a lot of tubes in the Valis (both 2+). My favorites are a Sylvania and an RCA 6SN7’s. But seriously most tubes have pleased me. Price range? What does $150-$200 buy me? I’ll usually use speakers so I don’t want to drop a lot on headphones. Is that price range even reasonable? I’m open to arguments. Since I own two Vali’s I could build a headphone only bedroom system.

If you want to stretch the budget and venture into planar world, HFM has openbox Sundaras for $230 (new for $299)

 

[SolaVirtus]

Drop HD58X would be an excellent option. @Mr Trev likes his very much. He just won't admit it.

Senn 560S is a slightly cheaper option.

I agree with these options. And add a used HD 660S, which I only just sold myself. It sounded good on the Vali.

 

[britt2001b]

The product description says it's a 6N3P which is a Soviet era tube probably made in the 1980s. It has very similar specs to the 5670, though you'll have to tell us how you think it compares sonically.

After a considerable burn-in time on the Vali 2++ for both tubes (the stock 6N3P and the GE JAN 5670W), I can say both are excellent and satisfying to me. Sonically, to my ears, they seem remarkably similar. Although, I do think the stock 6N3P tube sounds very slightly more "tubey."

Should I go for the Western Electric 396A or does it greatly surpass the diminishing returns threshold at the current Tube Depot price of $179.00?