The old Magni Vali 1/1 combo was great for like $250ish dollars [with shipping] with the Magni 2 an Vali 2 at around $350 ish [with shipping] it'll be nice to see what the newer generation brings
Vali 2 has arrived!!!
I took some quick pics and am now listening.
Vali 2 has arrived!!!
I took some quick pics and am now listening.
Hey all, I wanted to post a pic of the Vali 2 in action with my Sennheiser HD-650.
Ok, some quick initial thoughts, as I listen to NIrvana "Nevermind" (MFSL CD pressing ripped to ALAC)
I am running Foobar2k, wasapi out USB (generic cable) to an Emotiva DC-1 (DAC), then from the DC-1 line out I am using Monoprice RCA cables to the Vali 2. Senn HD-650 is hooked up via the stock cable.
First thing I noticed, and something I must mention, is that I am pleasantly surprised with the build quality of the Vali 2. Everything seems super solid on it. No wobbling knobs, weak feeling RCA jacks, etc. Only the headphone input has a slight bit of wiggle. Expected at this price point, however, so no complaints.
There are no tracking issues, noise, scratches, or odd sounds when turning the volume pot. The only thing is that it's not 100% "squared up", so it's a little off kilter when turned. Same with the headphone out jack. It sits in the Vali at a slight angle, but nothing that's a deal breaker for the price paid.
I am not sure what I was expecting, but I assumed from reading around that there would have been for fit & finish issues. Other than the two off kilter items mentioned, there is nothing at all that would cause my OCD audiophile nervosa to flare up.
Before moving on, I want to mention the weight. Due to the small size of the amp, I was a bit worried about the amp being easily slid around my desk by the cabling dangling from it. It is heavier than I expected, but not heavy enough to belie its size. However, with the feet attached, this amp has a very solid footing on my desk that would take a fairly hefty tug to cause it to move (such as plugging/unpluggging headphones).
Upon opening the box, I was a bit surprised to see that the tube was not installed. I guess I should have known better, but that meant I immediately HAD to learn how to install a tube!!! :eek:
The tube itself is smaller and MUCH lighter than I imagined it would be. I guess, in my mind, I imagined tubes to weigh more. Light as a feather, darn near as light as the bubble wrap & box it came in.
Anyway, back to my tube installation. Happily, the design of the pins on the tube do not allow you to incorrectly insert it, so that was a definite plus for me. On the downside, I was not sure how hard I could push down on the tube without accidentally damaging it or my new amp. I pushed down very slowly, and just a hair at a time. To tell you the truth, I am not 100% sure I have it seated in there as far as it should be, but when I nervously fired it up, it came right on and started glowing with no issue. For now, I think I will leave it alone.
I will do another post for initial listening impressions...getting tired of typing and want to listen more attentively now that it should be warmed up.
More to come...
Hey all, I wanted to post a pic of the Vali 2 in action with my Sennheiser HD-650.
Ok, some quick initial thoughts, as I listen to NIrvana "Nevermind" (MFSL CD pressing ripped to ALAC)
I am running Foobar2k, wasapi out USB (generic cable) to an Emotiva DC-1 (DAC), then from the DC-1 line out I am using Monoprice RCA cables to the Vali 2. Senn HD-650 is hooked up via the stock cable.
First thing I noticed, and something I must mention, is that I am pleasantly surprised with the build quality of the Vali 2. Everything seems super solid on it. No wobbling knobs, weak feeling RCA jacks, etc. Only the headphone input has a slight bit of wiggle. Expected at this price point, however, so no complaints.
There are no tracking issues, noise, scratches, or odd sounds when turning the volume pot. The only thing is that it's not 100% "squared up", so it's a little off kilter when turned. Same with the headphone out jack. It sits in the Vali at a slight angle, but nothing that's a deal breaker for the price paid.
I am not sure what I was expecting, but I assumed from reading around that there would have been for fit & finish issues. Other than the two off kilter items mentioned, there is nothing at all that would cause my OCD audiophile nervosa to flare up.
Before moving on, I want to mention the weight. Due to the small size of the amp, I was a bit worried about the amp being easily slid around my desk by the cabling dangling from it. It is heavier than I expected, but not heavy enough to belie its size. However, with the feet attached, this amp has a very solid footing on my desk that would take a fairly hefty tug to cause it to move (such as plugging/unpluggging headphones).
Upon opening the box, I was a bit surprised to see that the tube was not installed. I guess I should have known better, but that meant I immediately HAD to learn how to install a tube!!! :eek:
The tube itself is smaller and MUCH lighter than I imagined it would be. I guess, in my mind, I imagined tubes to weigh more. Light as a feather, darn near as light as the bubble wrap & box it came in.
Anyway, back to my tube installation. Happily, the design of the pins on the tube do not allow you to incorrectly insert it, so that was a definite plus for me. On the downside, I was not sure how hard I could push down on the tube without accidentally damaging it or my new amp. I pushed down very slowly, and just a hair at a time. To tell you the truth, I am not 100% sure I have it seated in there as far as it should be, but when I nervously fired it up, it came right on and started glowing with no issue. For now, I think I will leave it alone.
I will do another post for initial listening impressions...getting tired of typing and want to listen more attentively now that it should be warmed up.
More to come...
