[Solrighal]

...but no matter what amp I've used, the Q701 still sound like Q701s.

 
 
Quoted for truth.

 

[ZALHERA]

I have the option of getting the Bravo Audio Ocean for cheaper right now. How do these pair with the Q701 compared to the Schit Vali, which was my other choice?

 

[Stillhart]

  I have the option of getting the Bravo Audio Ocean . How do these pair with the Q701 compared to the Schit Vali, which was my other choice?

 
You're going to want to edit out reference to that site.  It's against the forum rules here.
 
Sorry, I don't have any first-hand experience with either of those amps, can't help you with this.

 

[ZALHERA]

Thanks, I edited it out. Yeah, a lot of people say the Vali is a good budget option, and I was willing to get it, but seeing how I can get the Ocean for a lower price and the fact that I can change its tubes, I wanted some input.
 
How much does the sound change in the Q701 when using different tubes in an amp? Is there noticeable difference enough for me to actually try and experiment with tube rolling? This is all new to me, sorry.

 

[ThurstonX]

Made a new cable for my Q701s.  I was tempted to say "whipped up," but it turned out to be a labor of love.  It may be new toy syndrome, but to me I noticed an improvement over my previous DIY cable that used Mogami W2799 wire.  This uses 100/46 (100 strands, 46 gauge) x 4 type 2 Litz wire I got a few months back.  Cut back on a little harshness on a few things (Hugh Laurie and Steely Dan), but I won't be reaching for the Qs to listen to Rush, for example.  Not a favorable  combo, but then that's what the HiFiMAN cans are for 

 
 

 

 

[Chris J]

Thanks, I edited it out. Yeah, a lot of people say the Vali is a good budget option, and I was willing to get it, but seeing how I can get the Ocean for a lower price and the fact that I can change its tubes, I wanted some input.

How much does the sound change in the Q701 when using different tubes in an amp? Is there noticeable difference enough for me to actually try and experiment with tube rolling? This is all new to me, sorry.

I can only tell you that I did some tube rolling with a pair of Beyer DT880 and a La Figaro 336C tube amp.
Tube rolling was very useful as all the NOS tubes I used were better than the stock Chinese tubes.
But when I was done, the sound didn't actually change in it's basic character, the amp only did what it originally did only better, the sound was more refined, clearer, cleaner, more transparent.
I hope that makes sense......:confused_face_2:

 

[i luvmusic 2]

  Made a new cable for my Q701s.  I was tempted to say "whipped up," but it turned out to be a labor of love.  It may be new toy syndrome, but to me I noticed an improvement over my previous DIY cable that used Mogami W2799 wire.  This uses 100/46 (100 strands, 46 gauge) x 4 type 2 Litz wire I got a few months back.  Cut back on a little harshness on a few things (Hugh Laurie and Steely Dan), but I won't be reaching for the Qs to listen to Rush, for example.  Not a favorable  combo, but then that's what the HiFiMAN cans are for 

 
 

 

NICE.

 

[ZALHERA]

I can only tell you that I did some tube rolling with a pair of Beyer DT880 and a La Figaro 336C tube amp.
Tube rolling was very useful as all the NOS tubes I used were better than the stock Chinese tubes.
But when I was done, the sound didn't actually change in it's basic character, the amp only did what it originally did only better, the sound was more refined, clearer, cleaner, more transparent.
I hope that makes sense......

Yeah, that makes sense to me. I think I would want to be able to replace the tubes anyway since they have a limited lifetime, right? I might just go with the Bravo Audio Ocean. Helps that it's a little cheaper for me too haha.

 

[donunus]

I would go with a vali over the ocean anyday

 

[ZALHERA]

I was also leaning towards the Vali in the beginning, but the fact that I can get the Bravo Audio Ocean for almost $80 cheaper after shipping and all makes me seriously reconsider. And also, after shipping and conversion, the Vali runs me roughly $172 Canadian. For only $10 more, I can get myself a Little Dot MKII from a different source. So I guess it comes down to this: if the Ocean isn't even worth spending money on, and if the prices are roughly the same, which is better, the Vali or the MKII?

 

[jodgey4]

Considering the MKII is an OTL design, it may not pair the best with the Q701's - it could do strange things to the treble. Perhaps someone else could chime in? The Vali is a safe bet, shame on the pricing!

 

[ZALHERA]

That was pricing based on ordering directly from Schiit. I tried their partners, but no luck. How can Canada be so close to the US and yet suffer this kind of shipping fee lol. It is beyond me.
 
Aside from the Vali, are there other choices? I've never owned an amp, so I guess the Objective 2 is always an option. The Little Dot 1+ is also available to me if that pairs better compared to the MKII. And again, I can get a pretty nice deal on the Ocean. Any thoughts?

 

[donunus]

doesn't amazon do a good deal on shipping the vali? and yes, I wouldn't pair cans that are not too sensitive with the little dot mk2 unless they are at least 250 ohms

 

[ZALHERA]

Is possible to order from the US Amazon and have it ship to Canada? Canadian Amazon lists the Vali at $230 from a different seller, and I get the feeling I'm getting ripped off.

 

[donunus]

try if the US amazon ships to Canada. Its should automatically display if the item ships to Canada if you are logged in to amazon