Schiit Asgard 2 vs Valhalla 2

[Nada190]

Which one should I get to pair with AKG K712's?

 

[Xdaggersoul]

  Which one should I get to pair with AKG K712's?

Do you like the warmth of tubes or the speed and punch of an solid state? This is based on your own sound preference. 

 

[Nada190]

That's the problem, I've never heard tubes before. They  just look so beautiful though...

 

[Xdaggersoul]

I myself am also fascinated by the glow of the tubes. Tubes generally have a warm sound signature which the highs will be less noticed compared to the SS amps. SS amps are for people that wants a really accurate, very detailed and has the speed that is required in rock. 
 
You can go to any local hi fi shop to test out some tube amps. Experience it for yourself, you will not go wrong trusting your senses.

 

[Sonic Defender]

You might also consider the Lyr, another very well regarded piece of Schiit, and for another option frequently appreciated by many is the Bottlehead Crack with Speedball. I had a Valhalla (first version) for a little over a year and it was very nice to my ears with My DT 880 600ohm version, and surprisingly also very musical with my HF2s that if I remember correctly were only 28ohm.

 

[Xdaggersoul]

The Bottlehead Crack is another good tube amp in your case too as stated by Sonic Defender.

 

[JoeDoe]

Interestingly enough, many consider the Asgard to be a slightly warm SS amp. Not tubey-warm, but not cold or bright like the Magni.

 

[cyberridz]

Does anyone here know how well the Valhalla 2 will drive a Hifiman HE400? How far on the volume pot does it have to go before it reaches usable levels (o'clock-wise I mean)?

 

[Frederose]

I guess about 12 o'clock, I have a pair of DT990 (250ohm) and I'm running them at about 8 o'clock to really get them to sing. All that on low gain though.