Schiit Happened: The Story of the World's Most Improbable Start-Up

[KoshNaranek]

You kids and tube heat. If you want dinner in a hurry, light up 24 EL-34's, four EL-84's, and four 6922's....in just the amps. Jiffy pop.

I thought you were allergic to pentodes?

 

[StimpyWan]

very interesting idea, but shouldn't one divide the squared voltage by the speaker's impedance to get wattage (e.g. P=V*V/R). also the test tones are not recorded at 0dBFS, but at -12dBFS...

@StimpyWan or anyone else with digital music production knowledge: how much headroom (relative to 0dBFS) is typically built into digital recordings/ masterings? Does this headroom vary with Genre or other characteristics of the recorded material (e.g. unamplified classical / jazz vs EDM or music created without actual instruments & microphones)?

In my experience, most mastering houses kept digital levels at 0dB, in order to take advantage of the full 16 bit CD resolution. There was very little headroom at that point. Maybe a tenth of a dB. Even then, I often found digital masters that were peaked too hot, which can cause audible over level distortion (a brief buzz that sounded similar to an electric razor - not pleasant). There's no why to fix that, since the over level occurred during the transfer of the master source copy. A new CD master would be required from the client, at that point.

Personally, I'd master projects a -3dB, that set final 0 levels, using Dither, when producing the final master. I never had any issues using that method.

 

[WeepingGuitar]

I think there were already a couple of responses, so let me add a bit as well.

What's your integrated amp, and does it have a Pre-Out / Main-in set of sockets on the back? Frequently if it exists it will have a connector between the two sockets like this:


This is the link between the preamp of the integrated and the power amp side of the integrated.

Sorry if I'm a tad slow to catch on and please correct me if I'm wrong, is this a method to utilize Valhalla to inject tube sound in the signal chain?

If yes, then it's what I'm pondering. Would I be able to put a Vahalla between my Freya S and power amplifier and have some fun with tubes? I would max out the volume on the Vahalla and control volume with the Freya? Thanks.

 

[bcowen]

I thought you were allergic to pentodes?

I think it was the onslaught of all those pentodes that triggered my allergy.

But I'm now down to a single pair of triodes, so pretty much immune to allergic flare-ups.

 

[StimpyWan]

Sorry if I'm a tad slow to catch on and please correct me if I'm wrong, is this a method to utilize Valhalla to inject tube sound in the signal chain?

If yes, then it's what I'm pondering. Would I be able to put a Vahalla between my Freya S and power amplifier and have some fun with tubes? I would max out the volume on the Vahalla and control volume with the Freya? Thanks.

Certainly. The VH3 has preamp inputs and preamp outputs. So, there's no reason you couldn't insert it between your Freya S and your power amp. As to volume, I'd set the VH3 at 50% volume. Just to control the peak levels a bit, so you don't accidently blast your system, using the 100% volume method. Then, you can add or subtract volume via the VH3 to set gain, to tube warmth ratio. Plus, the VH3 can still be used as a head amp.

Good luck.

 

[JohnnyOps]

What's your integrated amp, and does it have a Pre-Out / Main-in set of sockets on the back? Frequently if it exists it will have a connector between the two sockets like this:

Is that a Creek 5350se? Looks exactly like mine (fonts, RCA weird side slots). Love that amp.

 

[ricksome]

Well, when I short it out I tend to light up quite dramatically! Does that count?

ORT

Post a picture when you light up !!! LOL !!!

 

[Paladin79]

I think it was the onslaught of all those pentodes that triggered my allergy.

But I'm now down to a single pair of triodes, so pretty much immune to allergic flare-ups.

Pentodes can certainly act as triodes, my favorites are Telefunken LS-50’s and I might even use Russian GU-50’s in a pinch. Then there are beam power tetrodes that can be used as well.

 

[bagwell359]

No. Analog volume control and EQ will always beat digital. Not in flexibility, maybe, but certainly in sound quality.

Though I do have to admit: It’s closer than you might think. As a years-long fan of Jason’s analog EQs, I was a bit surprised at how good the Mimir’s EQ sounds if used correctly.

Sonics vs flexibilty and some control (fixed bands or not enough PEQ bands) vs available bands do the job.

IMO, the best:

1. no EQ or PEQ

2. Whichever fits the needs best and best sonics - which are two variables that are unlikely to both be maxed at the same time if one has multiple choices of EQ/PEQ.
It's good to have more choices - analog fixed and digital PEQ fixed range from Schiit.

As always one has to weigh the needs with what is available to one. In my case my current PEQ only works via streaming/Pixel 9/USB, so for my CD (optical) and streaming (coax), the Gungnir 2 PEQ will get tried and almost for sure used. Nice for free.

 

[sam6550a]

I think it was the onslaught of all those pentodes that triggered my allergy.

But I'm now down to a single pair of triodes, so pretty much immune to allergic flare-ups.

I will be glad to give all of those pentodes and beam power tetrodes that trigger your allergies a good home.

 

[Ripper2860]

Happy Tuesday (or Wednesday if applicable)!!

(A little pick-me-up!!)

 

[bcowen]

I will be glad to give all of those pentodes and beam power tetrodes that trigger your allergies a good home.

Sam, I never fail to be impressed at what a great guy you are. How very thoughtful!

 

[sam6550a]

Sam, I never fail to be impressed at what a great guy you are. How very thoughtful!

Thank you! I try my best to help my friends whenever I can.

 

[Northeast]

Sorry if I'm a tad slow to catch on and please correct me if I'm wrong, is this a method to utilize Valhalla to inject tube sound in the signal chain?

If yes, then it's what I'm pondering. Would I be able to put a Vahalla between my Freya S and power amplifier and have some fun with tubes? I would max out the volume on the Vahalla and control volume with the Freya? Thanks.

I did almost exactly this, but Valhalla goes before the pre (Freya). Single ended DAC output into Valhalla, pre-out from Valhalla into Kara for some tubified 2 channel glory (Valhalla volume all the way up, control with Kara). When I don’t want to be burning the tubes Valhalla is off and the balanced DAC output goes straight to Kara. When I want my wired headphones, Kara volume is all the way down and I plug directly into Valhalla. At first I made a cheat sheet for these (and other) connections but now it’s become intuitive. I’ve tried putting an EQ (Loki Max) between Kara and my power amp, but this was quite a bit noisier, so it also sits upstream of Kara. The flexibility of separate components, once I figured out how to get what I wanted, is unmatched.

 

[Ripper2860]

Still basking in the glory that is Valhalla 3. A wonderful amp that just keeps revealing more of it abilities to me as time passes. One of the attributes that keeps surprising me is the soundstage. Even closed back HPs like the DCA AFCs seems more open with air and almost a holographic sound -- more-so than I have experienced with either VH2 or OG Lyr 3. I am smitten, indeed!!