For those who want to use the Jot2 but want a bit of tube flavor, adding a Vali2 (or Vali2+) between the Jot2 and the dac is a viable option. I have been using the Vali2 as a tube preamp/buffer in between my Jot2 and BF2 for the past several days and it sounds very good.
As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, Jot2 shines the most when listening with Balanced input and output as it provides better separation, blacker background, and each instrument is so distinctive and sounds more precise. This allows you to hear into the music more in this manner.
But using the Vali2 as a tube preamp/buffer brings different set of attributes to the table. Yes, by going this route, you will have to use SE RCA from dac to Vali2 and RCA into the Jot2, breaking the full Balance connection.
However, the trade offs if we can call it that, is you will lose a very small smidgen of that separation, blacker background, and that distinctiveness/precision, but you gain a bit of euphonics, a bit longer decay, luscious mids, more smoothness, ease of flow, and less glare, less edge. The differences are not night and day, but enough to notice.
I actually find myself listening to this Schiit Triple Play combo more than the Double Play Jot2/BF2 lately. Some songs like Dido's Slide song was so 3D, and ethereal, it moved me. To me, full Balance seeks the truth from the recording where as with Vali2 in the chain, seeks the fun and emotion from the recording. Great to have both options.
Must note that I use the large dual 6J5G tubes on my Vali2 with adapter, I find the two tubes offer better stereo separation vs the single 6922 variants. I am also a believer in nicer quality interconnects, power cables, and power conditioning. So as they say YMMV. But just wanted to share my experience in case others were interested.
) also changes output impedance which is very handy for headphone matching. I am using supplied tubes (Tung-sol) but can also tube roll and change sound signature. It has two transformers, but it is dead quiet, with no buzz or hum. Two negatives, placement of the gain switch and amp runs very, very hot. Even the volume knob gets quite hot
Will not burn your fingers but it is unpleasantly hot.
