Schiit Valhalla 2 impressions

[squidman]

If you're concerned about forgetting to turn your tube amp off before you turn in, you can always plug the amp into a timer so that it turns off automatically after you are done listening to your system.

Have only gotten that pissed twice so far last few years. So not a big worry. But yes good suggestion.

 

[Runrunsmithfly]

I'm still enjoying my Valhalla 2 and the two pairs of headphones that I own are 300 and 600 ohm so I'm good to go. I have three pairs of tubes I roll the JJ 6922, Genalex Gold Lions, and a pair of Amperex Orange Globes. I bought my first piece of tube gear fifteen years ago, a restored Fisher 500c. It was a game changer. Since then I have picked up a Fisher X-100-C and a Harman Kardon integrated tube amp. For me the tube sound doesn't necessarily mean warm. What I love about the tube presentation is the spacious soundstage and the air around the instruments. I recently bought a Denafrips Ares II DAC and it has been another game changer for me.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

I'm still enjoying my Valhalla 2 and the two pairs of headphones that I own are 300 and 600 ohm so I'm good to go. I have three pairs of tubes I roll the JJ 6922, Genalex Gold Lions, and a pair of Amperex Orange Globes. I bought my first piece of tube gear fifteen years ago, a restored Fisher 500c. It was a game changer. Since then I have picked up a Fisher X-100-C and a Harman Kardon integrated tube amp. For me the tube sound doesn't necessarily mean warm. What I love about the tube presentation is the spacious soundstage and the air around the instruments. I recently bought a Denafrips Ares II DAC and it has been another game changer for me.

Glad that you're enjoying your system! I'm in the process of moving and spent yesterday packing up most of my headphone gear. I still have quite a bit of two channel audio to pack. It's amazing how much audio gear you can collect over the years. My foray into this hobby began with my late Grandfather's Harman Kardon A30K integrated amplifier. It was only about 15 wpc, but had a very pleasant sound. Little did I know at the time that it would become the Genesis of owning a myriad of audio gear over the years from more manufacturers than I can even remember.

I've owned and currently own both tube and solid state gear and like both. However, for my listening preferences I still prefer tubes.

 

[Runrunsmithfly]

Glad that you're enjoying your system! I'm in the process of moving and spent yesterday packing up most of my headphone gear. I still have quite a bit of two channel audio to pack. It's amazing how much audio gear you can collect over the years. My foray into this hobby began with my late Grandfather's Harman Kardon A30K integrated amplifier. It was only about 15 wpc, but had a very pleasant sound. Little did I know at the time that it would become the Genesis of owning a myriad of audio gear over the years from more manufacturers than I can even remember.

I've owned and currently own both tube and solid state gear and like both. However, for my listening preferences I still prefer tubes.

I bought my first decent component system in 1973. I really didn't have a dedicated headphone setup until a few years ago.
Almost six years ago I made an out of state move and downsized big time. I knew that I was going to move so I had plenty of time to prepare. I sold my Terry DeWick refurbished McIntosh amp and preamp. A pair of B&W Nautilus 805 speakers and two B&W subwoofers. The McIntosh C-29 preamp and MC-2105 amp had a tube like presentation. I've read that it was by design. I'm retired and I'll probably move to a new state again so I'm keeping my possessions to a minimum. CDs instead of records these days. I have my Audiolab transport, Denafrips Ares II DAC, and Valhalla 2. A pair of powered speakers. My headphones. I'm good with this.
Good luck with your move and thanks for your post.

 

[Jimmyblues1959]

I bought my first decent component system in 1973. I really didn't have a dedicated headphone setup until a few years ago.
Almost six years ago I made an out of state move and downsized big time. I knew that I was going to move soev I had plenty of time to prepare. I sold my Terry DeWick refurbished McIntosh amp and preamp. A pair of B&W Nautilus 805 speakers and two B&W subwoofers. The McIntosh C-29 preamp and MC-2105 amp had a tube like presentation. I've read that it was by design. I'm retired and I'll probably move to a new state again so I'm keeping my possessions to a minimum. CDs instead of records these days. I have my Audiolab transport, Denafrips

Good luck with your move and thanks for your post.

Thanks! I had my first audio system as my Grandfather's hand me down in 1974. It was based around the Harman Kardon H30K. The older I get the more I'm starting to appreciate a minimalist mindset. When you're younger you have the energy for this hobby, but as you get older (65 here), you have to pace yourself each day. I can no longer even lift some of the audio gear that I once owned. lol. I stream most of my music these days simply out of convenience, and for the most part it sounds good. I do use my Dad's old Naim CDi on that rare occasion that I listen to CD's, and from time to time an old SYSTEMDEK IIX for vinyl playback.

Speaking of McIntosh, I do have an old MR-65B FM tuner from around 1962 in its original walnut case. The MR-65B is the first stereo tuner built by Mcintosh. I believe that it was designed by a man named Larry Fish. It's a wonderful sounding tuner that sound wise rivaled the old Marantz 10B that I had a few decades back. In fact, I like the MR-65B so much that years ago I purchased a spare one just for parts.

The "Audiolab transport, Denafrips Ares II DAC, and Valhalla 2. A pair of powered speakers" system is IMHO easily good enough to be an endgame system.
Best of luck in your retirement. And enjoy the music!