Schiit Valhalla 3 - Impressions Thread

[vaguetone]

I think I’ve given up on trying to pre-amp the Mjolnir 3 with the Valhalla 3. I feel like it’s some strange amalgamation between the two amps and forgets to add the strength of each unit. It’s not terrible I guess, but both the Valhalla 3 and Mjolnir 3 are great amps by themselves.

I’m continuing to enjoy the Valhalla 3 though on its own. Been using it mostly as a pre-amp so far with my Genelec speakers. The Genelecs have amazing imaging (and a large sweet spot) and the V3 really takes advantage of that. Songs like Only in Dreams (2024 Remaster) by Weezer (the first minute is a really good test for imaging IMO) and Dreamer by Hiromi sound very euphonic.

Thanks for looking into it!

 

[bagwell359]

That's what I thought, but the tubes are NOS matched tubes

That's no assurance on its own.

 

[MetalS84]

I recently received my V3 last week and I have noticed one change that is a negative compared to my V2, I can't use my Sylvania 6CG7 tubes anymore. The V3 has no problem with them but the V3 will mute itself after about 30 to 40 minutes only when using these tubes. The stock ones are fine and present no issues. I really like my Sylvania 6CG7 tubes, they do sound great with the V3 till it mutes itself and i have to reset it. I think it's the new safety computer they talk about in their talking points. The NOS tubes are either too hot or are triggering some voltage issues that the new V3 does not like. I don't think the V3 will be a rollable as the V2 as a result.

The Brightside is that even with the stock tubes, I think the no-feedback mode of the V3 sounds better than the V2, even with good NOS tubes in the V2.

Quick Edit: It does the same thing when using 5670 adapters, so those tubes are a bust too.

Mine did the same with stock tubes a couples of time. Still debugging with Schiit. It looked as a thermal safety feature, as it just dropped the sound for 30 secs a couple of time. It's clearly not faulty. Or the fault can be something that trigger the protection, but less likely. I was using a planar with 60 ohm impedance but low volume. Can be maybe borderline. Anyway, I was not able to trigger this anymore in last few days

 

[riffrafff]

Mine has gone into protection twice; both times in "no feedback" mode, and both times operating as a pre-amp (no headphones attached).

 

[MindBreak]

Mine has gone into protection twice; both times in "no feedback" mode, and both times operating as a pre-amp (no headphones attached).

Have you contacted Schiit support yet?

 

[erics75]

For those having cutoff issues, please let us know if/how it gets resolved with Schiit. They're normally very good with customer support thankfully. Keep us posted please

 

[robusa]

Mine has gone into protection a few times, both pre-amp and headphone, and seems to be based on overall power/volume, regardless of gain setting on the Valhalla. This isn't a problem, as all of those times were quite loud and it makes sense.

But I can't seem to figure out how to reset it, or how long it takes to get out of protection mode. I can't seem to find any consistent way out of it, from powering it off, unplugging it, unplugging the headphones and plugging in different headphones, etc. All of those things work sometimes and don't work other times.

 

[j0val]

It sounds like you've found a great balance with the Valhalla 3 and your Genelecs! The imaging and euphonic quality you’re experiencing on tracks like that makes it clear that the Valhalla 3 is really pulling its weight. I can see why you'd prefer to let each amp shine on its own instead of combining them. Any other tracks you’ve been really enjoying lately with that setup?

Thanks. There’s been quite a few I’ve used to test and compare. “Letter” and “Bubbles” by Yosi Horikawa are some cool ones with great 3d-ness to them. “What are you doing the rest of your life” by Pat Martino gives you that kind of ear tickle as well with a good setup.

 

[landwalker000]

That's no assurance on its own.

I also used multiple sets of the same matched tubes with the exact same results. The same exact thing happened when I tested 5670 tubes with an adapter as well.

I have had no issues with using the stock tubes. I left it running for hours and it never cut off. When it did mute, it didn't do it just for 30 seconds, it just would not play any audio till I turned it off, then back on.

I have tested it with the Newer ZMF Auteurs and the HE1000se. I even put on a 200 ohm resistor adapter to see if that would cause any issues and it didn't. Just using other tubes so far is the issue for my unit. I have a pair of Tungsten DS, but I don't think the V3 could power it well under any circumstances.

 

[ArmchairPhilosopher]

I also used multiple sets of the same matched tubes with the exact same results. The same exact thing happened when I tested 5670 tubes with an adapter as well.

I have had no issues with using the stock tubes. I left it running for hours and it never cut off. When it did mute, it didn't do it just for 30 seconds, it just would not play any audio till I turned it off, then back on.

I have tested it with the Newer ZMF Auteurs and the HE1000se. I even put on a 200 ohm resistor adapter to see if that would cause any issues and it didn't. Just using other tubes so far is the issue for my unit. I have a pair of Tungsten DS, but I don't think the V3 could power it well under any circumstances.

As @Ripper2860 has already said:
Please contact support and we’ll take care of your trippy Valhalla.

 

[hiImGrant]

alright, usps came through and its here. Initial impressions are really good. Its definitely giving something different from my gsx mini. Really gets along with the DCA E3 honestly.

Interestingly, with any of my headphones I dont need to get out of low gain. I dont even need to turn on the impedance multiplier. Its just fine for all of them at 12-1.

and... I just hit the protection, geeze. headphones only while switching gain and the multiplier, turned the volume a bit past 1 on it just cut out. restart solved it and ill see if it happens again later when I have more time to listen.

Mine has gone into protection a few times, both pre-amp and headphone, and seems to be based on overall power/volume, regardless of gain setting on the Valhalla. This isn't a problem, as all of those times were quite loud and it makes sense.

But I can't seem to figure out how to reset it, or how long it takes to get out of protection mode. I can't seem to find any consistent way out of it, from powering it off, unplugging it, unplugging the headphones and plugging in different headphones, etc. All of those things work sometimes and don't work other times.

I think it might be thermal, so it would likely depend on the airflow and room temp. At least thats how I would design something like this, if the problem is temp, then the solution is temp. My office gets pretty warm with a server rack in the closet and multiple computers running so I dont expect to be using this in the summer haha.

 

[larryhokie]

Mine has gone into protection a few times, both pre-amp and headphone, and seems to be based on overall power/volume, regardless of gain setting on the Valhalla. This isn't a problem, as all of those times were quite loud and it makes sense.

But I can't seem to figure out how to reset it, or how long it takes to get out of protection mode. I can't seem to find any consistent way out of it, from powering it off, unplugging it, unplugging the headphones and plugging in different headphones, etc. All of those things work sometimes and don't work other times.

A few weeks ago my Vali 3 went out while using 300ohm headphones. I couldn’t reset or get it back after an hour of trying. I unplugged at tried again the next morning. It powered on normally and has been fine since. The schiittalker agreed with my approach. I reckon the Valhalla 3 may switch back on after several hours without power.

 

[jonathan c]

alright, usps came through and its here. Initial impressions are really good. Its definitely giving something different from my gsx mini. Really gets along with the DCA E3 honestly.

Interestingly, with any of my headphones I dont need to get out of low gain. I dont even need to turn on the impedance multiplier. Its just fine for all of them at 12-1.

and... I just hit the protection, geeze. headphones only while switching gain and the multiplier, turned the volume a bit past 1 on it just cut out. restart solved it and ill see if it happens again later when I have more time to listen.


I think it might be thermal, so it would likely depend on the airflow and room temp. At least thats how I would design something like this, if the problem is temp, then the solution is temp. My office gets pretty warm with a server rack in the closet and multiple computers running so I dont expect to be using this in the summer haha.

..... were the headphones plugged into Valhalla 3 while you switched gain?

 

[hiImGrant]

..... were the headphones plugged into Valhalla 3 while you switched gain?

yes, is that a bad thing to do?

 

[bagwell359]

I also used multiple sets of the same matched tubes with the exact same results. The same exact thing happened when I tested 5670 tubes with an adapter as well.

I have had no issues with using the stock tubes. I left it running for hours and it never cut off. When it did mute, it didn't do it just for 30 seconds, it just would not play any audio till I turned it off, then back on.

I have tested it with the Newer ZMF Auteurs and the HE1000se. I even put on a 200 ohm resistor adapter to see if that would cause any issues and it didn't. Just using other tubes so far is the issue for my unit. I have a pair of Tungsten DS, but I don't think the V3 could power it well under any circumstances.

Schiit will answer you. NOS tubes unless you have an A+ vendor, or a full test of the tube(s) in question. I've started with tubes in the 1970's, and I'm no major expert, but know enough to have identified some real scam/junk in particular on eBay. Lots of the sellers will claim the tubes they sell are tested, but can/will not produce written results from a testing platform.