Schiit Valhalla 3 - Impressions Thread

[Aerocraft67]

Nothing.
The "current budget" as you call it only matters when you go above the 2.7A that the Valhalla 3 can provide for all four tubes in total. Below that, the only thing that matters is if you like the tubes' sound.

Thank you. I'll go back to reading jokes about knobs.

 

[genefruit]

If I keep things even simpler, I only roll the the 600 mA 61NP input tubes, yielding me a 1.2 A current budget. If I roll those with 300 mA 6922/E88CC, I free up 600 mA of current budget. What good does that do me, other than expanding current budget to roll output tubes? What am I leaving on the table by not using the 600 mA of current budget?

I think what may be asked here is:

What output tubes could one substitute for the baseline 6n6p (with or without adapters) that require additional heater mA above the 6n6p 750mA? These could become options if the input tubes used were 300mA instead of 600mA.

Likewise, if one uses output tubes with less mA requirements, can one use input tubes that require more than 600mA each?

Also may be asked, will the longevity of the tubes or amp increase if one uses tubes that don’t operate at the heater mA limits?

 

[adamwzl]

Welp I pulled the trigger last night. My Valhalla 3 will be en route soon. It should be here shortly after my birthday, what a nice present to myself haha. I'm not even sure I will bother with stock tubes, I'm just going to switch my brimars cv455's kb/fb and 6n6p foton gold grids from the VH2 right to the VH3.

 

[Aerocraft67]

I think what may be asked here is:

For my part, I was probing on question 3, but really even simpler than that. I presumed that replacing two "600" components with two "300" components would have an impact on the system. Now I know it does not. That's not intuitive, but I can live with that.

 

[jonathan c]

Welp I pulled the trigger last night. My Valhalla 3 will be en route soon. It should be here shortly after my birthday, what a nice present to myself haha. I'm not even sure I will bother with stock tubes, I'm just going to switch my brimars cv455's kb/fb and 6n6p foton gold grids from the VH2 right to the VH3.

.... great tube quad!

 

[DACattack]

Um, this is actually the opposite. A tube will pull the current it is rated for. It doesn't care what the amp is capable of, it wants its current and is going to pull it (or try to) regardless. If there isn't enough available current, it's unlikely the longevity of the tube would be affected -- it just wouldn't be able to operate at its optimum point. What will happen though with a demand for heater current beyond the amp's capability is the transformer (and possibly other components) will be stressed, and if stressed enough the magic smoke will appear as the transformer's filament windings burn up. At bare minimum, the longevity of the transformer and associated parts will be reduced, and probably significantly....if not catastrophically. The main electrical parameter that affects the life of the tube is the plate voltage, which as mentioned before is a value determined by the amp, not the tube. Run a tube at or near its maximum plate voltage and it will have a much shorter life than one run at a more conservative voltage.

Excellent summary. Nicely written and explained.

I'm just going to switch my brimars cv455's kb/fb and 6n6p foton gold grids from the VH2 right to the VH3.

Congrats on the purchase. I'm probably not going to get a V3 until the end of the year, but that'll likely be my first quad roll as well. Like @jonathan c said, excellent choice of tubes. Enjoy your new amp!

 

[brightout]

I mostly listen to classical and jazz guitar in small combo settings, classical string quartets, jazz organ trios, etc.. I like a wide soundstage with good instrument separation, and harmonic richness to smooth out the high frequencies but without losing detail. My current set up is the VH3 with stock tubes and Sennheiser HD800s and I'm very happy with it, but I'm curious about tube rolling. Can anyone recommend some tubes that might provide even more tube lushness and warmth without losing too much of the stock tubes’ airy detail and soundstage?

 

[NippleSauce]

Um, this is actually the opposite. A tube will pull the current it is rated for. It doesn't care what the amp is capable of, it wants its current and is going to pull it (or try to) regardless. If there isn't enough available current, it's unlikely the longevity of the tube would be affected -- it just wouldn't be able to operate at its optimum point. What will happen though with a demand for heater current beyond the amp's capability is the transformer (and possibly other components) will be stressed, and if stressed enough the magic smoke will appear as the transformer's filament windings burn up. At bare minimum, the longevity of the transformer and associated parts will be reduced, and probably significantly....if not catastrophically. The main electrical parameter that affects the life of the tube is the plate voltage, which as mentioned before is a value determined by the amp, not the tube. Run a tube at or near its maximum plate voltage and it will have a much shorter life than one run at a more conservative voltage.

Thank for you this explanation. It is deeply appreciated. Now this all makes more sense to me. I was thinking that the tubes themselves - without being able to operate at their listed electrical parameters - would quickly degrade due to one limitation causing other limitations that could ultimately result in tube failure. Or, perhaps one tube would pull the correct amount whilst the other wouldn't be able to, thus also causing an issue.

I suppose that I was thinking about it from a computer hardware perspective - as that is what I am the most familiar with. But it is very clear that such knowledge doesn’t apply to vacuum tubes, haha. And since I'm certainly no electrical engineer, the idea of the current pull overload stressing the transformers didn't even cross my mind - but certainly makes sense.

My apologies for my stupid presumptions @Luckyleo

 

[docBliny]

Just be aware the response I got from Langrex this morning:

I should be receiving replacements, but if the stock is running low, someone might end up in a situation that replacements aren't available anymore. Though, the above isn't really unexpected with something as old as those times are.

Just a quick update. I received the replacement tubes from Langrex today and all of them are silent. No hassle with them, just reported the issue and they sent the new ones. Great service.

 

[feverfive]

Can anyone recommend plain black (no labels/branding) socket savers; well-made? Found out a buddy of mine is getting a VH3 and he's inquiring. It's his first tube amp, and he plans to stick w/ stock tubes for the foreseeable future (um hmmm, sure...).

 

[jonathan c]

Can anyone recommend plain black (no labels/branding) socket savers; well-made? Found out a buddy of mine is getting a VH3 and he's inquiring. It's his first tube amp, and he plans to stick w/ stock tubes for the foreseeable future (um hmmm, sure...).

.... for plain socket savers (not adapters), go to 'amplifiedparts.com' -- section 'Tube Accessories'.

 

[Ripper2860]

Can anyone recommend plain black (no labels/branding) socket savers; well-made? Found out a buddy of mine is getting a VH3 and he's inquiring. It's his first tube amp, and he plans to stick w/ stock tubes for the foreseeable future (um hmmm, sure...).

.... for plain socket savers (not adapters), go to 'amplifiedparts.com' -- section 'Tube Accessories'.

I purchased 4 of them and they are well built, fit VH3 nicely, and the enclosure being made of bakelite can endure the heat VH3 generates.

 

[bagwell359]

Wait!! One can patent ridiculous?

Glad its ridiculous - seen many a poster (not on HF) spell it 'rediculous'.

As I've warned before, those new to NOS tubes are wading into an area with more scammers per sq foot than even postage stamps and coins on Ebay. Stick with known legit dealers and advice from trusted folks.

 

[JanMc]

Figured I needed a spare set anyway so I popped for a matched set of new Foton gold grid 6N6Ps. We'll see how long they take to get here from Ukraine.

I'm still considering adapters so that I can put some of my 6SN7s in.

I just received a couple new Jesse Cook CDs and looking forward to listening to them this weekend.

 

[Ripper2860]

Is there any set of HPs that do not sound AWESOME on VH3. What wonderful and versatile tube amp!!