Schiit Valhalla 3 - Impressions Thread

[JanMc]

I've had all the problems anyone else has encountered with their Valhalla 3 (left channel fading in and out, protection issues) and I am running stock tubes. Per someone else's suggestion I pulled my Lokius out of the chain this morning and so far have not had any issues. I'll know by the end of the weekend if I need to contact Schiit but have not done so yet. And no matter the small issues, the thing sounds damn good.

 

[erics75]

I have read this entire thread and most of the people who are having issues didn't actually say they are using the stock tubes.

With every release there will be the unfortunate 1% of people that get a dud unit, but hopefully they have reached out to Schiit. I have been very thorough with Schiit and given them every detail about my audio chain.

You see it as an unimportant 1% only problem, I see it as potentially more. Both are valid opinions, but in the end they're just that, opinions. Only Schiit has the facts, that's why I think they should respond.

@JanMc Sorry the stupid double posting thing stopped me from replying directly to you. I would strongly urge you to contact Schiit. They can't look into potential issues unless users report them. That is one trend i'm seeing here amongst all the feedback. Those affected by the issues are not always reporting back to Schiit. I've been buying from them since they launched, they will definitely rectify any problems, that i'm confident in. But They need to know about the problems to do so.

So for anyone who's experiencing issues, and have not contacted Schiit, please do so. It helps you and also future owners, as it allows Schiit to problem solve the issue and address it.

 

[JanMc]

You see it as an unimportant 1% only problem, I see it as potentially more. Both are valid opinions, but in the end they're just that, opinions. Only Schiit has the facts, that's why I think they should respond.

@JanMc Sorry the stupid double posting thing stopped me from replying directly to you. I would strongly urge you to contact Schiit. They can't look into potential issues unless users report them. That is one trend i'm seeing here amongst all the feedback. Those affected by the issues are not always reporting back to Schiit. I've been buying from them since they launched, they will definitely rectify any problems, that i'm confident in. But They need to know about the problems to do so.

So for anyone who's experiencing issues, and have not contacted Schiit, please do so. It helps you and also future owners, as it allows Schiit to problem solve the issue and address it.

Having removed my Lokius from the chain this morning and still experienced both problems I have contacted Schiit at this point. I felt it was reasonable to see if I could determine the cause(s) first and now that I have decided I can't I put in the request for help.

 

[theboogar1]

They’re all Russian (no rolling choice that I’m aware of in the 6N6P), and all were no doubt purchased by Schiit by the thousands. So if I were a guessing man, I’d say that they’re tested and matched, burned in with the amp, sound checked, and shipped. And that’s all supposition.

Rollinng? Much cooler question… Rolling for the 6N1Ps (especially given their high heater current) is darn near limitless, with the correct adapters. Without, you’re looking at other 6N1Ps, 6DJ8s, 6922s, etc. But it gets more interesting when adapters come into play. There are far more options in the less-used 5670/6N3P realm, and really good ones still available at good prices. But it does take two adapters, obviously.

I’m currently trying 5670s, and I think I’m happy in this realm. Also trying 7062s.

I actually found a great blog post about rolling both sets of tubes - it led me to the RCA 6CG7 clear top. More importantly, I discovered the 7119 for the output section (with adapters)… and it sounds great. https://cheaptubeaudio.blogspot.com/2020/08/schiit-valhalla-2-as-preamp-tube.html

 

[robusa]

Here's a summary of what I've been trying and experiencing. For my sources, I've been using an Eversolo DMP-A6 streamer/dac, and also a Fosi X2 phono preamp with a Project X2 turntable.


both sources > vh3 > headphones = no issues

eversolo > saga 2 > vh3 > headphones = no issues

phono > saga 2 > vh3 > headphones = has gone into protection mode a few times, only when starting a new side of a record.

both sources > saga 2 > vh3 > lokius > fosi v3 mono power amps > speakers = no issues

both sources > saga 2 > lokius > vh3 > headphones = goes into protection mode occasionally, can't seem to figure out exactly what triggers it. sometimes it happens when swapping headphones (only going from a lower to higher impedance headphone) while VH3 was still on, sometimes it was a source turning off and back on, sometimes just happened when a new song started on the eversolo.


I've had no issues with channels out of balance or not working, on both speakers and headphones.

 

[VolumusMaximus]

Have had V3 for a week now. I am saving the included tubes as spares. Currently have REZV red tip 6N6Ps in the back. Have tried Sylvania 6DJ8 tubes as substitutes for the 6N1P. Lush mids and strong low end (didn't know my Grados could go that low) - as if a 'loudness' button was engaged. Amp ran very warm.

Replaced the Sylvania's with Reflector 6H23Ps (6922). Wow. Soundstage, and instrument separation went to another level. Tone and timbre are very accurate. Amp seems to run cooler (although still very warm). These tubes are keepers. Very open and balanced. Dead quiet background. Operating in high-gain, with impedance multiplier on.

Have had one protection incident (with the Sylvania tubes, amp was cold - on less than 5 minutes). No issues with the Reflector tubes. My amp is plugged into a surge protector.

 

[robusa]

Have had V3 for a week now. I am saving the included tubes as spares. Currently have REZV red tip 6N6Ps in the back. Have tried Sylvania 6DJ8 tubes as substitutes for the 6N1P. Lush mids and strong low end (didn't know my Grados could go that low) - as if a 'loudness' button was engaged. Amp ran very warm.

Replaced the Sylvania's with Reflector 6H23Ps (6922). Wow. Soundstage, and instrument separation went to another level. Tone and timbre are very accurate. Amp seems to run cooler (although still very warm). These tubes are keepers. Very open and balanced. Dead quiet background. Operating in high-gain, with impedance multiplier on.

Have had one protection incident (with the Sylvania tubes, amp was cold - on less than 5 minutes). No issues with the Reflector tubes. My amp is plugged into a surge protector.

https://www.thetubestore.com/6h23n-eb-6922?quantity=1&additional_options=3

Are these the Reflectors you're talking about?

 

[VolumusMaximus]

https://www.thetubestore.com/6h23n-eb-6922?quantity=1&additional_options=3

Are these the Reflectors you're talking about?

Yes. Can't say enough about them. Very holographic sound stage. This combo has incredible synergy with Fiio FT1 phones (MH Tungsten pads).

 

[Gfreak]

For those of you with Planars and this thing, what're your experiences in comparison with an SS amp?

I've never really tried tube amps, Currently have an Arya Stealth (and an hd600, but don't use those as much) with a Jotunheim. What kind of differences would you expect, would y'all say it's worth grabbing if I only really use the Aryas currently?

 

[landwalker000]

For those of you with Planars and this thing, what're your experiences in comparison with an SS amp?

I've never really tried tube amps, Currently have an Arya Stealth (and an hd600, but don't use those as much) with a Jotunheim. What kind of differences would you expect, would y'all say it's worth grabbing if I only really use the Aryas currently?

I have the He1000se and I think they sound good on the V3, but not as good as my Violectric V281 reissue.

I don't think buying an OTL tube amp is worth it just for planars.

I like the V3 the most with the ZMF Auteurs.

 

[VolumusMaximus]

For those of you with Planars and this thing, what're your experiences in comparison with an SS amp?

I've never really tried tube amps, Currently have an Arya Stealth (and an hd600, but don't use those as much) with a Jotunheim. What kind of differences would you expect, would y'all say it's worth grabbing if I only really use the Aryas currently?

I need to do some more listening.. but I have an Arya (stealth) and I thought the Val3 sounded a little 'veiled'..compared to my Lyr + (in depleted uranium MOSFET) SS mode.

 

[j0val]

This was just posted on the main Schiit thread.

I'm still learning about tubes and tube amps. Does this mean that the combined heater current of all 4 tubes has to be <= 2.7A? That is my interpretation. I better check on the tubes I just bought.

Also, I had the left channel cutting out issue. Swapped the tubes, and now the right channel was cutting out. Sounds like a tube issue. Going to contact Schiit.

 

[bagwell359]

For those of you with Planars and this thing, what're your experiences in comparison with an SS amp?

I've never really tried tube amps, Currently have an Arya Stealth (and an hd600, but don't use those as much) with a Jotunheim. What kind of differences would you expect, would y'all say it's worth grabbing if I only really use the Aryas currently?

If you do you may find you will listen to the 600's more perhaps a lot more. I have not tried a V 3, but one of my favorite thing about planars is the quick rise time w/ heft in the bass, and even fancy tubes like a DIY Aegis can't give me that vs my Rag 2. I can't say the V 3 can't but I would be surprised if it did.

 

[Gfreak]

If you do you may find you will listen to the 600's more perhaps a lot more. I have not tried a V 3, but one of my favorite thing about planars is the quick rise time w/ heft in the bass, and even fancy tubes like a DIY Aegis can't give me that vs my Rag 2. I can't say the V 3 can't but I would be surprised if it did.

I was wondering about that re: the 600's lol. I mainly got those to plug into my keyboard, The 1 thing I really like the hd600's for is sound for piano/accoustic instruments and female vocals. but hard to justify a 2nd amp to sit on my desk just for that at the moment haha.

Appreciate the responses y'all!

 

[theveterans]

SET tube amps will mostly sound just a hint slower than SS in bass even if you went with big 300B tubes. You’d want at least a PP Class AB tube topology if you want that SS like kick out of tubes

I know this is V3 thread but I find Aegis’s bass performance very sufficient for Susvara OG and Raal 1995 Immanis for that matter that I literally don’t even FOMO for a Riviera AIC-10 or other summit amps to get the oh wowzee amazeball speedy transient with lots of macrodynamic moments with my Infected Mushroom tracks