Schiit Valhalla 3 - Impressions Thread

[cdiaz1069]

Good morning! I spent between two and three hours listening to the Bokeh open on the V3 last night. I came up with a math problem and solved it; 2/64+V3+BO= It was absolute magic for me. I let the tubes warm for 30 minutes this time. I was in awe, seriously. Vocals, guitars and basses are just stellar. Every note from them sounded so good. Chris Squire's bass on Yours Is No Disgrace was amazing. Organs feel heavy. Everything has a smoothness to it. This is the best combo I have ever listened to. You may be thinking, this is your first tube amp - you have no idea. While that may be true, I am so content right now. Also, still no cutoffs.

 

[bevanc]

I have to say that I'm rather surprised at the number of people on the thread who are using a harder-to-drive planar headphone with their Valhalla 3. Even with the impedance multiplier, I've avoided this combo with my Folkvangr. (I wonder if somehow the V3 does a better job with them than FV? I can't say not having the proper cans nor a V3 yet.)

Anyway, it's gratifying to see that this version of Valhalla can be used with a much broader range of cans than its predecessor. Happy listening all. (Hoping Santa will put one under my stocking later this year.)

I will admit, me trying the HE6SEV2 was a bit of a lark and I think the Vali 3 might still edge it on those, but the Arya Stealth and DCA Aeon Noire are superb with the Valhalla 3. I think it might be to do with the output rails at 100V. It is a keeper.

 

[landwalker000]

I wish Schiit wouldn't use FedEx.

Next time I buy something from them, I am going to see if they will use UPS instead.

I paid extra to have the V3 delivered this morning and FedEx took my money, but it's not even out for delivery. It's been setting since 5AM in the local FedEx ship center. The tracking said they called me, which they didn't. So I called them, and now I am waiting on a callback from the Ship Center.

 

[Rattle]

I wish Schiit wouldn't use FedEx.

Next time I buy something from them, I am going to see if they will use UPS instead.

I paid extra to have the V3 delivered this morning and FedEx took my money, but it's not even out for delivery. It's been setting since 5AM in the local FedEx ship center. The tracking said they called me, which they didn't. So I called them, and now I am waiting on a callback from the Ship Center.

Totally agree, although it does depend what part of the country you're in UPS is definitely way better than FedEx where I live. I despise FedEx. Every single issue I've ever had shipping something the last 5 years was always FedEx. Always.

 

[Laines]

Got my V3 and immediately thought about trying my old modded Fostex T50mk2 and what can I say the V3 drives them with ease even without multiplyer engaged!

 

[Moondog55]

Totally agree, although it does depend what part of the country you're in UPS is definitely way better than FedEx where I live. I despise FedEx. Every single issue I've ever had shipping something the last 5 years was always FedEx. Always.

After the merger they'll be known as FedUp.

 

[NorthLeo]

Hopefully this month since Stjarna is already shipping, and they were prioritizing that launch prior to working on Valhalla 7.

 

[DeanoBravo]

You may be thinking, this is your first tube amp - you have no idea.

Quite the opposite. The idiom "out of the mouths of babes" comes to mind and for me, your instinctive reaction to this new form of musical stimuli carries much weight.

After years on a steady diet of solid state doodads, completely unaware of the existence of tube amplification, I still vividly remember the eureka moment when I first hit play with tube amps in my system - an Icon Audio LA4 MKII preamp and Consonance Cyber 800 monoblocks, driving Usher Mini Dancer 2's, playing AC/DC.
The effect was so deeply visceral I instantly became a tube acolyte.

 

[bevanc]

Ah, so first drop out hits. But I was using the HE6SEV2 at the time, as well as listening to the new Sleep Token album, so maybe it was meant to do that. Working fine on the DCA Noire now.

 

[jonathan c]

Is yours a pre-09/MAY ?

 

[Quadrangulator]

Obviously there's something wrong with it. You should contact Schiit immediately!!

Me: Yes, hello, Schiit? My Valhalla 3 is broken.

Schiit: What's wrong with your Valhalla 3?

Me: It doesn't drop out.

 

[dufffader]

I listened to this amp last night for the first time. It was also my first time using a true tube amp. It was only for around an hour and a half. I will put it through its paces this weekend. I didn't experience any cutoffs. Mine was shipped before the "patch". It's plugged into a wall outlet, stock tubes, I used every gain and impedance setting and my headphones are both Bokehs. I settled on high gain with no feedback, no impedance multiplier and the volume at 10:00 was comfortably loud. I streamed Qobuz from my laptop to 2/64 to V3 to Bokeh closed.

Low and high gain with feedback made everything sound far away. High with no feedback made things clear and the correct distance from my ears. The Bokehs aren't hard to drive so it isn't necessary to use the impedance multiplier and I think I read somewhere on here that not using it makes the sound more tubey. I did try it and it just made music louder, but that's why there is a volume knob.

I let the tubes warm for 20 minutes and started listening. I didn't hear much difference at first in comparison to a solid state, but after another 20 minutes, things got smooth. Is this the tubiness everyone speaks of? Lol This amp sounds fantastic. In my limited time so far, it leaves me wanting nothing. That may change as I get to know it better. I feel like it plays to whatever the vibe is of the music. Tube magic? I'm very excited to try the Bokeh open on it.

I'm going to run with stock tubes for a while until I figure out what I may want to change. Aside from knowing what size tubes it takes, I have no idea how to pick tubes. I'm also not going to bother asking for a replacement unless something happens. I have piece of mind knowing it has a 5 year warranty.

Hi. I'm Chris and I'm a Schiithead. Have a great weekend!

Hey Chris.
Interested in a comparison with your Jotunheim 2. I suspect the Valhalla 3 could be complementary and play some types of music better but not replacing the Jot.

 

[bevanc]

Is yours a pre-09/MAY ?

So it was close, but I got notification of billing on the 8th. I think it actually left on the 9th. I'll keep an eye on it. If it happens with different headphones then I'll contact them.

 

[cdiaz1069]

Hey Chris.
Interested in a comparison with your Jotunheim 2. I suspect the Valhalla 3 could be complementary and play some types of music better but not replacing the Jot.

Hi. The Jot 2 isn't going anywhere unless Schiit replaces it with something better/new in the same form factor. I like to have both a SS amp and tube amp. I'm still getting to know the V3 and haven't found anything that the Jot does better but I have only listened to the V3 twice. So this initial comparison is with a grain of salt - the Jot, and maybe it's a SS thing, presents all music the same. It says here, this is my sound and that's that.This isn't necessarily a bad thing because the Jot sounds great. The V3, and maybe it's a tube thing, is a chameleon. It plays to whatever type of music is on and brings out the characteristics of the song - its vibe. As a first time tube user, this blows me away. I think maybe which amp gets used is going to depend on which headphone is going to be used and not what type of music is going to be played. I only have both Bokehs and they aren't tough to drive, so right now, I feel like I would always default to the V3. Again, this is still a very early impression and comparison. Hope this is sort of what you were looking for.

 

[Runrunsmithfly]

Amperex Orange Globes are my favorite input tubes in my Valhalla 2. I'd be interested to know if any Valhalla 3 owners have tried them.