Schiit Valhalla 3 - Impressions Thread

[robusa]

I have the shipping label to send mine back but I have new headphones arriving today so I’m gonna have to wait to send it back until tomorrow

 

[j0val]

Just wanted to post a quick update comment:

I have received my replacement V3 on Friday and have rolled the tubes from the start. And thankfully enough, I have not experienced a single audio drop throughout the weekend. Overall soundstage is a bit different as well, and slightly more enjoyable?

@j0val I also tried (and will keep) using my perfectly matched pair 6N6P GGs and JJ ECC88 Gold Pins and really admire the sound provided. The JJs provide this added warmth that puts a small emphasis on that wonderful tube sound. Depending on your headphones and audio preferences, I can understand why so many folks online had suggested the JJs over the Gold Lions for frequent/regular listening use.

Nice. Good to hear you’re up and running again with no issues. Looking forward to receiving my replacement later today. I have my JJs waiting as well. Think l’ll start with stock for a bit first.

 

[landwalker000]

I received my replacement V3 on Sunday.

I haven't had any problems with any tubes.

I also have had no problems with he1000se in any gain setting!

I too agree that the V3 is better than the V2, even with stock tubes.

But I do like using my Violectic V281 to pre-amp the V3.

 

[Ripper2860]

OK. This may be a bit controversial, but do keep in mind that it is my IMHO. From a price/performance/compatibility/awesomeness perspective, the Valhalla 3 may rank as Jason's greatest achievement to date. Sure there are more expensive amps like MJ3 and even the limited edition FV, but when it comes to bang for the buck, this is top of the heap/king of the hill followed closely by Vali 3. I've owned Rag OG, Valhalla 2, Lyr 3, Magni, Vali 3, Jot 1, and Piety (not really Schiit, but WTH) and this bests them all (again IMHO). Kudos to Jason!! This is a milestone in tube amp price/performance.

 

[DeanoBravo]

this is top of the heap./king of the hill followed closely by Vali 3.

Ahhh, you've cited Vali 3. Resistance is futile, isn't it?
I've been getting the impression that this is another classic like Vali 3.

 

[ArmchairPhilosopher]

OK. This may be a bit controversial, but do keep in mind that it is my IMHO. From a price/performance/compatibility/awesomeness perspective, The Valhalla 3 may rank as Jason's greatest achievement to date. Sure there are more expensive amps like MJ3 and even the limited edition FV, but when it comes to bang for the buck, this is top of the heap./king of the hill followed closely by Vali 3. I've owned Rag OG, Valhalla 2, Lyr 3, Magni, Vali 3, Jot 1, and Piety (not really Schiit, but WTH). Kudos to Jason!! This is a milestone in tube amp price/performance.

Yep.

 

[bevanc]

OK. This may be a bit controversial, but do keep in mind that it is my IMHO. From a price/performance/compatibility/awesomeness perspective, The Valhalla 3 may rank as Jason's greatest achievement to date. Sure there are more expensive amps like MJ3 and even the limited edition FV, but when it comes to bang for the buck, this is top of the heap/king of the hill followed closely by Vali 3. I've owned Rag OG, Valhalla 2, Lyr 3, Magni, Vali 3, Jot 1, and Piety (not really Schiit, but WTH). Kudos to Jason!! This is a milestone in tube amp price/performance.

I will concur. My Jotunheim 2 is sitting unplugged and looking forlorn right now. It is likely heading to the office to replace the Jotunheim 1 there. Vali 3 may end up there as well. And for what's it worth, if you were wise enough to get a pair of the 6N26P when everyone started getting them for Vali 3, you should try them.

 

[DeanoBravo]

if you were wise enough to get a pair of the 6N26P

I wasn't but I will (eventually).

 

[JanMc]

I absolutely blasted my new V3 yesterday for hours. Played as loud as I ever do and it was flawless. Typical FexEx - my new adapters were supposed to be delivered last Friday but now they are scheduled for Wednesday. Can't wait to see how much better this thing can sound.

 

[Aerocraft67]

Did some comparison with Pietus Maximus.

Pietus Maximus	Valhalla 3
Slam & crunch	Grind & grumble
Edge, attack, sharp transients, crisp	Natural, organic timbre. Not "mic'd" or "recorded"
Tighter bass	Convincing bass
Resolving, but can get congested	Maybe not the last word in detail, but great separation
Blackground	Presence

Listened to some metal. You might prefer PMax for "Enter Sandman." This track is, well, metalic, and suits the PMax, but you could argue Valhalla 3 complements it. Similarly, I preferred Valhalla 3 on "Victim of Changes" (Judas Priest). This a very "analogue" track, which suits Valhalla, but you could argue the PMax complements it.

 

[DACattack]

OK. This may be a bit controversial, but do keep in mind that it is my IMHO. From a price/performance/compatibility/awesomeness perspective, the Valhalla 3 may rank as Jason's greatest achievement to date. Sure there are more expensive amps like MJ3 and even the limited edition FV, but when it comes to bang for the buck, this is top of the heap/king of the hill followed closely by Vali 3. I've owned Rag OG, Valhalla 2, Lyr 3, Magni, Vali 3, Jot 1, and Piety (not really Schiit, but WTH) and this bests them all (again IMHO). Kudos to Jason!! This is a milestone in tube amp price/performance.

That's seriously impressive, and I know you wouldn't say this lightly. Also, having a Folkvangr, I'm not surprised at all that Valhalla 3 sounds so great, given their common lineage. Yes, I suspect that the Folkvangr is a little better than Valhalla 3, but I also suspect that it's not 3+ better (if you gauge by price alone). The Valhalla 3 is certainly far, far better from a price-to-performance standpoint.

I really can't wait to get one later in this year. I have a Mjolnir 3 on order that I have to pay off first, since I've sold off all my other solid state amps in my massive decluttering/simplifying purge this year; but once that's done, and I pay for the pending Byggy upgrade for my Yggy A2, I continue to hope that Santa will be kinder to me than I deserve this year and put one of these lovelies in my stocking.

What's your current tube roll?

 

[docBliny]

OK. This may be a bit controversial, but do keep in mind that it is my IMHO. From a price/performance/compatibility/awesomeness perspective, the Valhalla 3 may rank as Jason's greatest achievement to date. Sure there are more expensive amps like MJ3 and even the limited edition FV, but when it comes to bang for the buck, this is top of the heap/king of the hill followed closely by Vali 3. I've owned Rag OG, Valhalla 2, Lyr 3, Magni, Vali 3, Jot 1, and Piety (not really Schiit, but WTH) and this bests them all (again IMHO). Kudos to Jason!! This is a milestone in tube amp price/performance.

Yup. After some quick tests, I don't even feel I've "downgraded" my listening experience between using the VH 3 in the bedroom vs listening on the Mjolnir 3 in the living room (and now I'm hankering to get another VH 3 into the upstairs listening room where I currently have the VH 2...)

 

[DeanoBravo]

Maybe not the last word in detail, but great separation

I like that.

 

[MindBreak]

https://pulsetubestore.com/products/12axx-to-ecc88-adapter-plug-play-novib-©-1960s-nos-british-mcmurdo-phenolic-socket-on-top-plus-vibration-reduction-base-9-pin-b9a-noval-not-made-in-china

Decided to order a pair for myself, and a set of socket savers.

 

[theveterans]

Decided to order a pair for myself, and a set of socket savers.

Yay more rabbit hole for you