Schiit Valhalla Tube Rolling thread.

[didxogns1]

Btw have anyone experienced any issues swapping to 12AT7/cv4003?

They have significantly higher gain factors (60), while 6n1p and its equivalents have gain factors of 33.

Heck, I am currently using 12AX7 which has a gain factor of 100.

I am a little bit concerned because I read that using a higher gain preamp tube than what the circuit is designed for can damage the circuit/ amp.

 

[G0rt]

Btw have anyone experienced any issues swapping to 12AT7/cv4003?

They have significantly higher gain factors (60), while 6n1p and its equivalents have gain factors of 33.

Heck, I am currently using 12AX7 which has a gain factor of 100.

I am a little bit concerned because I read that using a higher gain preamp tube than what the circuit is designed for can damage the circuit/ amp.

Nothing to worry about.

Schiit amps are competently designed, and constant current biasing and local feedback keeps everything under control.

Too much tube gain could get noisy, too little could limit drive for demanding cans, but in general it's all good.

 

[G0rt]

I have learned that the Foil Getters are where it's at. My top 2 tubes, after trying a bunch (seriously quite a few of them) are the RFT ECC81/ECC82 and Tungsram Black Plates ECC82 both with Foil Disc Getters. I don't know what sonics the getters actually bring, but I know they are the earliest version of the tubes, and as the saying goes. . .earlier is always better with tubes as they took more care and had more highly skilled people building them by hand in the early days.

I love the analogy of fine leather shoes made by the hands of a master craftsman (early made tubes with foil getters) vs. some mass produced "Walmart Specials" made by cheap labor with machines (later production tubes with O Getters).

This is probably the bottom line, that getter details are of interest primarily as rough indicators of period of manufacture.

Based on a quick canvas of available materials, my understanding is that once a getter is flashed, the frame or supporting structure, or 'flag', plays no further role in tube operations. At all.

The actual gettering is done by the deposited material, in small signal bottles usually some aluminum/barium alloy.

Electrodes outgas during the service life of the tube, or none of this would matter.

 

[bokononista]

Hi everybody,
after reading the hype about Brimar CV455 and CV4033, i ordered both. I have to let you know, CV4033 is really the endgame, i didnt expect so much improvement. I cant find any negative, just great resolution, slam, dynamics, microdynamics, FR, just everything is excelent . I am not so happy about CV455, for me there is some gloom? in sound, less slam and less resolution. It is not bad, CV455 are still one of the best tubes i had in the Valhalla. I think CV455 are somewhere at 70% of CV4033 about sound quality in a general. I did tests with Beyerdynamics T1.1, Sennheiser HD800s and HD600. Rear tubes are Foton gold grids.

 

[JollyGreen]

Would you guys consider adding a Lokius EQ to my Valhalla 2/Modius setup to be......blasphemy? lol

I know you want to "hear" the tubes, but is anyone using an eq with this amp? I'm craving more schiit

 

[jonathan c]

Would you guys consider adding a Lokius EQ to my Valhalla 2/Modius setup to be......blasphemy? lol

I know you want to "hear" the tubes, but is anyone using an eq with this amp? I'm craving more schiit

What tubes are you using in Valhalla II? With Foton 6N6Ps in the back and RFT ECC81s in the front (on adapters), the thought of EQ never crosses my mind.

 

[regaet]

What tubes are you using in Valhalla II? With Foton 6N6Ps in the back and RFT ECC81s in the front (on adapters), the thought of EQ never crosses my mind.

Unfortunately, they are sold out. (RFT ECC81's) Although the Brimars are still available.

 

[JollyGreen]

OOHhhhhhh no, I'm not getting sucked back into THIS discussion again lol. I've tried 10 different sets of tubes now and none of them sound SO much different that I would ever consider buying another pair again. Some are a little warmer, some are brighter, but at the end of the day, the set that it comes with is just fine. I wish I would've learned that lesson a few hundred dollars ago. But I'm not concerned with the tubes anymore. Tubes are fine, I'm curious if anyone is using an EQ and if anyone has specifically used the Lokius and if it's worth putting in my Schiit stack.

This thread is low-key an addiction to minute, subtle differences you guys are hearing in your head lol. I'm not convinced tube manufacturers didn't start this thread to offload some hhaha.

 

[regaet]

OOHhhhhhh no, I'm not getting sucked back into THIS discussion again lol. I've tried 10 different sets of tubes now and none of them sound SO much different that I would ever consider buying another pair again. Some are a little warmer, some are brighter, but at the end of the day, the set that it comes with is just fine. I wish I would've learned that lesson a few hundred dollars ago. But I'm not concerned with the tubes anymore. Tubes are fine, I'm curious if anyone is using an EQ and if anyone has specifically used the Lokius and if it's worth putting in my Schiit stack.

This thread is low-key an addiction to minute, subtle differences you guys are hearing in your head lol. I'm not convinced tube manufacturers didn't start this thread to offload some hhaha.

Then my answer would be a Bifrost 2.

 

[JollyGreen]

Then my answer would be a Bifrost 2.

Bifrost is a DAC, no? I have a Modius satisfying those needs. It's not multibit, but it gets the job done better than my last one.

 

[Blacksun]

I recently upgraded earlier this year from a Modius to a BiFrost 2, CONSIDERABLE difference!!! Last week I received a LIM Yggdrasil and another improvement... Personally I couldn't recommend more the upgrading up to a BiFrost 2 from Modius. Worth EVERY cent!!!

 

[JollyGreen]

I recently upgraded earlier this year from a Modius to a BiFrost 2, CONSIDERABLE difference!!! Last week I received a LIM Yggdrasil and another improvement... Personally I couldn't recommend more the upgrading up to a BiFrost 2 from Modius. Worth EVERY cent!!!

I would never spend $2k on a DAC but it's your money big baller! Let me get that Bifrost 2 from you since you don't need it anymore lol

 

[Jbucla2005]

JJ ECC99 works in VH2 with ECC99 to 6H30 adaptors.

 

[jonathan c]

I would never spend $2k on a DAC but it's your money big baller!…

That is reasonable if $2K is genuinely beyond budget tolerance. If that is a “humbug” stance, you may be (are) missing out. If your music comes from digital sources, the DAC is often the most important component - if sonic resemblance to actual music matters.

 

[Jbucla2005]

JJ ECC99 works in VH2 with ECC99 to 6H30 adaptors.

I’m still enjoying the ECC99’s in the VH2. I’m using new production Tung Sol 12AT7’s with adaptors in the front. Overall I’d say the ECC99’s are slightly bright but also nicely lush, and possibly an upgrade over the stock tubes. I’m surprised that not many people have tried this tube.