Schiit Valhalla Tube Rolling thread.

[didxogns1]

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

https://www.thetubestore.com/rft-ecc81-12at7 they arevaialbe here

 

[didxogns1]

Some more tube rolling.

Previously,

I opted for the preferred series 7025 as my favorite. Plugging this to heddphone, everything sounded so intimate lively and fun!

However, when I used VH2 as a preamp, connecting to KGSS DX - Stax L700, everything it sounded so hollow and lifeless

I don't know why this is the case, but I was shocked and disappointed how "situational" this tube was.

One of the headfier recommended RFT ECC81. While I was at it, I bought ECC82 (12AU7), and Tung Sol 12AU7 as well.

Here is a quick impression of these three with my Stax L700.

My goal for this was to find a tube that sounds good in both of my grails (heddphone and L700)

As said before, I hate the neutral sound. I hate HD 600's sound signature. I love vocals. I love rap, r&b, etc.

I prefer anything that sounds lively and intimate.

Please keep that in mind.


Tung Sol 12AU7: I don't know what to say. I don't like it. It sucks.


RFT ECC81, ECC82: I like to review these two at once because these two are the best sounding tubes IMO. They sound really really freaking different thou.

RFT ECC 82 is the tube you need to buy syrupy sound. I always didn't understand when people say tube amplifier makes sound syrupy and gooey. That changed when I listen to Gloria Tells - Come Clean. This is sticky! Some tubes are tuby in a bad way (e.g. Tung Sol 12AU7). They are too dark, muddy, and lifeless. However, ECC82 accentuates the bass just enough to keep things lit! Bad and Boujee sounds badddddd.

While this is the perfect tube for ppl who primarily listen to rap/r&b, this tube is not good for soft vocals. For example, when I listen to kpop by BOL4, her soft whisper-like vocal is just faded behind the instrumentals. This was the main reason I choose to run ECC 81.


RFT ECC81 is quite the opposite in terms of the sound signature. Great treble and highs. Pretty lacking bass. I really like that vocal is forward on this one. However, it is fatiguing over time. I am mainly running this as my primary tube because it doesn't sound bad on bass-heavy songs, while does well with female vocals.

That being said, I might change back to RFT ECC82 if the sound doesn't change after burn-in. This is just too fatiguing.

 

[regaet]

https://www.thetubestore.com/rft-ecc81-12at7 they arevaialbe here

Not the same tube.

 

[Wes S]

Not the same tube.

Yep, those are latter production. Slight changes in construction can yield quite different results in sound and the Folded plates and foil getter RFT ECC81 has more and better quality bass than pretty much any other tube in the family.

The RFT ECC81 Folded Plate Foil Disc Getter gets the approval from this basshead.

 

[jonathan c]

The RFT ECC81 Folded Plate Foil Disc Getter gets the approval from this basshead.

Indeed!….better to be a basshead than a basshole….….

 

[JollyGreen]

Hey guys, QQ If I wanted to run some speakers from my Valhallas 2 (like on my desktop) how would that work? Would i need powered speakers, or unpowered speakers considering its an amp?

 

[jonathan c]

G0rt piqued my curiosity with his discussion of the RCA 5965. So I ordered a few for rotation in the Valhalla II. Those that I now own look like triple mica, have ‘tall’ grey plates. The d-getter looks to be attached to the top mica which itself has a very shiny underside. It almost seems to be a form of foil getter ….Anyway, I look forward to giving these 5965s a go….battle of the “R”s: CA versus FT….One last query: should I be concerned about the RCA filament current of 450 mA versus the RFT filament current of 300 mA? Or will Valhalla II accommodate that?

 

[G0rt]

G0rt piqued my curiosity with his discussion of the RCA 5965. So I ordered a few for rotation in the Valhalla II. Those that I now own look like triple mica, have ‘tall’ grey plates. The d-getter looks to be attached to the top mica which itself has a very shiny underside. It almost seems to be a form of foil getter ….Anyway, I look forward to giving these 5965s a go….battle of the “R”s: CA versus FT….One last query: should I be concerned about the RCA filament current of 450 mA versus the RFT filament current of 300 mA? Or will Valhalla II accommodate that?

I've used CV1988's in VH2, which are 600 mA each, with no issues. I use 5965's in VH2 for hours and hours, with no issues.

All the tubes are on adaptors or savers, which helps keep things cool(er.)

 

[jonathan c]

I've used CV1988's in VH2, which are 600 mA each, with no issues. I use 5965's in VH2 for hours and hours, with no issues.

All the tubes are on adaptors or savers, which helps keep things cool(er.)

Thank you for the response.

 

[jonathan c]

Hey guys, QQ If I wanted to run some speakers from my Valhallas 2 (like on my desktop) how would that work? Would i need powered speakers, or unpowered speakers considering its an amp?

You could connect Valhalla II to powered speakers or to a speaker amplifier which is connected to unpowered speakers. In either case, you would use the preamp output RCA plugs.

 

[jonathan c]

Before I open up the Valhalla II: what is the fuse value and type (Amperes / Fast v Timed)? I would like to put in a Synergistic Research or Hifi-Tunings fuse as a replacement / upgrade.

 

[G0rt]

G0rt piqued my curiosity with his discussion of the RCA 5965. So I ordered a few for rotation in the Valhalla II. Those that I now own look like triple mica, have ‘tall’ grey plates. The d-getter looks to be attached to the top mica which itself has a very shiny underside. It almost seems to be a form of foil getter ….Anyway, I look forward to giving these 5965s a go….battle of the “R”s: CA versus FT….One last query: should I be concerned about the RCA filament current of 450 mA versus the RFT filament current of 300 mA? Or will Valhalla II accommodate that?

I'm finding 5965's Big Fun(tm) in part because they're cheap and plentiful, and because they were made in many variants, long and short plates, black and gray, 2 and 3 mica, various getters.

They were introduced in 1954, and were made for at least a decade.

All that I've tried so far have overall similar characteristics, which I attribute to their Mu and Gm, a bit lower than the other popular types.

My impression is of greater headroom, relaxed without being lazy, with effortless macro dynamics. Not the exorbitant air of those special RFT ECC81's but luscious mids and a tight bottom that I really like.

The lower gain means it takes more knob, but that also makes for precise setting, too. I don't mind.

Cheap thrills.

 

[JollyGreen]

I really like my Electro Harmonix 6922s but I decided to give my E88CC Gold Lions another try. I wasn't a fan of them at first, but maybe they will sound better with some break in? They were like twice as expensive as the Electro Harmonix, but I like the EH better? I dunno maybe I just prefer that sound, it sounds more clear. The Lions sound a bit muffled kind of like a blanket is over the sound.

 

[JollyGreen]

Damn it, i'm angry with myself for jumping back into this thread. Can anyone recommend some SUPER detailed tubes for Ambient music listening? I listed to a lot of Thom Brennan, Bioshpere, Carbon Based Lifeforms, REAL ambient downtempo stuff that can give you the brain tickles and benefits from lots of airiness and clarity.

 

[regaet]

Damn it, i'm angry with myself for jumping back into this thread. Can anyone recommend some SUPER detailed tubes for Ambient music listening? I listed to a lot of Thom Brennan, Bioshpere, Carbon Based Lifeforms, REAL ambient downtempo stuff that can give you the brain tickles and benefits from lots of airiness and clarity.