Schiit Vali 3 : Impressions Thread

[mch12000]

Hello, Could you comment the difference with the Piety ? With the GE 5 STAR 5670 do you think that the Piety as softer treble ? And also The tonality of the Mids, if you can put words on it i'll appreciate. Thank you

I have not had time to compare directly to the Piety, and I'm not very good at describing comparisons between amps. I mostly posted my thoughts to let people know that the Vali 3 responds well to tube rolling. If I have a chance later this week, I will make some notes comparing the two. Only way for you to know for sure is to buy one and try for yourself!

 

[mch12000]

Nice to know that the Vali 3, unlike pretty much all of the previous Vali amps, responds well to tube changes. That will really encourage a bunch of rolling, which is why people buy tube products in the first place, no?

Exactly. I had a Vali 2 a few years ago. I tried a few tubes and they all sounded pretty much the same.

 

[adydula]

Listening with ADX 5000's at the moment...James Taylors October Road Cd.

The ADX5000's are the top-of-the-line dynamic driver cans from Audio Technica.
A long time ago when auditioning the HD800's which did not turn me on at all...lack of bass and just.
too plasticky in the build area. Didn't think they were worth the cost.

The ADX 5000s are to me what the 800s should have been. Pricey as well but the openness and airy sound with decent bass is
their trademark.

With the Vali 3 they are a good test for 420-ohm cans...on the lower power part of this amp's capability.
Well with 200 mw available up at 600 ohms and 400 mw at 300 ohms. The amp has no problem making the ADX5000's sing.
More than adequate power.

In High gain mode, wide open volume no music playing they are dead silent. No hiss or hum. Awesome.

So far testing with ADX5000's, Rad 0's, HD 650's, ZMF Verite closed, He 1000 Se's, next is D8000 Pros.

Alex

 

[Turcoyan]

Exactly. I had a Vali 2 a few years ago. I tried a few tubes and they all sounded pretty much the same.

This is exactly what i'm scared about the Vali 3, i bought 12 tubes for the Vali 2 even the We 396a and never could tell any difference between them. But now with all of you reviwewing ,i have hopes.

Today i bought a used Piety on US audio Mart, this one i'm pretty sure i'm gonna like.

I'll be waiting for a Used Vali 3 to come out soon on Canuck audio ( Canada ) , cause for us, it's 300 $ Cad a Vali 3 shipping custom and all, And return it to Schiit after testing it's pointless, too much trouble with the custom and we will lose at least 100$ US doing so. So if we don't like it's easier to sell it here in Canada.

If there is someone from Canada hearing this, I'm in to buy yours.

Thank you Mch for confirming that Vali 3 is better at Tube rolling than the Vali 2. And looking for to hear more of your notes about Vali 3 vs Piety

 

[Condocondor]

I thought I would take a moment to share my experience with the Vali 3.

On a whim, about 10 days ago, I drove 30 minutes north to the Shiitr and bought a Vali 3. I’ve been using Magini Piety, which I love, for over a year. So I don’t NEED a new amp, but, you know how it is.

Chain is Bifrost 2 > Vali 3 > HD58X

Got it home, fired it up, and immediately ordered some tubes. With the stock tube, the highs were a bit harsh, the bass smeared, and the stage seemed compressed. I let it cook for a couple of days, and the sound improved a bit, but not enough.

The first tube to arrive was GE JAN 5670. Plugged it in and let it cook for a day. An improvement over stock. Smoother treble, cleaner bass, and improved soundstage. At this point I’m still debating whether to return it.

Yesterday I received a GE 5 STAR 5670. This is the one, so far. Deep and wide soundstage, beautiful separation of instruments, and awesome clarity and detail. I listened for 4 hours last night with zero fatigue. I can’t wait to listen to a few albums tonight. This amp is definitely staying. Looking for an RCA Command to try next.

If you are considering this amp, plan on getting something different than the stock tube. IMO, the stock tube should be thought of as a placeholder only. The tubes I’ve purchased so far were $15 each, and worth every penny over the stock tube.

As always, YMMV.

Ordered the GE 5-Star today from your reporting. Also ordered an WE 396A so we'll see how that works out. Honestly, the stock tube sound pretty damn good to me. This amp is a killer.

 

[DrMorbius]

Stock tube sounds pretty good too, looking into getting a WE 396A but their so darn expensive.

 

[Condocondor]

Stock tube sounds pretty good too, looking into getting a WE 396A but their so darn expensive.

I doubt it's worth it, but here's where I bought mine today (WE396A):

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dk...re_cat=0&store_name=ap1278&_oac=1&_nkw=we396a

https://tubeworldexpress.com/collections/preamp/396a

 

[HWB3]

I bought my WE 396A from this eBay vendor back in September for $75. It tested well and sounds fine.

 

[DrMorbius]

Thanks, I’ll check it out!

 

[adydula]

I got a new Bendix 2C51 for $25. Cant really discern much of any differences in my several 396a's. New = NOS.
Day 2 with ADX5000'd 420 ohm impedance...
This is a great pairing. Airy and open...wonderful with live performances.

 

[Turcoyan]

Can i ask you where you get this Bendix 2C51 at 25 $ ?

 

[adydula]

Can i ask you where you get this Bendix 2C51 at 25 $ ?

PM sent

 

[Hofy]

New tube, new launch. This is Deep Space Probe 5670 5WhiteStar.

 

[Brubacca]

No, that G1217 adapter won't work for 12a*7 tubes - they have a different pinout from 6dj8

Thanks. Clearly I need to go my game in this tube stuff. I'll just get some new tubes that are appropriate for the Vali 3. Looking for a little more of that tube swing.

 

[Mr Trev]

Thanks. Clearly I need to go my game in this tube stuff. I'll just get some new tubes that are appropriate for the Vali 3. Looking for a little more of that tube swing.

I'm sure somebody, somewhere has a 5670 - 12a*7 adapter.
That G1217 5670 - 6sn7 adapter you mentioned should work. The biggest question would be if it has clearance with the Vali3's lid