[jonathan c]

In the meantime, periodic pin cleaning ...

 

[jonathan c]

Just got a Vali 3 myself. Is the 396A really worth $100? I see the 2C51 is only $19.95.

Yes.

 

[HWB3]

Yes.

Well, it is good, but $100? I got mine for $75 last year. You can get fine sound out of tubes that cost less.
I think a WE396A thing is starting to happen. It's up to the individual how much they spend on a tube, but a little reading and you could save some money.

 

[jonathan c]

Another excellent alternative for Vali 3: 12AU7 (ECC82) tube with Xuling Audio Lab 12AU7 --> 5670 adapter.

Above is RFT ECC82 'foil' getter tube. Advantage: the tube is less expensive than WE 396A. Highly, highly coherent musically!

 

[jonathan c]

Well, it is good, but $100? I got mine for $75 last year. You can get good sound out of tubes that cost less.

.... the issue concerning 'worth' - each listener has a different preference curve: the mapping of price vs value.

 

[Condocondor]

I kept wondering when an obvious, heartwrenching weakness in Vali 3 sound would appear - dashing the musical reverie.

LOL... I kept coming down in the morning and having to re-listen and compare to my Jotenheim2. Surely, I was suffering from "new toy syndrome" and made an over enthusiastic evaluation. Every morning for a week, I kept doing the comparison. I kept thinking "It can't be this good?....this wee thing can't be better than my Jotenheim2...I must have been mistaken. Is it really that good? Holy crap, it is!" My eyes and wallet wouldn't believe what my ears were telling me.

 

[DrMorbius]

Who you going to believe, me or your own ears. ( Thanks to Chico Marx ).

 

[DrMorbius]

I’ve been saying the Vali 3 is a fantastic bargain for a while now, in fact when I ordered mine directly from Schiit the woman told me I was like the 12th or 13th customer to buy the Vali 3. If it’s the 13th it’s fine as I don’t believe in bad luck………………………..I hope.

 

[Mr Trev]

Another excellent alternative for Vali 3: 12AU7 (ECC82) tube with Xuling Audio Lab 12AU7 --> 5670 adapter. Above is RFT ECC82 'foil' getter tube. Advantage: the tube is less expensive than WE 396A. Highly, highly coherent musically!

This makes me sad that my RFT broke. Even sadder when I saw how much the prices have shot up since I bought mine ~2 years ago
Regardless, the 12AU7 is a good tube for the Vali - I'd totally recommend getting adapters for them

 

[Rebel Chris]

I totally agree, what a nice tube amp. Great match with my Grado's

 

[Hofy]

I’ve been saying the Vali 3 is a fantastic bargain for a while now, in fact when I ordered mine directly from Schiit the woman told me I was like the 12th or 13th customer to buy the Vali 3. If it’s the 13th it’s fine as I don’t believe in bad luck………………………..I hope.

I am #73 by serial number. #3 on my Gjallarhorn.

 

[Hofy]

BTW, I straightened out my adapter.

 

[jonathan c]

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/sch...most-improbable-start-up.701900/post-18085097

 

[jonathan c]

I totally agree, what a nice tube amp. Great match with my Grado's

..... after a stint with RS-1x, Vali 3 is bringing home the goods with GH2:

[Tube: Brimar CV455 (KB/FB, 1956)]

 

[Hofy]