Schiit Vali 3 : Impressions Thread

[dasfast]

Hee, Hee, heee, huh, heee, huh, heeeeeeeee!!!!!

 

[JamminVMI]

To me, Vali 3 has the 'refinement' of Lyr 3. Also has the lower noise floor via its external power supply.

I’ll add to that. Vali 3 also reveals more differences with tube rolling than Lyr 3. But that DOES NOT mean I’m surrendering, selling or otherwise getting ride of Lyr 3…

 

[VintageAudio]

Thanks to @MindBreak practically taunting me yesterday , I ordered a Vali 3. My very first tube amp… (though I did buy a Vali 2++ for my brother as a Xmas gift last year, never heard it myself). I went for the “premium” sylvania tube. Do y’all recommend I “break it in” by running it over night before I listen?

I found mine to sound bright for my taste until it settled in - so much so that I went out and bought a Loki+ and sys (so I could A-B more easily). However, now that I have used it for a few weeks to a month, it's totally settled in. No need for the Loki+ and Sys. Pulled them both out of my signal chain to keep it simple.

Really great sound out of such a small package.

 

[bcowen]

You rang?

Adaptation is what makes Vali 3 very, very special.

6C8G makes the V3 much bigger and richer.

GB6135 (6C4)

These old Mullard EBC33s are amazing in V3.

CV587 twins.



Transparent, detailed, spectacular imaging, the frame grid twins, E86C

Sweet little single, 6BQ7A.

Not only will many adapted tubes make the ears happy, it will make Deyan very happy too.

Can't speak to the other tubes you've pictured, but I can on the Brimars....great sounding tubes that can still be found on occasion quite inexpensively. Adapter needed for Vali 3, but I first found out about them with Vali 2 (OG) where they plugged straight in.

 

[VintageAudio]

Can't speak to the other tubes you've pictured, but I can on the Brimars....great sounding tubes that can still be found on occasion quite inexpensively. Adapter needed for Vali 3, but I first found out about them with Vali 2 (OG) where they plugged straight in.

Thanks for the tip - cheap, great sounding is right up my alley

Would you be able to describe the sound signature of the Brimar 6BQ7A? I'm always looking for tubes that can compliment the sound of the rest of my gear so I can tweak it ever so slightly for perfection

 

[bcowen]

Thanks for the tip - cheap, great sounding is right up my alley

Would you be able to describe the sound signature of the Brimar 6BQ7A? I'm always looking for tubes that can compliment the sound of the rest of my gear so I can tweak it ever so slightly for perfection

I'm not much for sonic descriptions, but I'd say it's on the warmer side with friendly treble, very nice midrange with lots of harmonic color and detail, and good (if not great) bass....very full with good meat on the bones, but not a slammer in terms of impact.

 

[RBRIII]

Saturday tube selection rocking out to a classic metal track...

 

[VintageAudio]

Just watched Jays Iyagi on the Modwright Tube Buffer which takes 6922s and 6SN7s.

From his experience, generally speaking he thinks 6922s provide top end bite, open up the sound stage and increases the holography

Mean while he says the 6Sn7s fatten up the sound, adds more meat on the bone, adds texture, smoothens out the top end.

Well, that inspired me bust out one of my fatter sounding 6922s, the Genelex Gold Lion.

And lo and behold, great holographic sound stage with some extra creamy thickness. Absolutely, delicious.

Can't wait to compare this to my 12BH7, and the WE 396A when it arrives as I believe they should add some creamy, thickness to the sound too.

BTW, I also ordered a Piety and another Modi Multibit V2.

Going to use the 2nd Modi and see if I convert the existing opamps to 8-pin sockets so I can tube roll on the Vali 3 and op-amp roll on the MMBV2.

So much versatility in a small stack!

May 19, 2025 Add On :

Got my 12AX7 to 5670 adapter and tested out the Brimar CV4033 on the Vali 3.

Wow, even better results than the Genelex Gold Lion E88CC!

So you get the same thick, rich, creamy sound as the Gold Lion, but I think it's even more holographic, better instrument layering and separation.

Really pleasing to the ears...nice note reverb decay trails.

 

[razoredge]

Guys, the Vali 3 finally arrived today. I plugged it in, let it warm up for 7 mins ("Soon" by MBV) then I couldn't help myself and jumped in with the Meze Poet. I didn't have any expectations and I was pleasantly surprised - going through half of "Declaration of Dependence" by kings of convenience, I noticed that it was actually pretty linear, nothing wonky going on tonality / distortion wise. It was ever so slightly rounded in the top end, and smoother / more liquid with a very slight touch of warmth in the bass compared to Asgard 3. Very promising, as far as early impressions go. Then I had to step away to deal with the HVAC tech who came over, so I paused it. Coming back some time later, it's no longer making sound. I'm flabbergasted... it's just gone dead. The tube still glows, and it's hot to the touch, but no sound is coming out. I tried different headphones and even tried pre-amping it into the Asgard, but no dice. Bummer.

 

[MindBreak]

Guys, the Vali 3 finally arrived today. I plugged it in, let it warm up for 7 mins ("Soon" by MBV) then I couldn't help myself and jumped in with the Meze Poet. I didn't have any expectations and I was pleasantly surprised - going through half of "Declaration of Dependence" by kings of convenience, I noticed that it was actually pretty linear, nothing wonky going on tonality / distortion wise. It was ever so slightly rounded in the top end, and smoother / more liquid with a very slight touch of warmth in the bass compared to Asgard 3. Very promising, as far as early impressions go. Then I had to step away to deal with the HVAC tech who came over, so I paused it. Coming back some time later, it's no longer making sound. I'm flabbergasted... it's just gone dead. The tube still glows, and it's hot to the touch, but no sound is coming out. I tried different headphones and even tried pre-amping it into the Asgard, but no dice. Bummer.

Ouch,

Did you try shutting it down, letting it cool, and reseating the tube?

If you still don't get anywhere after doing so, I would contact Schiit Support.

 

[razoredge]

Ouch,

Did you try shutting it down, letting it cool, and reseating the tube?

If you still don't get anywhere after doing so, I would contact Schiit Support.

Thanks @MindBreak . I tried shutting down and reseating, and it didn't work but it probably wasn't all the way cooled down at that point. it's been off for a while now though, I'll try soon. Already emailed schiit support though. we'll see...

 

[LobalWarming]

Guys, the Vali 3 finally arrived today. I plugged it in, let it warm up for 7 mins ("Soon" by MBV) then I couldn't help myself and jumped in with the Meze Poet. I didn't have any expectations and I was pleasantly surprised - going through half of "Declaration of Dependence" by kings of convenience, I noticed that it was actually pretty linear, nothing wonky going on tonality / distortion wise. It was ever so slightly rounded in the top end, and smoother / more liquid with a very slight touch of warmth in the bass compared to Asgard 3. Very promising, as far as early impressions go. Then I had to step away to deal with the HVAC tech who came over, so I paused it. Coming back some time later, it's no longer making sound. I'm flabbergasted... it's just gone dead. The tube still glows, and it's hot to the touch, but no sound is coming out. I tried different headphones and even tried pre-amping it into the Asgard, but no dice. Bummer.

Dang! That sucks spacefarts in a vacuum.

Ouch,

Did you try shutting it down, letting it cool, and reseating the tube?

If you still don't get anywhere after doing so, I would contact Schiit Support.

Better yet, ask the MindBreaker here to send you his known-good amp, or the very best option, have @jonathan c send one his spares to you. Suggest selecting the one with the G73R already installed - for scientific observational purposes.

 

[jonathan c]

Dang! That sucks spacefarts in a vacuum.


Better yet, ask the MindBreaker here to send you his known-good amp, or the very best option, have @jonathan c send one his spares to you. Suggest selecting the one with the G73R already installed - for scientific observational purposes.

.... eenie, meenie, miney ....

 

[MindBreak]

Dang! That sucks spacefarts in a vacuum.


Better yet, ask the MindBreaker here to send you his known-good amp, or the very best option, have @jonathan c send one his spares to you. Suggest selecting the one with the G73R already installed - for scientific observational purposes.

One doesn't simply destroy a Schiit 3x3.

 

[razoredge]

Dang! That sucks spacefarts in a vacuum.


Better yet, ask the MindBreaker here to send you his known-good amp, or the very best option, have @jonathan c send one his spares to you. Suggest selecting the one with the G73R already installed - for scientific observational purposes.

quality tech support right here!

I will then have 3 valis (valii?) to do schientific observations on. @jonathan c the one on the right please