Schiit Vali 3 : Impressions Thread

[HWB3]

I go back and forth depending on what I'm listening to. At first, I thought that OS was too bright but over time I got used to it.

 

[Deadwax65]

I go back and forth depending on what I'm listening to. At first, I thought that OS was too bright but over time I got used to it.

The stock tube is very detailed but I too found it a bit too bright for my tastes. The WE 396A was nice change for a bit more "warmth." And the 6n26p is a nice middle ground tube.

 

[VintageAudio]

The Vali 3 and MMB2 is a great pairing. There are a few recommendations for tube rolling in this thread. Lol.

a few? lol. I still have to get through pages 250-352. Working both ends of the thread.

Glad to hear the MMb2 works well the the Vali 3. Mine should be arriving today. I care more about a holographic soundstage, with dimensional imaging and notes more than extreme detail.

All the higher end dacs, amps and tweaks do offer incremental improvements, but I found I can live with getting 85-95% of it in a gear that has a small foot print and lower price like Vali 3, Tone 2 pro and mmb2.

And spend more on tube and knob rolling especially with all the adapters I have coming in for 6SN7, 6922, 12au7 to 5670.

 

[MindBreak]

a few? lol. I still have to get through pages 250-352. Working both ends of the thread.

Glad to hear the MMb2 works well the the Vali 3. Mine should be arriving today. I care more about a holographic soundstage, with dimensional imaging and notes more than extreme detail.

All the higher end dacs, amps and tweaks do offer incremental improvements, but I found I can live with getting 85-95% of it in a gear that has a small foot print and lower price like Vali 3, Tone 2 pro and mmb2.

And spend more on tube and knob rolling especially with all the adapters I have coming in for 6SN7, 6922, 12au7 to 5670.

Nothing wrong with that strategy, and you had me at 12AU7 tubes .

 

[LobalWarming]

a few? lol. I still have to get through pages 250-352. Working both ends of the thread.

Glad to hear the MMb2 works well the the Vali 3. Mine should be arriving today. I care more about a holographic soundstage, with dimensional imaging and notes more than extreme detail.

Soundstage? Go immediately to a few pairs of twins. Tele or Siemens EC86 and Mullard EBC33 provide a wonderfully spacious, deep, wide open soundstage that I've yet to hear any dual section tube match - with bonus effortless detail. Modest cost dual 6C4/CV133s offer a bigger more open soundstage than any 12AU7s under $500. Or above.

All the higher end dacs, amps and tweaks do offer incremental improvements, but I found I can live with getting 85-95% of it in a gear that has a small foot print and lower price like Vali 3, Tone 2 pro and mmb2.

Me too! MM2 is end game (or close enough) with the V3.

And spend more on tube and knob rolling especially with all the adapters I have coming in for 6SN7, 6922, 12au7 to 5670.

Keep on rolling in the free, or at least affordable, world!

With the savings V3 can get wired weird too...

 

[DeanoBravo]

Great pic for a caption competition.
Something like, "Schiit just got real, motherpluckers."

 

[VintageAudio]

Soundstage? Go immediately to a few pairs of twins. Tele or Siemens EC86 and Mullard EBC33 provide a wonderfully spacious, deep, wide open soundstage that I've yet to hear any dual section tube match - with bonus effortless detail. Modest cost dual 6C4/CV133s offer a bigger more open soundstage than any 12AU7s under $500. Or above.

Me too! MM2 is end game (or close enough) with the V3.

Keep on rolling in the free, or at least affordable, world!

With the savings V3 can get wired weird too...

lol - thanks for the tips on the twins.

Your photo is awesome in the most insane way.

Well, the MMB2 arrived and has been running for a couple of hours now. It sounds like "schit" right now. Very harsh on the top end. I expect it'll need some significant burn-in time before it sounds good.

Outside of the harshness, I think it has a very nice lively open sound - hoping once the harshness smooths out, I'll get some nice soundstage, layering and imaging.

 

[HWB3]

lol - thanks for the tips on the twins.

Your photo is awesome in the most insane way.

Well, the MMB2 arrived and has been running for a couple of hours now. It sounds like "schit" right now. Very harsh on the top end. I expect it'll need some significant burn-in time before it sounds good.

Outside of the harshness, I think it has a very nice lively open sound - hoping once the harshness smooths out, I'll get some nice soundstage, layering and imaging.

Try NOS for a while. I thought that OS was a bit bright in the beginning but then I got used to it.

 

[DeanoBravo]

PROFOUND
(I just wanted to write something profound for my 1000th post)

 

[ian91]

Soundstage? Go immediately to a few pairs of twins. Tele or Siemens EC86 and Mullard EBC33 provide a wonderfully spacious, deep, wide open soundstage that I've yet to hear any dual section tube match - with bonus effortless detail. Modest cost dual 6C4/CV133s offer a bigger more open soundstage than any 12AU7s under $500. Or above.

@VintageAudio This man doesn't lie. There's an undeniable stage and separation improvement with the twins versus the (few) 12AU7s I have tried. If you want detail, layering in 12AU7 form, I have been very impressed by a NEC 12AU7 I purchased from Japan.

 

[VintageAudio]

Try NOS for a while. I thought that OS was a bit bright in the beginning but then I got used to it.

For the first 10-12h, didn't matter if it was in the mega combo burrito OS filter mode or NOS, it sounded harsh and horrible.

Now, the harshness is all gone, and it's sounding amazing.

This is probably the most dramatic change I have experienced in a piece of gear based on burn-in.

I'm on about 20h now and all I hear is clarity, openness, neutrality and nice imaging, layering and soundstage.

What a transformation!

Next step is to work my way through a few a 5670s (Sylvania > GE5670 > WE386A), some 12AU7s, and then finally twins!

Thanks for the guidance!

Will share my experiences as I roll.

So far all is good, but the MMB2 early harshness did give a scare!

 

[jonathan c]

SOMETHING PROFOUND
(I just wanted to write something profound for my 1000th post)

FTFY....[Reg. TM; © bcowen: 2021.]

 

[Deadwax65]

FTFY....[Reg. TM; © bcowen: 2021.]

Lol. You beat me to it again!!!

 

[VintageAudio]

Anyone compare the Vali 3 against the Apos Gremlin?

I like the looks, build and Vali 3 better and essential for me is the preamp out because I listen to mostly speakers and only headphones/iems when necessary.

The Germlin also requires 2 x 12AU7 tubes, so not as cost effective tube roll.

That aside..curious about the sound quality comparisons. It also supports balanced outs, if you care about that.

 

[cats4cans]

Anyone compare the Vali 3 against the Apos Gremlin?

I like the looks, build and Vali 3 better and essential for me is the preamp out because I listen to mostly speakers and only headphones/iems when necessary.

The Germlin also requires 2 x 12AU7 tubes, so not as cost effective tube roll.

That aside..curious about the sound quality comparisons. It also supports balanced outs, if you care about that.

The important question is what kind of knob and foot rolling can you do with each amp? There are pictures of people using adapters to run dual tubes or single NOS tubes that cost more than the Vali3 itself. So don’t assume you’ll necessarily save money on tube rolling either.