Valhalla 2 review coming soon!

[Billheiser]

  Er.. guys I have a constant hiss gentle crackling sound now in the background. Its barely audible but its there..
 
Is this to be expected of tube amps ?

No.  Not normal/expected. 

 

[OG10]

Both channels
 
I have checked on different power sockets to see if it was a ground loop too, and that doesn't seem to be the case.
 
Maybe time to contact Schiit

 

[Anavel0]

Yep, shoot them an email.

I will say I always notice this on every tube amp I've owned when the tubes are about to die. Hopefully it's just that.

 

[OG10]

This is brand new.. though I guess they could have packaged with old tubes?

 

[EinZweiDrei]

How are the stock tubes? Decent? Or is it better of swapping them? Someone here mentioned the bass being a bit boomy. Which tubes would you recommend to tame it down a bit and have a neutral sound presentation. Im planning on running hd650, hd600, dt880(600Ω), and k701 when my valhalla 2 arrives.

 

[Nick-s-f]

How are the stock tubes? Decent? Or is it better of swapping them? Someone here mentioned the bass being a bit boomy. Which tubes would you recommend to tame it down a bit and have a neutral sound presentation. Im planning on running hd650, hd600, dt880(600Ω), and k701 when my valhalla 2 arrives.

 
 Recent new valhalla 2 owner here. Been using it with HD600's and the bass coming from the stock tubes is very satisfying (coming from magni 2 uber). Every song on this setup feels like it has proper weight, and..feeling (one might say emotive).
 
 If anything, they are a tiny bit bright. Not sure if I would call it boomy. I would say meaty..or correct amount of bass. 
 
 I don't feel the need to change tubes at all, but this is my first tube amp so...I cannot speak of alternate tubes.
 
 Instant tube convert here...and loving it

. 

 

[OG10]

Well.. I think its probably my tubes causing the hiss.
 
I've ordered the Genalex Gold Lion 6922
 
We'll see if that reduces the noise floor..

 

[Anavel0]

Well.. I think its probably my tubes causing the hiss.

I've ordered the Genalex 
Gold Lion 6922


We'll see if that reduces the noise floor..

I'd still get a hold of Schiit. If it's new they'll probably swap you tubes.

 

[OG10]

Yeah, I've raised a ticket with them already. 
 
I guess I'll have a spare for the future. 
 
Gosh when you go valve amplifier solid states sounds terrible
Solid state does sound good for some types of music I guess - I guess I'll need two amps then!

 

[Anavel0]

It's real hard to go back to solid-state. Especially with Valhalla 2 playing so well with the stock tubes.

 

[EinZweiDrei]

what? isn't the val2 suppose to be very solid state like for a tube?

 

[OG10]

So issue resolved..
 
On high gain mode the hiss was present, I switched to low gain and its completely gone. 
So using low gain and the 11-12 o clock position for volume
 
Very happy!!

 

[EinZweiDrei]

has any1 compared valhalla 2 to the the original valhalla 1 in terms of sound quality?
it seems like they shared the same tubes.

 

[Nick-s-f]

  So issue resolved..
 
On high gain mode the hiss was present, I switched to low gain and its completely gone. 
So using low gain and the 11-12 o clock position for volume
 
Very happy!!

Did you still order the Genalex Gold Lions? I'm thinking of getting a pair of those too.

Unfortunately I cannot find many impressions or input on how they sound vs stock valhalla 2 tubes.

 

[Nick-s-f]

  what? isn't the val2 suppose to be very solid state like for a tube?

 Thats a bit tough to call.

 On one hand, tubes are usually preferred for extra warmth and smoothness. The stock tubes definitely add that, and my HD600's are now capable of sub-bass as well.

 On the other, the stock tubes are very bright in the upper-mids..similar to my magni 2 uber(solid state). It makes voices very clear..but sometimes too bright/sharp. This may be where the 'SS-like' opinion comes from. 
 
If I can find a set of tubes that tame those upper-mids and keep everything else the same, it would be perfect. Its not a huge problem..I love the stock tubes, just nitpicking.
 
I never use EQ also, for what its worth.