[Mr Rick]

  I think I also paid three hundred bucks for my solid state Graham Slee Special Edition 2.
 
Randy

And the kind of music you listen to??

 

[Puma Cat]

  I've asked this question on other forums and didn't get many replies, so I'll try again here.
I have a pair of HD 650s. Right now I'm running them through my Harmon Kardon 3380. I think I spent about 300 bucks for the receiver ten years ago. It does have enough power to drive my headphones. If I were to buy a Valhalla 2 amp and connect it directly to my phono preamp - I'd be bypassing the HK 3380 - would I get better sound?
Some suggested I audition the Valhalla, but buying one and then sending it back would be a hassle.
Thanks,
Randy

Yes. The amplifier section of the Valhalla is better. 

 

[Mr Rick]

  Yes. The amplifier section of the Valhalla is better. 

Actually, the speaker amplifier section of his HK is excellent. The headphone amplifier section on his HK is an unknown quantity.

 

[Puma Cat]

Yes, thanks for the clarification; I was referring to the headphone amplifier section of his receiver. 

 

[Randyflycaster]

I mostly listen to classic rock and opera.
Randy

 

[Mr Rick]

  I mostly listen to classic rock and opera.
Randy

My Valhalla 2 has caused me to revisit my Moody Blues and Led Zepp collections.

 

[feilb]

I just scored a matched pair of Telefunken E88CCs on eBay for $150! My poor wallet!

 

[grrorr76]

I just scored a matched pair of Telefunken E88CCs on eBay for $150! My poor wallet!

Thast is a really cheap buy they normally g for 300+

 

[feilb]

 
Thast is a really cheap buy they normally g for 300+

I know! I wasn't planning on buying them. I've got 3 other sets of input tubes and a set of output tubes inbound, but I stumbled across the auction this morning. Seems to have flown under the radar with no bids. I sniped it at the end! 

 

[kirayamato]

hi i have the HD800 and am getting the vanhalla 2 I want the best tubes i can get for them any advice?
 
also am new to tube amps any place i can find a tips guide like how to use it like do i have to burn it in etc

 

[Mr Rick]

  hi i have the HD800 and am getting the vanhalla 2 I want the best tubes i can get for them any advice?
 
also am new to tube amps any place i can find a tips guide like how to use it like do i have to burn it in etc

There is a thread specifically for Valhalla tube rollers. I would start there.

 

[lekoross]

Also chek out the much more extensive Lyr tubetrolling thread, particularly the posts by rb2013.

 

[feilb]

Check out the Valhalla tube rolling thread as well as the Lyr tube rolling thread. Both the Lyr and Valhalla use the same input tubes.
 
Generally, there are a number of recommendations people seem to repeat, but there are many options.
 
- 6N23P tubes, especially those from Voskhod made in the 70s or Reflektor in '74/'75
- Amperex Bugle Boys (esp late 50s/60s)
- Amperex PQ (esp white label) 
- Telefunken E88CCs ($$$)
- Siemens CCa ($$$$)
 
The "best" tubes are subjective, just as everything else in audio. 
 
I'll post some results w/ my 800s in the coming weeks with a handful of tubes over in the valhalla tube rolling thread.

 

[Puma Cat]

I just scored a matched pair of Telefunken E88CCs on eBay for $150! My poor wallet!

Congrats. Really be interested in hearing what you think about them. 

 

[Puma Cat]

  Check out the Valhalla tube rolling thread as well as the Lyr tube rolling thread. Both the Lyr and Valhalla use the same input tubes.
 
Generally, there are a number of recommendations people seem to repeat, but there are many options.
 
- 6N23P tubes, especially those from Voskhod made in the 70s or Reflektor in '74/'75
- Amperex Bugle Boys (esp late 50s/60s)
- Amperex PQ (esp white label) 
- Telefunken E88CCs ($$$)
- Siemens CCa ($$$$)
 
The "best" tubes are subjective, just as everything else in audio. 
 
I'll post some results w/ my 800s in the coming weeks with a handful of tubes over in the valhalla tube rolling thread.

All excellent recommendations. Just a note: if you go to Upscale Audio and search for Amperex 6922s (sometimes labeled PQ), Kevin Deal says there is virtually no difference in the performance of that specific tube based on label color; he says they are all the same exact tube. He does mention that if you one still specifically really wants a specific label color, they will do their best to accommodate you.