Should you buy Schiit Audio's new Vali 2+ tube headphone amplifier?

Thanks to Schiit Audio for sending a Vali 2+ to me for review. The Vali 2+ (and Vali 2++) is a basic tube headphone amplifier that can power a wide variety of headphones.
Update: For those you wondering about the Vali 2++, it is identical, except for a different tube socket allowing a different range of tubes to be used. It's otherwise identical.
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00:00 Introduction
00:25 Video overview
01:35 Tube amp types
05:18 Vali 2+ features
09:19 Listening impressions
15:58 The Problem with Tube Amps
17:19 Thank you!

[@middle_pickup]

Tubes are magical. Everyone needs a tube amp.

[@michaeljohnson112]

Fantastic review for someone who is a sound enthusiast but had no idea on the differences when you got into Tube amps

[@theoriginalcraig]

Best ever explanation/illustration for impedance. Absolutely brilliant in the extreme. I'll be using that for the rest of my life. Thank you so much for that.

[@TombstoneTube]

Nice one. Very complete. Thanks

[@caffeinecreature]

Thank you, this helped me pick my first amp. I was thinking about picking up the Vali, but I'd rather get a Magni first and upgrade to a bigger tube amp at a later point.

[@daviddarley4749]

Thanks for clearly explaining impedance. You really put a lot of confusion to bed for me

[@audioaficionado9494]

Great explanation on the differences between amp types and their sound characteristics. I was thinking about the Vali 2+ or Asgard 3, but then the Jotunheim 2 dropped. My Jot 2 sounds amazing running balanced through my Sundaras. If I decide to try a tube amp, Vali 2+ might be the one.

[@RP-rw6jj]

@Currawong - Your review was the most helpful review that I've watched. Thanks!

[@Currawong]

Glad to hear it!

[@slidewineder3953]

youre such a good speaker bro, ty

[@stax666]

Very helpful

[@minhtruong6553]

Wow. Perfect analogy to source current and a load.

[@jeffreymakuch2493]

The garden hose analogy has been used for this explanation for ages...

[@BobbyDigital6411]

I own the Magni 3 and was having a hard time deciding on the Vali 2+ or the Valhalla 2 for my HD600s. I opted for the Valhalla 2 since I only own the HD600s and they're high impedence. It was a massive step up from my Magni 3. In the 10 years I've owned my HD600s, they've never sounded so alive.

[@Hamppzah]

Oh stoooop, I have the HD600s and I'm looking to get the Valhalla 2.. I guess I gotta do it.. So, 5 months later, have you changed the tubes yet?

[@ronaldesmith9098]

Today Valhalla 2 arrived to replace my Vali 2... 4 tubes are better than 1 tube, right. Turns out the 1 tube walk all over the Valhalla 2. Aeon 2 closed headphones I get this spooky state where the music floats on the in the air on either side of my ears. The sound is between both ears yet I'm forever looking over my shoulder, getting spooked. What was that? Oh right, duh it's s the music. Sounds so natural but an unnerving effect. The music is literally floating in the air and I'm surrounded by it. This is my first jump in headgear. The Valhalla 2 is boxed for return. Yikes, I'm terrified if the sound is by some miracle accident... Future, replacing the tube in my headphone amp, Aeon 2 combo that can't be duplicated. PS the Valhalla 2 noise floor was audible without music. The Vahi 2. Zero noise in fact it’s dead silent, then music comes to life raising out the silence, that’s spooky too. DAC: THX Onyx, iMac Mini app set @ 96k 24 kbit

[@Currawong]

That's because the Valhalla 2 is designed primarily for high-impedance headphones and is no good for low impedance headphones like the AEON. I made a video specifically about this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y366d3uvrdKoa7c

[@OsborneCox.69.420]

@@ronaldesmith9098 did the Vali-2 adequately drive your HD600’s? i’m tempted to pull the trigger on a Vali-2 for a budget desktop build

[@Thee_Jadex]

@@Currawong you also went over it at 2 minuite mark on this video too lol. Guess they just skipped it

[@V1ralB1ack]

If this is anything like my lyr3 which it sorta is but smaller. It is a bundle of fun and joy.

[@cowboyflipflopped]

This is the best video of all I've seen of yours so far-- informative, organized, thorough, concise. You come across as experienced, knowledgeable, astute, sympathetic, and you avoid your occasional tendency for elitism. Congratulations, and well-done!

[@stephencharlton2024]

great, thank you

[@adaboy4z]

Excellent review and explanation of Tube Amps. I finally understand why people buy them, how they work and correct ohm headphones. Thanks

[@bikecrazy001]

Hi good video mate. Great info. Will these match good with LCD 2C? Thanks!

[@BigBoss-kk8hq]

Can't wait for the schiit folkvangr review

[@Currawong]

There wont be one. I'm not even going to ask. It's a limited edition. You should only buy one if you understand what you're getting. :)

[@Princeton_James]

I have a Douk Audio and I am more than impressed. Really curious about this one. They are so back ordered though so I cancelled my order. If they had this in stock I would have gotten it right away.

[@paulbeavis1647]

Did you happen to test the Magni or Vali 2 on the HD 800s???

[@danilofeliciano3046]

Just purchased the Rega Elex-R, any recommendations for a headphone amp for my Meze 99 Classics

[@tendomiyaki9542]

My personal preference for home audiophile amplifier combination must be a tube preamp and a solid state power amp - AB class. Most likely, I would not go for other combinations, there may be one exception which is to add a separate decent quality DAC, if I decide to go for streaming music and songs. However the DAC must be separated. If I can't afford the luxury to own a combination of both preamp(tube) and solid stated power amp, I'll go for the AB class solid state amp

[@jeffreymakuch2493]

Well, I'd been eyeing one of these ever since it came out as a compliment to my objectively correct amplifiers. thanks for convincing me to save some money and not buy one of these.

[@silvergold3023]

I'm curious... What tube do you use with the cavalli CTH ? You say a 2C51... but which one ? Thanks

[@Currawong]

The expensive Western Electric ones. It's probably overkill for the amp, but I had it on hand.

[@rajendrabiswas]

Ever used rega DAC ?

[@forrestp33]

Are you going to review the new Vali 2++? I thought it was a typo on their website, but apparently it's a thing.

[@Currawong]

It's identical to the Vali 2+ except for having a different pinout for the tubes so that other models will work instead.

[@Who-oe7jm]

I have been waiting for the vali2 on back order for 2 months.... now that i have more money should i cancel my order and upgrade? And if yes what schiit amp should i get? (HD 660s)

[@HercahyoAdiSaputro]

Valhalla It is not a versatile amp like jot 2, but specific to hd 650, valhalla synergize very well (especially if you think that hd 650 stage is small, this is the cure)

[@HercahyoAdiSaputro]

But dont get valhalla if you plan to buy something like hd800s, i know that hd800 also need a tube amp, but valhalla is a bad match for it (it will make your hd800 brighter and dryer) Told you it's not versatile 😄

[@prabinpaudel5572]

Asgard 3 would be great. 660s doesn't require much power so the amp will run at pure class A. Plus it can drive almost every headphone in the planet.

[@Jooglesberry]

or you can try those tubes you found buried in the backyard from when your great uncle used to bury trash from his tv shop in the 50s

[@MyouKyuubi]

15:16 "BING!"

[@michaelhayko2904]

I could use some much-needed advice. You have the complete stack seating in front of you, is it possible to show how all those units are hooked up? Schiit does not include any instructions with any of their units. So please HELP!

[@x-techgaming]

G111 review, please :))

[@Currawong]

That's an interesting idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@x-techgaming]

@@Currawong I just ordered one, to go with Bifrost and ThieAudio Oracle, but I don't know what might be a solid step or 2 above it. Seems to be a champ of the ~$500 mark.

[@barney6888]

Buuhhhhhhhhh,... I put my mark levinson power amp on this preamp/headphone amp and it broke the tube... what should i do?

[@maclock101]

Can you tell me wich tube you use in the Cavalli AMP?

[@brendonelliott4499]

He replied to someone else saying it’s one of the expensive Western Electronic

[@kyleolsen3305]

I've had one on order from Schiit for a while but the back order date keeps getting pushed.

[@Currawong]

They've been having a rough time of things getting the parts they need.

[@kyleolsen3305]

@@Currawong That’s what i heard. Fortunately i have a Jot2 to keep me company. Was just tube curious.

[@bzyboy9639]

Same here

[@jimmyayotte5529]

It looks like this guy has them all.

[@chrisladouceur4093]

How do you do your level matching? A specific tone?

[@Currawong]

Yes. I use a 1kHz tone measured through whatever headphones I want to use for listening.

[@chrisladouceur4093]

@@Currawong to what loudness level?

[@Currawong]

The last time was around 75dB.

[@shanedaniel7]

Can you give an opinion on Vali 2++ and Modi 3E for HD600?

[@Currawong]

It'll be the same as a Vali 2+ and Modi 3 would be. That should give you a hint.

[@shanedaniel7]

@@Currawong How are those? Basically I'm trying to figure out if the HD600 are even worth using with a cheap amp like Vali 2++

[@deadandburied7626]

What makes tubes give different sound qualities?

[@Currawong]

Slightly different harmonics.

[@miznitic5574]

Any thoughts on the Vali 3?

[@Currawong]

Only that I'm thinking of getting one in for review once I've gotten a bit further though the Schiit DACs I have here.

[@bighit3352]

do i need DAC if i use the vali 2 on hd600?

[@Currawong]

You'll need to plug the Vali 2 into something that has analog output, which means the sound card of your computer, or a phone with a headphone socket, or similar. If the source of your analog output isn't so good, then a dedicated DAC could be an improvement.

[@bighit3352]

thank you can you reccomend affordable dac for the vali 2?

[@Derpderpson123]

@@bighit3352 FiiO E10K

[@annarobertson8320]

I owned the Vali 2, a great little unit, absolutely hate the wall wart. Upgraded to Lyr 3, bad move. After a month it almost electrocuted me when switching on , returned to seller, they gave full refund. Nice sounding units but i went to Chord. Not risking

[@TigraZ]

that cavalli is pure sexyness

[@skyturtle7233]

You mentioned the Pre-amp wasn't that good. Why is that?

[@bernardmueller5676]

Thank you. Problem is - Schiit has been unavailable in Europe for months. So sad.

[@nexxmex]

You mispelled years :(

[@bernardmueller5676]

@@nexxmex So sad. I would buy one just for fun. But hey - nothing to see here. Move along. Sigh.

[@fishcommander100]

👍

[@Bob.martens]

I didn't know there are stereo valves.

[@markcooka1233]

Nice review to bad you cant buy this product or a lot of other Schit Audio products here in Australia as Schit Audio are up the s**t and cant supply Australia with products with no word when they will be able to continue supply to us here in Australia .Several emails have not answered when they will start sending products to Australia again .

[@Currawong]

They probably don't know. Jason stated that they were changing how they reported when gear would be available as things had become so uncertain.

[@markcooka1233]

@@Currawong I find it hard to believe they don't know as my emails with them made it very clear I was unhappy with them .They didn't have a clue when they will ne shipping to Australia again or were unwilling to tell me any way .I found them quite rude ,there customer services leaves a lot to be desired .So I have moved my yggy on and am looking for a new dac with a company that has better customer service .

[@_AJH_]

I only just learnt about this amp and still not available ☹️in Australia

[@yarrichar]

You call that schiit stack? *That's* a schiit stack (0:36)

[@x-ray3431]

Schiit pile

[@heyheyhey7757]

Hi please put an amazon link :)

[@Currawong]

They aren't being sold on Amazon, unfortunately.

[@TheRealMooHamHead69420]

why would i pay for schiit audio?

[@MrBrodernafluff]

Why buy schiit? 🤣

[@x-ray3431]

Smells good 👍

[@athathsonty2925]

The question whether I should buy it or not is totally Irrelevant, since Schiit has no presence in India.

[@Currawong]

They only sell direct from the US (and, when available, Europe).

[@lindsethnittisju797]

That schiit dude

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

Tubes are so missunderstood.............they do not warm up the sound..........solid state lacks qualities is more correct ......The so called warmth of tubes is mostly due to other factors not necessary caused by the tube itself............solid state is a SEMI conductor technology and electrons flow into a cristaline structure ......in tubes they flow in a vacuum , more than sevcent times faster !............and tube technology is more linear than solid state ! so far for distortion .......... Tube headphone amps where you can use different tube types in the same socket is a scam and a shame !................;one can only """ optimize """ for a given tube design and than compare different brands of the same tube..............yes it may work with different tube types but there's a real BUT ...........mostly only work .........

[@tonydeniro284]

What?

[@Rainbow__cookie]

What kinda tubes work or is it whatever like 12ax7/ecc83 And are the tubes they buy nos or new tubes

[@Currawong]

schiit.com has all that information.