[mboxler]

http://schiit.com/products/vali

[FireGuy]

That is an awesome deal. 

[rahimlee54]

Has anyone given this a try?  I thought about grabbing that and his DAC for my PC.  Since my headphones just snapped it is time for a total overhaul.

[dB Cooper]

If I was going to buy one of Schiit's budget models, I would opt for the Magni with its much lower output impedance. (Magni 0.1 ohms, this amp 6 ohms.) I'm not that attached to tubes, especially long-out-of-production scarce soldered-in ones. Using the general >10:1 impedance guidelines, this amp might be best with headphone impedances >60 ohms, meaning not such a good choice for low impedance cans like Grados etc. Probably no issues with 100 ohm and higher impedances.

[MikeCTM2]

I just got the Sennheiser Momentums, and have been loving it.   I was thinking now about getting one of these Schiit Audio headphone amps.   The Momentums are 18-ohm operating impedance  (producing outstanding dynamics and overall output level with portable audio devices )

Can i consider the VALI ( by Schiit Audio )  ?

When reading about the Valhalla, $349 , it says:    Valhalla is a Class A, single-ended triode headphone amplifier with no overall feedback and noninverting circuit topology. It provides classic tube sound and can drive headphones with impedances as low as 32 ohms.


Sounds like i can't have the Valhalla.   

Is there any tube headphone amp that would work ?

[dB Cooper]

The Torpedo is a transformer-coupled headlamp that has a 32-ohm tap for impedance cans. You might have to build it though...

[Noseyears]

I don't see the need of amping the momentum. However, i've read a few positive comments about how good it pairs with the C&C BH (portable)

[viggen]

I read from the Vali thread on head-fi that it doesn't sound as good with lower impedance headphones which is generally true with tube amps.  I recall reading some of the Chinese brands selling on ebay do well but forgot which one.  La Figaro I think or something?

[Noseyears]

I read from the Vali thread on head-fi that it doesn't sound as good with lower impedance headphones which is generally true with tube amps.  I recall reading some of the Chinese brands selling on ebay do well but forgot which one.  La Figaro I think or something?

Little Dot 1+Hybrid? it is suited for low impedance headphones.

[Letitroll98]

If I was going to buy one of Schiit's budget models, I would opt for the Magni with its much lower output impedance. (Magni 0.1 ohms, this amp 6 ohms.) I'm not that attached to tubes, especially long-out-of-production scarce soldered-in ones. Using the general >10:1 impedance guidelines, this amp might be best with headphone impedances >60 ohms, meaning not such a good choice for low impedance cans like Grados etc. Probably no issues with 100 ohm and higher impedances.

For a newbie in headphones with a JVC HA-RX900, 64 ohms so either would work, would you still recommend the solid state unit?  The power is a little under 1 watt compared to about 400mW with the Vali.  Presently using the onboard head amp on my Audio GD 12 DAC, 2 ohm output, about 1500 mW with the 64 ohm JVC's.  Would I benefit from purchasing one of these units or do I need to move upmarket for real improvement. 

Of course the first question is how does what you have now sound.  PDG, excellent bass, mids, highs, soundstage is expansive, detail is startling compared to speaker systems, but I have little except the Magnolia room at BB to compare to, and the various speakers I have.  Darn I wish I had spent some time in the headphone room at Capfest last year.  To put a picture to it, I'm not listening to the system, I'm listening to music and forgetting I have phones on.  How much better can it get?