Thanks for the review! I will say I really enjoyed the Valhalla 2 pairing with the Focal Elear. The Val2 opened the stage of the Elear and produced amazing microdetail.
This review sold me on the Valhalla 2 for my Atticus. I'm running NOS RCA 6CG7 cleartops and they're on point. Very nice pairing regardless of tubes though, imo. The stock tubes don't disappoint either.
The LYR has an extra 100mw into 300 ohms, this helps some headphones but: The Valhalla 2 at 50% volume becomes overwhelming on most 300 ohm headphones leaving LOTS of current in reserve. It's not even breaking a sweat with HD800s's. One big difference? The Valhalla 2 only shipped with generic Chinese made tubes. They sound excellent, however: the stock Russian tubes that ship with the LYR are more robust. (More focused, more solid bass etc). The LYR tung-sol option are a higher grade Chinese tube that are more romantic/warm sounding. So really when you compare the two amps, bear in mind that it should be done with the same Russian tubes or the same tung sol tubes. My Valhalla 2 has Russian tubes, and they are a big improvement over stock.
For using also as a pre out for connecting to an amplifier, what do you recomend me to make the music out of my reciever a little warmer, not digital? I mean the vahala or the lyr ? Thanks!
Hd650/6xx have accentuated mid bass and forward midrange. So does the Valhalla 2 brings out the same changes with hd650 as with atticus ? That is leaning out the midbass and smoother midrange ? Thanks
What is better for Beyerdynamics DT880?The Lyr 3 + 4490 DAC or the Valhalla 2 + Bifrost 4490 GEN5 USB? Does Lyr 3 have agressive highs with DT880? I like the Vali 2 with my DT880. What should i get?
Love your videos, I bought a Shiit Lyr 2 and rolled the tubes are very happy with it. Have you tried Shiit Joutenheim? I would love to hear your impoessions of it
About the sharp edges. I never tried the Lyr/Lyr 2, but my original Valhalla doesn't have sharp edges. Two Asgard 2's have sharp edges. Doesn't bother me though.
OTL amps are typically better suited for higher impedance cans. LCD line will shine with more power at 70 ohms. Mjolnir would be the best bet from Schiit.
Had Lyr+ and sold it ,compared to Valhalla 2 its lacking soundstage width and although has more power into Zmf Verite open hphones i was on 3 oclock high gain on Lyr+ but 11 o'clock on Valhalla 2 although less power
What schiit amp/dacs would you recommend for a hd650 and hd800s user. Desktop for laptop, iPad pro and even my Xbox one X. I use both with music, movies and games. Suggestions would be more than welcome. I don't want to get lazy and just buy a hvd800 as its made by Sennheiser.
Depends on the effect you are after. If you want romantic and euphonic, there are a pretty wide choice. If you want neutral and detailed (more of what the amp already is) , Russian replacements of the same model.
I'd go with the Valhalla. The lyr is excellent as well (as far as I can see I don't own it) and it's a hybrid amp so it just has a ton of power. Otl tube amps are great for high empedence headphones. If you get the lyr it'll be more of an all around solution with badass tubes.
The Feliks has a bit more of a robust and thick sound to it while the Valhalla's presentation is quite airy, bright and not very stereotypically "tube" sounding - also quite delicate and a little thin.
