Schiit Valhalla 2 Review | Is It Schiit? 

Dude thank you SO MUCH for talking about its gaming performance, so many people leave that out because it isn't what it's really intended for but from the sound signature I've been hearing about I suspected it might fit gaming well.

I intend to purchase this as a pre-amp. It's an inexpensive way to up the quality of an under 3 grand system.

Nice review. My Valhalla 2 arrives this week! I'm hoping it can push my newly acquired HD800S's to another level.

Awesome review! You sold me on this amp. Gonna get myself one for my HD650s :)

Good review. I can’t wait to listen to the Valhalla 2 when it arrives.

Some minor things: Not all planars are hard to drive, the ones you mentioned are fairly easy to drive, much more so than my hd 650, and you cannot use e-stats with regular amps meant for normal headphones, estats generally come with their own matching amp but you can use some different estat amp pairings, the entire functionality of a estat amp is completely different than that of a tube amp or a solid state meant for regular dynamic and planar headphones.

From the title alone I knew the video was quality

I purchased a Valhalla 2 because it was designed specifically for cans like Sennheiser HD800 and other 300 ohm models. My Magni 3 puts out 430mw into 300 ohms. It does "ok" with the HD800s, but maybe 80% at best. The V2 puts out a monster 800mw into 300 ohms. It's voiced for certain headphones. Not for those that like bloated bass, or harsh treble. Makes a woo audio amp and others seem toy-like. Fact: if anyone else made the Valhalla 2 it would cost at least twice as much. Before Schiit audio, a headphone amp that could properly drive 300 ohms was close to, or over a grand. If you are at all in need of more power, the Ragnarok will man-handle ANYTHING on the market. Caution: "Precise" when it comes to audio is hyper subjective. Some people think some headphones are "precise" when in reality, they have a 9khz spike or even a big treble rolloff. FWIW: The asgard is inadequate and NOT EVEN CLOSE to accurate for 300 ohm cans. Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 380mW RMS per channel---That is LESS than my Magni 3, which is also INADEQUATE for 300 ohm cans. My HD600's are forgiving compared to my 800S. I'm installing Russian tubes, which will make the amp even more robust. Note on Schiit tube-based amps: they stated it themselves. They are NOT after the romantic, gooey Mullard/Conrad Johnson style tube sound. They are after tubes that are SS equivalent, but just a TOUCH of tube sound. Reference: Book "Schiit Happens"

I recently bought a tube preamp for my system. I love the more holographic soundstage and instruments sound more realistic. However I find the added warmth of the bass takes away from the tight punch I get from solid state. Is there any way I can get the best of both worlds? Any advice is much appreciated.

I think the Darkvoice 336 is more tubey than this one, because its cheaper and tubes are meant to distort anyway.

just auditioned this and you are correct. great for dynamics, my sundaras were a no go on either gain setting. will probably get a SS for planars. nice video!

Great review, looking forward to your review of the Asgard 2.

This or the lyr 3? Also valhalla 2 would not pair well with hifiman sundara? I have a 6xx and sundara is on the way.

Magic happened to my Valhalla when I rolled the V1 tubes to early 70s Reflector 6N23P silver shield. No other tubes that I tried come even close. I've paired my Valhalla with planars and hd650, they sounded just fine. I'll take a tube amp over that of a solid state any day.

I really can't agree the Asgard 2 is good for editing. That thing sounds warm as Hell. Very enjoyable for music listening.

It is Schiit. In a good way! Sorry, that was a shallow post, and your review deserves better. I stayed away from their (Schiit) products because of the name. I thought, and still think, it is childish. But they make good stuff. In particular, I could not find, not that it doesn't exist, an all tube amp that would compete with the Valhalla 2. I love it, and my Sennheiser HD600s love it. And I agree; this thing is beautiful. And on a stupid tangent; I love the glowey tube effect. And it warms up my room. literally. I am running this through the Schiit (I am slowly learning to embrace that word) USB to a JDS Labs (I can say that and type that with a straight face) OL DAC. Bam!

How does the Valhalla 2 sound different than a solid state amp like schiit magni/jds atom on Sennheiser hd650/6xx ? I read that Valhalla 2 is quite solid state sounding(and not the syrupy sound). So what changes exactly does it bring as compared to the solid state amp ?

Why not planar? lcd 2 have 70ohm, can you just use the hi gain at this point if you need more power?

I have a bunch of dynamic headphones from Sennheiser, Grado, Sony, Koss, and this does an excellent job on them all. I have not tried them on planars, but I can’t recommend it enough for dynamics. It does get hot enough to fry an egg though, but hey, you don’t have to turn on your stove. I have done some tube rolling, which is always fun.

Would this be a good amp for movie soundtracks, scores, smooth-contemporary jazz (like SXM: watercolors), and seventies music?

Come.on bro!! I am those kind of people interested in preamp functionaltiy!!!

would this work well with a tube phono preamp?

These will not drive electrostatic drivers at all you need an dedicated energiser for those.

would this be suitable for hd700 I have pair arriving shortly which will be run from a MacBook Pro to a meridian explorer 2 so looking for an amp to complete the set up

Did you try it with Grados (I won't part with my 325es)?

Has anyone used a good dac and the Beyerdynamic T1s with the Valhalla 2?

Will this amp drive my he400i and t50rp mk2 cans?

“I would have preferred a black PCB”? Lmao

Design review, I don't like red. I don't think that's how you do it.

Big bump on the head Mr reviewer. Electrostatic headphones Don't work with any regular amp.

b.s.

No, but your videos are.

Come.on bro!! I am those kind of people interested in preamp functionaltiy!!!