Schiit Valhalla 2 Triode OTL Tube Headphone Amp and Preamp

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23 ratings

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Valhalla 2 is exceptionally accurate, neutral, and resolving, without being strident or etched. It's easy to build a complete desktop system around the Valhalla 2.
Use it with many headphones--some that you’d never expect to use with a tube amp.
Preamp outs allow you to connect your powered monitors directly to Valhalla 2 for what some people call the "tube magic" sound.
The gain switch gives you better control of both output level and impedance, for better matching to your headphones.
Designed and Built in California. Product is supplied with a 110 – 120V US plug suitable for use in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This product will not work in 220 – 240V countries.

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Product description

Go ahead. Do things with Valhalla 2 that you’d never attempt with other OTL tube amps. Run low-impedance headphones. Use IEMs. Valhalla 2 is a complete re-imagining of Valhalla, with improved performance, higher output capability, lower distortion and output impedance.

Tubes Made Flexible
While most tube OTL amps are really only designed for 300 ohm Senns and 600 ohm Beyers, Valhalla 2 stretches to include headphones that you’d never expect to use with a tube amp. Go ahead. Use it with Grados. Run it with AKGs. Rely on it for many IEMs. You may even like it with high-efficiency planars like LCD-X, LCD-XC, Oppo PM-1 and HE-400.

A Complete Desktop Preamp
Valhalla 2 also adds two important features: preamp outs and a gain switch. Preamp outs let you connect your powered monitors directly to Valhalla 2, to give them some of what many people call "tube magic." The gain switch gives you better control of both output level and impedance, for better matching to your headphones. It's easy to build a complete desktop system around the Valhalla.

Not Your Father’s Tube Amp
If you’re expecting syrupy, tubby, euphonically colored tube sound, you’re in for a shock. Valhalla 2 is exceptionally accurate, neutral, and resolving, without being strident or etched.

Designed and Assembled in USA
The vast majority of the total production cost of Valhalla 2—chassis, boards, transformers, assembly, etc—goes to US companies manufacturing in the US. Our chassis are made minutes from our facility. Our PCBs are done just over the hill from us, or done in NorCal. Our transformers are also made in California. You get the picture.

5-Year Warranty
Valhalla 2 is covered by a limited warranty that covers parts and labor for five years. The tubes are covered for 3 months.

Product information

Package Dimensions

11.18 x 9.37 x 6.77 inches

Item Weight

6.54 pounds

Department

Unisex adult

Manufacturer

Schiit

ASIN

B07QLHCB39

Item model number

SCH-02-2-FA

Customer Reviews

23 ratings

5.0 out of 5 stars

Best Sellers Rank

#329 in Headphone Amps

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer

Date First Available

April 13, 2019

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FoxTech

Entry level, endgame...Holy Schiit

Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2020

Verified Purchase

Own a few solid state amps and dac's, combos and separate units. This is my first tube amp and I absolutely love it. So many options for tube rolling, planning on adding some color with amph golds . I find the stock tubes be be very neutral tonally, bring out the highs and highlights female vocals and instrumentals. Mid range is smooth not too forward and bring my planar's to life (Audeze LCD 3's) in a way any of my solid states can. Bass is also smooth but does not lack the range to produce punchy deep beats on faster tracks. Overall extremely versatile unit which I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. I have been through a lot of trial and error with hifi, did a lot of research and it paid off.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Sinohe K. Terrero

Great tube amp. Definitely worth the price.

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

I have the Valhalla 2 connected to my MacBook using the Schitt DAC. The sound is amazing. Working from home I’m constantly in meetings and listening to music in between. I had a portable Mojo - which I love - but I was a bit tired of switching back and forth so I did some research for a reasonably priced Amp and the Valhalla kept coming up. Very pleased with the sound and ease of use.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Joseph Manzaro

PURE SCHIIT!! THIS IS AMAZING!!

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

SCHIIT has A WINNER with this one! It REALLY is to LOVE!! AIRY, 3 DIMENSIONAL ARTICULATE AUDIO REPRESENTATION. PUNCHY, TIGHT, DYNAMIC. The Valhalla 2 breathes new life into your albums. The circuit is really very good and clean. UNBELIEVABLE SOUND on my V-Moda cans! TOTALLY immersive audio!

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lt. Frank Bullitt

A fantastic little amp, but ultimately not for me...

Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2020

This is a tough review to write. On the one hand, this is an exceptionally well-made product that sounds amazing. If I had only ever heard this amp, I’d be in heaven. Even compared to other reasonably priced solid state amps, this wins hands down. Ultimately, however, I decided that is wasn’t what I wanted. I’ll try to explain why.

Methodology
I compared this amp with a few other amps: Beyerdynamic A20, Teac UD-301, and Audio GD NFB-1. I used these solely with Beyerdynamic T1 V2 (600 ohm) headphones on a variety of music, mostly 24-192 files ripped from SACD and played through Foobar2000. For those who don’t know, the T1 V2 can be a little sibilant, but it’s a tradeoff I make for their clarity and all-around sound. I gain-matched the amplifiers using white noise and an SPL phone app. All amps were fed through the DAC in the Teac UD-301. I also switched out the stock tubes in the Valhalla with some JJ tubes at one point.

Results
There is no competition between the Valhalla 2 and Teac or the Beyerdynamic A20. It beats those easily for sound quality. The real competition is between the Valhalla and the Audio GD NFB-1. The best way for me to describe the difference between the two is vinyl vs SACD, but minus the pops and cracks. The Valhalla simply cannot match the NFB-1 for clarity and detail. It’s not even close. I can hear details that I just can’t hear in the Valhalla. This was most noticeable with violins, cymbals, and triangles. The Valhalla makes up for this with a very slight improvement in smoothness. It never sounds muddy, just very slightly veiled in a good way. The Valhalla makes good power, but with 600 ohm cans, I did need to crank it on softer passages. The NFB-1 has no trouble in that department.

Summary
This is the hardest part to write. If I had never heard the NFB-1, I would be ecstatic to have the Valhalla 2. No doubt Schiit’s higher end amps can compete with the Audio GD, but I cannot afford $1k+ for one of those. If I had unlimited funds, I would keep all my amps and use them for different music, but my goal was to find the one best amp for my needs. While the Valhalla does offer smoothness, the NFB-1 never sounded objectionable or harsh. Given that it never sounded worse than the Valhalla, its superior clarity, detail, and power made my choice an easy one. I decided to part with the Valhalla.

Epilogue
You should strongly consider the Vahalla 2, especially if you value smoothness. It still packs as much detail as many solid-state amps, just not enough to compete with the best solid-state amps. If you have an average DAC or no DAC at all, the Valhalla would probably be the best choice for you. It’s well made, gorgeous, and comes with a good warranty. For these reasons, I have no trouble giving it 5 stars.

22 people found this helpful

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TenalaTM

Yup, it's that good.

Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2020

Verified Purchase

Wow. First foray down the tube road. Could not be more satisfied. Build quality is exceptional, it's simple and straightforward and sounds, well, ridiculously good. Running it to an icepower class D amp module, to 8" alnico full range drivers in free air. Playing HD through Audioengine B1. Poor man's superfi. Just buy it already!

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Worth Every Penny

Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2020

Verified Purchase

The sound is warm and generous without sounding soft. The details the Valhalla 2 highlights is kind of incredible, my vinyl has sprung to life! Highly recommended.

3 people found this helpful

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TMcGeeF18

Superb

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2020

Verified Purchase

Terrific detail with a neutral tube warmth. It’s easily accessible to roll different tubes if you’d like. I use mine mainly as a preamp feeding a stereo power amp to my main stereo speakers, it it’s an excellent headset amp by itself. American made with a 5 year warranty. Solid build. This unit runs hot, as most Class A equipment will do, but I run a usb fan to draw out some of the heat while it’s operating.

One person found this helpful

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Walker B Pollitt IV

hang on to your hat

Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2020

Verified Purchase

This Valhalla 2 is the single greatest piece of equipment i have ever owned. Build quality is first rate, audio is phenomenal...

4 people found this helpful

Helpful