Schiit Valhalla 2
Schiit Valhalla 2 is a Class A classic tube headphone amplifier
The Schiit Valhalla 2 is a Class A, single-ended triode headphone amplifier with no overall feedback and non inverting circuit topology. It provides a classic tube sound and can drive headphones with impedances as low as 32 ohms.
Tubes Made Flexible
The only active devices in the audio signal path in the Valhalla are tubes. The 6N1P triodes input provides highly linear, low noise voltage gain. The 6N6P triodes provide good power output capability for a wide variety of headphones.
Compare the Schiit Valhalla to tube amps using Alps Blue Velvet pots, Dale resistors, Wima capacitors, and other top-end components. Also consider that Valhalla has almost 2,000uf of filter capacitance in its oversized power supply, for superior performance.
While most tube OTL amps are really only designed for 300 ohm Senns and 600 ohm Beyers, Schiit's 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
Schiit 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 some 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 Schiit Valhalla.
Not Your Father's Tube Amplifier
If you're expecting syrupy, tubby, euphonically coloured tube sound, you're in for a shock. Schiit Valhalla 2 is exceptionally accurate, neutral, and resolving, without being strident or etched.
This is no weedy tube amplifier!!
Most of the Valhalla is covered by a limited warranty that covers parts and labour for three years. That's 3 years. Yes Three. Compare that to the competition. The parts that aren't covered by a 3-year warranty: the tubes. Tubes are covered by a 28-day warranty. They should last between 3,000 and 5,000 hours. Please note this doesn't mean free upgrades!
