Frequency Response: 20Hz-20Khz, -0.1db, 7Hz-200KHz, -3dB
Maximum Power, 50 ohms: 180mW RMS per channel
Maximum Power, 300 ohms: 800mW RMS per channel
Maximum Power, 600 ohms: 450mW RMS per channel
THD: < 0.02%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS, high gain (worst case)
IMD: < 0.03%, CCIF at 1V RMS, high gain (worst case)
SNR: > 98db, unweighted, referenced to 1V RMS, low gain
Crosstalk: < -71dB, 20 Hz-20KHz
Output Impedance: 14 ohms (hi gain), 3.5 ohms (lo gain)
Input Impedance: 100K ohms
Gain: 7 (16.9db) or 1.5 (3.5 db), via rear switch
Topology: All-triode, noninverting, single voltage gain stage, current source biased front end and optimized WCF output stage, DC-coupled input
Tube Complement: 6N1P dual triode input, 6N6P dual triode output, 1 each per channel. 6N1Ps rollable to 6DJ8, E88CC, 6922, 6BZ7, and similar types.
Power Supply: Two internal power transformers with over 2,000uF of filter capacitance
Power Consumption: 40W
Size: 9 x 6 x 3.25”
Weight: 7 lbs
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Valhalla 2
TRIODE OTL HEADPHONE AMP AND PREAMP
Description
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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 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 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.
Made in USA
By “made in USA,” we mean made 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 board house is 20 minutes away from our office in Newhall. Our chassis guys are just over the hill in the Valley.
5-Year Warranty
Valhalla 2 is covered by a limited warranty that covers parts and labor for five years. That’s 5 years. Yes. FIVE. Which is up to 5X that of our competition, if you weren’t so hot at math. Note the marketing weasel-wording “up to.” One exception: the tubes. Those we cover for 3 months.
15-Day Satisfaction Guarantee
Try Valhalla in your own house for 15 days. If you don’t like it, simply send it back for a refund, minus a 5% transaction fee. Try spending 15 days in an audio store. They’ll kick you out. Unless you buy them donuts. Maybe.
On B Stock
When we have products with minor cosmetic flaws, we will sell them here as "B-Stock". If you choose the B-Stock option to save some money, please note that it is not eligible for the 15-day return. However, the full warranty applies.
When we have products with minor cosmetic flaws, we will sell them here as "B-Stock". If you choose the B-Stock option to save some money, please note that it is not eligible for the 15-day return. However, the full warranty applies.
All measurements made on a Stanford Research SR1+ Audio Analyzer
Wait, wait, wait. Grados? IEMs? ORTHOS? With a tube OTL amp? Are you nuts?
No, not completely. With the low output impedance and higher current capability of Valhalla 2, you might be surprised what headphones you can run with it. Now, that isn’t to say that it’s going to be able to drive HE-400s or LCD-Xs with the authority of, well, anything else we make. But it won’t fall on its face and lay there twitching like Valhalla did.
Did Valhalla just lay there twitching?
Actually, no, it never twitched. But all of our amps just lay there. But some of them glow. And that’s pretty cool.
Okay, enough silliness. What makes Valhalla 2 different than most tube amps?
We infuse each of the electrons in Valhalla with special powertrode ions, which gives the output super-strength. Each milli-amp of current in Valhalla is actually worth many amps of current in other amps.
I thought I said enough silliness!
You did. But we weren’t done yet.
Are you done now? Want to give us a real answer about how you made Valhalla 2 the “super OTL” amp?
Okay, fine, we’ll take our pills. Ahem. There’s really no magic. We just spent a long time optimizing both the input and output topology to maximize current delivery, and to reduce output impedance. This entailed quite a few tweaks to the common-cathode front end, adding a new negative voltage rail and current source to up the overall gain, and also changes to the White cathode follower output.
Hey, you’re making that up, too!
No, actually, we aren’t. To really understand our serious answers, you’ll need to learn engineerese, I’m afraid.
So what does that mean?
In simpler numbers: 2-8x lower output impedance, 8x lower distortion, 2x more current delivery, and lower noise. In simpler terms: while Valhalla was marginal-to-bad with IEMs and low-impedance headphones, Valhalla 2 is much more versatile. It’s not the be-all and end-all, but it’s now a much more well-rounded amp.
What headphones are Valhalla really good for?
Valhalla is still going to be at its best with high-impedance headphones like the 300 ohm Sennheisers and 250-600 ohm Beyers. With up to 60V p-p output capability, it can absolutely light up 300 and 600 ohm headphones—delivering almost a full watt into 300 ohms (!) However, it's now also perfectly capable with a wide variety of low-impedance dynamic designs, and has enough power for some high-efficiency planars.
Does the volume control adjust the preamp outputs?
Yes.
Can I turn off the headphone outs when I’m using the preamp outputs?
The preamp outputs are automatically turned off when you plug in your headphones. Unplug your headphones to use the pre outs.
How do I switch the gain?
There’s a toggle switch on the back of the amp.
Is Valhalla rollable?
Yes! The standard 6N1P input tubes can be subbed out for any 6DJ8/6922/ECC88/ECC85/6BZ7 types, including NOS, cryo-treated, voodoo-blessed, hand-assembled by elves, etc.
Does this have a muting relay, like all your other amps?
No. The slow turn-on and turn-off characteristics of tubes and limited current capability means there's no muting relay—which is the same for pretty much every tube OTL headphone amp out there. While there is DC on the output at turn-on and turn-off, it is on the order of 100mV into 32-ohm headphones. If you are concerned about this, unplug your headphones before turning the amp off, and wait 30 seconds or so after you turn Valhalla 2 on to plug in.
I was told that tube amps are all about euphonic distortion and that you’re a bunch of crazy money-grubbing arseholes because you make tube amps.
Have you ever heard a tube amp?
No, seriously.
We are serious. Have you ever heard a tube amp?
No, I don’t find it necessary, having done the calculations for exact current and voltage delivery to my headphones to achieve a long-term safe listening level, and knowing the distortion floor of my particular transducers—
Okay, we see where this is going. Bottom line, we make both highly-capable, completely-neutral-by-the-measurements, inexpensive solid state amps, and wacky tube and tube hybrid amps. Why? Because some people like solid state, and some people like tubes. You know, like some people like Camrys and some like Corvettes. Like some people like Budweiser, and some people like Bordeaux. Amazing thing, the world, full of so many different experiences and so many different opinions of them. Is one right, and another wrong? If so, who is the arbiter? Bottom line, if you don’t agree with our approach, there are tons of other options out there. Have fun, and we hope you find one that fits your desires perfectly.
Positive Feedback: Neoteric Listener
Dean Seislove
"...the Valhalla 2 delivers a tight, controlled sound. There's real substance to the notes, and, yes, it is resolving...After a long session listening again to the Led Zeppelin catalog, I remarked to myself that this is an amp that engages you for hours on end."
"All three Schiit products [Lyr 2, Bifrost Uber, Valhalla 2] are stellar accomplishments that should please even the fussiest headphone audio enthusiast."
CNET (Audiophiliac)
Steve Guttenberg
"...my single-word description of the sound would be " beautiful." Sure, it's clear and clean, but the Valhalla 2 imparts a sense of beauty to the sound of well-recorded acoustic instruments. There's more substance to the sound, it's more organic and full-bodied, which is, after all, the way those instruments sound in real life."
Master & Dynamic MH 40 Meets the Schitt Valhalla 2 Single Ended Triode Amp and Preamp
Ken Micallef
"The Master & Dynamic MH 40s paired to the Schitt Valhalla 2 made a surprising two-fer splash in my brain. LP after LP I found myself reveling in the details of the music and fully immersed in the deep listening experience I was enjoying. The Valhalla 2's bloomy midrange and thankful gain switch helped amp-up the M&D MH 40s, the resulting combination of stout dynamics, general overall neutrality and a warm yet uncongested midrange to lower bass presentation enabling the ears, drawing me in, each album a joy."
"At a combined price of US$750, I can't imagine another headphones/amp combination providing this level of pure musical enjoyment. And when given the option to tube-roll the Schitt to further personalize its sound, the pair provides exceptional quality and value."