[Jason Stoddard]

Inexpensive tube amps are usually an exercise in compromise. They’re either inflexible, not suited for sensitive headphones, not using the tubes to their full potential, or all three. Look at Vali. It was a great amp—as long as you had full-sized, not-too-sensitive headphones, and you could tolerate some tube microphonics when you turned it on and plugged it in.
 
Not Vali 2. 
 
Vali 2 is a complete redesign. How complete? Well, Vali 2 now offers the features and flexibility you’d only expect to find on tube hybrid headphone amps that cost several times more—and the best power supply of any amplifier near its price. Vali 2 now offers:
 

1. Tube rolling. Yes! The exposed single 6BZ7 tube (same as we use in Lyr 2 and Mjolnir 2) can easily be swapped out for a 6DJ8, 6922, ECC88, 2492, 6N23P, and other tube types, to allow you to “tune” the overall sound of the system to your own preferences.
2. Gain switching. As with our other amps, Vali 2 now offers high and low gain settings. Low gain is ideal for more sensitive headphones and IEMs, with an output impedance of only 1.2 ohms. Output impedance in high gain is also reduced from Vali, at 5.8 ohms.
3. Preamp outputs. Now, you can connect powered monitors conveniently to Vali 2, to use it in a complete desktop system that includes headphones and powered monitors.
4. Class-leading power supply. Vali 2 uses a sophisticated dual-AC-voltage power supply that allows us to run tubes as they were intended to be run—with high voltage on the plate, for much better linearity and performance. 
5. Fully discrete hybrid output stage. Vali 2 uses a fully discrete bipolar hybrid output stage, not an op-amp or integrated circuit, for higher power output—1W into 32 ohms.

 
Vali 2 is in stock and available now for $169.
 
Vali 2 product page: http://www.schiit.com/products/vali-2
 
The story of the Vali 2: http://www.head-fi.org/t/701900/schiit-happened-the-story-of-the-worlds-most-improbable-start-up/9000#post_12153256
 
 
Enjoy!

 

[Mr Rick]

Just in time for Christmas. Congratulations Schiit!!!!

 

[kstuart]

Can you use 12AX7 ?

 

[abhinit90]

Nice. How's the hiss?
 
Since there's a low gain mode I assume it will be very usable with almost every headphone and IEM. I can hear the hiss on my Fostex T50RP with my Vali 1.0

 

[bongieto]

I think the microphonic issue of Vali 1 is a thing of the past also with this new iteration. Right Schitt?

 

[Jason Stoddard]

Hiss and microphonics are in the past. Or, to be more accurate, in Vali, but not Vali 2.
 
Of course, if you rap on the tube, you will hear something...but it won't go on for 30 seconds like Vali. 

 

[Jason Stoddard]

  Can you use 12AX7 ?

Nope, sorry.

 

[Bob A (SD)]

Ah nutz!   Just picked up a Vali last week    Oh well.   LOL

 

[Mr Rick]

  Ah nutz!   Just picked up a Vali last week    Oh well.   LOL

 
The Vali 1 is a great little amp for the HD600. You did good.

 

[Bob A (SD)]

  Ah nutz!   Just picked up a Vali last week    Oh well.   LOL

Oh I know.  Great stuff!   But I couldn't resist making the comment   hehehehehe

 

[kstuart]

 

  Can you use 12AX7 ?

Nope, sorry.

That's too bad since I have 6 or 8 single 12AX7's in my drawer.   Early 60's tubes FTW !
 
BTW, does that means there are cases of unused 6088's in your warehouse that will be discovered by future archaeologists ?

 

[volly]

Ordered, Christmas shopping complete! 
 
Looking forward to the Christmas holidays!
 
Thanks Schiit, love your work!

 

[TinearedOne]

This is exactly what I've been wanting.  Nice timing.

 

[Jane Levi]

I've just bought Valhalla 2 last week and now this comes =))

 

[notfitforpublic]

  I've just bought Valhalla 2 last week and now this comes =))

Difference between the Vali 1 and the Valhalla was pretty significant IMO. This may close the gap, but I telling myself the Valhalla was still a good choice. Besides, always take advantage of the 15 day guarantee if you really wanna take the chance. Just let me know if you do.