[tdonnellyem]

where did you order the voskhod tube?  eBay?

 

[claud W]

On Ebay at Western Bid inc. and just ordered a 1975 gray shields from them too.

 

[volly]

The Voskhod will probably be my last tube for the v2. Hoping to move up something bigger.

I've been listening to a pcc88 tungsram and i will say it is a very very good tube. Very musical with great detail.

If you can get one, try one out!

 

[claud W]

I have lots of high end NOS tubes. As you might have seen, I started out using a Telfunken CCA. I then decided to investigate the much cheaper russian tubes when I was breaking in my WyWires Red headphone cable on my 702s. It was very dynamic.  The current tube is a 75 silver shield Voskhod and it gets better each time I listen to it. I have the grey shield coming.  Yes, I have a high end Schiit headphone system, but this little Schiit computer audio system sounds real good driving my midfi AKG 702s and Senn 600s. Unless you loose your mind like I did and desire cutting edge gear, this one is really all you need. 
To put a perspective on my opinion, my previous headphone system was a Lyr and Bifrost Uber.

 

[Rewkie]

What do you guys think about the vali 2 with HD650s?  Wondering if i should get the vali 2 or save up a bit more money and get a BH crack.
 
Also, I know the vali 2 is a hybrid, how much of an impact is that going to have on the effectiveness of tube rolling?

 

[h2rulz]

  What do you guys think about the vali 2 with HD650s?  Wondering if i should get the vali 2 or save up a bit more money and get a BH crack.
 
Also, I know the vali 2 is a hybrid, how much of an impact is that going to have on the effectiveness of tube rolling?

Personally, for the HD650 I would save up for the BH crack. But I'm sure there are other opinions out there.
 
And the Vali 2 is great for rolling tubes for cheap (single tube). I had a lot of fun trying out different tubes.

 

[sayitaintsoap]

How about the Vali 2 with Grado RS2e? I've got a Little Dot 1+ with Voshkod 6h1p-ev tubes and no complaints but I'm still within my return period with Amazon and am wondering how the Vali 2 stacks up. 

 

[Skarecrow77]

  What do you guys think about the vali 2 with HD650s?  Wondering if i should get the vali 2 or save up a bit more money and get a BH crack.
 
Also, I know the vali 2 is a hybrid, how much of an impact is that going to have on the effectiveness of tube rolling?

 
I think it works very well.
 
Used to have a Perreaux SHX-1 solid state (~$300 msrp, flavor-of-the-month circa 2004) powering my 650s, and I like them much better with my Vali 2. The veil is just about gone. They're relaxed and very musical. They've even got bass I never knew they had.

 

[whaiyun]

Finding a used Vali 2 has been extremely difficult. 

 

[ToddHealy]

They have been backordered for a little while and are extremely popular.  People are paying new+ prices to buy used units on ebay.  There is currently 1 up for auction at $172.50.

 

[Rewkie]

  They have been backordered for a little while and are extremely popular.  People are paying new+ prices to buy used units on ebay.  There is currently 1 up for auction at $172.50.

Either they just went back in stock or the "back ordered" listing is a glitch.  Just ordered one yesterday, shipped today.

 

[AviP]

Zeos' Review:
@ZeosPantera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHOG0MOcwTU

 

[WayTooCrazy]

  Zeos' Review:
@ZeosPantera
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHOG0MOcwTU

I agree with his review of the "dead stock" Vali 2 not being really impressive. I wish the person who lent it though, sent a couple of different tubes for him to try. I very much feel that the stock tube was designed to be transparent and when I rolled in the BEL E88C, it very much does sound different and smoother, yet more detailed.

 

[whaiyun]

What would be a nice bass emphasis tube for the Vali 2? I'm trying to pair with a AKG K701.

 

[Tuneslover]

  And the "King of the Castle" is...
 

@AviP, thanks for pointing out Zeos' youtube.com "review" of the Vali  2.
 
As you can see I own both the V2 and the Magni2U.  I didn't do extensive listening and comparing of these 2 amps but I did take some time briefly listening to a few very familiar tunes.  The setup shown in the picture did require me to switch using the SYS, as well as moving the headphone plug from one to amp to the other amp so yeah it took something like 10-15 seconds to do the switch-over.  However my familiarity of the selected tunes, I believe, allowed for a reasonably accurate comparison. 
 
In general I cannot disagree with Zeos' remarks, in other words both of these amps sound very much alike.  Plain and simple to my ears the V2 sounds slightly warmer with a touch more bass (JJE88CC Gold Pin tube).  Both of these amps drive my HD650's very nicely.  I decided to keep the Magni2U on my iMac rig and returned the V2 to my bedside rig.  Both serve their respective purposes quite satisfyingly thank you.