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Schiit Vallhalla 3

I owned the following preamps

  • CODA 07x (2022 model) ($7000)
  • BAT VK-42SE ($7000)
  • Bryston BP-20 + MPS-2 PS 
  • Benchmark LA4 
  • Benchmark HPA4
  • Schiit Freya+
  • Schiit Kara F
  • Schitt Saga 2 (returned it)
  • Topping pe90
  • CODA CSiB integrated amp
  • KRELL K-300i integrated amp (Duo XD lineup)

I sold all of those and now have what I hope will be my long-term preamp for my office system. I say I "hope", because I do not know how long this new preamp will last.

The preamp is the Schiiit Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL preamp at $500 but with 2 replacement tubes for the 2-front facing stock tubes.

Schiit Audio: Audio Products Made in USA

https://www.tubedepot.com

NOS-5670 JAN GE 5670W / 2C51W (2) @ $19.95 = $39.90
SK-5670-6922 5670 to 6922 Adapter (2) @ $9.95 = $19.90

The reason I found this preamp was because my friend asked me to listen to the new Allnic top end OTL/OCL preamp that cost $33k. It was spectacular and the best preamp I ever heard. I paired it with the CODA #16 amp (now sold) and the Yamaha NS5000 speakers. This was as good as it gets in audio.

However, I do not have $33k and the Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL preamp was intriguing because of the OTL/OCL design. I can confidently say that this preamp with the 2 replace tubes is better than ALL of the preamps I listed above. The Allnic is much better but that is another story. 

The OTL/OCL preamps I have heard, Allnic top end, Allnic ASRA, and the Valhalla 3 are all very detailed (like the Benchmark) but have a holographic sound. The Allnic are much more holographic.

The Valhalla 3 is not practical since it has only 1 RCA input and only 1 RCA output. However, I spent $800 with Space Tech Labs in Canada and got a superb RCA only switch made to give me 4 RCA source inputs. I connect this to the Valhalla 3.

The Valhalla 3 does not have a remote, but I am using this in my office, and the preamp is only 3 feet away from me.

I had the Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL connected with the Meitner MA3i DAC $11.5k for a 3-week demo and it was great. I am using a low cost RME DAC and it is very good but not Meitner MA3i level. I was not sure if the Meitner direct to amp via XLR was better than the Valhalla 3 via RCA.

This post is for someone interested in getting amazing sound at a super low price, albeit with some ease-of-use frustrations. The $800 switch I have custom made could be bought on Amazon for $80 though I am assuming mine sounds better (cleaner).

BTW - at one time I had a lot of Schiit Audio gear. I am now down to 3, Valhalla 3 OTL/OCL, Aegir v1 amp (for headphones), AsgardX headphone amp.

BTW2 - I used the DAC remote for the Meitner MA3i and RME. However, for my tuners I had to move.

 

yyzsantabarbara
lanx0003
1,926 posts
 

I’m not sure how many people actually realize—or care—how the V3 sounds. According to one trustworthy reviewer, it doesn’t sound as warm as most audiophiles would expect from a typical OTL tube preamp like the Bottlehead Crack. Nor does it resemble the general Schiit house sound. The tonality of the V3 actually leans toward the brighter side of neutral and is a bit leaner than, again, a typical tube preamp, which often delivers a warm, thick presentation.

My educated guess is that part of this is attributable to the OCL design. Without a doubt, both OTL and OCL make the preamp more transparent, but it might end up being too much of a good thing. This is what’s preventing me from pulling the trigger and trying it. Ideally, I’m looking for a preamp that adds smoothness, liquidity, richness, and just a touch of warmth to my already neutral system.

yyzsantabarbara OP
5,543 posts
 

@lanx0003 The Valhalla 3 in stock form is not tubey rich. It is a bit lean. The Allnic and Valhalla 3 are both OTL/OCL and they are very detailed; I think a hallmark of OTL/OCL design. I owned the uber detailed Benchmark preamps and the OTL/OCL preamps are as detailed. However, the Allnic is also very rich and holographic.

The Valhalla 3 is not lean after the change from the stock tubes. I only have tried the stock and the tubes I listed above. There are other tubes that people recommend with the Valhalla 3 that is even warmer. 

At this point I am very happy with the new tubes. I am listening to the ’bright’ tuner as write this and the new tubes make the tuner sounds really good.

The Valhalla 3 does not need much burn in, and the 15-day home trial period is long enough to hear it at full protentional. 

 

lanx0003
1,926 posts
 

All right, all right, @yyzsantabarbara, V3 must be doing something very right for you to make a bold statement like that.  I’m going to give it a try this time with the $10 saving incentive on the GE 5670W and 5670-to-6922 adapter combo deal for $25. One more question before I pull the trigger: some reviewer mentioned its relatively narrower and shallower soundstage—what’s your verdict?  How is its SS performance.  Thanks!

yyzsantabarbara OP
5,543 posts
 

I am using the Valhalla 3 with a Magnepan Mini and Class D Audio GanFet 6.5 amp. This is my office setup. I used to have the great CODA #16 as the amp but sold it a few days ago. 

Since I am using Maggies the soundstage is very big, even with the Mini. I have not tried this setup with regular speakers. I have used my headphones with this setup and a Schiit Aegir v1 amp and that also had a large soundstage. This is with my RAAL SR1a earphones, and again this phone is the biggest stage of any phone. 

I am likely going to buy a second Valhalla 3 and put in on my Livingroom setup.

  • CODA #11 amp
  • imersiv D-1 DAC (into XLR in the amp)
  • Yamaha NS5000 speakers

The Valhalla 3 will go into the RCA input of the CODA #11 amp and have a tuner connected to it. I expect the soundstage to be smaller than the imersiv D-1. which is massive.

 

yyzsantabarbara OP
5,543 posts
 

All right, all right, @yyzsantabarbara, V3 must be doing something very right for you to make a bold statement like that. 

I like the V3 over all the preamps I listed in my first post. However, the Allnic preamps I have heard are better than the V3. I am going with the V3 because the price is ridiculous for the performance. However, it is a bit of a PIA to use. A DAC with a remote helps in ease of use.

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