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.
