It varies. When I first turn the unit on and get the normal Ting from the microphonics, sometimes it is in the left channel and sometimes both. But when I get the really loud ringing sound that overtakes the songs I am listening too, it is in both channels.

Hi, Anaxilus,

It is resting by itself. The way I have my setup is, I have my DAC close to my computer using an optical cable (a cheap one unfortunately) and then about 6 feet of RCA cables going from the DAC to the Vali which I have sitting on it's own little table that is sturdy - close to the chair I listen to music in. So no, it isn't stacked on anything, it sits by itself untouched on a table with nothing else on the table. Like I was saying the table is sturdy and doesn't wobble or anything, so I don't think any outside influence could be causing it, but if there is I can't figure out what it could be.

open it up and make sure the tubes didn't pop up from the adhesive. otherwise e-mail schiit. they will take care of you.

Hi Gunner,

Thank you my friend for the reply. Before I e-mailed Nick at Schiit I opened the Vali up to check if the tubes came loose from the adhesive, but they are firmly stuck to them. Even though they seemed stuck to the adhesive pretty well, I still pushed down on them pretty hard (as Nick suggested) and the problem still persists 

And like I was saying in my previous post, it isn't the "normal" Microphonics "Ting" you hear when you turn the unit on, move, or touch it. It gives it's normal "ting sound when you turn it on for about 15-20 seconds, goes away for about 2-3 minutes, then I get a loud "ringing" sound that completely takes over any song I am trying to listen too, it is louder than the songs themselves.

I talked to Nick at Schiit and he said that that problem is definitely not normal and wants me to send it in for them to take a look at it. I love Schiit, they are awesome and their customer service is top notch. Nick was quick to reply to my e-mail and was genuinely concerned about the issue, kudos to Schiit and their staff. I joked with Nick a bit and told him that when I return the Vali, that they could just send me a Valhalla instead lol! (I wish). I am just sad that I won't have an amp until they can get it fixed 

Hi Mates,

So I've been without my Vali for 3 days now and during this time I have grown to really appreciate how great of an amp it really is. All I have as far as amps go are the Vali and FiiO E09K so I have to use the FiiO while Schiit takes a look at my Vali. Keep in mind that I am still a beginner in headphone audio so I hope my personal opinions don't sound dumb to the more experienced pirates here.

Anyhow, comparing the Vali to the FiiO E09K really isn't even a contest in my humble opinion. While the FiiO E09K is not bad amp at all, considering it is around the same price as the Vali, the Vali to my ears as a headphone audio beginner, just blows it out of the water. The FiiO E09K seems to my ears to make music sound more "digital" if that makes sense, while the Vali seems to make music sound more warm and natural. I have not had the opportunity to listen to any higher-end amps, in fact, those are the only two amps I have EVER been able to listen to, but I have to think for the price of the Vali, it is just wonderful. I've really come to appreciate how good of an amp it really is, at least compared to the similar priced E09K.

That's just my 2 cents from a beginner, but I can't get my Vali back soon enough.