I hope so, I hope it sounds great with HD 650's. I asked Schiit if it would be good for the HD 650's but no response yet

I did not think the Vahalla 2 did well with the Abyss (Mjolnir would be the Schiit amp of choice for inefficient or semi-inefficient orthos). However with something like a Grado, AD2000 (and of course the HD600/650 DT880), the Vahalla is out of this word. Really resolving.

On Jason's FAQ, yes, he's being funny, there is a strong element of truth. Watt for watt, the Vahalla is better than the solid-state stuff. It's just true with good tube implementations.

Not sure if this is too of topic, but I borrowed a Schiit Asgard 2, a Lyr 2, and a Bifrost Uber USB gen 2 from Jason for THE Show.


I have them sitting on my desk right now, but need to send them back.


I am not very familiar with the Schiit gear other than the Vali that I own. I have also never heard the Lyr 1.


But, FWIW, using the Paradox Slants, the Lyr 2 sounds better than the Vali. To me the high end detail and air is better on the Lyr 2. The sound is much more open and there are just more highs. But not harsh in any way. The same is true when comparing the Asgard 2 to the Lyr 2, better highs on the Lyr 2.


I guess that's why the Lyr 2 cost the more than the others? I was pretty happy with the Vali until I heard the Lyr 2. I guess I need to hear the Vahalla 2 some day.

Anyone have any opinion on Valhalla 2 vs. Lyr 2 for Paradox Slants or Enigmas? Has anyone heard both the Valhalla 2 and the Lyr 2?

Sound-wise, what's the difference between the Valhalla 2 and Lyr 2?

Lyr 2 is hybrid and has more power which is good for orthos. Vahalla 2 is all tube. Vahalla 2 is moar resolving and just overall better if you have the right headphones which will play along with it.  The downside of Vahalla 2 is highish Z. Yes there is a low gain switch, but still...

Lyr 2 still retains Lyr's warmish tonal signature, just much more lively and less dead than Lyr 1. I never liked Lyr 1 despite whatever tubes were in it. Dynamic yes, slamming yes, resolving and alive, no. I think I've said this many times before. (Just to remind people that I'm not a Schiit shill.) Lyr 2 improves on immediacy aspect. More resolving, more microdynamics. I like it.

Vahalla 2 sounds like an EC amp. Hate to make that comparison, but it's true. Vahalla 1 had certain good qualities that were compromised by it being slightly mushy and slow compared to the Vahalla 2. (BTW, my Vahalla 1 is still out on the Changstar loaner program. Feel free to PM the last person who had it and get it for comparison purposes.)

I'd go with Lyr 2 on Slants / Enigmas. Those headphones are relatively inefficient and like powah.

Lyr 2 is hybrid and has more power which is good for orthos. Vahalla 2 is all tube. Vahalla 2 is moar resolving and just overall better if you have the right headphones which will play along with it.  The downside of Vahalla 2 is highish Z. Yes there is a low gain switch, but still...

Lyr 2 still retains Lyr's warmish tonal signature, just much more lively and less dead than Lyr 1. I never liked Lyr 1 despite whatever tubes were in it. Dynamic yes, slamming yes, resolving and alive, no. I think I've said this many times before. (Just to remind people that I'm not a Schiit shill.) Lyr 2 improves on immediacy aspect. More resolving, more microdynamics. I like it.

Vahalla 2 sounds like an EC amp. Hate to make that comparison, but it's true. Vahalla 1 had certain good qualities that were compromised by it being slightly mushy and slow compared to the Vahalla 2. (BTW, my Vahalla 1 is still out on the Changstar loaner program. Feel free to PM the last person who had it and get it for comparison purposes.)

I'd go with Lyr 2 on Slants / Enigmas. Those headphones are relatively inefficient and like powah.

Thanks for the great feedback Marv. That helps a lot.
To save some money and for just the trade shows/meets, I may just buy another Vali. But for listening at home, I guess it's going to be a Lyr 2 then.

For HD800's, which is best? Vali, Valhalla 2, or Lyr 2?