Yeah... I don't think the Crack can be described as "fast" or "tight" with T1. I have heard the combo multiple times, with many different tubes, power tubes, even capacitors, and the tubby/warm/fat bottom end of the Crack persists. I think that's just an inherent characteristic of it.

The Vali would definitely be much more neutral, and may even be a bit bitey/bright/peaky, since I think the Crack kind of rolls off the upper end a bit, too.

Overall performance-wise, the two are kind of opposite as well, where the Crack can sound a bit laid-back, gentle, "refined", and the Vali can sound a bit exciting, aggressive, "forward"?

If you love the Crack's sound, I'd say... just stick with it. I have heard a pretty extensively modded Crack (rolled both output and power tubes, silver internal wiring, silver solder, and also much more expensive capacitors, plus the Speedball upgrade), and it's better than the stock Crack for sure, but it still sounds pretty much like a Crack. Modding can only "change" certain things, but it won't inherently change the way a design will sound, or so I think.

That's not to say the Crack is a bad amp. I'd personally take it over the Vali any day. The Crack exhibits much less problems than the Vali (no hiss/hum/noise, no tube microphonic ringing...), so that's one important criteria for me.

If you love the Crack's sound, I'd say... just stick with it. I have heard a pretty extensively modded Crack (rolled both output and power tubes, silver internal wiring, silver solder, and also much more expensive capacitors, plus the Speedball upgrade), and it's better than the stock Crack for sure, but it still sounds pretty much like a Crack. Modding can only "change" certain things, but it won't inherently change the way a design will sound, or so I think.

That's not to say the Crack is a bad amp. I'd personally take it over the Vali any day. The Crack exhibits much less problems than the Vali (no hiss/hum/noise, no tube microphonic ringing...), so that's one important criteria for me.

I'm of the same thought, especially at the prices listed. If you know you like the Crack, stick with it. The Crack definitely has it's own "character", and while it might not be a resolution monster, it brings a certain engagement factor to the table that's quite enjoyable - there's a reason why it's on the recommended list.

Personally, between the Crack/Valhalla 2/Vali, I preferred the Valhalla 2. The Crack is more colored IMO, and the Vali is leaner (tonally more similar to Ragnarok actually [Bill-p's favorite amp]). Valhalla 2 strikes a really nice balance. I returned my Val 2 and it was a mistake.

I actually don't have a problem with the Vali's noise floor when using it with 300ohm Senns, though I do understand it's an issue with more efficient cans. My Vali also hardly has any microphonics - it requires a pretty firm tap to hear any ringing. Perhaps I received a good sample though. I've heard/read some horror stories.

Interesting comment on the Rag. I've never felt it emphasized that region per say (granted, your ears are probably more developed than mine), though it's certainly on the forward/direct/aggressive side. I can see where that'd be an issue if you prefer a more laid-back presentation. While I definitely wouldn't call Ragnarok "romantic" sounding, I don't feel it's cold and heartless either. Personally, I'm really happy with it. I would note that when I first got it, it had a slightly "plastic" sound to my ear...hard to describe. As I've accumulated hours, that's gone away and its become more organic and natural sounding. And no, I will not take a quintuple blind comparative test to objectively prove that perception.