u/AdUsed7958

So I originally ordered some 8 pin socket savers for Freya+. I also have a bunch of 9 pin socket savers. These are the black bakelite ones with steel pins, which I got from TubeDepot and also see in other places (AmplifiedParts, etc.).

Looking on Amazon there are some higher quality ceramic ones with gold pins that cost more, sold by AMPTATA. While the reviews are in general positive, some people find them too wide. Another comment says they are way too tight. Someone with a Lyr had no problems and a couple Valhalla owners were happy with them.

Has anyone here tried using them?

If you are tube rolling, what socket saver are you using?

So I have started doing a little more experimentation with my Vali 3. I am including pricing and vendor locations for information purposes.

Based on what I read hear and there, I ordered a JAN GE 5670W / 2C51W from Tube Depot (@$19.95). I listened to it for a while, then ordered a 5670 / 2C51W GE 5 Star (@$10.95). This was repeatedly mentioned as one of the best 5670s. I found the listing below, which didn't specifically say its a GE 5 Star, but if you look under Files, specifications you see a GE 5 * spec sheet.

https://www.amplifiedparts.com/products/vacuum-tube-5670-2c51w-triode-dual

So, this appears to be a cheap source for these GE 5 star tubes. Naturally yesterday I ordered a few more, along with a couple NOS 6SN7GT (A/B) tubes, to see what I would get (@ $35.95 each) before I posted this. I'll report back if I get different types.

Another thing I did, was order adapters to try other tubes. I splurged a bit in 2020 when I bought the Freya+, so I have a store of 6SN7s. So I bought a 6SN7 converter (Bay, from garage1217, @ $44.90), a pair of ECC88/6922 adapters (EBay, from xulingmrs, @ $41.00) and a pair of 12AU7/ECC82/12AX7 adapters (EBay, from tubeadapter, @ $30.20).

The ECC88 was a mistake, I confused it with ECC82. Oh well. I have a bunch of 12AX7/12AU7, because I went tube for a phone stage, and bought a Tavish Adagio in 2020 also, it uses 5751 x3, 12AU7 x1 and EF86 x2 tubes. The output stage (12AU7) makes the most difference with it, so I ordered a bunch and I want to experiment with those on the Vali 3. The owner also mentioned some people try rolling a 12BH7 in that slot. I need to go see what I installed in it, I think Amperex Holland for the EF86 and I forget what 12AU7.

I also decided to get a few other tubes, given what looked like good recommendations of PSVANE 6SN7GT, so I ordered 3 Classic Series (@ $26) and a PSVANE classic 12AX7 (@ $17.35)

The 12AU7 adapter(s) are still inbound, the 6922 is sitting unused. I have used the 6SN7. Originally I tried a 6SN7GT Sylvania Bad Boy 3 rivet 1949-1953. I got 1 channel and some crackles, so I figured bad tube or bad adapter. I finally tried it again with the new PSVANE classic and everything worked fine. Some time later I will try both Bad Boys in the Freya and confirm the issue(s).

As for the Freya, for the last few years I was running 6SN7W GT A/B Tung Sol black triangular plate, late 1940s - early 1950s in gain and 6SN7GT A/B Sylvania Brown base JAN in the output. I switched the gain over to 6SN7GTB GE 1961 yesterday.

I can't really give good feedback on the sound differences yet. Which is kind of lame. I honestly think I need to do what a Head-Fi poster did, and have multiple Vali 3s setup and just switch back and forth on the fly Or Lyrs if I had the money.

I purchased socket extenders for easier removal and to reduce the stress on the OEM socket. I also ordered some pin cleaner and pin insulator liquids. I ordered tube dampers, but in retrospect I think those are only useful for damping noisy tubes.

I have decided to upgrade my work headphone listening experience. To date I have been using a simple Sennheiser headphone (GSP-300) for meetings with Fulla from PC and would like to get a separate headphone setup for music. I have a small stack of Schiit which was retired (Loki Mini/Eitr/Modi Multibit) from my home office when I upgraded to Bifrost 2 and Lokius. I have ordered a Vali 3 (and some tubes based on research here).

1. What are my options for closed headphones, which will allow me to appreciate the nuances of the tubes? I was originally looking at the FIIO FT1s. I could go a little higher.
2. I was wondering if an upgrade in my Modi would be noticeable? If so, where is the line where that money into the DAC isn't worth it compared to the transducers? I have also seen lots of small stacks with Magni and Vali, but that appears more for A-B listening options and redundant preamping. But Magni Mesh would be an alternative to a Modi 5.
3. The Modi also uses the USB 2.0 or optical for input. I do have an Eitr, so I could in theory use it. I don't know if there is a valid reason to do so.
4. I don't particularly care about Forkbeard and would rather use the Loki. I do see some posts around saying I need Magni to put Loki in the chain, but why doesn't seem obvious.
5. I am assuming valid stack configurations would be Modi -> Loki -> Vali, or Magni Mesh -> Loki -> Vali (but vertically more heat from Magni into other unit(s)?

I know, this could have also been posted in r/Headphones. I figured I would start here... (and I can't repost to it).

So my office/PC room stack is Bifrost 2 -> Lokius -> Freya+ -> Parasound Z amp v3. The Parasound replaced an Aegir which was putting out too much heat. Speakers are ELAC 5.2.

I am thinking I should get a 2/64 board for the Bifrost. I am also wondering about swapping out the Freya+. I don't use it as much as I used to.

At this point I am not specifically looking for a headphone amp in the stack.

Edit: Fixed Freya model