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Schiit Audio’s Vali 3 Hybrid Headphone Amp and Preamp Can Be Your Desktop Hi-Fi Hub

With 100V on the plate, Schitt claims its Vali 3 tube headphone amp and preamp beats everything they’ve tested up to $2,799, for only $149.

Schiit Audio Vali 3 Tube Headphone Amp

Schiit Audio faces a lot more competition in 2024 from brands like Topping, FiiO, Cayin, and Questyle — but there is no question that its customer base has remained rather loyal. And why would they leave? They offer excellent Schiit for the money.

Case in point — the brand new Schiit Vali 3 Hybrid Headphone Amplifier and Preamp for only $149 USD.

Schiit Audio Vali 3 Hybrid Headphone Amp and Preamp Tube Close-up

The Vali 3 

The Vali 3 tube hybrid headphone amp and preamp is an improvement from the previous generation Vali 2++. Major improvements include:

  • 100V on the tube plate (over 50% higher than before), rather than 60V, for increased linearity and gain
  • Topological improvements that lower overall feedback and maintain performance
  • A new optimized layout with better signal flow and ergonomics
  • All-new attractive advanced-form USA-stamped custom chassis
  • Massively improved ventilation and lower operating temperatures
Schiit Audio Vali 3 Hybird Headphone Amp and Preamp Rear

The Vali 3 is designed to be ready to tube your entire desktop—delivering plenty of power for hard-to-drive headphones, and a low noise floor for more sensitive cans. 

In addition to its built-in headphone amp (a ¼ front panel headphone output is provided), the Vali 3 includes RCA inputs for an additional source, and preamp outputs that can be used to connect to powered speakers and speaker monitors, and home audio systems. 

With a familiar Schiit cabinet design, the Vali 3 stacks perfectly with Modi DACs or Loki Mini equalizer.

Schiit Audio Vali 3 Hybrid Headphone Amp and Preamp With Dan Clark Headphones

Tech Note: The Vali 3 ships with a 6N3P tube standard for great stock sound. However, for even better performance, users can also use the 5670/2C51, ECC42, CV4013, and the classic WE396A.

Specifications

  • Maximum Power at 32 ohms: 1500mW RMS per channel
  • Maximum Power at  50 ohms: 1000mW RMS per channel
  • Maximum Power at 300 ohms: 400mW RMS per channel
  • Maximum Power at 600 ohms: 200mW RMS per channel

Note: Maximum power rated at less than 10% THD for tube and tube hybrid amps, as compared to less than 1% for solid state.

Low Gain 

  • Frequency Response:
    • 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.02db at 300 ohms
    • 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.6db at 32 ohms
  • THD: <0.007%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS, 300 ohms
  • IMD: <0.014%, CCIR, 300 ohms
  • SNR: >117db, A-weighted, referenced to 2V RMS
  • Crosstalk: -87dB, 20Hz-20KHz, 300 ohms
  • Output Impedance: 0.5 ohms

High Gain 

  • Frequency Response:
    • 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.04db at 300 ohms
    • 20Hz-20Khz, +/-0.6db at 32 ohms
  • THD: <0.35%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V RMS, 300 ohms
  • IMD: <0.45%, CCIR, 300 ohms
  • SNR: >105db, A-weighted, referenced to 2V RMS
  • Crosstalk: -70dB, 20Hz-20KHz, 300 ohms
  • Output Impedance: 1.8 ohms
Schiit Audio Vali 3 Hybrid Headphone Amp and Preamp Inside

Additional Specifications

  • Input Impedance: 50K ohms
  • Gain: 5 (14dB) or 1 (0dB)
  • Topology: Coherence™: tube voltage gain with convolved bipolar current mode inverter and discrete bipolar class A driver and Class AB output stage
  • Protection: delayed start and fast shut-down with muting relay
  • Power Supply: wall wart with 24VAC and 6VAC outputs, regulated HV and LV rails for tube and bipolar components, 6V AC heater 
  • Power Consumption: 9W
  • Size (WDH): 5 x 3.5 x 2.75-inches
  • Weight: 1 lb

From Jason Stoddard, co-founder of Schiit Audio: “We’ve just blown up the entry-level tube scene,…I mean, there is no more entry-level. Vali 3 uses the same tube rail as much more expensive amplifiers, and it does it without compromise—no switching supplies, no giant chassis, no extreme heat, no big price tag.

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Schiit Audio Vali 3 Hybrid Headphone Amp and Preamp Black Front Angle

Price & Availability

Vali 3 is priced at $149 at schiit.com and Schiit Audio Retail Store in Newhall, California

Tip: The Vali 3 is made in the USA. Most components, including chassis and PC boards, are made by US companies in the USA. Wall-wart transformers are made in China. All assembly, QA, and testing, including 100% instrumented test and 100% listening test, are done at Schiit’s Corpus Christi, Texas facility.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. ORT

    March 29, 2024 at 7:11 pm

    Nice. Not good looking enough for me but I am shallow that way, but the Vali 3 is Schitty-Pretty and that is NOT damning it with faith praise.

    Audio enthusiasts vuew the hobby as a way of life. And the frAudiophiles?

    A way of strife.

    Listen to the music, not the equipment.

    ZatORTichi

    • Ian White

      March 29, 2024 at 8:21 pm

      Lord ZatORTichi,

      I do like the new top panel with the petal design.

      Excuse me while I go sharpen my sword. Incoming hate emails…

      Lord YojimboBerg

      • ORT

        March 30, 2024 at 2:49 pm

        Dōmo arigatō, Iansan. 🙂

        ORTofon 😉

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