Asgard 2 vs Valhalla 2. Solid State vs Triode OTL

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Stephen, I owned and enjoyed an EAR/Yoshino Acute 3 tubed CDP. It was very musical but there is no way I can compare that sound to the Schiit Gungnir/Gumby DAC. Gumby by far is the more resolving, dynamic and accurate DAC than what was inside the EAR Acute CDP. I think they renamed the Acute tubed to "Classic" now.Both sound very analog and musical but comparing Gumby to the Acute is like comparing an Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor to a Boeing P-26 Peashooter from the 1930's.

Gumby is the modern sound, resolving, accurate yet analog smooth while the EAR Acute was the "old school" let's charm them with tube warmth and lushness type of sound, dynamic contrast and details be damned.

Now, EAR has some new CDPs and even a four PCC88 tube DAC and those I have no idea of what they sound like.

Nice evaluation, Serge. The key point I was trying to make was that in additions to Jason's designs, both CJ and E.A.R. can produce both either tube or SS products that seem to be very close in overall sound quality to the "other" amplification device. In other words, their tube amps/preamp are clean, fast and neutral, and their SS products are sweet and mellifluous.

Tim's phono stages are pretty nice, BTW. But, you knew that...

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Nice evaluation, Serge. The key point I was trying to make was that in additions to Jason's designs, both CJ and E.A.R. can produce both either tube or SS products that seem to be very close in overall sound quality to the "other" amplification device. In other words, their tube amps/preamp are clean, fast and neutral, and their SS products are sweet and mellifluous.

Tim's phono stages are pretty nice, BTW. But, you knew that...

EAR is great, certainly not inexpensive, neither is CJ. When you can charge your customers $24k for a preamp, it better be "liquid gold" on the ears if you are paying in gold out of your pocket... (GAT2).

I'm sitting here listening to Gumby crunching bits and feeding all 3 of my headphone amps and through the Focal Utopias, it is liquid gold on my ears and that's some magic alchemy my friend because I paid in lead not gold for it.

[Formerly YB-2]

Thanks for the reviews. Was planning on the Valhalla 2 for my 'travel kit', but will now plan on the Asgard 2 for less 'fuss' of solid-state when on the road. Should be an ideal match to the Bifrost multibit DAC.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Thanks for the reviews. Was planning on the Valhalla 2 for my 'travel kit', but will now plan on the Asgard 2 for less 'fuss' of solid-state when on the road. Should be an ideal match to the Bifrost multibit DAC.

Valhalla 2 is not very travel friendly with the tubes sticking out. Pulling the tubes out to pack it and reinstalling them is not a good solution at all. Asgard 2 on the other hand is perfect! The Class A, smooth sonic signature will not leave you wanting tubes, at least not tubes in this price range!

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Valhalla 2 is not very travel friendly with the tubes sticking out. Pulling the tubes out to pack it and reinstalling them is not a good solution at all. Asgard 2 on the other hand is perfect! The Class A, smooth sonic signature will not leave you wanting tubes, at least not tubes in this price range!

Agreed.