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

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.

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

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.

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

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.”

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.

Related Reading

• Schiit Audio’s Yggdrasil+ MIB Flagship DAC Is Getting Better With Age

• We Schiit You Not: Schiit Audio’s Skoll, Midgard, And Hel+ Are Going To Rock Festivus 2023

• Schiit Audio’s Balanced Kara Preamp And Headphone Amp Offers An Alternative To The Freya S

• Schiit Audio’s Mjolnir 3 Headphone Amplifier Won’t Be Available Forever

• Schiit’s URD CD Transport Feels Like A Polished Digital Hub