synsei
20-10-2013, 21:15
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http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/07a431de-686b-468f-86ed-56f97caf070e.jpg
I am considering selling my Valhalla amp as I no longer use nor really need it. This is a sweet sounding amp but unfortunately it has an issue and needs someone who knows their stuff to give it a once over. Upon switch on a light rustling, sounding somewhat like a light breeze blowing through the crown of leaves on a tree, can be heard from the LH channel, this dies away after around 30 to 40 seconds. This can very occasionally be accompanied by a slight low level hum. When I last used the Valhalla the LH channel also sounded a little bass light in comparison with the RH channel. Now, this could be down to the 6L6 valves as the one to the outside left glows a little more brightly than its brethren therefore they may need replacing. Cosmetically the Valhalla is in excellent condition and due to its Gerry Anderson-esque styling it is always a talking point when one has visitors. The chassis is solidly constructed from thick brushed aluminium plate and castings and is equipped with gold plated Neutrik phono sockets and good quality binding posts.
Soundwise this amp majors on authority belying its somewhat modest 15wpc output. Bass is tight and well extended and the thing delivers mid-range information in such a liquid manner that one could almost swim in it. Upper frequencies are delivered with absolute clarity and detail yet there isn't a hint of harshness. Pipe and slippers it is not! It throws out a decent soundstage demonstrating excellent width, height and depth plus it images well too. In fact I first heard it when another member brought it over to see what I thought of it having just bought it himself on a whim. He was Umm'ing and Ah'ing over whether he was going to keep it or sell it on. Once we had it hooked up to my system and playing music I knew I just had to have it, it was that good. We agreed on a price, £200. and Bob's your mothers brother. Since then it has been re-capped and a couple of resistors were also changed (please don't ask me which or why as I am not at all technically minded). The work was carried out by the chap I bought it from (Dingdong). This is what I wrote about the Valhalla in my gallery thread once it had been fettled and sat in my system for around a week:
So, to the Delphonica Valhalla we go and here at last is an amplifier which can really take the DM2's by the scruff of the neck and banish those rumours of low frequency stodge forever. The Valhalla does everything the Mini-T does and more, realism is how I would describe it. It's a hoary old chestnut, but I really am hearing things in recordings I have not noticed before. Really subtle things like low level mic hum, people turning pages, the percussionist shuffling his feet to the rear of the orchestra. Did I just hear a door slamming off in the distance? And all this in the most stunningly realistic 3D which stretches well beyond the speakers in every dimension. That is how good DM2's can sound when partnered with decent gear and an amp which can exercise rigid grip and control over the DM2's 8" Bextrene coned bass driver.
The valves currently installed in the amp consist of a matched quad of Svetlana 6L6GC's plus a pair of NOS PHILIPS ECC88's with only a few hours on them. I will even throw in another unused pair of Philips EC88's to keep the Valhalla singing for a while. It originally arrived fitted with a pair of NOS Mullard EC88's however one of them gave up the ghost after a couple of months. The Philips EC88's sound every bit as good as the Mullards however.
I am pitching the asking price to reflect the fact that the new owner is likely to need to purchase a matched quad of 6L6's and also perhaps service the amp. Taking all that into consideration I am asking just £100 plus shipping. I estimate shipping will be around £20 as it weighs quite a bit. The amp will be shipped in its original packaging and I will remove the valves for safety's sake...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af316/Sgtgrash/Hifi%20Stuff/07a431de-686b-468f-86ed-56f97caf070e.jpg
I am considering selling my Valhalla amp as I no longer use nor really need it. This is a sweet sounding amp but unfortunately it has an issue and needs someone who knows their stuff to give it a once over. Upon switch on a light rustling, sounding somewhat like a light breeze blowing through the crown of leaves on a tree, can be heard from the LH channel, this dies away after around 30 to 40 seconds. This can very occasionally be accompanied by a slight low level hum. When I last used the Valhalla the LH channel also sounded a little bass light in comparison with the RH channel. Now, this could be down to the 6L6 valves as the one to the outside left glows a little more brightly than its brethren therefore they may need replacing. Cosmetically the Valhalla is in excellent condition and due to its Gerry Anderson-esque styling it is always a talking point when one has visitors. The chassis is solidly constructed from thick brushed aluminium plate and castings and is equipped with gold plated Neutrik phono sockets and good quality binding posts.
Soundwise this amp majors on authority belying its somewhat modest 15wpc output. Bass is tight and well extended and the thing delivers mid-range information in such a liquid manner that one could almost swim in it. Upper frequencies are delivered with absolute clarity and detail yet there isn't a hint of harshness. Pipe and slippers it is not! It throws out a decent soundstage demonstrating excellent width, height and depth plus it images well too. In fact I first heard it when another member brought it over to see what I thought of it having just bought it himself on a whim. He was Umm'ing and Ah'ing over whether he was going to keep it or sell it on. Once we had it hooked up to my system and playing music I knew I just had to have it, it was that good. We agreed on a price, £200. and Bob's your mothers brother. Since then it has been re-capped and a couple of resistors were also changed (please don't ask me which or why as I am not at all technically minded). The work was carried out by the chap I bought it from (Dingdong). This is what I wrote about the Valhalla in my gallery thread once it had been fettled and sat in my system for around a week:
So, to the Delphonica Valhalla we go and here at last is an amplifier which can really take the DM2's by the scruff of the neck and banish those rumours of low frequency stodge forever. The Valhalla does everything the Mini-T does and more, realism is how I would describe it. It's a hoary old chestnut, but I really am hearing things in recordings I have not noticed before. Really subtle things like low level mic hum, people turning pages, the percussionist shuffling his feet to the rear of the orchestra. Did I just hear a door slamming off in the distance? And all this in the most stunningly realistic 3D which stretches well beyond the speakers in every dimension. That is how good DM2's can sound when partnered with decent gear and an amp which can exercise rigid grip and control over the DM2's 8" Bextrene coned bass driver.
The valves currently installed in the amp consist of a matched quad of Svetlana 6L6GC's plus a pair of NOS PHILIPS ECC88's with only a few hours on them. I will even throw in another unused pair of Philips EC88's to keep the Valhalla singing for a while. It originally arrived fitted with a pair of NOS Mullard EC88's however one of them gave up the ghost after a couple of months. The Philips EC88's sound every bit as good as the Mullards however.
I am pitching the asking price to reflect the fact that the new owner is likely to need to purchase a matched quad of 6L6's and also perhaps service the amp. Taking all that into consideration I am asking just £100 plus shipping. I estimate shipping will be around £20 as it weighs quite a bit. The amp will be shipped in its original packaging and I will remove the valves for safety's sake...