I didn’t expect this at all, but after adding a Schiit Vali 3 next to my Aune S17 Pro, I finally understood why people keep both solid state and tube amps.
The Aune is clearly the more “audiophile” amp in the traditional sense:
But the Vali 3 gave me something completely different instead of simply “better”:
If you stay with the Vali for a while, you stop listening for detail and start listening to the music itself.
Some tracks became almost physical experiences with the Vali + Meze 109 Pro combo. Smashing Pumpkins especially sounded huge and textured, like the guitars were wrapping around me instead of just hitting me.
In the end, I achieved exactly what I wanted:
one main setup and a second, relatively inexpensive one for pure fun listening.
The Aune is clearly the more “audiophile” amp in the traditional sense:
- cleaner
- faster
- more detailed
- more controlled
But the Vali 3 gave me something completely different instead of simply “better”:
- thicker guitars
- fuller mids
- more emotional presentation
- less analytical, more immersive
If you stay with the Vali for a while, you stop listening for detail and start listening to the music itself.
Some tracks became almost physical experiences with the Vali + Meze 109 Pro combo. Smashing Pumpkins especially sounded huge and textured, like the guitars were wrapping around me instead of just hitting me.
In the end, I achieved exactly what I wanted:
one main setup and a second, relatively inexpensive one for pure fun listening.
- Aune for clarity, energy and technical listening
- Vali for mood, immersion and emotional listening
