Does the Schiit Valhalla 2 drive the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x?

Computed from measured specifications · target SPL 110 dB · load 50 Ω

Ample OTL-compatible pairing

The Schiit Valhalla 2 drives the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x with ample headroom (~12.8 dB headroom at 50 ohms; needs ~9.4 mW, delivers 180 mW). This OTL tube amp suits the headphone's impedance (37 Ω) — a classically compatible pairing for high-output-impedance tube sources.

Headroom
12.8 dB
Required (110 dB SPL)
9.4 mW
Delivered (@ 50 Ω)
180 mW
Required voltage
0.59 Vrms

Power Headroom

Headroom: 12.8 dB 0 · target 12.8 dB below target marginal adequate ample -14 dB +10 +20 +36 dB

Scale shows dB headroom above the 9.4 mW required to reach 110 dB SPL. Amp delivers 180 mW at 50 Ω (+12.8 dB above target).

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Dynamic · over-ear
Impedance (rated) 38 Ω
Impedance (measured) Source: reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/r… 37.15 Ω measured
Sensitivity (rated) 99.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (measured) 100.25 dB/mW measured
Driver Dynamic
Spec basis Measured
Measured by Reference Audio Analyzer (https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/audio-technica-ath-m50x.php) · Source ↗
Schiit Valhalla 2 Desktop Tube · Single Ended
Output impedance manufacturer 14.0 Ω
Power @ 50 Ω 180 mW
Power @ 300 Ω 800 mW
Power @ 600 Ω 450 mW
Power source Manufacturer
Schiit Valhalla 2 manufacturer spec (Audiophonics retailer, citing Schiit official): 180/800/450 mW at 50/300/600 Ω. OTL/hybrid topology: more power into 300 Ω than 50 Ω (normal for OTL). Output impedance 14 Ω (hi-gain) / 3.5 Ω (lo-gain) from Schiit PDF manual and Schiit Europe. Using 14 Ω as worst-case for damping check. · Source ↗
Impedance compatibility

This OTL tube amp's high output impedance (14 Ω) is a good match for the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's 37 Ω impedance. The impedance ratio (2.7×) falls within the recommended range for high-output-impedance tube sources — a classically well-matched pairing.

Where to buy

Schiit Valhalla 2 on Amazon ↗ Audio-Technica ATH-M50x on Amazon ↗

Disclosure: links above are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate this site earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Affiliate commissions do not influence verdicts; all analysis is computed independently from the data.

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