Does the Schiit Valhalla 2 drive the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x?

Computed from rated specifications · target SPL 110 dB · load 600 Ω

Ample OTL-compatible pairing

The Schiit Valhalla 2 drives the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x with ample headroom (~14.5 dB headroom at 600 ohms; needs ~15.8 mW, delivers 450 mW). This OTL tube amp suits the headphone's impedance (470 Ω) — a classically compatible pairing for high-output-impedance tube sources.

Headroom
14.5 dB
Required (110 dB SPL)
15.8 mW
Delivered (@ 600 Ω)
450 mW
Required voltage
2.73 Vrms

Power Headroom

Headroom: 14.5 dB 0 · target 14.5 dB below target marginal adequate ample -14 dB +10 +20 +36 dB

Scale shows dB headroom above the 15.8 mW required to reach 110 dB SPL. Amp delivers 450 mW at 600 Ω (+14.5 dB above target).

Audio-Technica ATH-R70x Dynamic · over-ear
Impedance 470.0 Ω rated
Sensitivity 98.0 dB/mW rated
Driver Dynamic
Spec basis Rated
Rated: Audio-Technica official spec (470 Ω, 98 dB/mW at 1 kHz). RAA has no measurement page. · 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-R70x's 470 Ω impedance. The impedance ratio (33.6×) 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-R70x 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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Topping L30 Adequate 9.5 dB
Topping A90 Adequate 9.0 dB
iFi Zen DAC V2 Marginal 0.6 dB
Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Insufficient -10.0 dB

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