Does the Schiit Valhalla 2 drive the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro?

Computed from measured specifications · target SPL 110 dB · load 300 Ω

Ample OTL-compatible pairing

The Schiit Valhalla 2 drives the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro with ample headroom (~12.4 dB headroom at 300 ohms; needs ~46.2 mW, delivers 800 mW). This OTL tube amp suits the headphone's impedance (268 Ω) — a classically compatible pairing for high-output-impedance tube sources.

Headroom
12.4 dB
Required (110 dB SPL)
46.2 mW
Delivered (@ 300 Ω)
800 mW
Required voltage
3.52 Vrms

Power Headroom

Headroom: 12.4 dB 0 · target 12.4 dB below target marginal adequate ample -14 dB +10 +20 +36 dB

Scale shows dB headroom above the 46.2 mW required to reach 110 dB SPL. Amp delivers 800 mW at 300 Ω (+12.4 dB above target).

Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro Dynamic · over-ear
Impedance (rated) 250 Ω
Impedance (measured) Source: reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/r… 267.6 Ω measured
Sensitivity (rated) 96.0 dB/mW
Sensitivity (measured) 93.35 dB/mW measured
Driver Dynamic
Spec basis Measured
Measured by Reference Audio Analyzer (https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/beyerdynamic-dt-990-pro-250.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 Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro's 267 Ω impedance. The impedance ratio (19.1×) falls within the recommended range for high-output-impedance tube sources — a classically well-matched pairing.

Where to buy

Schiit Valhalla 2 on Amazon ↗ Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 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.

AmplifierHeadroom
Schiit Lyr 3 Ample 12.9 dB
Schiit Asgard 3 Ample 11.1 dB
Topping L30 Adequate 7.8 dB
Topping A90 Adequate 7.3 dB
iFi Zen DAC V2 Insufficient -1.1 dB
Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Insufficient -11.5 dB

See all amplifiers for the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro →

HeadphoneHeadroom
Sennheiser HD 660S Ample 22.5 dB
Sennheiser HD 800 S Ample 20.6 dB
Philips SHP9500 Ample 13.6 dB
Audeze LCD-2 Classic Ample 13.6 dB
AKG K240 Studio Adequate 3.6 dB
Fostex T50RP Mk3 Marginal 1.7 dB

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