Thank you for sharing your experiences and information and for continuing to do so. I realize that I am not the only one to keep the door open to old models.
And I agree that it’s all room and system dependent, although in my case the same constant comes up in two different residences, not including my desk at my workplace.
For instance, I’m so glad I recently added three used Valhalla V1 to my main HT (on the processor and my two main sources), adding precision in the dialogue and a lot of punch. In addition to the QB8 and QB4, I had added an Isotek Titan to push my Bryston 6BSST2, but adding these Valhalla V1 was ultimately even more effective than adding the conditioner.
What I like is that the first versions can be easily found today between 40 and 45% of their original price, which is already interesting considering inflation.
Still, I never sold my Heimdall 2. I did exactly what agisthos did: They have been on digital sources, wich sounded too clear at the office and in my secondary HT. Into this secondary HT system, the Red Dawn amplifies my central which I found to be too focused on the highs (Paradigm Prestige 55c) and no other cable could have created this perfect match. In short, I don’t want to denigrate the new versions. I have also had Valhalla V2 for a few months in my main music system (Pathos / Lumin X1 / Scalla Utopia) and I admit that the Valhalla V1 has nothing to do with it; Nor does the new equivalent Tyr 2 for that matter 😉