Lyr 3 Discussion Thread

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by neogeosnk, Mar 20, 2018.

  1. SSL

    SSL Friend

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    They didn't offer to comp me for a $1500 pair of speakers, so I don't see this happening either. Not sure it's a reasonable expectation to begin with.
     
  2. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    The hell blew up your speakers?!
     
  3. Aeron

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    Both the Lyr 3 and the Clear were warranty replacements, so first experience and the second one were with totally different units. Sadly, I didn’t match these odds in Megamillions.
     
  4. Aeron

    Aeron Facebook Friend

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    New units, different tube.
     
  5. Aeron

    Aeron Facebook Friend

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    Exactly, I love the way both sound. I traded emails with Schiit Tech, he said their protection circuitry would prevent fried headphones. I hope my Focal Dealer will replace pair #2, not sure what to do with the amp.
     
  6. Aeron

    Aeron Facebook Friend

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    Thanks Jason, the spooky thing (happy Halloween), is that this was a new unit, you’all replaced the first one, as did my Focal Dealer the Clear. The experience was identical though, a tube rush sound, then tin cup headphones.
     
  7. nickwin

    nickwin Acquaintance

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    Has anyone tried this amp with he-500's yet?
     
  8. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    After a week from the loaner tour, I can finally put my thoughts together on this amp. I have heard @Skyline's a couple of times, but having it for a couple of days to put it through it's paces was nice.

    First off, the personality of this amp will change with the tube. It will not change it completely because it is a preamp tube after all, but should be used as not just "hey, it's a tube and I like tubes because I know they are good for audio," but I see it as a way to cater to the sound you like to fit your tastes and your setup. Basically, you can get the synergy you desire with a simple change of the tube.

    Note for tube rolling: The tube does not get extremely warm and is cool to the touch in 5-10 minutes, maybe less if you are more careful.

    So since there has been much said about the amp already, I will go through the three tubes and my impressions with the Lyr 3.

    Headphones used: HD650, T-50 modded
    Source: Bifrost Multibit

    Vintage Russian:
    This is the tube that is pretty much stock with the Lyr 3. The Tung-Sol is an upgrade, but we will get to that one in a minute. This Rusky tube is very mid-centric and lacks dynamics. I really do not feel it brings out the best in the Lyr 3 and matter of fact I was quite disappointed at the Lyr 3 until I tried the other tubes. I am surprised this is the “stock” tube. About the only good thing I san say about it is that the mids were super rich and gave some really lush mids, but lacking in anything super low or super high. It kind of made my Sennheiser’s sound like AKGs - pretty mid forward, smooth on the highs, tight lows.

    Sylvania 6SN7 (top getter, 3 hole plate, aka, Chrome Dome):
    This one is more like it. Much more dynamics. This one may be bright for some. It does not have overbearing lows, but the lows are very controlled and detailed. Matter of fact, it is pretty detailed all over. This one was closest to the stock sound of my Dynalo...still “tuby”, but somewhat clinical. Great microdynamics, and good macrodynamics too, except no real low end slam. Some might call this one a more neutral sound. I really love these tubes for their detail retrieval, but can be fatiguing after awhile. Great with my HD650’s, but may not be for brighter headphones.

    Tung-Sol 6SL7:
    Yes, you read that correct. With the loaner Lyr 3, the red base Tung-Sol tube says 6SL7, not 6SN7. Not sure of the differences here between the two tubes. Either way, the TS tube had a slightly warmer tilt, had great dynamics, and had great detailed mids. It really has almost the best qualities of the other 2 tubes and one that everyone should probably start with in their Lyr 3. It was somewhat warmer in the mid-bass than my Dynalo, but the Dynalo could dig just a bit deeper for the deepest lows. The highs were detailed, but not glassy. It had great layering and details and very non-fatiguing. he mids really shine and just have that bit of mid clarity with vocals and sound so intimate. Where it sounded best was of course really great recordings. Truly a great tube choice with a slight mid-bass lift.

    Comparison of the Lyr 3 w/TS tube with my Dynalo:
    Overall compared to my Dynalo, I kept going back and forth on which amp I liked more over my Dynalo. When switching, I would notice a slight mid-lift at first, but once getting used to that, things opened up. The TS tube sounded less clinical and more pleasant overall, especially with anything with vocals. The only time I felt the Lyr 3 lacking was overall speed with really demanding tracks, (eg. The Mars Volta), but it is was not like the TS/Lyr 3 was bad, it is just if you had to twist my arm and pick one for that it would be the Dynalo. However, for most good recordings, the Lyr 3 would be so clear and my Dynalo would just sound a touch cloudy. Once I boxed the Lyr 3 back up, I kind of missed a bit of those details and clarity.

    Conclusion:
    Awesome amp with the right tube. Amazing clarity and depth and every bit on pace in it's price range. I think having a preamp tube to cater your sound is the best feature of this amp. The only issue can be trying to find that right tube for your setup, but this also means if you upgrade your source or headphones, you might could try find different tubes to suit your system and taste - something I can’t really do with most amps. And with it being one tube, that keeps this cost down.
     
  9. rott

    rott Secretly hates other millenials - Friend

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    Any thoughts on using a Raytheon 6SN7GTB (w/side-getter) vintage tube in the Lyr3, compared to the Tung-Sol? Don't want to fall down this rabbit hole but thought I'd just take a shot this time and bought one from eBay. Read favorable things about the combo on HF. Am not unhappy with TS but a different flavor wouldn't hurt.
     
  10. Cebuboy

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    Fried one side of a HD650, but that was from a bad tube, got a loud pop after the relay clicked and only one side is playing. Amp is fine after changing the tube, but the HD650 is mono only.
     
  11. MikeW

    MikeW Shitbag

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    I read this whole thread and one thing that is a bit confusing, in the beginning of the thread several people listened to LYR3 with HD650 and thought it was a great pairing. Now towards the end of the thread the trend has changed decidedly against HD650. Weird. Anyways HD650 is my main headphone that I use now with JOT and it's likely what i'd use with LYR3, though I do have a pair of Denon D2K as well.
     
  12. Azimuth

    Azimuth FKA rtaylor76, Friend

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    I think the pairing with HD650 is great with the right tube. The TS tube is a much better option than the stock Russian tube, but there also maybe better pairings of tubes depending on synergy (system + preference, yada yada).

    Be prepared to run the Lyr 3 in low gain with the D2000's. And the best tube match for the 650 may not be the best with the D2000.
     
  13. Jinxy245

    Jinxy245 Vegan Puss

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    I only had the amp for the loaner, but I was surprised how much of a difference tubes made for me. With the right tubes I thought it was an excellent pair....as always YMMV etc
     
  14. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    I've only had both as a loaner, but I'd say there are arguments for the Jot over the Lyr3 and vise versa, at least when it comes to the HD650.

    The Jot pushed the treble and bass to more noticed levels, but the Lyr3 expanded the staging more. I think we can mostly agree that those are the two area where the HD650 is lacking. That's not intended as a knock against the HD650, just something one should know when choosing an amp.

    Tonal priorities come in to play here, and I think most people would definitely pick one over the other. One might even get a near 50/50 split on picking a "winner"...
     
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2018
  15. I_want_all_the_tacos

    I_want_all_the_tacos Friend

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    If you already have a good solid state and want to try something different, have you thought about going for a more dramatic difference with a full tube amp instead of a hybrid? I currently own Valhalla 2 and EC ZDT Jr, and I have heard the Lyr 3 a number of times now at meets and also the loaner. While I generally really like Lyr 3 as a great all rounder that could be anyone's only amp, I don't think it is as compelling a complement to an already powerful, dynamic solid state amp like Jot. If you are trying to stay under $500, both Valhalla 2 and EC ZDT Jr are excellent with HD650 (a reason I specifically bought them) and both are better complements to Jot than Lyr 3 IMO. Valhalla 2 is going to be more dry, but quick with a special airy stage that sort of livens up HD650. EC ZDT Jr. is a more traditional tube amp in sounding very full, musical, and slightly warm. Less emphasis on macrodynamics and slam than something like Jot, but lots of texture and microdynamics that HD650 pairs well to.
     
  16. MikeW

    MikeW Shitbag

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    I've never owned a full tube amp before. Though i've owned various hybrids over the years. My main concern with going to full tube is compatibility with various loads/phones. My first ever headphone amp was a HeadRoom Pete Millet Hybrid, with power supply and a stepped attenuator, man that was like 11 or 12 years ago. It was exceedingly expensive at the time.. I think I had about 1100$ into that amp, it was paired with a Channel Islands VDA-2, with power supply.. another 900$. I do miss Headroom gear, a shame they could not have stuck around, what I recall of the VDA-2 was quite good as well, for the time.I was single back then, can't really afford to put 2k into this hobby right now. Anyways.. went off on a bit of a rant there.

    I really only want to own one headphone amp, as I don't have the space for multiples. Really I want to own a single box, but i've found the performance of AIO's lacking. I intend to sell one of them though, I won't be keeping both. I will probably audition the LYR3 from Schiit and compare it to JOT and sell whichever one I prefer less.

    I also think LYR3 will hold it's value better then Jotunheim, being a newer product. I don't like to hold onto expensive electronics long enough for them to become worthless.

    Edit: man i really loved Head Room's crossfeed circuit. almost forgot about that
     
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2018
  17. obsiCO

    obsiCO Thai Fish Experiment Gone Wrong

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    I'm sorry if I've taken this the wrong way, but why limit yourself to Schiit products? At that price point, you could get yourself a Liquid Platinum, for example.
     
  18. MikeW

    MikeW Shitbag

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    That's a really fair question actually. Jotunheim was my first Schiit product, and despite my criticism of the product's less polished area's, i've been really impressed with it. Particularly, build quality, fit and finish, the warranty. I've owned a few amps and dac's and headphones over the years, and I do like to keep something for a year or two and sell it and try something new. Key to this is choosing product's that have somewhat mass appeal, or else you get stuck with something forever, or have to take a large hit on it. I don't think this applies to the Liquid Platinum, Cavali's been around a long time and is a pretty well known name.

    I'd considered a few other options including the THX AAA 789, and CTH. Though I don't consider these products to either, be enough of an upgrade over Jot, or too similar in general. I've also just purchased a used Bifrost Multibit Gen5, and the appeal of a matching form factor stack is alluring. I've also read the whole LYR3 read, and with marv's comments about LYR3 being schiit's best amp yet, combined with the general listening impressions i've read sounds pretty much like a perfect fit for me. As I do really enjoy JOT, but it's high end and staging is a little grating. Sounds like LYR3 will address these issues, and also has the tube rolling factor. I'll likely end up trying a LOKI as well, which has been unavailable to me as I have not owned a proper standalone dac since I got JOT. I'd also just genuinely like to try more Schiit gear.
     
  19. pelagius

    pelagius New

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    I've had the Lyr 3 for a couple weeks now, and I am pretty happy with it. To preface, I'm using them to feed a pair of HD600 with rear foam removed, Damplifier Pro added, and Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads. Source is Eitr -> Modi Multibit -> Loki (2:30, 1 o'clock, 11 o'clock, 11 o'clock). I'm still figuring out exactly what my tastes are and how to describe them, but I would say that I like transparency and clarity, but I am also somewhat treble sensitive and prefer a strong low end. Listening was with the Tung-Sol tube on high gain, with the volume at about 9 o'clock.

    Before the Lyr 3, I was using an MCTH with the stock tube. I'm pretty skeptical of my own ear and was actually expecting to have to A/B to perceive any difference between the two, but was pleasantly surprised to find that the difference was actually pretty apparent. I noticed better instrument separation, bass quantity, extension, and definition, as well as improved clarity off the bat. I also think that dynamics and detail are a bit better with the Lyr, and that the treble is less prominent. I think that the reduced treble is good for me, as I found myself getting fatigued more easily with the MCTH.

    I do, however, feel that the soundstage has less depth than the MCTH. I still prefer the spatial presentation of the Lyr, however, because of the better instrument separation and air. Bass is also still a bit less than I'd like, but I think that's probably more a product of the headphone than the amp.

    I actually got the Lyr 3 along with the LCD 2C, expecting that the LCD 2C would replace the HD600 as my main headphone. I probably just have HD600-ear, but I felt like information was missing with the LCD 2C compared to the HD600, especially in the upper mids. The main reason I was looking at the LCD 2C was because I was getting fatigued frequently with HD600 + MCTH, but the Lyr 3 seems to have largely ameliorated this. I what second @Vtory said about the Lyr 3 having very good synergy with HD600 + Dekoni fenestrated sheepskin pads.
     
  20. Nanekiu

    Nanekiu New

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    Just got my lyr3 amp, I'm considering purchasing either a psvane uk-6sn7 or a 6sn7-se, what's the SQ difference between these two tubes considering the SE costs way more?
     

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