Comments on Profile Post by Merrick

I tried these and they are absolute garbage: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0141KPCDY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I could use my Lyr 3 as a preamp to my power amp, but that will reduce transparency and run my tube down faster for little gain in sound (or possibly a degradation in the sound).

I use Saga in passive mode w/ the pot wide open effectively as an RCA splitter for parallel output to a power amp and subwoofer amp. I have used Sys in the past. Saga is much better sounding than Sys in this exact application. I don't notice Saga having an effect on the sound, but I do notice with Sys. Saga also more $ tho.

@E_Schaaf I have a Saga. It's currently in my main system but strictly speaking I don't need it there because everything is getting plugged into a HT receiver anyway so the inputs to the receiver aren't an issue. I use it more for the touch of tubes but it may be more useful in this application. However doesn't Saga still heat the tube when it's run in passive mode?

Now wishing I had bought a Saga S when it was available.

Well, since I had spare cables lying around and the Lyr was already on, I plugged in the pre out to my speaker power amp. Not going to lie, this sounds nicer than plugging the Bifrost in directly to the power amp. It doesn't sound transparent but it's added some warmth and it kind of retains the Lyr's laid back character. To be honest this sounds REALLY nice.

For non-critical listening I can say I prefer using the Lyr 3 as a pre versus no pre or a wholly transparent one. It's given me a whole new use case for the Lyr as well.

I use these. Others have also recommended.
https://www.amazon.com/AudioQuest-adapter-male-female-assembly/dp/B0009MFRW0

Check out the Creek OBH-12 or OBH-22. They ate passive but have a motorized pot and remote which all disengages and is removed from the signal path when not using the remote. Very cool. I don’t know how they compare to the sys transparency wise but all reviews online are very positive and I thought mine sound great.

I have an extra passive pre I could loan you with the Amethyst that is supposed to be very good - from someone here I trust. Only one input though. But you could compare to the sys to make sure it’s up to snuff.

The SYS is cost effective and I could not notice an impact on my headphone system (used backwards to switch between two headamps). I’m looking into a Creek, Goldpoint, or other “transparent” passive pre-amp for my next upgrade.

I think I will end up moving the Saga in there ultimately. I’m going to be replacing my Lyr with a SW51+ which doesn’t have a preamp or pass through option so I will need a permanent pre or switcher in the system at some point. I’m thinking of just running the Saga without a tube purely in passive mode.

I also have a RDL stereo audio distribution amp: https://www.rdlnet.com/product.php?page=528#ui-tabs-1

It offers 1 in to 4 out. I doubt it is transparent as it likely has an op-amp in the signal path. I'll be going back to my SYS soon because I will only need two outs.

I also use a Saga with the pot all the way up as a switcher on my 2-channel system (when my main power amp is off, the Saga is volume control for that). I don't worry too much about burning the tube since it's a 6SN7 and they are cheap. In another system I use a TC-7240 and just throw the switches around. I don't notice any quality issues with that approach.