Lyr 3 Discussion Thread

From the small picture, I thought the figure on the Lyr 3 was the tube and wondered what on EARTH you had gotten up to with your tube rolling experiements.

 

In my opinion, you have a very capable amp, so despite the latest and greatest which might have marginal gains at best, don't forget what you already have.

As hard as it may be to hear with your interest piqued, I would really urge you to wait. Not because MJ3 or something (because I haven't a clue) but because you should save up for a TOTL to get very noticeable gains vs. a smidge here or there.

 

He protects the Lyr from office goblins who would take my precious gear.

Also, staging opened up on the MB card. Having a harder time discerning Modi Multibit from MB card. That puts warm up at about 1.5 hours - mind you, these are the first 1.5 hours the card has ever been used. Also, using new prod Tung-Sol tube.

 

You didn't get the Russian stock tube, did you? I'm finding it very linear and inoffensive. Maybe not the best choice if you want some color, but I see why @schiit chose it as the stock option.

The Vali 2 has been my favorite amp for value/sound/and versatility for a while. Listening to the Lyr 3 this weekend, it was quickly clear that it was a step up, but I wasn't sure how much of one since I didn't have them in an A/B situation.

Got back to work today and listened to the Vali 2 again for the first time in a few days and it suddenly sounds congested and blurred, which are two adjectives I'd never use to describe this amp. These are relative descriptions, of course. Still dig the Vali 2 a lot. But...

Lyr is better than my initial impressions may have suggested.

 

Makes one wonder if the standalone MB DACs would benefit from treatment with a blow dryer on medium. Even application, of course.

@Elnrik, did you also get those NOS Russian 6N8Ss off Schiit, or have tried any other tubes with the Lyr 3? I'm very much tempted at the moment, but just got a new toy incoming to keep me happy (and my wallet tied up, haha). Can't really stand claustrophobic headstages but given this amp's apparent strengths I could see myself making the tradeoff.

 

Some part of me just wants to know how much of a step up this would be to stuff I have now, even if it would be a little bit kinda sideways. Do I need more than a GO2A at work? Not really. Does my DAC1541 headphone out suck? Not really. Should I save up for Yggdrasil and AC Af? For sure one day.

But I'm bloody curious is the problem, and even a small increment, if it's noticeable, teaches me something. Given I can't reasonably pop over to the Schiitr to try it out, it's got a $500 price tag though.

 

Nope.

Yep.

 

In a case like this, you just need to be honest with yourself that you're doing it out of curiosity than a definite and appreciable upgrade.

 

*facepalm*
I read and even liked it yesterday. Tut mir Leid. Looking forward to final call between the chrome dome and the Tung-Sol! The amp's on my shortlist anyway, @Vtory's spider chart from a few pages back kinda sealed the deal.

 

so, I currently have a Dragonfly Red -> DarkVoice 336 SE. Although it seems like the Lyr's DAC is a step up, do you think it's worth selling my current set up and going for a Lyr? I'm not sure if the returns would justify a purchase.

 

Very interested in this too.

The plus for Sagaheim: versatile, two distinct flavors by adding/removing Saga, can use polarity reverse (big plus for Jot alone), balanced in/out when needed.

For Lyr 3: one box, probably better than Sagaheim without PR, no XLR 4 connections.

___________________________________

To the PR masters: if you have tried PR with Lyr 3, please share. I had no luck trying on the singled ended/TRS vali 2 despite reports of success.

 

With which headphones? What are you trying to improve on in your current set-up? Would need more info.

I've only heard the 336SE once, and in less than ideal conditions. I'd say it is apples and oranges vs the Lyr.

Edit - See also, @Lyer25's reply below.

 

Hi @Wes!

Obligatory "please post an intro in the appropriate thread after reading the primer" greeting here:
http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/what-is-sbaf-must-read-version-2.5555/

then

http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/new-members-introduce-yourself.17/

The DarkVoice amp is one that I was considering, but admittedly talk on here of it kinda pulled me elsewhere. The Lyr 3 impressions on here are comprehensive enough that I feel you can draw your own conclusions, as are thoughts on the MB DAC module. Only vaguely remember what the Dragonfly Red sounds like at this point (never owned one, just got to demo a few times), but I remember liking it quite a bit less than the Burr-Brown solution in the Micro iDSD, which according to @Torq is within spitting distance of the Modi Multibit (which in turn is near indistinguishable from the MB chip in the Lyr 3 after a few hours running, according to @Elnrik).

Hope that helps

https://superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/darkvoice-336se.1785/

 

Ok, I bit the bullet and ordered the Russian stock tube from Schiit. Curiosity killed the cat. I'd like to hear what Schiit is shipping with these as stock tubes. $8 for the tube. $8.50 for shipping.

 

Part of me wants you to tell me that it's awful and completely cripples the amp. If there is anywhere near the gain from tube rolling here as there was in the Vali 2...ah, the possibilities.

 

You already have a fine amp in the MJ2. IMO the Lyr 3 would be a lateral move. You need to be thinking TOTL tubes like Zana Deux S, Mogwai SE or Encore, also DNA instead. $2500 price range and up though you could buy a base Kenzie for $1650.

 

Kevin Deal seems to like them (@$30/ea):

https://www.upscaleaudio.com/collections/preamp-tubes/products/early-russian-6h8c-6sn7

 

I wholeheartedly agree with your two points, as an ex-Gungnir Multibit user. But roughly think 1 is less of issue for mb module (folk, we need a nice nickname for this!!).

a. When I searched for information about Modi Multibit and Gungnir Multibit several months ago, some Modi Multibit users advised me that a couple of, or a few more, hours of warm up was enough for Modi Multibit.

b. Temperature-wise tubes get hot quite quickly, so does every other component in the box. Jason also mentioned this in the latest chapter. While this is generally "bad" thing, it might be helpful to warm dac chips. I also remember people use some towel tricks to warm Gungnir Multibit, Yggdrasil, and r2r ones.

For 2, it will still apply to mb module case. Wyrd may help some by cleaning usb signal. But Eitr seems to have more straightforward improvements. Nevertheless my hypothetical scenario is rather for budget configuration for office or bedroom. Plus, I personally was not that bothered with neither-eitr-nor-usb5 Gungnir Multibit. Felt some improvements from my diy rasp-based usb-spdif converter though.

Anyway, considering all these factors, mb-module and Modi Multibit may have comparative benefits summarized as below:

mb module: shorter signal path (+ better trans-portability + less fuckery cables)
Modi Multibit: separated power supply (+ 24/7 warmup-able + eitr-able)

So this is why I wanted to hear impressions. Comparison just sounds interesting, doesn't it?

And these are quite interesting comments. I might recommend lyr3+mb to some curious friends (not very hardcore audiophiles) who want a good dac-amp combo at reasonable prices.

 

You own the Lyr? Impressions?

 

WTH? A towel trick to warm a dac. My wife employs a towel trick for dac warming, but I don't think it's the same thing.