Schiit Lyr 2 (with and without lisst tubes)

Hi, I was wondering if anyone here as heard and compared the lyr 2 with and without the lisst tubes, what are your opinions and would u rather use the lisst tubes.

 

I got it with the stock tubes and LISST. It's hard to compare them too directly (because the glass tubes get hot, so you need to listen to the LISST for a while, swap them, listen to the glass for a while, and then call it a day), and I didn't spend a lot of time doing so and couldn't do it blind, but it seemed like the tubes were just that little bit smoother and a little bit less detailed. Also, they look cooler.

I left the glass tubes in; I figure that when they die, I'll run it with LISST for a while and decide from there what I want to do with replacement tubes.

 

Isn't this the case for all tube rolling? Tubes get hot, wait a couple of min and swap and listen?

 

I have an original Lyr and use both tubes and LISST. Lately I've been rolling back and forth with my 6n23ps. Ultimately I prefer these tubes to the LISST, but they both sound good to me. The tubes seem a bit more holographic. It's a nice option to have the LISST from the perspective of a longer projected lifespan than glass. I'm glad I bought mine.

 

Looks like the Lyr 2 isn't particularly popular at SBAF. I see lots of Valhalla 2 users and am curious as to why they picked one amp over the other? Good match with HD 6x0's, the noted dryer / leaner sound of the Val2?

 

Seems like popularity of the HD6x0 to me. Good combo for le "plankton".

 

I have a Lyr 2, and I like the amp a lot. It is my first tube amp, or should I say hybrid tube amp. Anyway, LISST is quite good, and I could see people using this only and be perfectly happy with the Lyr 2 as a solid state amp. But a good tube sounds better to me. Although, I found the stock Canadian 6BZ7 that comes with the amp lacking...

 

Tube rolling is both fun and expensive. Sometimes you can get lucky though.

 

In case anyone is interested, my impressions of various tubes for the Lyr 2 is located at: www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/tubes-tubes-tubes-resource-for-rollers.160/page-3#post-22199

 

Trying out the solid state schiit tubes. Initial impressions are impressive, as Indy mentioned they sound faster and more detailed than any tube. It sounds a bit obvious, but the LISST really do turn the amp into a solid state, giving me the best of both worlds

 

Has anybody used LISST in non Schiit 6dj8 amps?

 

I don't think Schiit is releasing all the info on the tubes so people don't go rolling them in other amps and then having problems and blaming Schiit even though they said not to. The only Ecc88 / 6DJ8 amp I own is the Lyr so no use.

I have been playing around with other tubes, both new production and NOS. They all have their ups and downs, but I have settled on the LISST's to drive my TH-X00's and some NOS Amprex Bugle Boys for my HD-650. The more accurate and fast solid states go fantastically with the bass heavy fostex's. I found other tubes to be be too warm to the point of muddy. I initially wasn't a big fan of the TH-X00's, but this brightened them up and I can se what all the hype is about.

As for the HD650's, the bugle boy tubes complimented them well. Just detailed enough, just bright enough, but still keeps the warm signature sound in tact.

 

For whatever this is worth: I have a Lyr 2 and was also interested in the LISST, so I did some research and asked around. Subjective impressions from others I collected on Reddit/etc were that the LISST are "unexciting" in the Lyr 2, whatever that means. The takeaway from me was that nearly every impression I read was meh-to-negative.

I also contacted Schiit support for more info. I was told the following: "The LISST do have a higher noise floor, they are basically solid state pre-amp devices in a tube form factor utilizing high voltage rails, this high voltage causes them to be slightly noisier." It seems that the LISST are really intended for the Mjolnir, dfinitely not the Lyr 1 because of the noise.

 

While I am biased - I do not agree with the outcome of your research. While the SS tubes sound unexciting when compared to their vacuum tube counterparts, that is exactly their purpose. People pay a lot of money to get that unexciting sound, which is a neutral frequency response. The LISST offers the flat, fast, and accurate sound of a solid state amp in a tube amp where this is usually not possible. Some may call this meh - to - negative, I happen to think it compliments already dark or slower headphones.

I bought the Lyr 2 because I like the sound of tubes and even some basic rolling and playing with how different pairing sound with different headphones. The LISST offers me one more option, and while there are many options in the tube amp world and solid state amp world, I chose the Lyr 2 as a fun amp with lots of options.

As for noise floor - I have tubes that have much nosier than the LISST. I have them in right now with my ZMF Blackwoods and I can turn the amp all the way up without music and not get any hiss. While they were released at the same time as the Mjolnir 2, I would be willing to bet there are more sitting in Lyr's out there than any other amp.

 

I don't have any noise issues with LISST in my Lyr 1. They're just another alternative to rolling glass.

 

That's actually exactly what I was looking for. If the LISST was a way to kind of "convert" the Lyr 2 to uncolored/neutral/pure sound when I felt like it.
Is that a fair characterization of what they do?

If that's the case, then I'm interested again.

 

Yes, I feel the LISST does come close to the neautral sound you are describing, but if that is all you are looking for you might be spending that money on a solid state amp like the the Liquid Carbon. If you are looking for a diverse amp that can change on our whim, this worked for me.

 

Tube Mini Review w. Lyr 2 (listed in the order that I purchased them):

• Stock Schiit tubes - new production - Made in Canada - Label says 6BZ7 / 6BQ7A - Cost: Inc with amp

After reading reviews of the Lyr 2, I knew stock tubes weren't going to cut it. Compared to other tubes they are a kinda flat and noisey. They really lacked detailed high, mids, or lows. Intro to tube amp tube - gave a bit of warmth, bit of lush feeling, but leaves you wanting for more. Would not recommend 3/10

• Electro-harmonix 6922 Gold pins - New production - Made in Russia - Cost: $25 each

This was my next stop in tube madness. This is a decent upgrade from the stock tubes. Much brighter, much warmer, but enough bass to almost feel neutral. Narrow sound stage compared to NOS tubes. Doesnt get in the way of music to the point of a bit boring. 6/10

• Amprex Orange Label 6DJ8 / ECC88 (1972) PQ's - NOS - Made in Holland - Cost $ 50 pair (ebay)

Wanted to try a NOS tube and the cost wasn't too bad. Chose a reputable dealer on ebay. Total difference in character from the new production tubes. This tube was warm almost to the point of muddy. Bloomy mids, treble was recessed. Improved soundstage width. Gave me a taste that I may prefer a NOS tube, just need to find the right ones. Not good for my wallet. 5/10

• "Russian" 6H23n-EB (Premium) - New production - Made in Russia - Cost: $60 each

Thought the last tube went too far in the wrong direction of what I was used to in the Lyr. Bought a "premium" new production. I really like this tube. Probably isn't 100 broken in, but who knows. Detailed and solid low end, mids a tiny bit recessed, bright, but not too bright highs. I guess this would be V shaped, but its not far off from being neutral. Sounds perfect with my ZMF blackwoods, which have strong mids. Should have stopped here 8/10

• Amprex Bugleboy 6DJ8 / ECC88 (1965) - NOS - Made in Holland - Cost: $75 pair (ebay)

Started to chase the perfect NOS dragon. I play alot of 60's and 70's Jazz and wanted something warm to compliment it well. These are much tighter while staying warm throughout the mids than the Orange Labels above. Top end may be a bit recessed?. Wide soundstage. Matches up very well with my HD650. Still have the NOS itch, but trying to resist. Decent value 7/10

• LISST "solid state tubes" - New Production - USA! USA! - Cost $100 pair

Curiosity killed the cat. As previously stated - fast, accurate, neutral - removes tube sound. Really nice. I pair these with the TH-X00 for tighter bass. Really enjoy on more modern music and metal. If you are looking to convert a tube amp to a SS amp 10 / 10. But I bought the amp for the warmer tube sound, only use these maybe 20% of the time. Not as fun. 8/10 real life.

I don't plan on buying additional tubes for this amp. 6 sets is certianly enough. Never tracked down the perfect NOS tube I was looking for, likey as I am cheap and wouldnt pay a couple hundred dollars for tubes to put in a amp not worth much more. Has one one went all out and paid big money for pinched waist amprexes, phillips miniwatts or the other apex tubes? Is it worth it.

Not a experienced reviewer so let me know where I screwed up, YMMV etc.