Headstage Lyrix Pro + HD580 = ?

[1Time]

Originally Posted by holland

I see my explanation of the uAmp107B's inadequecies didn't change your opinion. I guess you don't hear the clipping. It's quite easy to pick out.

Try to take an RMAA test with the uAmp107B, if you need pictures.

No reason to doubt your findings with the uAMP107B, but I never considered using it alone with my HD580. I first bought the HotUSB1 DAC/amp and found I needed something to drive my HD580 better and louder. I had narrowed my choice between the Lyrix Pro > HD580 or my HotUSB1 > uAMP107b > HD580. Fortunately, the HotUSB1 > uAMP107B > HD580 satisfies my needs. I don't know what you mean by RMAA test, but I can't really say I'm interested in testing my uAMP107B separately since using it with my HotUSB1 works so well. Thanks

[holland]

Originally Posted by 1Time

Fortunately, the HotUSB1 > uAMP107B > HD580 satisfies my needs. I don't know what you mean by RMAA test, but I can't really say I'm interested in testing my uAMP107B separately since using it with my HotUSB1 works so well. Thanks

RMAA test is the RightMark Audio Analyzer. It's a common benchmark that you see primarily around computer audio, like soundcards. It requires a certain volume level, which the uAmp107 cannot hit without severe distortion. The configuration tool turns red and says you're clipping.

I'm glad you like your config. I'm just trying to make you aware that you are clipping. I've never heard anyone actually like the sound of clipping. I guess ignorance truly is bliss.

I know you don't care, but the uAmp107 uses the TPA701. http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tpa701.pdf Note that there's no rating for any load above 64 ohms (8 ohms to 64 ohms is the range). There's a reason for that.

There's also a reason why the uAmp107 says the input level should not exceed 75mV (a certain volume level with the default gain of 11). It's the same reason.

The uAmp107 and the PA2V2 are essentially the same type of amplifier.

[1Time]

Originally Posted by holland

RMAA test is the RightMark Audio Analyzer. It's a common benchmark that you see primarily around computer audio, like soundcards. It requires a certain volume level, which the uAmp107 cannot hit without severe distortion. The configuration tool turns red and says you're clipping.

I'm glad you like your config. I'm just trying to make you aware that you are clipping. I've never heard anyone actually like the sound of clipping. I guess ignorance truly is bliss.

I know you don't care, but the uAmp107 uses the TPA701. http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tpa701.pdf Note that there's no rating for any load above 64 ohms (8 ohms to 64 ohms is the range). There's a reason for that.

There's also a reason why the uAmp107 says the input level should not exceed 75mV (a certain volume level with the default gain of 11). It's the same reason.

The uAmp107 and the PA2V2 are essentially the same type of amplifier.

This certainly is good reason not to buy the uAMP107B for use with HD580. Had I known this earlier, I probably would not have bought it. However, I don't use my uAMP107B separately with my HD580, and so this point seems moot. I use it in line with a HotUSB1 amp/DAC, which sounds very good and at very loud volumes, with no clipping from what I can tell. And, my current system has left me with no desire to upgrade. But I do agree with you; ignorance is bliss.

[holland]

Originally Posted by 1Time

However, I don't use my uAMP107B separately with my HD580, and so this point seems moot. I use it in line with a HotUSB1 amp/DAC

Just one point of clarification. Whether you think it's separate or not, it really is still separate. It is a discrete module in your audio chain. It doesn't know what is before it, just the signal coming in through the mini connector, and it does what it can to amplify and put it through the output mini connector. Whether you use it with the HotUSB1 or an iPod, or soundcard, it's all the same to the amp.

[1Time]

Originally Posted by holland

Just one point of clarification. Whether you think it's separate or not, it really is still separate. It is a discrete module in your audio chain. It doesn't know what is before it, just the signal coming in through the mini connector, and it does what it can to amplify and put it through the output mini connector. Whether you use it with the HotUSB1 or an iPod, or soundcard, it's all the same to the amp.

Which seems to mean the uAMP107B should not benefit from the amp in the HotUSB1 and should only benefit from the DAC in the HotUSB1. If so, that's news to me. If only what I'm hearing with my HD580 would convince me that any of this matters.

[holland]

Originally Posted by 1Time

Which seems to mean the uAMP107B should not benefit from the amp in the HotUSB1 and should only benefit from the DAC in the HotUSB1. If so, that's news to me.

Huh? No. You're not understanding.

Anyway, like I said. Ignorance is bliss. I can clearly hear clipping with the uAmp107 and my HD650.

It's clear to me that you don't know what clipping is or how it manifests audibly. Might I suggest some reading.

Clipping (audio) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It has a picture too. In a way, it's a form of dynamic compression (it's not, technically, but I have no way to get that through to you). You can make the quieter parts louder, but you can't make the loudest parts louder. It's a wall, but there's distortion once you hit the wall.

Originally Posted by 1Time

If only what I'm hearing with my HD580 would convince me that any of this matters.

That's fine. Either you don't know what you're hearing, or you don't listen to stuff as loud as you think you do. It's as simple as that.

[1Time]

Originally Posted by holland

Huh? No. You're not understanding.

OK, so that seems to mean the uAMP107B does benefit from the amp of the HotUSB1. It either does or does not benefit from the HotUSB1's amp. Either the HotUSB1 > uAMP107B should work better than the uAMP107B alone or not. And I have yet to be able to determine whether you're claiming one or the other. And so at this point there just does not seem to be enough similarity in your comparison between your uAMP107B > HD650 to my HotUSB1 > uAMP107B > HD580 to warrant my concern. Of course I am factoring into that my satisfaction with the quality and volume of my current system.

I do thank you though for offering that clipping test. I can't imagine my system clipping without my knowing it, but I suppose it is possible. I am familiar with clipping in stereo loud speakers, and I assume the sound is similar. So do I run this clipping test or be satisfied, ignorant or not? I see no need.

[Huckster]

Hi, I do recommend the Lyrix with the hd580. I dont know what the other guy is talking about as far as bad quality. The resolution and separation of channels is very quality. I also have the PA2V2 and this is little box is in a whole other realm of sound quality. You Do have to set the gain switch to high, but the halfway point is more than loud enough. The bass boost switch is awesome too, so many more options than most amps of this size.

-Huckster

[1Time]

Originally Posted by Huckster

Hi, I do recommend the Lyrix with the hd580. I dont know what the other guy is talking about as far as bad quality. The resolution and separation of channels is very quality. I also have the PA2V2 and this is little box is in a whole other realm of sound quality. You Do have to set the gain switch to high, but the halfway point is more than loud enough. The bass boost switch is awesome too, so many more options than most amps of this size.

-Huckster

Excellent.

So exactly which Lyrix do you have and are recommending?

- Lyrix
- Lyrix total
- Lyrix Pro
- Lyrix Pro total
- Lyrix Pro USB
- Lyrix Pro USB total

[HeadphoneAddict]

How did I miss this thread?

I agree with Huckster, and I have the following amps by Robert:

Lyrix Pro USB Total
Lyrix Pro
Caffeine Pro

The Lyrix has no problem driving 300 ohm HD600, or 27-102 ohm IM716, or 32ohm Grado RS-1, with a good presentation that matches or surpasses a few desktop amps (HeadFive, HA-1, PIMETA). It still falls a little short of other desktop amps (Travagans Red or White with AD8397, AD743 or OPA627), and falls further below my best desktop amps (DV336i, WA6 maxed, Apogee mini-DAC). However, it still does a very respectable job with hard to drive headphones.

These amps need about 70 hours burn-in to open up and smooth out, then about 200 hours burn-in to get to 95% of their potential, and after 300 hours there are few changes to the refined smooth accurate sound they produce. Interestingly, I couldn't hear much change when flipping on the crossfeed when they were new out of the box, or in the first 70 hours. By the time I had 200 hours on it, the effect was more audible. Other people have reported the same findings with the crossfeed vs burn-in.

When I got the Lyrix Pro for my son a couple of weeks ago, my Lyrix Pro USB Total and Caffeine were fully burned-in with over 500 hours each, and in the new one I could hear the constriction in soundstage and a slight coarseness vs the other two. Now, at 150+ hours it is getting harder to tell the differences between Lyrix Pro and the Caffeine (basically the same amp), while there is still a slightly more refined quality to the sound of the Total. Using analog input for any of them, the differences in sound quality are in the single digit percentage points.

The amp section of the Pro Total actually reminds me of the sound from a Pico, Headroom 2006 Micro Amp, and iBasso D2 (using amp with iMod, not using the DAC). I sometimes think there is a tad more pleasant warmth to the lower mids on saxophone and vocals with the Lyrix Total Pro, especially with crossfeed on. This warmth didn't develop till after 200-250 hours of burn-in, and is still a little behind that of the Predator, HeadSix or 2MOVE. The sound of any of these amps with analog input from an iMod is actually a lot closer than when using their built-in USB DAC's.

Hope this helps. In summary the Lyrix is a very good portable amp, but as far as internal DAC's go, there are several amps out there with better DAC's that put them on top of the Lyrix.