pepper said:

  Hey, would anyone be able to recommend what type of amplifier I should get if I am looking to spend max $500 (preferably lower). I am willing to buy the amplifier from someone on Head-Fi, and so we are looking at after market prices. Are there any kind of semi-consensus views on solid amps at this price point? 
 
I was initially interested in the Lyr, and I know it's a solid choice, but I see comments every so often from people who insist that the Lyr gets its butt kicked by a good number of other amps with the LCD-2 Rev 2s.
 
I should add that I'm currently just using the Schiit Modi DAC. I am unable to invest in a better DAC until I get my amplifier in order!
 
Thanks a lot! 

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zashoomin said:

   
for under 500 it doesn't get much better than the lyr.  I know some people might disagree but with the extra money put into tubes I think you could get a nice little set up going for your LCD2's

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pdrm360 said:

 
Schiit Lyr w/Amperex Orange Globe tubes 

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pdrm360 said:

   
Though some people believes the Asgard 2 is a better amp for the LCD-2.

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defqon said:

For under $500 I'd rather get a good vintage grade integrated amp with optional headphone out than the Lyr.

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pdrm360 said:

+1  
 
Schiit Lyr w/Amperex Orange Globe tubes 

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defqon said:

  For under $500 I'd rather get a good vintage grade integrated amp with optional headphone out than the Lyr.

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pepper said:

defqon said:

 
For under $500 I'd rather get a good vintage grade integrated amp with optional headphone out than the Lyr.

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You, my friend, just opened my eyes to a whole... new... world...
 
I need recommendations, now! I'm also Googling and searching frantically. 
 
I'm keeping everyone's comments in mind. Thanks. (I love vintage stuff.)

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poladise said:

 
Well i had a home demo of the Burson Soloist, RWA Corvina and V200. Two weeks for each.
I was least impressed with the V200, because although it had the most presence and vividness, it sounded too thick and undetailed at times with a kind of hardness and almost glassy quality to it.
 
The Soloist had superior clarity and made to V200 sound muddy by comparison, but for me the Soloist lacked some "natural colour". A bit pale sounding.
 
The Corvina seemed to have just as much clarity / detail, but had that slight colour and sweetness I like. It was my favourite by far. The only problem was it sounded crap at higher volume with my lcd-2 r2 (had the single ended version). Would love to hear the balanced version.
 
For me its either going to be the new Decware Taboo MK III coming in spring or the new RWA Cassabria that replaced the Corvina. I guess this will be an improvement over the amp section of a balanced Isabellina. I'm surprised it hasnt been mentioned it on headfi yet.

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