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Cheater Plugs with Lyr?

post #1 of 18
4/20/11 at 2:14pm
Thread Starter 

Hola from LA!

 

I just recently had to switch my office/listening room since having my 2nd daughter 5 months ago to accommodate both kids. Now I'm in the smaller room which only has 2 prong outlets (no ground). I'm thinking of picking up the Schiit Lyr when they're available at the end of this month. Would using a cheater plug be safe or would I be putting my gear at risk? Is there a better alternative?  Any suggestions would be much appreciated. And while you're at it, if anyone has an HD650/Lyr or Valhalla combo, impressions on that set-up would be cool too. Cheers! 

 

beerchug.gif    

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones
post #2 of 18
4/20/11 at 3:45pm

3-2 prong adapters are used often. The safety issue can be argued but many put their amps on one to get 60~ out of the sound. With no ground, you'll still blow a fuse if there is too much current being drawn.

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post #3 of 18
4/20/11 at 4:31pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks H.C.! Would a surge protector be of any use if plugged into the cheater? I don't mind replacing a fuse on my panel, I would mind having to replace a $500 amp.

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post #4 of 18
4/20/11 at 4:53pm

I would try to keep the ground if you can, especially that you are dealing with the high voltages used by tubes. You don't want the metal case to be charged with high voltage. I would be more worry about the user than the amp. eek.gif


Edited by ETAHL - 4/20/11 at 4:56pm
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post #5 of 18
4/20/11 at 5:50pm
Thread Starter 

Unfortunately, I don't have a choice in the matter. There is no ground for the outlets at all in this room. If I had three prong outlets and I was worried about ground loop hum in my tube amp then I would just buy an isolator. I guess I'll just have to see what happens. Thanks anyway Etahl.

 

beerchug.gif

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post #6 of 18
4/20/11 at 6:19pm

If you could run a wire to your cold water pipe, you could use a pipe clamp to ground the recepticle. Change the 2 prong to a three prong plug and ground that outlet. As far as a surge protector, it should work. 

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post #7 of 18
4/20/11 at 6:43pm

if the wires feeding the outlet are inside of metal conduit (Greenfield), and the duplex box is made of metal, your ground is the conduit/box.  you can simply replace the outlet with a 3-prong outlet.  the mounting tabs that you screw the outlet into are connected to the ground-prong hole.  you obviously need to turn off the breaker inside your electrical panel that feeds the outlet before attempting this or risk electrocution/death.

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post #8 of 18
4/20/11 at 7:14pm

Locknar -

 

I've employed a "cheater" plug with my Lyr from day one, since I had a GL issue.  It's plugged into a Tripp-Lite LCR2400.  No issues to date, and I used it on a LD II+ for years.

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post #9 of 18
4/20/11 at 7:47pm

i should have also added that if you go with a cheater plug, make sure that you secure grounding ring on the plug to outlet faceplate.  this will tie the ground to the wall AC, assuming you have a metal duplex box/conduit.  read here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheater_plug .  also, you can double check with one of these: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Receptacle_tester

 

i would not operate the Lyr without a ground connection unless it meets the Class II "double insulation" standard.


Edited by fishski13 - 4/20/11 at 7:50pm
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post #10 of 18
4/21/11 at 1:12am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for all the info and the links fishski. Really helpful. I'm moving in a couple months so I may just run an extension cord into the adjacent bedroom which has a proper ground. That could hold me over. I'm gonna check out the links anyhow. Cheers!

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post #11 of 18
4/21/11 at 1:28am
Thread Starter 

 Thanks again for the advice Camper. I'll probably do it just for craps and giggles.


Edited by Locknar - 4/21/11 at 1:37am
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post #12 of 18
4/21/11 at 2:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Locknar View Post

And while you're at it, if anyone has an HD650/Lyr or Valhalla combo, impressions on that set-up would be cool too. Cheers! 

 

beerchug.gif    


I'm using the Lyr with the HD650. It's a nice match for sure, it really makes the HD650 come alive, there's a lot of bass, drums and distortion guitars sounds amazing. Very dynamic soundstage, I often think that the sounds come from outside the headphone. smily_headphones1.gif

It's very loud too, I only have the volume pot on the Lyr turned a few inches. Note, that I only have the Essence St's amp to compare with, which was not bad at driving the HD650, but the Lyr has bigger a soundstage and the music is more exciting to listen to, it plainly just sounds better in every way.
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post #13 of 18
4/21/11 at 8:24am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for your impressions Zorg. You say you have the volume pot turned a few inches and it is very loud? A few inches would have the pot maxed out which would cause the Lyr to blow up your head. Exactly where does the volume become painful (i.e. 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock)?

 

basshead.gif

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post #14 of 18
4/21/11 at 9:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Locknar View Post

Thanks for your impressions Zorg. You say you have the volume pot turned a few inches and it is very loud? A few inches would have the pot maxed out which would cause the Lyr to blow up your head. Exactly where does the volume become painful (i.e. 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock)?

 

basshead.gif


I forgot how much an inch is. biggrin.gif Max volume I've prefer is maybe around 8-9 o'clock (assuming start position is 7 oclock). It's no issue though, my point is just that you only have to turn volume up a little bit before it's loud.
Edited by ZorgDK - 4/21/11 at 11:18am
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post #15 of 18
4/21/11 at 10:20am
Thread Starter 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by ZorgDK View Post



Quote:
Originally Posted by Locknar View Post

Thanks for your impressions Zorg. You say you have the volume pot turned a few inches and it is very loud? A few inches would have the pot maxed out which would cause the Lyr to blow up your head. Exactly where does the volume become painful (i.e. 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock)?

 

basshead.gif




I forgot how much an inch is. biggrin.gif Max volume I've prefer is maybe around 8 o'clock (assuming start position is 7 oclock). It's no issue though, my point is just that you only have to turn volume up a little bit before it's loud.


Wow! Perhaps the Lyr is a bit of overkill for the HD650. I'm thinking the Valhalla might be a better match now. Thanks again.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 650 Headphones
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