[rmsanger]

  My new Q701 and Lyr 2 will be here tomorrow

really excited! I really loved listening to the K701 and original Lyr at a meet a few years back and glad to own it's brother. It's funny, there are so many headphones out nowadays but I remember starting my journey 8 or so years ago and admiring what seemed to be two of the best headphones in the world at the time, the K701 and HD650. I used to wonder to myself, "Those two most be a glorious euphonic experience to listen to...I wonder if I'll ever get to experience that." And now even though its the Q701, in my eyes I've fulfilled that dream. Maybe the Q701 isn't my ideal sound signature but as a collector, it has great sentimental value.
 
Anyway, really can't wait to get home from Uni and try all my new gear out (including an HE-500).
 

I think you'll really like the combo... I've got the Q701's that used to be made in Austria so not sure if there is much difference to current models.  I also have the Lyr1 but also assume a similar profile as well.  The best investment I made was going to the tube rolling threads and tracking down the holy grail tubes.  There is a user that sells them on this forum and they were night & day difference in the sound.

 

[B-Dawk20]

  I think you'll really like the combo... I've got the Q701's that used to be made in Austria so not sure if there is much difference to current models.  I also have the Lyr1 but also assume a similar profile as well.  The best investment I made was going to the tube rolling threads and tracking down the holy grail tubes.  There is a user that sells them on this forum and they were night & day difference in the sound.

WHOOOOA are those $1K tubes?!

 

[toolio]

My new Q701 and Lyr 2 will be here tomorrow really excited! I really loved listening to the K701 and original Lyr at a meet a few years back and glad to own it's brother. It's funny, there are so many headphones out nowadays but I remember starting my journey 8 or so years ago and admiring what seemed to be two of the best headphones in the world at the time, the K701 and HD650. I used to wonder to myself, "Those two most be a glorious euphonic experience to listen to...I wonder if I'll ever get to experience that." And now even though its the Q701, in my eyes I've fulfilled that dream. Maybe the Q701 isn't my ideal sound signature but as a collector, it has great sentimental value.

Anyway, really can't wait to get home from Uni and try all my new gear out (including an HE-500).

 

The Q701s remain among my favourites with my original Lyr and other amp/dac combos, particularly for female vocals. I own both Austrian and Chinese versions and perceive no difference.

 

[ThurstonX]

  WHOOOOA are those $1K tubes?!

 
LOL.  No.  The HGs (Holy Grails) refer to rb2013's opinion of some Russian-made Reflector 6N23Ps from 1975 that use a SWGP (Single Wire Getter Post).  He has a high end tube shootout thread that's worth reading.  There are other less expensive options that can give a different, likely better, sound over the stock tubes.  Check out these two threads for starters:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/673709/schiit-lyr-tube-rollers
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/755300/schiit-lyr-lyr-2-tube-compatibility-list
 
The compatibility thread is esp. useful, as some tubes that work in the Lyr won't work in the Lyr 2.  Also, burn in your tubes for 50-100 hours before passing judgement.  It's OK to leave the Lyr running the whole time, if that's convenient for you.  You don't have to do anything special for burning in, just make a long playlist and let it ride (on repeat, as needed).  Make sure your cans are attached, of course.  May as well use the Qs.  Excessive volume is not required.  And of course, definitely listen from the start.  It might be interesting to hear how the tubes change during the first few hours.
 
It is a really good combo.  Enjoy 

 

 

[rmsanger]

   
LOL.  No.  The HGs (Holy Grails) refer to rb2013's opinion of some Russian-made Reflector 6N23Ps from 1975 that use a SWGP (Single Wire Getter Post).  He has a high end tube shootout thread that's worth reading.  There are other less expensive options that can give a different, likely better, sound over the stock tubes.  Check out these two threads for starters:
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/673709/schiit-lyr-tube-rollers
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/755300/schiit-lyr-lyr-2-tube-compatibility-list
 
The compatibility thread is esp. useful, as some tubes that work in the Lyr won't work in the Lyr 2.  Also, burn in your tubes for 50-100 hours before passing judgement.  It's OK to leave the Lyr running the whole time, if that's convenient for you.  You don't have to do anything special for burning in, just make a long playlist and let it ride (on repeat, as needed).  Make sure your cans are attached, of course.  May as well use the Qs.  Excessive volume is not required.  And of course, definitely listen from the start.  It might be interesting to hear how the tubes change during the first few hours.
 
It is a really good combo.  Enjoy 

 

 
This..
 
I cannot remember how much exactly I paid for them but maybe around $200 w/shipping.  But it was worth every penny IMO as I have 3 sets of tubes.  The Holy Grails make the Lyr1 sound as good as any other amp I've paid with my LCD 3's & X's.  The Q701s sound like a champ as well.  They will never have great bass response but they are very comfortable and the clarity is quite great.

 

[B-Dawk20]

   
This..
 
I cannot remember how much exactly I paid for them but maybe around $200 w/shipping.  But it was worth every penny IMO as I have 3 sets of tubes.  The Holy Grails make the Lyr1 sound as good as any other amp I've paid with my LCD 3's & X's.  The Q701s sound like a champ as well.  They will never have great bass response but they are very comfortable and the clarity is quite great.

 
Okay lol, I saw some 1000 dollar tubes from the 60s or somethings and nearly died. Still...$200 is pretty steep for my tastes...I dunno if I'm into tube swapping at all yet >_>

 

[tvnosaint]

Rolling the tubes make a huge difference. Worth trying at least. Expensive habit though. You could try to find someone in your area that has done this before jumping in. With the Qs it's essential in my experience .

 

[i luvmusic 2]

If you go ahead  tube rolling i feel sorry for your wallet

 

[Shaffer]

Okay lol, I saw some 1000 dollar tubes from the 60s or somethings and nearly died. Still...$200 is pretty steep for my tastes...I dunno if I'm into tube swapping at all yet >_>

One can pay whatever he wants for tubes. I own four tube amplifiers. The most I've paid for a tube is ~$80 and it was an outlier. The rest of my tubes cost $5-$20 and I don't buy junk.

There are two ways to approach this. One can either take an interest in the subject, research and study - there's a lot to it - and then be able to choose quality tubes with some idea as to their performance and pay very little. Or, one can skip all that and buy from someone who did do the legwok, and pay a lot. It's an individual choice. Good luck.

 

[B-Dawk20]

One can pay whatever he wants for tubes. I own four tube amplifiers. The most I've paid for a tube is ~$80 and it was an outlier. The rest of my tubes cost $5-$20 and I don't buy junk.

There are two ways to approach this. One can either take an interest in the subject, research and study - there's a lot to it - and then be able to choose quality tubes with some idea as to their performance and pay very little. Or, one can skip all that and buy from someone who did do the legwok, and pay a lot. It's an individual choice. Good luck.

 
T___T  this is why I was reluctant to get into tube stuff haha.

 

[rmsanger]

Okay lol, I saw some 1000 dollar tubes from the 60s or somethings and nearly died. Still...$200 is pretty steep for my tastes...I dunno if I'm into tube swapping at all yet >_>

Yep totally your call but was just trying to give you a future upgrade path. The standard tubes are meh at best but the hg's made the lyr step up to a new class. I do a-b-c testing on my three tubes on the q's lcd 3's and x's and it improves each significantly but perhaps the q's the most.

 

[B-Dawk20]

I think I'd honestly have to hear another Lyr with different tubes in it to see the difference honestly.

 

[rodie83]

  I think I'd honestly have to hear another Lyr with different tubes in it to see the difference honestly.

 
Ah well, just listen to your Q's with the stock tubes. You can always try something else if you feel something is missing. If I were you, I'd see tuberolling just as an option, not as a necessity.

 

[B-Dawk20]

Ah well, just listen to your Q's with the stock tubes. You can always try something else if you feel something is missing. If I were you, I'd see tuberolling just as an option, not as a necessity.

Yeah maybe so. But no expensive ones anytime soon... I just bought an LCD-2 hahaha...oh god my wallet

 

[Smugsie]

Yeah maybe so. But no expensive ones anytime soon... I just bought an LCD-2 hahaha...oh god my wallet

Your purchasing decisions just went from 0 to 100.

Or should I say 100 to 0 dollars