[Ripper2860]

Not even for a million dollars? Crap. Guess I'll have to find something else to do with the money...

Well, maybe for $1,000,000.01

And then I'd have to think about it as it's likely a money laundering or Nigerian Prince scam.

 

[Zachik]

Well, maybe for $1,000,000.01

And then I'd have to think about it as it's likely a money laundering or Nigerian Prince scam.

@bcowen is THE Nigerian Prince!

 

[nicknack40]

Seen a few say that the Lyr 3 is better just used as an Amp Is they much difference adding the Module and using it as a Dac Amp Combo to using a a External Dac

 

[bcowen]

@bcowen is THE Nigerian Prince!

Prince? PRINCE? I'm the friggin' KING! I used to be a prince....

 

[Ripper2860]

Seen a few say that the Lyr 3 is better just used as an Amp Is they much difference adding the Module and using it as a Dac Amp Combo to using a a External Dac

External DAC is the way to go, if you can afford the price diff. Modi MB separately shielded in it's own enclosure and with its own PSU -- plus USB and Optical / Coax S/PDIF are definite advantages. DAC Card shares PSU, is not as shielded and is only USB, so no chance of using an EITR for isolation . Those that have compared Modi MB and the MB DAC card also say the external Modi MB sounds better. (I would imagine the same applies to the 4490 version.)

 

[earnmyturns]

Seen a few say that the Lyr 3 is better just used as an Amp Is they much difference adding the Module and using it as a Dac Amp Combo to using a a External Dac

Lyr 3 scales well to higher-end DACs than the DAC module. I've used mine with >$2K R2R DACs (Holo Spring level 3, Metrum Onyx) and it really got the quality out of those DACs.

 

[JamminVMI]

Seen a few say that the Lyr 3 is better just used as an Amp Is they much difference adding the Module and using it as a Dac Amp Combo to using a a External Dac

I bought mine sans card, as I exclusively use S/PDIF, and only a separate DAC does that. In addition, no USB Gen 5 (or the upcomingUSB implementation) in the card.

If space or money are at a premium for you, go for it. But if not, my money’s still on separate components. My 2 cents...

 

[441879]

Seen a few say that the Lyr 3 is better just used as an Amp Is they much difference adding the Module and using it as a Dac Amp Combo to using a a External Dac

I use an external DAC. I like the ability to mix and match. Plus, it’s nice if your Lyr is off being fixed because you can swap in a spare amp if needed. Speaking of which, I finally couldn’t take listening through my FIIO Q5 anymore and brought my Magni 3 home from work while I wait. While a noticeable step down from the Lyr, it’s a noticeable step up from the Q5.

 

[earnmyturns]

Latest tweak on the home office front: the wood-faced gadget between the Metrum stack and the Apex Peak is a Tisbury Audio mini passive preamp. Basically, like a SYS except that it has 3 inputs, two outputs, and a somewhat fancier attenuation setup. Unlike a backwards-wired SYS, I can have both attenuation and two outputs, which allows me to switch between the two amps easily and at the same time attenuate the rather hot Metrum Onyx output so that I can listen to both amps without ear damage with their volume controls at around 12 o'clock.

 

[441879]

Latest tweak on the home office front: the wood-faced gadget between the Metrum stack and the Apex Peak is a Tisbury Audio mini massive preamp. Basically, like a SYS except that it has 3 inputs, two outputs, and a somewhat fancier attenuation setup. Unlike a backwards-wired SYS, I can have both attenuation and two outputs, which allows me to switch between the two amps easily and at the same time attenuate the rather hot Metrum Onyx output so that I can listen to both amps without ear damage with their volume controls at around 12 o'clock.

Sounds like just the thing for multiple amps. Of course, the fact that I can see the utility of such a device in no way implies that it will get you any admiration from your significant other.

 

[earnmyturns]

Sounds like just the thing for multiple amps. Of course, the fact that I can see the utility of such a device in no way implies that it will get you any admiration from your significant other.

My wife is super-gracious about this, in fact she's been happy to lend her superior musical ear to the comparisons that keep me climbing the endless audio stairs

 

[ilikepooters]

I bought a used Bifrost off eBay and i've got to say it's a lot better than the built in multibit adaptor in Lyr 3.

AK4490 and Gen 5 USB version of the Bifrost.

Seems a bit more detailed and more full sounding, makes the Lyr 3 multibit adaptor sound a little thin and tizzy by comparison.

 

[JamminVMI]

I bought a used Bifrost off eBay and i've got to say it's a lot better than the built in multibit adaptor in Lyr 3.

AK4490 and Gen 5 USB version of the Bifrost.

Seems a bit more detailed and more full sounding, makes the Lyr 3 multibit adaptor sound a little thin and tizzy by comparison.

I, for one, am awfully glad you did that, expensive though it no doubt was. My advocacy for separates was the additional digital inputs, but this takes that and raises the ante... Thanks!

 

[tafens]

So, a basic question:
How long warm-up time (from cold) does the Lyr3 and tube need for best sound?

Follow-up question:
And, how long does the tube itself need to warm-up before sounding its best (like after changing tube)?

Half an hour and five minutes respectively seems to do it for me, but I was wondering how long you guys here usually let it sit before listening?

 

[bcowen]

So, a basic question:
How long warm-up time (from cold) does the Lyr3 and tube need for best sound?

Follow-up question:
And, how long does the tube itself need to warm-up before sounding its best (like after changing tube)?

Half an hour and five minutes respectively seems to do it for me, but I was wondering how long you guys here usually let it sit before listening?

I've never actually timed it, but I normally let the Lyr warm up for about an hour before I listen. I know it doesn't sound its best after only 10 minutes or so, but at what point after that it gets fully in the groove I'm not sure. For the tube it's the same. You're switching the amp off to swap the tube and even though it may still be warm to the touch, it needs to go through its full warm-up cycle all over again. I have no scientific or logical explanation for this, just reporting what I hear...