Lyr 3 - The new Coherence™ and Continuity™ hybrid amplifier from Schiit - Impression & discussion thread

[ProfFalkin]

Is #2 (Stock NOS Russian 6H8C) the one that comes with the Lyr3 by default? Is that what you mean by "Stock"?
How do #1 and #3 compare to it (to #2) sonically?

Yes, that is the default tube Schiit provides.

#1 sounds like the stock tube, but with more presence. It seems like a tonally richer sounding stock tube. Plenty of detail, impact, and extension throughout. It's just very engaging.

#3 is just a smooth operator. It does everything well, but doesn't shine up top as well as # 1 or 2.

#4 isn't going to win any awards for value, but if you want a very warm gooey sound, it does it very well. Works well with the EDM I listen to, especially on tracks like Lights by Bassnectar where there is lots of treble information (female singer, snares and clashes, lots of high pitched synth) being pumped into your skull that would otherwise get fatiguing. Not all that good for Jazz or Classical where you want detail up top.

#5 is a U turn from #4. I like to run on low gain. Doing so seems to take the edge off up the upper range and tames the lower ranges a bit, but otherwise that is where this tube shines. It's kind of U shaped, which might work well on headphones like the Eikon, but I can see it being a bit much on a Emu Teak / THX00. This is the tube I ordered with the Lyr 3, and it's the first one I broke in and really got used to first.

Edited post above to add playlist.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Okay, the Bluegrass Lyr 3 has landed, the Unit was as cold as a brick, so warming up. Though, having zero self control, I started listening at 00:30 with the Abyss. First, the power is intoxicating, warmed up with a relatively gentle Jason Isbell, but soon succumbed and threw on some Beastie Boys, now my head is being massaged.

Beyond the ass kicking bass, picked up a little hardness in the upper midrange, though that may just be the need to burn in a bit. I’ll give it a day or two, then start playing with tubes.

 

[ProfFalkin]

Okay, the Bluegrass Lyr 3 has landed, the Unit was as cold as a brick, so warming up. Though, having zero self control, I started listening at 00:30 with the Abyss. First, the power is intoxicating, warmed up with a relatively gentle Jason Isbell, but soon succumbed and threw on some Beastie Boys, now my head is being massaged.

Beyond the ass kicking bass, picked up a little hardness in the upper midrange, though that may just be the need to burn in a bit. I’ll give it a day or two, then start playing with tubes.

I've heard (but am not advocating this) that you can put the amp in the oven at 125 deg F for 20 min to warm up your gear. If you are the impatient type, I think you can cut the time down quite a bit. 10 min at 250 deg, or perhaps 5 min at 500 deg. Shoot, go for gold... 2.5 min at 1000 deg.

This is fine.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

I've heard (but am not advocating this) that you can put the amp in the oven at 125 deg F for 20 min to warm up your gear. If you are the impatient type, I think you can cut the time down quite a bit. 10 min at 250 deg, or perhaps 5 min at 500 deg. Shoot, go for gold... 2.5 min at 1000 deg.

This is fine.

 

[EagleWings]

I've heard (but am not advocating this) that you can put the amp in the oven at 125 deg F for 20 min to warm up your gear. If you are the impatient type, I think you can cut the time down quite a bit. 10 min at 250 deg, or perhaps 5 min at 500 deg. Shoot, go for gold... 2.5 min at 1000 deg.

This is fine.

Lol. I don't even want to know, what field you are a professor in.

 

[JohnBal]

Okay, the Bluegrass Lyr 3 has landed, the Unit was as cold as a brick, so warming up. Though, having zero self control, I started listening at 00:30 with the Abyss. First, the power is intoxicating, warmed up with a relatively gentle Jason Isbell, but soon succumbed and threw on some Beastie Boys, now my head is being massaged.

Beyond the ass kicking bass, picked up a little hardness in the upper midrange, though that may just be the need to burn in a bit. I’ll give it a day or two, then start playing with tubes.

Which tube did you have it shipped with? Mine is due to arrive by this weekend and I ordered it with the cheap Russian tube. Might be a good thing though as it's getting good reviews! I also have tons of different tubes to try it with. The wait is killing me...

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Which tube did you have it shipped with? Mine is due to arrive by this weekend and I ordered it with the cheap Russian tube. Might be a good thing though as it's getting good reviews! I also have tons of different tubes to try it with. The wait is killing me...

Mine came with the TS, just ordered a pair of rubber tipped surgical forceps to facilitate the removal off hot tubes. Based on the good Professors recommendations, I’ll begin rolling with the Sylvania “Bad Boy.”

 

[ProfFalkin]

Lol. I don't even want to know, what field you are a professor in.

Unethical and Irrational Sciences. (Mad Scientist)

I try to create real women on my computer.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Posted the following on the Abyss 1266 Thread, waiting for the incoming!

“Well, damn, my self control crumbled like a stale cookie. Threw the Sylvania “Bad Boy” in and cued up Barbirroli, BPO recording of Mahler’s 9th (the 19th Century’s versión of the Beastie Boys), with the Abyss 1266 and was rewarded with the biggest head-stage I’ve ever heard, depth, tone, very beautiful, and neither the Tube, nor amp is broken in yet!

I know w the Boys and Girls on the Abyss Thread are going to mock me, but if you have champagne taste on a beer budget, I’ll take my Lyr 3 over your Wells and GSX’s.”

 

[ProfFalkin]

Posted the following on the Abyss 1266 Thread, waiting for the incoming!

“Well, damn, my self control crumbled like a stale cookie. Threw the Sylvania “Bad Boy” in and cued up Barbirroli, BPO recording of Mahler’s 9th (the 19th Century’s versión of the Beastie Boys), with the Abyss 1266 and was rewarded with the biggest head-stage I’ve ever heard, depth, tone, very beautiful, and neither the Tube, nor amp is broken in yet!

I know w the Boys and Girls on the Abyss Thread are going to mock me, but if you have champagne taste on a beer budget, I’ll take my Lyr 3 over your Wells and GSX’s.”

Enjoy your crucifixion. LOL

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Enjoy your crucifixion. LOL

Should be interesting, though it will be mild compared to what I’d get on SABF, though Marv thinks it’s a great combination as well.

 

[ProfFalkin]

Should be interesting, though it will be mild compared to what I’d get on SABF, though Marv thinks it’s a great combination as well.

Oops, you named The Site That Shall Not Be Named. Prepare yourself for censorship.

 

[Ron Sherwood]

So....I have a question..

For my desktop system: Am I better going with a Lyr3 Multibit or going with a Valhalla2 + Bifrost Multbit combo? Sound quality through my HD800 and HD650 are my biggest concern.

Price is a little higher with the combo, however I get the flexibility of addition digital inputs (ie. could replace the DAC in my main system if there was ever a problem with it)

What say you?

 

[ProfFalkin]

So....I have a question..

For my desktop system: Am I better going with a Lyr3 Multibit or going with a Valhalla2 + Bifrost Multbit combo? Sound quality through my HD800 and HD650 are my biggest concern.

Price is a little higher with the combo, however I get the flexibility of addition digital inputs (ie. could replace the DAC in my main system if there was ever a problem with it)

What say you?

Lyr 3 + Mimby.

Or - and this may be unpopular - the Bifrost 4490. It's actually a pretty solid sounding DAC. You get Gen5 usb, matching chassis size, and better laid out 4490 implementation.** I know most people have it hard-wired in their brains to go multibit, and for the HD800 I would strongly consider it.

With that said, I've never been enamored by the Bimby vs Mimby especially for the price vs performance difference. Having had both at the same time, I'd be damned if I could suggest a $600 DAC vs a $250 one just to get the "next level" multibit or to get a stackable chassis.

I ordered my Lyr 3 with the internal multibit card, and directly compared it to the Mimby. Mimby gives you better sound stage and better input options. You can keep it powered on all the time too, which MB needs to sound uniform. (It has a warm up time before sound stabilizes.) For the extra $50, it's a no brainer.

Also, and don't take this wrong, but it seems like you should do more homework. The Lyr 3 vs Valhalla 2 are completely different sounding amps. You should decide which will provide a better sound synergy with your headphones, not buy one amp or the other based on price and/or size.

Disclaimer - I've heard the Valhalla 2 quite a few times, but have never owned it. Same thing with the HD800.

My money would be on the Lyr 3 given my experience with both of those amps.

Just my 2 cents.

** Edits in italics.

 

[Wildcatsare1]

Lyr 3 + Mimby.

Or - and this may be unpopular - the Bifrost 4490. It's actually a pretty solid sounding DAC. I know most people have it hard-wired in their brains to go multibit, and for the HD800 I would strongly consider it.

With that said, I've never been enamored by the Bimby vs Mimby especially for the price vs performance difference. Having had both at the same time, I'd be damned if I could suggest a $600 DAC vs a $250 one just to get the "next level" multibit or to get a stackable chassis.

I ordered my Lyr 3 with the internal multibit card, and directly compared it to the Mimby. Mimby gives you better sound stage and better input options. For the extra $50, it's a no brainer.

Also, and don't take this wrong, but it seems like you should do more homework. The Lyr 3 vs Valhalla 2 are completely different sounding amps. You should decide which will provide a better sound synergy with your headphones, not buy one amp or the other based on price and/or size. I've heard the Valhalla 2 quite a few times, but have never owned it. Same thing with the HD800.

My money would be on the Lyr 3 given my experience with both of those amps.

Just my 2 cents.

Seconded, with my 2 cents, had a Valhalla (plus the Lyr 1& 2) with the 800 and 650, the Lyr 3 is Schiit’s best amp to date (caveat, I’ve only listened to the Rag at meets and I’ve never heard the Jot).