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

[JamminVMI]

Well spoken, thanks! Soundstage is a definite plus, and I find that it changes with the tube, too.

Interestingly, I find that the Saga’s tube can also add to the soundstage, making it wider to my ears - and that also varies with the tube.

 

[malenak]

Hi there, I just received mail from Schiit Europe that Lyr3 is actually not available and I have option to cancel order. Is there a good alternative, maybe something better than Lyr3 in simillar price range, with a good availability in EU?

 

[kiwivda]

Also in Italy availability was out of stock and I've been able to get it for Christmas only by ordering it directly from Schiit in the usa, with the added shipping cost and import fees.

 

[ilikepooters]

I ordered mine directly from Schiit US the EU version took a while for them to stock, even longer for the EU site to get stock, even with shipping and duty it was on a par with ordering price from the EU.

 

[RJ58]

Hi there, so I am finally looking into upgrading my desktop amp/dac section (currently an original modi and a magni 2 uber). My current headphones include: Empire Ears Legend X, Fostex TH-X00, and a Beyerdynamic DT880 600ohm (I am also considering a Fostex TH-900 mk2 as a future purchase), and I am wondering if anyone can speak to any synergies between the lyr 3 and the headphones I currently have.

Furthermore, I am also wondering what improvements a lyr 3 (with multibit dac module) would have over my current setup. I am also considering a Chord Mojo (I mostly listen at home so portability isn't a huge plus for me, but is not a bad feature to have, especially with the Legend X), so any input on the Lyr 3 vs the Mojo are also welcome (as are any other general recommendations).

 

[Slashn77]

Has anyone tried the Schiit Lyr 3 ($500)vs the THX($350)?

I am running a Mimby to vali 2 right now and looking for an amp upgrade for my LCD-2 classics and HD700s.
I have powered monitors that I use the Vali 2 for a preamp as well and the Lyr 3 is a preamp but not the THX. I only run SE so balanced is not a priority right now

 

[kman1211]

I just got the Lyr 3 today, but I'm finding it has issues, isolated it to the amp itself, no issues with the Multibit DAC module, but the amp just cuts off when pushed above a certain volume(as low as 9-11 o' clock on low gain which isn't loud at all) on more demanding tracks. It's like the turn-on delay is tripping some reason as the power light, etc. are on. Tried everything, but still happens. It sounds nice so far but can't really turn the amp up much as I'd like without risking it shutting off and having to stop playback and wait for it to get sound again. I'm curious if anyone had an issue similar to this before.

 

[ProfFalkin]

I just got the Lyr 3 today, but I'm finding it has issues, isolated it to the amp itself, no issues with the Multibit DAC module, but the amp just cuts off when pushed above a certain volume(as low as 9-11 o' clock on low gain which isn't loud at all) on more demanding tracks. It's like the turn-on delay is tripping some reason as the power light, etc. are on. Tried everything, but still happens. It sounds nice so far but can't really turn the amp up much as I'd like without risking it shutting off and having to stop playback and wait for it to get sound again. I'm curious if anyone had an issue similar to this before.

That's a first as far as I know. It's a good thing that some kind of fault protection is kicking in though, trust me.

Do you have a secure ground on your power cord/outlet?

Email Schiit and see if they can help?

 

[kman1211]

That's a first as far as I know. It's a good thing that some kind of fault protection is kicking in though, trust me.

Do you have a secure ground on your power cord/outlet?

Email Schiit and see if they can help?

Yeah, I do, tried multiple outlets in different rooms and power cables as well. It is a good thing it does seem to protect itself, but not sure why it's doing it. Maybe it's the electrical wiring in the house, but I never had a problem like this with the Lyr 2 or any other amp in the past. After trying to troubleshoot the DAC as I thought it was it at first, I used my UDA-1 as a DAC, as it can be used as an DAC through it's RCA outputs and still use it's headphone amp at the same time, it's amp works when the Lyr 3 cuts off despite using the same DAC, that's how I knew it was the amp itself that was cutting out. I sent them an email, hopefully I can get it sorted out.

 

[kiwivda]

Yeah, I do, tried multiple outlets in different rooms and power cables as well. It is a good thing it does seem to protect itself, but not sure why it's doing it. Maybe it's the electrical wiring in the house, but I never had a problem like this with the Lyr 2 or any other amp in the past. After trying to troubleshoot the DAC as I thought it was it at first, I used my UDA-1 as a DAC, as it can be used as an DAC through it's RCA outputs and still use it's headphone amp at the same time, it's amp works when the Lyr 3 cuts off despite using the same DAC, that's how I knew it was the amp itself that was cutting out. I sent them an email, hopefully I can get it sorted out.

Same problem here, just bought the lyr3 for Christmas directly from Schiit in the us, due to poor availability in Europe.
I've had the same issue, but switching tubes seems to solve the problem.
Also using the tube lifter and avoiding some heat into the chassis seems it has helped. By now no more issues, but these days is cold, I'll figure it out this summer if it's heat related.
Anyway let me know what they tell you, I'm really interested in the solution.

 

[kman1211]

Same problem here, just bought the lyr3 for Christmas directly from Schiit in the us, due to poor availability in Europe.
I've had the same issue, but switching tubes seems to solve the problem.
Also using the tube lifter and avoiding some heat into the chassis seems it has helped. By now no more issues, but these days is cold, I'll figure it out this summer if it's heat related.
Anyway let me know what they tell you, I'm really interested in the solution.

Curious what it is too, but it happens, sometimes you get problematic gear. Hopefully the problem doesn’t show up again on yours.

 

[bboris77]

Curious what it is too, but it happens, sometimes you get problematic gear. Hopefully the problem doesn’t show up again on yours.

I had the same problem happen recently. At first I thought it was the NOS tube I just plugged in, but then I realized that it happened because the 1/8 headphone plug was not plugged all the way into the 1/8 to 1/4 adapter and was effectively creating a short. I could only hear one side of my HD600 playing, and then when I fiddled with the plug while increasing the volume, the relay clicked and shut down the output. When I replugged the headphones properly, the problem was gone. I confirmed with the Schiit support and they told me this was normal operation of the protection mechanism.

I could totally see the same happening if you plug in a tube that has an issue - in that case the amp would shut down the output to protect itself and the headphones connected. I would test it with a different tube to rule out any other problems.

 

[kman1211]

I had the same problem happen recently. At first I thought it was the NOS tube I just plugged in, but then I realized that it happened because the 1/8 headphone plug was not plugged all the way into the 1/8 to 1/4 adapter and was effectively creating a short. I could only hear one side of my HD600 playing, and then when I fiddled with the plug while increasing the volume, the relay clicked and shut down the output. When I replugged the headphones properly, the problem was gone. I confirmed with the Schiit support and they told me this was normal operation of the protection mechanism.

I could totally see the same happening if you plug in a tube that has an issue - in that case the amp would shut down the output to protect itself and the headphones connected. I would test it with a different tube to rule out any other problems.

Sadly in my case it happens regardless of headphone and I made sure all the adapters were plugged in fully, I tried 4 different headphones, happens with all of them, I can replicate it every single time using pink noise for example. Say when I have the Amiron Home's or another 250 Ohm Beyer(this case an old DT 831) plugged in, turn it above 10 o' Clock and it happens. On the 25 Ohm DT 480 it happens around 11 o clock on the pot. This happens regardless of DAC or computer used and regardless of tube, power cable, or wall socket used. It makes the clicking noise like when the amp delay happens. They did get back to me, looks like mine has to be replaced.

 

[bboris77]

Sadly in my case it happens regardless of headphone and I made sure all the adapters were plugged in fully, I tried 4 different headphones, happens with all of them, I can replicate it every single time using pink noise for example. Say when I have the Amiron Home's or another 250 Ohm Beyer(this case an old DT 831) plugged in, turn it above 10 o' Clock and it happens. On the 25 Ohm DT 480 it happens around 11 o clock on the pot. This happens regardless of DAC or computer used and regardless of tube, power cable, or wall socket used. It makes the clicking noise like when the amp delay happens. They did get back to me, looks like mine has to be replaced.

Yes, if it happens with different tubes, then it is the amp. At least it did not blow up any of your phones. Hopefully you get it exchanged/fixed quickly.

 

[kman1211]

Yes, if it happens with different tubes, then it is the amp. At least it did not blow up any of your phones. Hopefully you get it exchanged/fixed quickly.

Thankfully never had an amp destroy a headphone before. They just sent me a label to return it with, kudos for good customer service, so will likely have the replacement within a week. I like the sound, so I do want to get a properly functioning unit.