HWB3
1000+ Head-Fier
Like you I was thinking about a Lyr+ until the PM came along and now, I'm following this thread to see which direction I might go into.
You could always just plug in a headphone adapter that isn’t connected to anything. That will disable the pre out.The only thing that PM is missing for me is a front switch to turn on or off the pre amp section rather than having to pull out my Hart inter connect. Other than that I’ve found my SS end game….for now lol
To my ears yes, but I'm no SBAFThis work pretty effectively?
I would agree PMax sounds smooth so off the bat it feels like nothing's really wrong with it.The CTH adds a bit of tube sweetness. This sounds nicer. But there’s nothing lacking, wrong, or conspicuous with PM.
I had my eye on a Lyr+ before discovering the PM. PM is the better value on paper, but I can imagine a scenario where Lyr+ is the better fit.
I think it could be up to taste but I liked Lyr 3 better than PMax, and Lyr+ is said to be better than Lyr 3.Like you I was thinking about a Lyr+ until the PM came along and now, I'm following this thread to see which direction I might go into.
Mine isn't going anywhere! Coming from the Asgard 3, I never knew how much I'd appreciate a negative gain switch for IEMs.On a side note, how's everyone else doing with their PMax? I feel like honeymoon phase is over I start seeing PMax popping up left and right on classified.
RU6? RU7? FC6?I just got an R2R dongle DAC for my phone though, so that has me questioning the rest of my chain! The internal ESS card in the PMax is a lot quieter in high gain than my Modius, but I'm not sure if that's the fault of the Modius or the RCA inputs (or my cables)...
On a side note, how's everyone else doing with their PMax? I feel like honeymoon phase is over I start seeing PMax popping up left and right on classified.
So if anyone plan to snatch one, now is the time to visit the classified.
EDIT: I see there's at least 3-4 in classified, which is odd because in this thread no one complain about anything (maybe just me) so it's assumed that everyone's super happy with it. But then clearly some people are selling theirs since it's in classified.
RU6! It's definitely a very different musical presentation than the THX Onyx that I'd been using, but I haven't yet decided if I think it's better because it's new and novel, or if it's actually "better." I guess that's the fun part of this infuriating, wonderful hobby!RU6? RU7? FC6?
Also for Modius, if you're getting extra noise, maybe try using the extra power input and hooked up to a phone charger or something. Unless you're doing that already..... lol.
Oh yeah RU6 definitely is most "R2R" sounding units I've heard, though it does have roll off on certain frequencies.RU6! It's definitely a very different musical presentation than the THX Onyx that I'd been using, but I haven't yet decided if I think it's better because it's new and novel, or if it's actually "better." I guess that's the fun part of this infuriating, wonderful hobby!
Definitely try that, PMax really don't like DAC that's USB powered, you get noise when you touch your volume knob.Good tip on the Modius, I have not tried that but will definitely do so (was just running it off USB input from PC)!
LOL why did you delete it?!?! I was ready to sit down and type a nice reply LOL.Deleted
oh sorry, I just noticed that early on in this thread there were other comparisons and I figured I should do my own research rather than ask 1000 annoying questions haha. That was an epic break down. I'll be ordering soon, so I'm just trying to figure out if the pmax is really the way to go, which is why I asked. I never owned a tube. Both seem right up my ally tho. This hobby is tough sometimes. Will do some thinking.LOL why did you delete it?!?! I was ready to sit down and type a nice reply LOL.
Anyway......... Lyr 3 vs PMax, let's see.........
PMax I think definitely feels very mature and smooth sounding. Nothing feels piercing or tuned off. Very good for relaxing listen. But as I mentioned earlier, there's definitely a roll off in high treble in the air region. I find this amp basically get rid of any room reflections. As a result the stage feels small ish.
In comparison to Lyr 3 where if I use the single 6SN7, it already feels huge, and when switched to 6J5 x 2 (twin tube), then the stage gets hugeeeeeeeeeeeee. But I'll be honest, Lyr 3 isn't as refined sounding as PMax. Though Lyr 3 is already more refined sounding than most amp out there.
Bass quantity wise I think PMax is bass neutral.....?????? Doesn't feel too bassy. Lyr 3 is BASSY. It help sell the "large" feeling. You know when you're in movie theatre hearing the rumble and everything feels large? Lyr 3 can do that.
Lyr 3 also seems to sound good with every DAC that I've tried. PMax is the first amp that I tried that made SDAC sound terrible LOL (my favourite DAC). But it's ok PMax still sound good with the ESS card and MMB2. But it never got rid of that "small" feeling. (Though another head-fi member report Gungnir fixes that)
Another issue is mids, PMax is mid centric, but not overly so like Piety. Piety definitely has richer mids. Lyr 3 is probably half way in middle between PMax and Piety.
Now another issue is tube vs solid state, unfortunately most solid state simply can't replicate the imaging and stage size of tube. And Lyr 3 isn't even that tube sounding. Lyr 3 is hybrid so it's already consider as "a very good sounding solid state" sound by most. And even at that I think it still sound more 3D than PMax.
lol sorry this might sound like I'm bashing PMax, but it's not. It's more like a "what would you rather have" situation. Like I said PMax is the most mature and smooth sounding amp I've heard. It's just that I guess I value air and stage depth/size more, which tube does better. Oh and Lyr 3 is a bit "looser" sounding and PMax is more clean and precise.
At this point it's a bit like....... PMax is a tube sounding solid state, Lyr 3 is a solid state sounding tube hybrid LOL. At what point do you meet in the middle haha.
It's like would you rather have a really fast SUV, or would you rather have a 2 door sports car with big trunk.
Anyway I feel like I'm rambling on and I don't know if this helps or not, but hopefully it helps a little bit LOL.
Cheers!
Lol it's all good, sometimes I find I have to read the same thing 4-5 times until it really click to me. Definitely don't feel bad asking a few times.oh sorry, I just noticed that early on in this thread there were other comparisons and I figured I should do my own research rather than ask 1000 annoying questions haha. That was an epic break down. I'll be ordering soon, so I'm just trying to figure out if the pmax is really the way to go, which is why I asked. I never owned a tube. Both seem right up my ally tho. This hobby is tough sometimes. Will do some thinking.