I currently own 4 headphone amps, in ascending cost order: Lyr 3 and Apex Peak, both 6SN7 tube-solid state hybrids, Neurochrome HP-1 and and Phonitor XE, solid state. For the tube amps, I've played with a variety of NOS and new tubes, both currently with Psvane tubes. I prefer the tube hybrids for solo or small-ensemble music, the Neurochrome or the Phonitor XE for big orchestral works. Between Lyr 3 and Apex Peak, the differences are not huge, and in fact Lyr 3 is better for low-impedance headphones like the Æon Closed. For very well recorded small-ensemble material, I definitely prefer the Peak (I better, with its volcano LPS its cost new was 2.5x the Lyr 3). But if you are using headphones only, I can't imagine circumstances where Rag2+tube pre would be a first choice, rather than getting a Lyr 3, doing a bit of tube rolling, and taking your time to ponder next steps. If you want tubes in the mix, Lyr 3 really grows with DAC and headphones, you need to go a lot more expensive to detect any improvement over it.