Schiit Lyr - The tube rolling thread

[rb2013]

One other note on the Voshkods, the pins are not gold (too bad), so need a Detox cleaning and a little ProGold contact enhancer to sound best.
 
Enjoy!

 

[rb2013]

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Just go to [size=11pt]unamplified[/size] concerts is what I do and hate many PA systems and they can not even do voices correctly.

I agree completely!  Best is pure acoustic in a great setting, heard George Winston in a small hall some time ago.  The tone and harmonics coming from his piano made my jaw drop.  Problem is I like that music, but also Rock, Alt, Emo, etc...as well.
 
Going to hear 'The Maldives' a Seattle band Friday night at a small Pub - should be awesome.  No real need for a PA there (unless the crowd gets rowdy!)

 

[sceleratus]

the tiny men have landed

 

[OldSkool]

the tiny men have landed

The 1958 'boys? Whatcha think?

 

[sceleratus]

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The 1958 'boys? Whatcha think?

 
At first I was underwhelmed.  I went to my benchmark track, Zeppelin, remastered, "Babe I'm gonna leave you", with great anticipation and thought "Where is my song."  I ordered a-la-mode and got a pop tart.  Still nice but the sound stage and the middle were lacking.  I could listen to this track four times in a row on the RTC's and want for nothing.  "Babe I'm gonna leave you" will expose any deficiencies in sound stage and mids.
 
Hendrix, "Watch tower" and "Hey Joe", same thing, but I hung in there and went to cut four, Buddy Guy & Junior Wells, "Sally Mae".  What a turn around.  They did a splendid job.  Same thing with James Taylor "Fire and Rain".  Beatles Anthology album,"Something" and "Let it Be"  sounded incredible.  At totally different listening experience.
 
The detail in the Tiny Men is amazing, incredibly clear with a super top end and great percussion.  After listening more I either adapted to their sound or they started to open up, or both.  I did find them a bit fatiguing though. I think this will clear up when cooked longer.
 
I heard a lot of upside.  Because they are pleasurable I will give them more time and not immediately roll back to the RTC's.  They sound like two different types of valves that have their own strengths with different music genres. 

 

[NightFlight]

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When a S&H CCa gray failed from a beautiful matched pr - it was like a dagger to my heart!  I put the Voshkods into my DAC and amps, and really didn't miss the CCas, so I sold the collection and used the money for part of the funds for a really nice DAC.
 
I guess it all depends on one's ear and equipment.  You are amassing a really nice collection of these tubes - are you going to try the Amperex 'Pinched Waists'?  I saw Brent Jesse had a pr for sale.  I never heard them, but many say they are the very best of the best.  Always curious about them.

 
They're a bit out of my reach. I saw some miniwatt pass by yesterday. I'm kinda broke right now. Gotta get out of debt and all that. Stop buying expensive.... anything. LOL. I likely shouldn't have let them go. They were super cheap: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/300919188693?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649  More likely they were just some simple Holland Amperex glass. *sigh*  I'm waiting for them to show up on ebay, listed by a seller who doesn't know what he has. *snicker*
 
But I did grab these! http://www.ebay.ca/itm/181157274201?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649 
 
Sniped them for a buck over the highest bid.
 
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Also you should wait for approximately 3-4 minutes before listing to the tubes.  The anode takes awhile to heat up to start emitting electrons, so the tube won't sound right, and the MOSFETs running in class A need a little time to heat back up, the caps to charge, and so on.

 
Oh I know. But they are all the ones I have acquired recent months. A quick listen is enough to jog the memory. I did do the comparisons in haste while the family was out.
 
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This is how I compare all equipment - I have three or four tracks that I know by heart.
One has all kinds of detail and incredible bass notes (must be close to 20Hz)  David Gray - Please Forgive Me.
One has incredibly subtle vocals and rich guitar and clarinet harmonics - Joni Mitchell - Down to You (also lots of emotion - does it connect with me emotionally)
One has just great sound staging - mind blowing on headphones, also great bass - Florence and the Machine - Dog Days Are Over.

 
Hey thanks! I love to know what other audiophiles use for reference tracks. I'm currently amassing my FLAC collection and love new music.
Here's a related thread I started: http://www.head-fi.org/t/648733/hidden-gems-any-genre#post_9468936
 
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NOW REALLY IMPORTANT!  You must clear your Eustachian tubes!  These are ducts that balance the air pressure on the inside and outside of the eardrum.  If the pressure doesn't match the music will sound muffled!  I clear mine by holding my nose and GENTLY blowing with my mouth closed (like when your clearing your ears on an airplane).  With practice you will only use enough pressure to clear the pressure differences.  Don't do this if you have a cold or allergies or any other blockage in the ears (swimmers ear, etc), and do it slowly and stop if you have any pain what's so ever.  But you shouldn't be doing this kind of audio evaluation if you have a cold!   Please consult your doctor before trying.

 
Er, yes. I thought everyone just did that naturally, but I guess not. I clear my ears regularly when I have difficulty hearing something only realize everything open up greatly.  Happens all the time. I just have to shift my lower jaw to do this.  Kind of like yawning.  In fact that's what I pretend to do in company. Which... usually leads to actual yawning.  I don't blow, as that in my case blocks my ears badly.

 

[NightFlight]

Anyone know where I can get some white 6DJ8 form factor tube boxes in Canada?
 

 

[R Scott Ireland]

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Anyone know where I can get some white 6DJ8 form factor tube boxes in Canada?
 

 
http://www.amazon.ca/Vacuum-Miniature-Tubes-12AX7-12AT7/dp/B00C7O3KXQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1371747494&sr=8-5&keywords=vacuum+tube+boxes

 

[MrTechAgent]

How well does this stack up with the 650.
I am looking for a amp  my budget is about 1500 for a amp/dac  combination.
I still think the wa2 ( My current option) with the MS II is a no brainer but saving some money with the lyr and bitfrost ( If that is right ) would also be a good option , also I have heard that the lyr is good with orthos too. I want bass and vocals out the 650's which the wa2 provice also the 6se makes it faster and probably solves the famous rolling off.
Thanks

 

[Oskari]

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I saw some miniwatt pass by yesterday. -- -- They were super cheap: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/300919188693?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649  More likely they were just some simple Holland Amperex glass. *sigh*  I'm waiting for them to show up on ebay, listed by a seller who doesn't know what he has. *snicker*

 
Nah, those are Philips Miniwatt-branded tubes made by Philips in a Philips tube plant in Heerlen in the Netherlands, which is exactly what the equivalent Amperex-branded Dutch-made tubes are.

 

[NightFlight]

Well, this is a rolling thread and I'm uncertain what sort of options you have with the WA6-SE.
 
The site states there are a few power configuration options. Looks like perhaps the pre section uses 6ew7 tubes. Quick ebay search shows a few cheap replacement options.  The Lyr however is a totally different beast. Only the pre section is tubed with 6dj8's. It was a popular tube and there are million variants. Also close tubes will roll through the Lyr if you want to get experimental.
 
I would love to hear the WA6-SE. I'd love to hear it stacked up against the Lyr with endgame Cca 6922s in it. Ultimately that's the question I think your asking. Save your pennies, get both and then sell later?
 
Lyr's roll through here used on the for sale section too. Not so much on eBay. Just tried to search for 'Schiit' on ebay.... it keeps correcting to Schmit. You'll have to quote it.
 

 

[NightFlight]

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http://www.amazon.ca/Vacuum-Miniature-Tubes-12AX7-12AT7/dp/B00C7O3KXQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1371747494&sr=8-5&keywords=vacuum+tube+boxes

Thanks. Saw the same on .com, but didn't want to that route.

 

[NightFlight]

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Thanks. Saw the same on .com, but didn't want to that route.

 
Bah, tubedepot has them for a good price if you buy 100.

 

[NightFlight]

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Nah, those are Philips Miniwatt-branded tubes made by Philips in a Philips tube plant in Heerlen in the Netherlands, which is exactly what the equivalent Amperex-branded Dutch-made tubes are.

Tough to guage unless you've owned a pair an know the internals.

 

[Oskari]

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Tough to guage unless you've owned a pair an know the internals.

 
It also helps if you recognize the Heerlen factory code ◿ visible in the photo.