[BowWazoo]

Do all amplifiers sound the same?
Or not?! Decide for yourself.

The components:

Topping A90D
Arichitecture: discrete NFCA modules.

https://www.tpdz.net/productinfo/852442.html

Schiit LYR+
Architecture: Hybrid. 6SN7 tube in the preamplifier, and discrete output stage in Class AB operation.

https://www.schiit.com/products/lyr

Setup:

The Topping E50 is used as the DAC. This was connected to both amplifiers. The 6.3mm outputs of the amplifiers go to the Little Bear TRS Switcher Box. The output of the box, goes to the line-in of the On Board DACs (Realtek HD Audio).
So I am able to switch back and forth between the amplifiers without delay, as well as without noise. Switch position X and Y.

With Izotope RX10 I brought the amplifiers to one volume, and recorded 2 tracks, 3x (32bit float, 48Khz).
Each with one amp complete (filename: X and Y at the end).
As well as 1x, where I switched back and forth between the amplifiers (X and Y) during the recording, from the moment the music starts, in 10 second intervals. Say: first switching at 12 seconds, then at 22 seconds, etc. (Filename XY at the end).

Here is the link to the tracks:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1szfOLpMJtVnGBV6ks_hpkAa8-FMeNCMQ?usp=share_link

interesting, one sees between the amplifiers, a clear difference in the frequency response:

Have fun

Spoiler: Solution

X is Lyr+

 

[dlelikov]

The difference is almost imperceptible.

 

[Nk1133]

In Granulat ,X has smoothed sound, bass hits but no rumble
In Y it hits hard and rumbles(decay part) and Fuller sounding
If it's me I'll take Y

 

[BowWazoo]

Check the spolier

 

[BowWazoo]

My impression:

X has a fuller bass, less aggressive overall, and more realistic timbre.

Y has a better punch, more attack, and a better transparency.

 

[Daiyama]

That more or less sums it up, why I have a tube amp (Cayin HA-3A) and why I have a solid state amp (Cayin iHa6). I like to have the option to use both flavors.

 

[ishmaelk]

I prefer the sound of Y. It sounded a bit less harsh and with better spatial cues, specially depth.

After checking the spoiler: Was the Lyr 3+ running in tube mode, then?