Lyr 3 Discussion Thread

Impressions After 2 Weeks:
- Please refer to this post for some Background Info and my Initial Impressions
- Setup: Mac (JRMC) > Hugo 2 > Lyr 3 (TS 6SN7, No Module) > HD800S, LCD-i4, EE Phantom, Senn IE80S

In terms of tonality, calling the Lyr 3 neutral may not be entirely accurate, as it has a bit of warmth to its tone. But to call it warm wouldn't be accurate either, as it actually sounds quite clear and transparent. But I can see people who prefer a brighter sound, describing the Lyr 3 as warm. Its warm nature originates from its smooth treble and the full-bodied mid-range. The warmth and fullness in the mid-range reminds you that, it's not a pure SS amp. But it also doesn't possess a syrupy nature. So if you plan on pairing an unmodded HD800 (or don't plan on using EQ), this may not be the ideal amp. I have not tried the 6XX or a LCD 2C on the amp yet, but I can see why those headphones would pair quite well with this amp. The amp is not partial between instruments or vocals, so all instruments and vocals are presented with equal weight and articulation.

Macrodynamics are really good and am still amazed at it, coming from portable audio. But I can't really tell how it compares to other amps. Resolution, micro-dynamics and separation are what you could expect from a $500 amp I guess. It doesn't perform to the level of my Hugo 2. The transparency, as stated earlier is very good. But it doesn't have a totally dark background as a result of inherent distortion and noise floor. I am really splitting hairs here and expecting this amp to perform at summit-fi level.

The soundstage is definitely quite spacious with good proportions of width, depth and height. Not that it lacks depth, but I would have preferred just a touch more depth. The amp tends to congestion once a while, due to its slightly forward placement of presentation and the large instrument images it conjures. So a slightly larger stage would have also been nice. Also, the stage isn't super airy. So it relies purely on its dimensions to create the holographic feel. It does pull it off for the most part but does skimp at times. So do not expect a colossal stage.

In terms of the power, it seems to have enough to handle most demanding planars, but is also quite enough, that you could plug in your IEMs and not be greeted to with a hiss fest. Of course, there are these special cases like the SE846 and Zeus, that would hiss out of anything. From a tonality perspective, due to its neutral-warm tone, this is not exactly picky about headphones. These attributes make the Lyr 3 a versatile amp. So if you have a mix of headphones/IEMs and were looking for an amp in the $500, Lyr 3 just might be one of the best options available out there.

 

Kudos man, that was well written. The TS 6SN7 is the new production one?

 

Hello @Elnrik and @dmckean44. Did you not like that I simply relayed my experience? Or, did you not like that it bothered me to be censored by Jason on his thread (a move clearly done out of defensiveness). Several individuals (the mob) were doubting a poster on that thread on Head-Fi, and I chimed in to concur. Several other people here have had the exact same experience as I have. (EDIT: And yes, several have not experienced the pop. That is also valid.) I'd say that it's more than an anomaly.

 

Received mine 4 days ago with a TS tube, this impression is exactly what I find. Definitely a solid buy at $500. Could be end game for mid-fi level. Still lacks a bit of air around instruments and separation of good full tube amps, and not quite as transparent and detailed as top amps. Presentation is typical Schiit favored intimate and up-close, more room-like than hall-like. Source pairing wise, Modi Multibit won’t do justice, at least Bifrost Multibit or perhaps Gungnir Multibit. Call me crazy, but I find it sound better with good D-S DAC like Auralic Vega and 9038-based DAC, imaging is better and better transient edge.

 

Thanks bud. Yes it is the new production TS.

Thanks buddy. That's very reassuring.

 

This post?

First, I've read my fair share of your posts over there, and I'm surprised more of them don't get cut, honestly. You're also making an assumption that Jason censored your post, when the more likely case (given your inflammatory posting nature there) is that the moderators culled yours and several other posts that were unnecessarily hostile. So for you to pin this on Jason without a shred of proof is strike one.

Second, your post here was brief, largely irrelevant, and barely - if at all - contributed to the current discussion. Rather, it seemed like you were just using it to sling mud around. You've had other amps pop, but you don't have the Lyr 3 or have any second hand experience with it. So, you added no meaningful information to the discussion. Strike two.

There are several more issues I have. That you care so deeply about dislikes is strike three in my book, although I might reserve judgement on that for later. That you want to air this out publicly instead of working it out in private conversation could be another strike three. Given your posting history elsewhere, I think your question is an attempt to incite drama, not self-improvement. Posting this question is clearly off topic and will derail the thread.

I suggest you think deeply about each post you make here, and ask yourself "is what I'm saying meaningful and furthering the conversation". If it isn't, delete it. You don't need to be the world's best headphone reviewer, an electronics engineer, or a measurement guru to participate in discussions here, but you do have to make on-topic and meaningful posts in the more serious hardware discussion threads.

Now, your question and my answer are clearly off topic for this thread, and is something that could be done via private conversation. I hope you'll take this honest answer and use it to improve. I'll be asking the mods to move these posts to the how to make friends section as not to derail Lyr 3 discussions.

 

Learn the ways of the Force, and immediately stop caring about your dislikes. We don't care about that crap here. It's all in bad fun. Now continue.

 

I swear the moby is just bland thru USB, glad I did the i2s. Also its great thru spdif w/digione. Moby module must be permanently plagued by that. What about through the Jot?

 

@Mithrandir41 I was just asking what it was that bothered you about my post. I wasn't looking for someone to tell me how I should or shouldn't react to invalidation. We as people are spending so much time behind our computer screens and keyboards, that art the of conversation seems to be in full decline these days. I certainly do not claim to be exempt for this! Thank-you for responding. Cheers.

@Elnrik Seems silly to scold me on the nature of my posts on another website. All I was trying to do was ask, in an open and direct way (as opposed to just clicking a 'like' or 'dislike' button) what it was specifically that bothered you about what I wrote. Thank-you for taking the time to explain it, though it indeed could have been done in a private message (doesn't the same apply to you?).

I know that Jason deleted my post, because he made a post immediately afterward telling everyone that he had cut some posts; that they were off topic (though 27 pages of cat photos is more relevant I guess – to be fair, that Schiit Happened thread has been moderated little or not at all these past several months, and the general hostility on all fronts has very much declined.) I wasn't upset then or now; just relaying what was crappenin' in on my end. No need to project. (Is it really 'hostile' to say, "I have a Schiit product, and it performs in x or y way."? And yet you're explaining at length how you dislike all of my posts? That's not hostile?) All I was trying to do in that instance (and this) is chime in to say that I too have experienced this popping issue with a few Schiit amps before, since any criticism of Schiit products is often met with great resistance. People on this forum are often slagging off the entirety of Head-Fi for being (among other things) a silly, mindless echo chamber. This site purports to deviate from that.

Some here are owners of the device, and some are potential buyers. The popping issue has me on the fence to a degree. (It's relevant, because actual Lyr 3 owners have reported experiencing the same issue.) It was not my intention to take away from those who are understandably basking in whatever sonic bliss the amp is bringing them. Now, back to listening to my tube-less Master 9 now, which has me somewhat missing that orange glow.

 

I suggest you to do some basic observational experiments. There are some rando posts that are MORE likely to get dislikes. There are also other rando writings that are not disliked regardless of negative tones. Those posts may have some common characteristics. It seems that you still don't understand.

Otherwise here is the easier and more straightforward way:

 

Stop preaching dude. Randos like you are the reason open enrollment is often closed. Learn how this place works, or just go away.

 

I got my hands on the Lyr 3 about 2-3 days after they went up for sale. One of the nice benefits of living in SoCal I guess. I've easily listened for roughly 55-65 hours before deciding to post. I do consider myself a novice and lack much of the experience other members posses so I will be somewhat brief. With that said, here are my thoughts.

My setup is as follows:

Raspberry Pi 3b+ (Roon Endpoint) > Gungnir Multibit GEN5 > Lyr 3 (Psvane UK-6SN7) > HD650K / LCD-2C.

My previous setup is as follows:

Raspberry Pi 3b (Roon Endpoint) > Gungnir Multibit GEN5 > Saga (Psvane UK-6SN7) > Jotenhiem > HD650K / LCD-2C.

The first thing that sticks out to me is how much clearer the Lyr 3 is over the SagaHeim combo. Mids and highs have a fantastic amount of clarity, smoothness, and detail. I am better able to hear details that were somewhat subtle with the SagaHeim. For example, I am better able to hear details in cymbals, hi-hats, tambourines, reverbs, etc.

Vocals are also pretty amazing. I've spent a few nights listening to Frank Sinatra Live at The Sands, Natalie Merchants Leave Your Sleep, Bruce Springsteens The Rising. In each example its as if the artist is right there in the room with you. Everything comes across smooth as butter. I've fallen asleep many nights just listening.

If I had to nitpick the only area where SagaHeim seems better to me is in regards to bass quality. SagaHeim hits harder but, I certainly would not let that aspect prevent me from choosing SagaHeim over Lyr 3.

Overall I am extremely satisfied with my purchase of the Lyr 3.

 

@Turdski It has nothing to do about you or anyone pointing out real factual items, negative or positive. You hear the click, others hear a click, but some don’t. Ok we all go that now. It’s your conspiracy theory of being silenced and the rant/noise you’re generating here. Please take that back to the other site and bitch there. Back to real Lyr 3 impressions (or in my case I need to avoid this thread. I’ve spent too much money on audio stuff lately and I need to resist buying a Lyr 3 just to hear what everyone else is talking about )

 

I upgraded to the HD 800 S from the HD 600. They arrived yesterday and I am currently re-listening to every track I have ever heard, they are insane cans!

I'm still using my Lyr 3 with a Modi Multibit + Eitr, so I guess I need a DAC upgrade now, but I have to say the Modi Multibit and Lyr 3 don't feel like they are holding the HD 800 S back AT ALL!

Soundstage is wider than I ever thought possible, and I'm hearing layers inside layers inside sublayers of every god damn track!

Lyr 3 is more than pairable with the best headphones in the world!*


* Says little ole' me

 

I’m using the Lyr 3, Vinshine R2R DAC, from a BluSound Node 2 quite happily with an Abyss. I concur on the expansive soundstage (with a 1952 Sylvania Bad Boy).

 

I thought you were supposed to send your amp back to Schiit ages ago?

 

I was, decided to send it back just before another round of surgery scheduled for the end of this week to minimize down time.

 

Where can we get it for less than a buck? I suspect you meant $1K.

 

Any word on how the lyr 3 scales with better dacs? I'm hoping for some improvement with the old ass Gen 5 Gungnir Multibit that I bought from @Ray