Lyr 3 Discussion Thread

Discussion in 'Headphone Amplifiers and Combo (DAC/Amp) Units' started by neogeosnk, Mar 20, 2018.

  1. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Ah, I think I was a bit unclear. I am being conservative about it for now, but it is a very good amp. Very good all rounder and a nice step up from the Magni 3, Vali 2, or MCTH. Priced well too. Definitely one of their best amps in most regards.

    What I was trying to say is that if you expect it to blow away other budget champs like the ZDT Jr, well, it may or may not depending on what you want. A really good, high performing all rounder without particularly noticeable compromises? Great choice. Looking for specific other traits from other types of amps? Well, you might be OK with am amp with more ups and downs, more trade offs like the ZDT Jr for specific qualities. And you may be ok with your all rounder amp being a real budget one like the Magni 3 on the side.

    Mind you I still got a lot of listening and thinking to do on it. Like I said, these are real early thoughts. I do get more selective and critical as prices go up and obviously write with my specific tastes in mind at times. Gotta read between the lines there. If you want a nice step up from the Magni 3, Vali 2, MCTH, etc, this might be it. Want more of that tube+OPT coupled sound around $500? Maybe try ZDT Jr. Got tons of money? Try EC. Make sense?
     
  2. Lingering Sentiment

    Lingering Sentiment Acquaintance

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    Actually from what I understand they tried that out a while back and it didn't work out. The demand just wasn't there. See Schiit Happened: Chapter 33.
     
  3. laevi

    laevi Friend

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    Looking to hear your impressions as time passes, especially with regard to the ZDT Jr. My only experience so far is Valhalla 2 + HD800, and I'm debating on Lyr3 vs ZDT Jr vs just sticking with Val2 and waiting.
     
  4. Cspirou

    Cspirou They call me Sparky

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    According to Marv it's their best amp EVER, which would include the higher priced Mjolnir 2 and Ragnarok. Depends who you use as a reference I guess.
     
  5. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I’m getting the same vibe, not specifically from Hands, just a general response of it’s very good but it sort of sounds like it should for the price. Whereas something like the Vali 2, especially with a good (but inexpensive) tube punches above its price point.

    For my tastes I’d be more inclined to try a ZDT Jr, especially given the lower price, but I recognize that amp isn’t for everyone and definitely isn’t an all-rounder.
     
  6. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    ZDT Jr. is great with the high Z Sennheisers, but even then, the bass is the worst part. The ZDT Jr. also lacks power. Some people will never be able to get past the mediocre bass from the ZDT Jr., hence the mixed opinions of the ZDT Jr., despite wieners bitching, wrongfully, that EVERYBODY here thought the ZDT Jr. was awesome.

    Lyr 3 is better all around and will drive orthos other than HE-6 and PM-2. The strength of the Lyr 3 is no glaring or even moderate weaknesses. There is nothing wrong with the Lyr 3. The worst you can say is that it's not the best in some areas. As I said in a prior post, NO FUCKERY - but also highly involving and nuanced presentation.

    It's hard to compare a hybrid against an output transformer coupled tube amp. There is always something special about an all tube transformer coupled implementation, even if the transformers are low priced. I'd easy take the Lyr 3 over Mjolnir 2 and Rag (I was able to do a direct comparison a while back), unless I'm driving the HE-6 or PM-2, of which I'd go Rag.

    Vali 2 is priced appropriately for good gear. I don't think it punches above when compared to other good hybrids such as Project Horizon. Although I guess you could say that I prefer the Vali 2 over the much more expensive Questyle CMA600/800. But then again, I could say the same thing about almost everything else.
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2018
  7. FlySweep

    FlySweep Friend

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    @purr1n , @Hands .. how'd the Lyr3 stack up to a fully loaded Torp3do (for high Z Senns, of course)?
     
  8. bengo

    bengo Friend

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    I would say the CMA600i belongs at the bottom of a deep ocean trench with the Singularity 19.
     
  9. ButtUglyJeff

    ButtUglyJeff Stunningly beautiful IRL

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    Know your reviewer. @Hands is a "full tube"/"NOS" lover. Him liking the Lyr3 might be a more glowing endorsement, then @purr1n loving it. The Lyr3 is in Merv's wheelhouse, where with Hands' it isn't...

    edit - And that's not me saying you should or shouldn't buy it. I just think you need to keep reviews in perspective. I'm hoping for a tour of this bad boy to get a larger body of impressions so we can all make a more informed choice. I get the whole "my wallet is getting the jitters", but maybe a wait and see attitude is more pragmatic...
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2018
  10. Ice-man

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    @ButtUglyJeff wise words for sure. I'm certainly in the wait and see mode right now. Financially I'm on an all rounder budget (one amp for me), so maybe I'm being hyper critical because I'd have to sell what I've got before buying anything else. And maybe the lyr 3 will end up on my desk one day but I'd like the chance to hear it first and decide if it's sufficiently better than CTH and worth 2x the price.

    I'm also very interested to see what a good LPS can do for the CTH. We all have our preferences and I really like the CTH with my current stable of headphones. If an LPS can take this amp to the next level, then my curiosity on the lyr 3 would take a step back. Hey, it's all good. This is fun. I really like Schiit and I was hoping for a homerun with this new amp...and maybe it is. I'll need to spend some time with it though.
     
  11. Renekton

    Renekton Acquaintance

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    @Mithrandir41 The dac modules are NOT usb powered. The usb INPUT is usb powered. The Cmedia receiver thing. It has been discussed in the Jot thread, Jason stepped in to confirm that. Naturally this applies to Lyr 3, as the dac modules work in the same way. Jason said it was about keeping electrical noises out, after that the actual dac is powered by the amp's supply. It's no joke.
    Sorry, I don't feel like searching for the actual quote, maybe someone else can confirm.
    BTW I can't wait for some multibit module vs Modi Multibit comparisons. Bummer that the modules are usb only, if they did a spdif I would insta-buy.
     
  12. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    Gotcha. I still wonder if the overall output will be louder receiving a signal from an outboard dac via RCA.
     
  13. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    Right, pretty much exactly what I'm thinking. There's not really much wrong with the Lyr 3, though I'd say it would benefit from additional layering and air in some circumstances, which is a nitpick. Just super well rounded overall.
     
  14. keshley

    keshley New

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    Just depends on the output in question. Modi is 1.5V RMS for example, whereas Modi Multibit is 2V RMS. I'm not sure offhand what the equivalent RMS numbers are for the DAC module.
     
  15. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    For one, the Lyr 3 has more power. I didn't think the T3 did justice for even easier to drive orthos like the LCDx / HE400x justice. From memory, the T3 had wider stage. The Lyr 3 is less wide. If I really cared, I'd prefer the proportions of the stage Lyr 3 stage better. Both seem to have about the same stage depth with maybe the Lyr 3's stage located just a bit deeper. (Keep in mind that neither Lyr 3 or T3 do summit-fi DHT SET type of soundstage depth and placement). The T3 had more top air, but rendering of the highs wasn't as smooth as Lyr 3 - there was some sharpness with T3, although this could be mitigated greatly by the use of specific tubes and/or cap rolling. To put things in real use perspective, I never liked a modded HD800 from the T3, but a modded HD800 works great from the Lyr 3.

    It's really hard to say how a T3 will sound because of all the different builds I've heard. This is probably why one or two weiners on SBAF have bitched about how EVERYONE loved the T3, when it was really a bit more nuanced than that. For the sake of proving a simple answer, Lyr 3 will be better than T3, unless the T3 is a uber or specific build catering to one's own tastes (up to $1500 in parts).
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2018
  16. SSL

    SSL Friend

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    Seems like from the impressions so far, this is a clear winner over the Valhalla 2, except maybe in air and staging. Any additional thoughts on a comparison between the two? Let's say just for headphones that have typically paired well with the Valhalla.
     
  17. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    From memory, the Valhalla stage is just a bit deeper and wider, with more depth and layering, but not by much. The Valhalla 2 highs can be kind of dry with a prickly type of presentation. The Valhalla 2 lows and mids are definitely more veiled which I think covers over some low level information. Lyr 3 seems to slam and punch better with slightly better bass articulation and much better bass clarity. I might like the Valhalla 2 mids just a touch more, but Lyr 3 beats Valhalla 2 in bass and treble. Finally, keep in mind that Valhalla 2 sucks (that is not optimal) for any type of ortho.
     
  18. Hands

    Hands Overzealous Auto Flusher - Measurbator

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    @SSL Well, the Lyr 3 doesn't sound lean and dry like the Valhalla 2. But it also doesn't have that nice staging, layering, and air effect of the Valhalla 2.

    I think the Lyr 3 is a better amp.
     
  19. purr1n

    purr1n Desire for betterer is endless.

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    Yeah, tonally the Valhalla 2 is leaner and drier than Lyr 3. 6SN7s have a much more robust manly sound than the 9-pin socket stuff. No girly-man stuff here.
     
  20. SSL

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    These are useful data points. I have the Valhalla 2 w/HD 650 so what you're saying makes sense. The staging/air is my favorite aspect of the Valhalla, though... not sure I could give it up even for an amp that is better otherwise.
     

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