The Lyr 3. I just worked through the tread and there were a few reports of people losing their headphones to it. I'm wondering if this is an ongoing concern.
I share your apprehension and steered clear. Maybe it's a group panic or a mischievous competitor, maybe a terrible fault, or maybe all resolved. Unfortunately there's no way for us to know the reality.
Wow I didn’t realize this was a thing (heard of one or two mentions but nothing widespread). I’ve had one for over a year I think now, that I bought used, and no issues. And I love the sound of it.
For what it's worth, we haven't noticed any excessive headphone failure reports with Lyr 3...plus I use one in Corpus every day...plus it has DC sensing and protection. So, in our experience, overblown.
This is all very helpful. @edd, @rlow, @Riotvan, @schiit. Thanks for your input. I am very tempted by the many reports of its synergy with Focal headphones. If I go this direction, I'll buy new!
also, like @Riotvan, I did get in the habit of unplugging my headphones when turning it on (and off too, maybe? it's been a while since I used mine) due to the loud pop it makes. my only real complaint with that amp.
@edd this sounds like a good plan. I had a Mapletree Ear+ a while ago and they recommended powering it up with the headphones plugged it. It was a very different topology, though. I think I'm going to go for it. Everything else I am looking at is 2+K which doesn't suit me at the moment. The head-out of the Hilo is great with the HD600s, but a bit too detailed/bright with the Clears.
That’s the main reason I bought it too Justin, was to go with the Focal (Elex) that I planned to buy. It’s a good matchup, although I do find the right tube makes a fairly significant difference, depending which way you prefer the sound to tilt.
@rlow this is good feedback. I would love to get the Clears bit further away from my head and find a bit more depth in the staging. Also, I love the detail, but find the upper part of the mid-mids (1k-ish) a bit peaky. I have loved the NOS 6SN7 Sylvania's in the past with a Freya I had. What are you using in your Lyr with your Elex?
NOS Sylvania could work well, but it does depend on your preferences and synergy with the Clear. I found that I preferred different tube type with my Elex than with my Freya/speakers. Currently using NOS Raytheon GTB which is a bit more euphonic than I like in Freya. With HD650, I actually use new production Northern Electric, which are far more lean, crisp and incisive than I prefer with the Elex or Freya/speakers.
This all makes sense. I have a note into PCX to see if they have any NOS tubes kicking around on their shelves. I have had very good experiences purchasing tubes from them in the past. I had the Raytheons for the Freya and you're right - they were not a good fit with Freya/speakers. I regret selling all the tubes with it, though. I had a good collection going.
Drat - I made the decision to pick up a new one and they're 10-12 weeks out from shipping. While this supply chain stuff is a drag for consumers, I can't imagine how hard it is on manufacturers like Schiit.
The Lyr 3 and even Vali 2 can “pop” on first turn on. How much depends on how fast the tube warms up. I usually turn it on unplugged and wait. But it is more what tube + amp rather than the amp itself.
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