Low end Schiit

If considering just the Schiit amp range, and taking into account the possibility of using either just stock tubes or more likely LISST, what kinds of differences would be perceived between Asgard 2 and Lyr 2? I have read that they are more similar than different, but does that depend on headphone, assuming a decent source (Bifrost MB)?

And would the Liquid Carbon be in the same class but just warmer sound?

 

I hear nothing but good things about Asgard 2. I'm getting the Carbon, but you can't go bad with Schiit.

 

Am curious about the LQ, but the Schiits have the advantage of being listened to by more people.

 

Yeah, I guess the question is how do Lyr 2 (and to some extent Mojo 2) compare to other SS amps if not going down the tube rolling path.

 

Pre-ordered the Liquid Carbon, considering the Asgard 2 as well just for comparison sake. Although with the Magni 2 Uber almost matching it in terms of power, I wonder if Asgard 3 is around the corner.

 

$200 a tube, ouch, that may be someones opinion on tubes they have rolled into the Lyr, but I can tell you it has no universal application with other great tube gear. I have rolled lots of tubes over the past decade into my deHavilland pre, especially the 6SN7 triode driver which has the most sonic impact on the resulting output. I tried some uber priced unobotanium vintage and can safely state that to my ears, some of the best sounds come from tubes still available as used vintage for around $25-$40. I have gone the new, and great sounding New Chinese special stock for under $100, but have found many only have a life span of less than a year.

Makes one wonder.

 

Well, there's your problema....................I used to buy some stuff from Kevin but some of those prices are insane!

 

So I've got the Lyr 2 with both the stock tube and LISST solid-state tube. If you can use the LISST-equipped version as a proxy for what the Asgard sounds like, then the stock tube version sounds a little smoother and more liquid at the cost of a bit of precision. After listening to both, I prefer the tube version, even with no rolling. But honestly, being able to play around by switching the tube and LISST out is kind of a cool advantage of the Lyr all by itself. (Plus it looks more visually interesting than the Asgard.)

The caveat is: These are very subtle differences, to the point where I wouldn't actually swear I could hear them in a blind test. I mean, I think I'd be able to, but it's not some kind of obvious "night and day" thing like switching out headphones.

 

is there a consensus on a under 150 pair of tubes that sound better than the stock on the lyr2?

 

Don't think that a tube amp is in my immediate future now, but that's helpful to know.