Lyr 3 Discussion Thread

I second the BF2. It costs more than the Lyr3, but it is dramatically better than any other DAC I’ve heard (which, admittedly, isn’t a huge number). Much more musical sounding, amazing clarity, super solid bass and better headstage compared to my Topping D50 or Modi2U. It’s a big part of the reason I’m so happy with my system. I will add that it sounds amazing straight from an IPhone, and improves further with a high performance source.

 

Okay, great! Thanks for sharing. What source do you use now?

 

I use a raspberry Pi computer with a Pi2AES add on card. The Pi computer runs Volumio which allows me to control the Pi with my smartphone. A 256 GB thumb drive holds my music collection and Volumio also allows me to stream from Tidal and Spotify. There’s a thread in the DAC forum @purr1n created (Pi2AES for dummies) that gives step by step directions on how to do it. Works well, not too expensive, sounds good.

 

I had the Asgard 3 for a while and really enjoyed the continuity sound but it felt a little soft / weak with my 600 OHM DT880 Beyers and ZMF Classics. The whole time I owned it I was wishing I could trade for a LYR 3. I feel that with 50% more power the LYR will satisfy. If not the LYR 3 to feed SE out from my BF2 then what? (given the hard to drive cans).

 

Hi all,

Regarding previous references to the improvement in BF2 due a better source, I fully agree. I did some test comparing the same flac files in a Xiaomi Mi A3 + UAPP application vs Intel Nuc + Fidelizer Pro + MusicBee (conected to a USB hub in a Dell monitor, not directly to the Nuc), and there was an improvement in sound in the last scenario. I would say that Unison is not 100% inmune to source tweaking, although I consider it is a great source.

On the other hand, and more focused on the Lyr 3 topic, only share that upgrading from the stock Tungsol valve to a Psvane CV181-T-MII MarkII valve has been a worthy upgrade. While I was upgrading the system (Lyr3+BF2) to better power cords and RCA cables with the stock Tungsol valve, I found that the system had some harshness in the treble. With these new components, the system overall improved but this weak point showed up. May be Tungsol valve reached its limit, limiting the overall system performance.

One month ago I received a Psvane CV181-T-MII MarkII valve, and after some time to let burn in and settle the new valve, all the harshness has gone, and there is a clear improvement in all areas (layering, timbre, detail, dynamics, etc) not having any cons (it is not usual in audio, with new components there are normally pros but sometimes some cons). I didn't had this level of expectation from this valve.
My personal experience is that it is a very good valve and with fine tuned systems it would let it improve even further.




Thanks,

Carles

 

Lyr 3 sort of has the same sound, really doesn't sound slammy. I'd say it's sufficient enough, but it's no Mjolnir 2, which has its own set of problems due to its love of slam.

 

I’m also a fan of the Psvane. It’s a great tube in the Lyr. Took a while to break in though.

 

I have been listening to the BF2 fed through the LYR 3 and stock JJ tube for about 30 hours switching between the ZMF Classics and DT880s w/Dekoni Hybrid pads.

The sound has really fleshed out since start up. The tone of the instruments is very realistic. It seems balanced throughout the frequency range. Headphones seem to be more fully powered than with the Asgard 3 (increased dynamics and range). The whole presentation is a bit slower and lusher and more engaging than the Ifi BL(as a DAC/AMP).

I am unsure in what direction I want to tweak the sound and the stock JJ red paint sort of matches the red PYST RCA cables to a nice effect. I would like to try some of those Psvayne tubes but am too satisfied.

The amp is a keeper. The only weakness is a slight stacking of sounds during busy passages. The amp is very resolving and it is as if it gets overwhelmed with information. I noticed a similar sensation from the Asgard and am not sure if it is source or HP related but worth mentioning.

 

Re congestion during busy passages- My Woo does do a little better on layering and separation than the Lyr, so that doesn’t seem to be a Lyr strength. The PSvane does improve it to the point where you have to A-B test to hear the difference though

If you do try a Psvane, give it a long break-in. They seem to need about 100 hrs to settle. some people say 150 hrs.

 

I will also add that some different tubes can help with that congestion/slowness. Some of the NOS tubes can really shine, but don't get caught up in tube rolling.

The TS always sounded warm, but also slower/syrupy. Even the not so older Sylvania's can add some snap.

 

I have a question for anyone with experience opening up a Lyr 3 for module installation. I'm faced with doing so and am finding it surprisingly difficult. So I do wonder if I'm doing something wrong.

This is a brand new Lyr 3 that I have had for only a week. Although I ordered it with the AK4490 DAC module, the unit was shipped without any module. Not a big deal. I contacted Schiit and they mailed me the module, no questions asked. I did have a question; I felt like an idiot when I told the customer service rep that it was not obvious how to get the thing open for module installation and requested instructions for doing so. She forwarded my question to a technical service representative who told me:

I don't believe the unscrew the screws on the back bit, From what I can see, the top is held on with a screwless system. The top has 4 button shaped inserts that engage with slots on rest of the enclosure. I removed the tube and the volume knob (as well as the nut and washer securing the volume pot to the top cover. Having done so, I expected to be able to slide the top cover slightly forward and then to lift the cover away. However this top cover is not budging. Perhaps there are some additional screws to remove, though I don't think so (all screws appear to be there to secure internal components to the bottom section of the enclosure.

One thing that I do see is that the top plate button inserts appear to have dug into the bottom half of the enclosure:

So it may have taken some force to get that top on, and it may take some force to get it off. Prying does not seem to be a good option as there is only a tiny gap between the two parts of the case. A bit of percussive maintenance applied to the back of the top plate might do the trick, but I'm reluctant to hammer on the thing, even somewhat gently with a soft-faced mallet.

Am I missing something? Am I incorrect in second guessing the instructions to "unscrew the screws on the back"? Is it really that difficult to get a Lyr 3 open for module installation? Perhaps these are questions best asked of Schiit customer service but I'll have little time to devote to fixing come Monday and guess that a discussion with them would quickly get to ship everything back to Schiit and let them sort it out. I'd prefer to get this amp to what it should be and get back to enjoying it.

I had hoped that my first post to this thread would be of listening impressions and comparisons once I'd gained a good understanding of its capabilities. I've not listened enough to say much but what I've heard so far is encouraging. I've done some comparisons to a Monoprice THX AAA 887 amp. My source for both is a Bifrost 2 fed a wide variety of music from Qobuz (the DAC module that I'm trying to add is to serve as a secondary input). Most of my listening has been with HD650s. The THX is not bad, but the Lyr 3 outclasses it (I'm using Schiit's current stock tube, 6SN7 JJ new production). Overall the THX sounds just a bit flat in tone compared to the Lyr (I'll need to do some research to get the right vocabulary to describe that difference properly). One quality that is easy to hear with the right recordings and that I can articulate is that the Lyr 3 is significantly better at representing music with a wide dynamic range than is the THX. WIth the Lyr 3 there is no temptation to twiddle the volume knob as a musical piece goes though louder and quieter passages. Just set the volume to something comfortable for the loudest passeges and quiet passages sound great as quiet music. With the THX, I'm tempted to bring up the volume in the quiet passeges to try to better hear what is going on, then I'd have to lower the volume duing louder passages for the sake of comfort.

 

I did contact Schiit customer service regarding the issue with installing the AK4490 DAC module in my Lyr. Schiit has decided to exchange this Lyr for a new one, and I am satisfied with this resolution. This is probably the tenth Schiit box that I've bought in almost as many years, and it is the first that I've had an issue with. So I can remain a (non-exclusive) Schiit fanboy.

There was a bit of confusion over what the exact nature of the problem was, and it took a bit of time and patience to get to the resolution. But that is certainly understandable given that this support took place asynchronously over email and perhaps with people working remotely. I do want to give a shout out to Laura Z who was my primary contact on this issue. Anyone who works with her on an issue will be in good hands.

I will miss the Lyr 3 sound while this exchange is in progress. The Monoprice THX AA 887 is not a bad amp (it does not highlight it's own limitations), but the Lyr 3 is enough of a step up in sound quality to be noticeable. The Lyr 3 was a rather extravagant purchase as I have an ECP T4 in the works. But I am extremely curious to compare the Lyr 3 and T4, and the Lyr will go to good use as a secondary amp (assuming that the T4 sounds better than the Lyr 3 with my primary headphones ) when life returns to normal and I have several stacks to maintain.

 

I’m curious to read your opinion of the T4 relative to the Lyr 3. In my experience a high quality tube amp does add something special to high impedance headphones when it comes to head stage and midrange, but the Lyr 3 is pretty hard to beat on bass and sub-bass.

 

Thanks @will_f I'm also quite curious about how the T4 will stack up against the Lyr 3. My T4 is pre-ordered and currently being made, so I've not yet heard it. I bought the Lyr 3 for several reasons, one of which was to have a more widely known, good quality and moderately priced tube amp for comparison to (and unlikely to be embarrassed by) the T4. I hope to learn a lot from the comparison and expect that I will grow to enjoy both amps. I'm sure that the Lyr 3 will work better with some headphones (my old HE-500s perhaps) and maybe outdo the T4 in certain general characteristics, learning these traits and how to communicate what I hear will be part of the fun.

 

For those looking to "Tighten up" the sound of the Lyr 3 and give it a bit more punch and attack, I highly recommend the Raytheon VT-231. I just got one of these a couple days ago and its gone a long way toward fixing some of my issues with the Borealis, which largely had to do with slower decay. The only issue I can see some people having with it is a lack of lushness in the midrange, and a bit of "hardness" in the highs.

 

Just tried a new tube in the Lyr3: RCA 6SN7GT “Mouse Ears”. It’s a decently above average tube. I paid about $23 on eBay and for that price it’s a screaming deal.

Pros: Really deep reaching clean bass without bloat or distortion. Great extension / air without any harshness or sibilance. Very nice timbre. Good detail / fast. Great imaging though the stage is very close. Clarity is outstanding.

Cons:
Not as dynamic or as impactful as your typical Sylvania from the same era or a modern Psvane like the CV181 TII. If you have bright headphones you may want something a little more rolled off on top. Sound is not particularly lush or warm other than having very deep bass. It’s also a little microphonic in high gain

 

I’m still loving this amp with the stock TS tube. None of my vintage tubes were as engaging for me. Currently playing some Queens of the Stone Age on vinyl through the Lyr into my HD580s and I have no urge to upgrade the tube on this amp. Although if Marv wanted to send me some secret unobtanium tube to show me what I’m missing, I wouldn’t complain. Can’t wait to hook this amp up to a big boy DAC and see what it can do with that.

 

Took the leap of faith into the beautiful world of Lyr 3. Using it with the MB card and Russian TS tube the musical depth is amazing! Really love it. The only thing i wish the MB card did better was having that midrange punch. Its VERY laid back, but this probably adds to that smooth musicality. I have the topping D50s dac too, which brings out insane clarity and really pushes the mids upfront... but makes the music sound way too clinical and shallow. Both used with the HD800SDR.

If I could have the best of both worlds I'd have the D50s clarity and the MB card layering and depth. Maybe ill search for an affordable middle ground soon. But for now the Topping must go, along with its partner, the Magni 3+.

 

If you want to increase the clarity, I’m thinking you may want to try a tube change. I know it’s expensive, but I found the Psvane CV181 TII a significant improvement over the Russian T-S. I don’t think it will change the mids though.

 

Thanks will check it out! For now though i think i need to give the stock some love. It has been a few days only. If this deep musicality is due to the MB architecture of schiit then I guess the logical choice would be to save up for the Bifrost Multibit in the long run.