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GooseEntire1705 OP t1_j7m5bjx wrote

I was looking for tube amplifiers to switch up the sound with my headphones and wanted something that could drive my LCD 4 as most tube amps don't have the power unless you are willing to spend a few thousand pounds but this hybrid amp will drive any headphone.

First impressions

Build:

This unit is like a tank! small footprint but very heavy and extremely well made and I really like the volume dial.

Ports:

I am a little disappointed at not having any balanced outputs or inputs so I could run balanced with my headphones and DAC but it is what it is. I have only tested this amp with the LCD 4 as I am not taking off my balanced HD800S cable and swapping it for the stock unbalanced cable as we all know its a pain. I have ordered a 4.4 to 3.5 adapter that I will use but that has not arrived yet so cannot offer my impressions of that headphone with the amp yet.

Sound:

For context I have been using the Topping A90D as my main amp for many months now. I waited maybe an hour to let the tube warm up before starting to listen. Compared to the A90D the tube mode on the Schiit Lyr is a lot warmer and not as thin sounding when comparing both amps. The bass hits harder and vocalists have a more warmer body to them but I think the stereo imaging isn't as precise as the A90D and the sound signature is definitely more relaxed but somewhat more enjoyable in most of the music I compared.

I am running the stock tube and I have ordered more that people have recommended so the sound can change a lot when tube rolling but this is just the first impressions with the stock tube.

Overall a great first impressions by the Lyr and I am excited at swapping the tube to see what results I can get going forward.

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IAmAgainst t1_j7m7l2r wrote

Can I ask what tubes have you ordered?

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GooseEntire1705 OP t1_j7m845u wrote

I ordered 2 tubes. See details below;

SYLVANIA 6SN7GTB Valve Tube NOS

Shuguang Treasure CV181-Z

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hyde0000 t1_j7meo2l wrote

I really like the Sylvania 6SN7GTB on my Lyr 3, in my opinion the stock JJ tube is kind linear so it's not very tube sounding.

The Sylvania would be a better judge how the amp should sound like.

Looking forward to your impressions.

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IAmAgainst t1_j7msutb wrote

Is there any reason everyone uses the gtb instead of the gta?

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hyde0000 t1_j7mvhjh wrote

To my understanding that GT and GTA are older production, GTB is newer production so it's really just that it's newer so it's easier to find and cheaper lol.

Some people swear by "the older the tube the better". So generally GT and GTA might be perceived as "better" and cost more.

But it's also not always the case. Tube is like one giant trial and error of randomness there is no set rule that applies for all LOL.

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IAmAgainst t1_j7qi36y wrote

Thanks, I'm trying to get into the tubes world but I'm sick of reading endless threads to hunt some objective information and ending up having nothing definitive at the end.

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hyde0000 t1_j7s9gp1 wrote

Yeah tube can seem like sea of information not gonna lie. If you can tell me what type of stuff you're looking for maybe I can help you out.

Do you need something for your Arya Stealth and HD560S? OTL tube amp has high output impedance so it's generally only recommended if you have 300 Ohm headphones. Hybrid tube amp on the other hand will be better suited.

How much do you plan to spend on tube amps? From easier / more mainstream stuff you can probably start with Schiit Vali 2++, Lyr 3, Lyr+, Drop CTH, Monolith Liquid Platinum, to a bit less mainstream stuff such as Project Ember II, Hagerman Tuba, or Shortest way 51+. Personally I don't know much about the last 2 amps but it's been recommended to me lol.

For me personally I'm using Lyr 3 and Project Solstice, those are not bad but I'd imagine there's better hybrid amps out there. But it's "cheap" enough as a starting point lol.

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IAmAgainst t1_j7m979x wrote

Thanks, would love an update post of how they sound when you have a chance to try them..

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Magol79 t1_j7mnbqq wrote

The Shuguang tube has a nice warmth to it.

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GooseEntire1705 OP t1_j7na2l0 wrote

Do you know how I can use it as a pre amp to the topping a90d? I have plugged in the RCA cables to the pre amp port on the Schiit and then to the input rca of the topping a90d. is that correct? I have also set the schiit to pre amp mode and the topping to pre amp mode.

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verifitting t1_j7omg13 wrote

Yep that is correct. I would try the schiit at 3/4th of total knob level and try low gain and high gain into the topping and check what sounds best. But absolutely you can use the Lyr as a pre.

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