• Company: SCHIIT
• Model: LYR
• Color: Aluminum
• Size: 9 x 6.75 x 3.25"
• Weight: 7 lbs
• Warranty: 5 Year
• Website: www.schitt.com

About:

  Built here in the USA the Lyr is a extremely high-output headphone amplifier with a new Dynamically Adaptive output stage that provides high voltage output into virtually any headphone—up to 6 watts into 32 ohms—while maintaining excellent overall efficiency. Lyr isn’t just about brute force. Sure, it has dynamics to spare, but it also delivers music with grace and finesse. Its hybrid design uses tubes for the input stage, and the topology is DC coupled at the input and output to ensure the purest, most direct signal path.The new Dynamically Adaptive output stage packs almost 6X the output power of Asgard into an amp that runs slightly cooler. (Now, that doesn’t mean it runs cool. If you want a cold amp, you need to look elsewhere.) It works by sensing the current flowing through the output stage, and dynamically reconfiguring from Class-A single-ended to push-pull Class AB. The result is both pure Class-A sound and the ability to drive virtually any headphone, including low-impedance and low-efficiency models. Lyr ships with either new-production JJ ECC88 tubes or NOS GE 6BZ7 tubes. The ability to use different tubes lets you tune the overall sound signature of Lyr to your specific needs.

Specifications:

• Headphone Impedance: 8-600 ohms
• Gain: 10 (20 dB)
• Frequency Response: 2Hz-200KHz, -3dB
• Maximum Output: 40V P-P into 32 ohms typ
• THD: Less than 0.1%, 20Hz-20KHz, at 1V
• Topology: Dynamically Adaptive Dual-Mode Class A, zero feedback, noninverting, hybrid tube/MOSFET, single voltage gain stage, DC-coupled input and output
• Tube Complement: ECC88 or 6BZ7 dual triode, 1 per channel (rollable to all 6922/6DJ8/ECC88/6BZ7 types and similar)
• Power Consumption: 30W Size: 9 x 6.75 x 3.25”
• Weight: 7 lbs

First impressions: 

  While unboxing you can feel how solid this amp feels with it's Aluminum case. I do like the design and look very much fits right in with Apple's MacPros.  Top drop tubes were easy to install and remove. Flip power switch on that back it a bit out of the way however you will not hit it by accident. Volume knob very smooth no stutter or cracking going from 0-100. I went with the 6N1P tubes which notes to run a bit warmer(heat) on there site.  Since this is a tube amp it does take a few seconds to turn on and warm up. After 14 Seconds from a cold start you will hear a click followed by your audio. I burned in for one night close to 10hours also wanted to see how hot it would get to my surprise even with the 6N1P tubes this unit did not get hot however warm to the touch. I was able to rest my hand fine on the unit. I'm very impressed with the build quality of this unit and it's a plus that it's built in the USA...

Test Gear Setup:

• Amp: SCHIIT LYR (unit being tested)
• Stock Tubes: GE 6BZ7
• Upgrade Tubes: OTK 6N1P (russian NOS tubes stock in Valhalla)
• Headphones: AKG K240 MK2 Studio
• Microphone: Heil P40
• DAC: M-Audio C400
• Computer: MacPro dual 2.8 quad core (OSX Lion)
• Software source 1: Itunes (Bitrate: 320bit)
• Software source 2: Spotify paid account (Bitrate: 320bit)

Sound Quality: 

  The K240's i'm using are pretty neutral which is why I have them for podcasting. I wasn't expecting much of an improvement, however to my surprise the LYR did improve the midrange quite a bit. The LYR has more then enough room to push the K240's. I tend to listen to music on the louder side with these headphones being semi open I would not go past 60% on the LRY.

Unboxing Video:

Gallery: