Today, we are writing our Schiit Lyr+ Review to discuss a headphone amp/preamp. It is a notable tube product that can shift between tube and solid-state modes.
The Lyr+ allows you to have complete freedom and ease when exploring tubes. Plus, it also lets you be free from using tubes.
To learn more about it, continue reading our Schiit Lyr+ Review. We will discuss everything related to its design, functions, features, specifications, and performance.
Schiit Lyr+ Packaging
The company consistently packs and delivers its products with 100% protection and security. It means you can guarantee that the Lyr+ will arrive safely.
Every package from Schiit sports the same design and colour scheme. So, expect a white cardboard box with the company logo on each side and some product information for reference.
After unboxing, you will find a lovely presentation of the product and its inclusions. Each side of the Lyr+ is kept in a thick, firm foam. It can protect the product from any possible damages while in transit.
Schiit includes the following products in the package:
- Lyr+
- Power cord
- Lyr+ tube cover
- 6SN7-type tube (optional)
Schiit Lyr+ Review – Design and Functionality
While writing our Schiit Lyr+ Review, we learned a few things about the original Lyr. It was the first hybrid headphone amplifier. Plus, it features an E88CC/6922 dual triode tube for current gain MOSFETs and tubes for voltage gain.
The Lyr+ is the 4th generation aplifier from Schiit. It still integrates the 6SN7 input tube from the previous version, but all other aspects are different.
The new Lyr+ is the only headphone amp in the world that goes from tube to solid-state mode. It uses the exclusive Fusion Architecture as developed by Schiit.
With the Lyr+, you can plug in any 6SN7-type tube for 100% tube voltage gain. Plus, you can switch to its internal solid-state gain stage based on exotic depletion-mode MOSFETs.
The Lyr+ consists of two amplifiers, a tube hybrid, and a pure solid-state under the same body. You can purchase the Lyr+ without the tube and use it only in solid-state.
You can purchase the Lyr+ without a tube for solid-state only use or if you already have 6SN7 tubes. Schiit provides TUNG-SOL 6SN7 as the stock tube. The company selected this since it retains all the sound characteristics of a solid-state amplifier while adding tube magic.
Lyr+ is the most technologically advanced desktop amplifier from Schiit. It features microprocessor control & oversight, relay ladder volume control, and a remote control.
Design and Interface of the Schiit Lyr+
On its external appearance, the Lyr+ remains unchanged, retaining the identical design of its predecessor. It sports the familiar mid-sized Schiit chassis, designed for seamless stacking alongside the Bifrost DAC.
Its front face and upper section consist of one anodised aluminium sheet. It is bent to shape, while the enclosing casing is an unadorned painted metal.
The build quality is exceptional, underscoring the commitment of Schiit to durability and craftsmanship. Lyr+ also has two colour options: silver and black. A silver aluminium volume knob is present to complement these.
Front Panel
We also checked the front of the product for our Schiit Lyr+ Review. On the left-hand side of the front panel, you will find the following:
- Input toggle button
- Adjacent button to activate the preamp output
- A row of three LEDs
Following these, you will see:
- Volume control knob
- A third button
- Extra pairs of notification LEDs
- A 6.35mm headphone jack
Pressing the third button lets you switch between low and high gain settings. A longer press lasting four seconds allows you to transition between tube and solid-state modes.
The transition between modes is not immediate. Its amplifier undergoes a brief muting period that lasts 20 seconds before resuming operation.
If a tube is present and you switch to solid-state mode, it remains continuously powered on. Therefore, for lengthier use of the solid-state mode, remove the tube to preserve its longevity.
For added convenience, the remote control allows you to execute all functions. It proves handy when the amplifier is on a rack.
Rear Panel
There are a pair of RCA inputs on the rear panel. Also, you will find the RCA preamp output, power switch, and AC input. In addition to the AC power cord, a metallic cover is available to protect the tube socket.
Key Features of the Schiit Lyr+
What makes the Lyr+ better than its previous iterations? Our Schiit Lyr+ Review will discuss the primary features of the headphone amp to determine what makes it worth purchasing.
Handy With or Without the Tube
If you prefer to forego the use of a vacuum tube, there is no need to connect one. Lyr+ effortlessly transitions to its integrated solid-state gain stage and is based on depletion-mode MOSFETs.
If you want to use tube amplification, insert a 6SN7. Lyr+ will seamlessly shift to deliver pure voltage gain, rendering the MOSFETs inactive. It is what makes the Fusion Architecture excellent.
Schiit Lyr+ – A Technological Masterpiece
Lyr+ is the first compact headphone amplifier from Schiit to feature a relay ladder volume control. It offers optimal transparency and excellent channel matching, regardless of volume levels.
This headphone amp uses full-DC coupling output, a Continuity bipolar output stage, and regulated high-voltage and low-voltage supplies. Plus, you can enjoy the convenience of remote control and microprocessor oversight.
Power and Safety in One
Lyr+ delivers up to 6W RMS per channel via the standard 6.35mm headphone jack. As a result, it does not require balanced headphones to maximise its power. Advanced oversight simultaneously ensures the safety of Lyr+ for all headphones. DC, tube sensing, and overcurrent make this a modern tube amp.
The Heart of a Compact yet Comprehensive System
Use the Lyr+ with the Modius or Bifrost 2 for digital duties and the Aegir or Vidar as a speaker. Combining these products will form a comprehensive system ready for speakers and headphones, whether these are analogue or digital sources. You can also switch the preamp outs of Lyr+ off if you prefer listening with headphones.
Made in California, Guaranteed Quality
Like all Schiit products, the chassis, boards, and transformers of the Lyr+ go to American companies for manufacturing. The parts of this product are all made in California.
Five-year Warranty and Convenient Return Policy
Schiit provides a five-year limited warranty that covers the product parts and labour when you purchase the Lyr+. You can return it within 15 days of receiving it to get a refund, with the 5% restocking fee deducted.
Next, we will discuss the product specifications in our Schiit Lyr+ Review and how it performed during our tests.
Specifications
- Size: 9 x 6 x 2”
- Power Consumption: 30W
- Weight: 2.72kg
- Gain: Low 1.2 (1.35dB) | High 5.7 (15dB)
- Topology: 64-step relay ladder volume control, Coherence fully discrete, current-mode noninverting 6SN7/bipolar hybrid with constant transconductance output stage with Fusion Architecture depletion MOSFET gain fallback
- Power Supply: 4x regulated oversight supplies (20V, +/-15V, 5V), 2x internal power transformers (72VA), 2x high-current +/-26V supplies, 2x discrete regulated +/-100V supplies,
- Warranty: Five Years
Hands-on with the Schiit Lyr+
The Lyr+ amplifier stands out with its array of desirable audio qualities, mirroring the elegance and performance of top-tier, class A solid-state amplifiers. It produces a rich and vibrant sound, balancing warmth with dynamic energy and high-frequency detail, creating an enthralling auditory journey.
Its expansive soundstage and majestic delivery paint a vivid acoustic picture, rich in depth, texture, and subtle sonic nuances. Each musical element is precisely placed, contributing to a broad and immersive soundscape.
Characterized by its linear, unbiased, and harmonious sound profile, the Lyr+ focuses on delivering sheer clarity and pristine transparency, all while retaining a captivating musical essence. The timbre it produces is remarkably authentic and lifelike, reminiscent of an organic, analogue experience.
Listening through this amplifier is akin to experiencing music in its most natural form, with smooth transitions and a diverse range of harmonics. It forges a deep connection between the listener and the music, offering a consistently engaging and pleasurable listening experience. This design allows for prolonged periods of listening without fatigue, ensuring endless hours of auditory bliss.
The Lyr+ amplifier’s bass is both deep and encompassing, offering a sensory-rich and robust experience. Despite its depth, it remains precise, agile, and well-structured, demonstrating outstanding layering and definition.
In its tube mode, the Lyr+ enhances the soundstage, creating an immersive environment that feels more like being in a physical space than an undefined expanse. The warm tonal quality might slightly soften some details, but this often enhances the listening experience, especially with high-quality recordings.
A standout feature of this amplifier is its exceptional ability to separate instruments. It effortlessly distinguishes individual vocal tracks, particularly noticeable in double-tracked vocals. Furthermore, electronic elements in music are clear and engaging, distinguishing the Lyr+ from other amplifiers where such details might be overshadowed.
Schiit Lyr+ Review Summary
Lyr+ is one of the most competitive headphone amps and a highly improved product from Schiit. It is an impressive hybrid amplifier with a musical and engaging sound signature, superb technicalities, and high output power.
Whether you prefer solid-state or tube mode, Lyr+ offers pleasant listening experiences. We enjoyed its audio quality with and without a tube when we tested it for this Schiit Lyr+ Review. Since it is a hybrid amplifier, you can enjoy both modes anytime.
We highly recommend the Lyr+ if you want a high-quality headphone amplifier. It works with any tube, and you can use it without one.
Visit the official product page of Schiit to learn more about the Lyr+.
