@ghdprentice Thanks for the encouragement! I got so tired of having one of my Quad 2905’s in for repair and only being able to listen to mono recordings, that I was determined to put some kind of headphone system together. And now that I have, it’s actually better than expected. Yes, still modest by hifi standards but I had to start somewhere.
Just Getting Started With Headphones
Hello Goners,
I just wanted to put this out there but I bought my first headphone amplifier. I purchased a well cared for, preowned Schiit Lyr 3. I'm currently using a Linlai E 6sn7 that's early in the burn in stage. My only headphones were built by my Quad ESL technician. He was able to acquire the drivers that's used in a well received pair of dynamic headphones (the name escapes me). I honestly think my headphones sound better than a pair of Audeze LCD X's that I auditioned at my local audio store.They may lack some when it comes to detail but they are an all around good performer. They are low impedance, so I keep the gain switch set on low.
So the Lyr 3 isn't much more than a switch box with a volume control, because I'm using the tape outs on my power amp. I'm using an ASR Emitter II Exclusive power amp and its a bit of a mismatch to run a signal from the ASR into the Schiit but the sound signature from my power amp is very noticeable and there's nothing objectionable to the overall sound. I am able to hear the characteristics between different tubes as well. The Linlai Elite creates a very satisfying sound and is my top performer. Other tubes that I've tried were; Apos Ray Select, Ken-Rad and a TungSol.
If I ever decide to upgrade and I believe that's likely to happen in a year or two, a pair of Meze Empyrean II headphones are on my radar. But as I said, that's not happening for a while so I need to be content with the here and now.
Any comments are appreciated as always. Thanks!
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The Lyr is much more than a switchbox / volume in this scenario - it’s what’s driving and interacting with the headphones. The ASR is acting as an extra line stage here.
Sennheisers (usally higher impedance)? Grados? Grados are quite often modded, because the stock housings are not very good. I get more listening fatigue with Grados than any other brand, and it’s not very close (their ancient HP1000 series HP-1, 2, 3, headphones were easier on the ears). I was and am a big fan of Sennheiser's classic HD580 / 600 / 650 series. But not their HD800 / HD820 series :( Empyreans are very dark and thick sounding headphones. It would not be my first guess for an electrostat lover - we have Stax for that! Be sure to try a few different brands / flavors to try and get a sense of where you tilt :) |
@mulveling Thank you for responding. I was told by many that the signal I hear is mainly coming from the power amp however no one gave me a percentage. If wrong about that, no big deal. |
@mulveling - while I've not personally heard them yet, the Empyrian 2's and the Elites are not supposed to be as dark/thick as the original Empyrians are. |
That’s true. My listening experience was with the original Empyrean version. It was "too much" richness. I much preferred Stax, Susvara, and then Focal Utopia, in that order. Stellia were also good but perhaps a little bright. The round-driver (Omega) Stax are extremely hard to drive well enough to shine, however - and they generally need their own dedicated amplifiers you can’t use with other headphones (e.g. Headamp Blue Hawaii SE). Susvara impressed the hell out of me with a much more modest amplifier (Headamp GS-X mini). |
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