Headphones amplifiers — Schiit Audio LYR

The LYR is a headphone amplifier from Schiit Audio, built with substantial output power across a wide impedance range and an exceptionally low output impedance. The LYR brings Schiit Audio's value-focused engineering to dedicated headphone amplification.

Key specs that matter

Maximum power reaches a substantial 6,000mW into 32 ohms, 4,000mW into 50 ohms, 900mW into 300 ohms, or 450mW into 600 ohms - strong figures across this wide impedance range. Frequency response spans 20Hz to 20,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB. Total harmonic distortion is an exceptionally low under-0.0015% at 1V RMS into 300 ohms, with signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 112dB, IMD under 0.001% (CCIR, 300 ohms), and crosstalk under -72dB across 20Hz-20kHz into 300 ohms. Output impedance is an exceptionally low 0.4 ohms. At 229 x 171 x 83mm and 3.2kg, the LYR maintains a manageable desktop chassis for its considerable output capability.

Sound and use context

Expect exceptionally clean, powerful amplification reflecting the sub-0.0015% distortion and over-112dB signal-to-noise figures, with the substantial 6,000mW output into 32 ohms handling demanding headphone loads directly.

Pairing

The substantial output across the full 32-to-600-ohm impedance range handles virtually any headphone directly, from sensitive in-ear monitors through the most demanding high-impedance designs.

Alternatives

Schiit Audio's own BIFROST DAC shares the brand's coherent value-focused engineering philosophy, forming a natural companion component for a complete desktop system.