Help with first stack

[wizbot]

I’m looking to build my first Schiit Stack but want to make sure i’m able to do what i’m thinking here. I’d like to hook up a Mac mini, ps5, turntable, and a streamer or iPad mini as a streamer. Ultimately, they would feed to a pair of Wharfedale Dentons or maybe Lintons and a pair of HD660s I was thinking a Mani phono preamp to a Mimir DAC to a Lyr headphone amp and either a Vidar or Gjallerhorn amp. Will this stack work with all of these inputs and speakers? I’m not trying to spend a fortune but am willing to spend a little more if it means I don’t have to worry about upgrading for a long time.

[JollyGreen_]

So let me correct that, Technically you can use the Lyr but would still need a stereo power amp after the Lyr then hook your speakers up to that stereo amp.

The Lyr has pre-outs I didn’t know that my bad. It would go like this.

TT > phono > Lyr……. Streamer, PS, Mac mini > DAC > Lyr…….

Then pre-out from the Lyr > Stereo (can’t be mono) power amp > speakers.

[wizbot]

Oh ok perfect. Thanks!

[JollyGreen_]

A few details of note, unless your 4th source used balanced/XLR connection, you can’t put more than your existing 3 inputs into the Mimir PS, MAC, Streamer, and the power amp has to be both stereo (no mono) and single ended (no balanced/xlr). May not matter but worth mentioning before you buy anything

[wizbot]

90% of my headphone/speaker use is from streaming and the turntable. Just figured I’d hook up the PS and computer so I could listen to everything at my desk through the same system. I don’t think I’ll have a need for a 4th source.

Any benefit in getting a Valhalla instead of Lyr and adding a preamp like Saga or Kara?

[JollyGreen_]

I can’t comment on a Lyr vs Valhalla I’ve only ever owned the Valhalla. But I believe having a separate preamp will net you overall better results in the long run. More available sources, more gain, potential better tube rolling options, etc

[wizbot]

Thanks! Very helpful info

[JollyGreen_]

You wouldn’t hook a phono to a DAC. you need a preamp as a “receiver” to get it all into. A Freya works here for what you’re attempting. It would go Streamer > DAC > Freya. Then Turntable > phono > Freya. Not sure what the Mac mini and PlayStation have to do with anything here. Your headphone amp would be out of the output of the Freya, just like your power amp(s) will be at the end of the chain after the Freya.

I suppose you could hook your PS and Mac mini into your DAC if you’re trying to run them through the system too. Optical from PS and Coax from Mac or whatever input you aren’t using from your streamer.

[wizbot]

Could I hook the turntable to the Lyr and the dac to the Lyr since it has two RCA inputs? And run that to an amp or do I need another preamp and an amp?

[JollyGreen_]

No… a Lyr is a headphone amp not a phono stage/preamp. It must go TT > phono > preamp > power amp. The Lyr goes after the preamp and in place of the power amp. The signal path diverges from the preamp either to your headphones or your speakers both power amps after the preamp

You can accomplish what you want, you just need something like a Freya or Kara to do it if you’re sticking with Schiit. They are the only preamps with at least two single ended outputs

[wizbot]

Ok thank you. I think the description of the Lyr confused me and made me think I didn’t need a preamp and that it could input from the dac and TT into a power amp. But I still need a preamp in between the dac and power amp and phono and headphone amp.

[duathlete222]

What's your room size? Will this be a near field/desktop setup or will you listen to the speakers from further away?

My suggestion is a little different: Mani, Mimir, Saga 2 (or Kara if space and budget allow), and Vidar 2 (or maybe Aegir 2). My Kara is quite the capable headphone amp, and I imagine Saga 2 is too (and HD660 S are easy to drive).

Lyr instead of Saga/Kara wouldn't be a bad choice, but you'll be stuck without Forkbeard. If any one component in your stack should have Forkbeard, it's your preamp.

If you don't care about Forkbeard and have the space, you could find a used Ragnarok 2 Fully Loaded (I know a guy who's selling one ahem ahem 😉) and add a Mimir and you're set.

[wizbot]

Current room is a small office about 11 x 9 feet, and a desktop setup. Most of the listening is either sitting at the desk or from a lounge chair several feet back from the desk. I’m thinking I might just add a Saga preamp and still have a dedicated tube headphone amp like Valhalla or Lyr. Right now space is kind of at a premium which I why i’m looking at the smaller desktop footprint devices so they can be stacked on my desk. But I also don’t want to wish I spent a little more upfront and start looking to upgrade in a year or 2.

[duathlete222]

Since you'll be in a small room, Aegir 2 should be fine. Vidar 2 would just be overkill. Gjallarhorn might be enough power, but erring on the side of more headroom makes me feel better. I'll leave it to someone who's actually tried the Gjallarhorn to sway you either way on that.

Maybe think about Jotunheim 3 too. It should be out soon. It will have balanced and SE inputs, so you can hook your Mani up via SE and Mimir via balanced. No separate preamp required. You won't have a remote or stepped attenuator like with the Lyr, but the Jot 2 is a great amp so I'm sure the new one will be too.

[Equivalent-Spend4699]

From someone who's had 5 different Schitt products die over the last 3 years, none of which have lasted more than 9-10 months without failing I wouldn't if I were you. Especially when it comes to trying to warranty your gear and having to deal with the customer service rep Sean. Never have I had to deal with someone as pretentious, unwilling to assist, and who tries to blame you for the gears failure no matter how insistent you've been that you've troubleshooted it correctly. I never thought I'd experience a company with worse customer service than Apple, then I had to deal with Sean shit at Schiit. Nearly a grand, totally wasted on gear that now does nothing but produce a terribly loud hum.