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Lyra Skala installation

Hi everybody,

I just bought an awesome Lyra Skala mc low output cartridge and I have so many doubts about his right calibration/instalation.

My analog front end consist of Clearaudio Champion Level II turntable, SME 309 tone arm, Jelco JAC 502 phono cable, LFD MC-2 phono pre, Mark Levinson 380s pre, Krell FPB 300Cx amp and Wilson Audio W/P system 5.1 everything cabled by the classical Cello Strings.

My first doubt is about screws. What dou you recommend to my Lyra/SME combo? I have 3 options, large/medium/small height.

I got the best sound from the Lyra at 1,66 vtf weight and 1,6 antiskating force but I would have to get some more feedback from other users (Jcarr?)

I also would like to be recommended by a better phono cable. Which phono cable do you recommend?

What size of vinyl do you prefer to calibrate de HTA? 120g? 140g? 180g? 200g?

Finally I would want to say that this Lyra produces an amazing sound, fast, detailed, open, dynamic, warm... and it is probably imho the emd of my analog road. I would like to say thanks to Jonathan Carr for make so excelent mc cartridge to the audiophile and music lovers.

Kindest regards
pojuojuo
pojuojuo OP
92 posts
 
Thanks Marakanetz, Syntax and Jcarr for your really interesting inputs.

Finally I would like to comment something about the VTA.

Reading some information about it in the Van den Hul FAQ webpage he recommends to increase 4-6mm the pilar's height but In my humble opinion I totally disagree with this point, at least with my others mc cartridges (Clearaudio, Benz Micro) results were really bad.

I usually adjust the cartridges with the SME recommendation, this set the cartridge conpletely pararel to the platter.

What experience doy you have with Lyra VTA?

Thanks again
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Lyras too love to be parallel to platter where they sound the best.
pojuojuo OP
92 posts
 
So,

Screws, 1,6mm extra long from the headshell
Vta paralel to the platter
No matts or try some carbon graphite one
Vtf to 1,65~1.75 depending on the room temp
Antiskating from 1,6 to 1,7
Ultra low capacitance phono cable like Cardas or XLO

Anything else?

Thanks again everybody to answer so fast my first doubts about my analog front end
sbrown
148 posts
 
Another item to add to your laundry list is an arc or a Feickert protractor to ensure that overhang is accurately set. The Feickert will also measure pivot to spindle distance. If these two items are not accurately adjusted, the rest is for naught.
jcarr
382 posts
 
I fully agree with SBrown regarding the desirability of an accurate cartridge alignment system.

Yes, I would try level VTA as a starting point (but please do experiment).

One more option on mounting screws could be a manganese-copper-nickel-iron alloy called M2052, which was made as a vibration-damping metal.

Here are some links

http://optimal-life.jp/shopdetail/002011000001

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/jism/2097774717201-31-942-n/

removable universal headshells are also made from this material, see

http://www.seisin-m2052.co.jp/04_avaccessory.htm
look for CS-1750

http://www.seisin-m2052.co.jp/pdf/CS-1750.pdf

I have no affiliations with the above links. IME, M2052 has a quite noticeable damping effect, but personal tastes as well as system compatibility will determine whether you like the effects or not.

As an aside, when (metric) bolts rather than wood screws have been used to attach speaker drivers to loudspeaker cabinets, replacing the standard items with M2052 equivalents can be a quite worthwhile improvement (again subject to the vagaries of personal tastes and system compatibility).

kind regards, jonathan carr
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