Lyra Titan i with a Manley Steelhead....settings??

Thanks, Cjfrbw....you sound well versed in using these combinations. I will try the MC inputs as you suggest and change some of the settings.

John

I'm surprised the "boys" here haven't stopped by to comment, and while I am no authority on neither the Lyra Titan i, or Manley Steelhead, I might be able to help, and fill in, while the fellas are absent?

If Neil (nsgarch) were to stop in, he probably suggest the 25X rule, using this number as a multiplier times the internal inpedance of the Cartridge (In Ohms)
So, with that being said, and if the internal impedance was 4 Ohms, that would mean an optimum load setting of 100 Ohms.

In regards to this, I understand there is of course leeway with a Cartridge such as virtually all of the Lyras, as well as other brands, and you'd probably find that many users do indeed load these Cartridges to 47K Ohms, just like a MM Cartridge, and are perfectly happy with the sound.

Mr. J. Carr of Lyra does stop in here from time to time, and since he designed these Cartridges, he's no doubt "The Man with the Plan", and can certainly make better recommendations than I can.

I'd probably be correct in saying at this point, with the Cartridge not having many hours on it, you'll probably notice little difference, no matter what load settings you try. This Cartridge is no doubt far from exhibiting its best sound, and J Carr, and others can give you a more exact figure when this Cartridge should essentially be fully broken in. (The Archives might help you in this department, just search Lyra under the Analog Section)

Then after break-in will be the time, to try different settings, and to note how the sound is, and the best advice I can give, is to load it to the best sound that you like, there's really no wrong one can do to a Cartridge with different loading settings. Sometimes 47K might sound a little bit too loose, and lacking control.

As for your Manley's Gain, if the Titan i has the gain that I think it does, which I've seen listed in two publications as being .5mv, then 65db Gain might be a tad too high-hot?

Don't use the volume level comparison of your CD Player to judge what will work best. If the Titan is indeed .5mv, I would think a setting closer to 58db-60db max might be a better choice. With gain set too high, things might get raw sounding, akin to like your overdiving a guitar amplifier. Listen for cleanliness of sound, best combination of quiet background from the Manley, yet with enough gain to not make the Cartridge sound anemic, and that you have to crank that Mac Pre-Amp to 79 to get loud sound.

I think good advice would be to rely a bit more on the MAc's Gain Control, rather than having it too much at the Manley, that perhaps an incorrect setting would be when the Mac's readout is at 12, you're blowing yourself out of the house!

Definitely read the archives, there's mucho info on all the Lyras. Mark

Yes, thanks to Mark and Cjf....I have now set the Manley/Titan on the MC inputs, and the controls are MUCH more active/interactive.

I do indeed now hear large differences in the control changes...Mark...thanks for the "insight" into what exactly I'm doing by changing that gain (re:using tubes).
And Cjf, I've started with your recommended settings and am "experimenting" from them....

Must admit, I'm liking running the gain a little 'hot' at 60....but 65 was too much. Now, my Mac pre-amp is at 47 for easy listening.

Still not hearing any real discernible differences with the load capacitances.

So, my Titan will "break in"? Have maybe 10 hours on it now. What happens? and when? :)

Look forward to hearing from the "boys" also.

Thanks a million!

John

Jbatlanta,

You are doing the right thing -- experimenting -- as there is no such thing as a "right" setting. You actually should not expect to hear a change in sound by changing the capacitance loading. Capacitance loading affects moving magnet cartridges, but not moving coils.

I have a Titan, coupled to a Viva Fono tube phono stage that utilizes a step up transformer. In both this stage and with a Levinson No. 32 preamp, the Lyra was much LESS sensitive to loading than other cartridges, such as the Transfiguration Orpheus and Temper B. I currently load the Viva at 460 ohms, but in the Levinson, I ran the Titan close to wide open and unloaded (either 47k ohms or 100k ohms).

By the way, I have not heard the Steelhead with the Titan, but I've heard it with Allaerte and Koetsu cartridges and I thought it is a very good phono stage.

I've not heard the Steel Head with the Titan-i,but have heard the CJ phonostage with it ALOT.This replaced the original Titan and then the Helikon,like you had.
The only somewhat meaningful advice I can offer is.....when it sounds so good that you want to open your window,and shout your glee to the world,that is when it is set up "right"!!
The cartridge is absolutely amazing!!!Of that I am quite certain.
Good luck.