phono stage options for Lyra Cartridges

Sutherland is supposed to be synergistic with them.

I owned or tried the following with my Lyra Argo (i):

- Vacuumstate JLTI
- Pass XOno
- Wright WPP200C
- ARC PH3 SE
- Shindo Monbrison, Cinemag step-up

The best combination was the JLTI followed by the XOno and the Monbrison/Cinemag. I really did not like the combination with a tube phono as it doesn't bring out the strengths of the Lyra Argo. The JLTI was excellent - detailed, balanced, evenhanded, and dynamic with excellent flow. The XOno was almost too much in the dynamics department, the Wright lost all the detail and nuance of the Argo.

Of the above, I would stay away from the EAR which in my comparisons wasn't even close to the JLTI. The Nagra could be an option that I imagine could work very well too. I would go with a solid state phono for the Lyra. And I am usually a tube person (currently running the Monbrison with A23 step-up and Allaerts cartridge). All the tube amps I tried just weren't the best match.

With my Lyra manuf. AQ 7000fe5 (.5mv) which sounds more like the Titan i than the Argo i... I have used a Xono, EAR 834p, and now a Joule Electra OPS1 mk4. The Joule is the most detailed, the most musical, and throws the best soundstage of the group here. Layered, dynamic, real sounding to these ears (and tube rollers dream too). Ac cords and isolation effect all 3 greatly btw... a steal when found used here on Agon...

Restock,

I understand there are 3 versions or is it 4 versions of the JLTi, which version do you have ?
I'm quite interested in the JLTI, looks like the kind of phono stage am looking at.
Any one here have experience with Tom Evans phono products ?

I second the EAR 834p. The Lyra's have a reputation for being analytical (in the best sense of the word), so a good tube preamp makes a good pairing.
I would say, however, that you are probably doing it backwards. Find a phono stage that you really like, and match the cartridge to it. My reasoning is that the phono stage will last far longer than a cartridge.

Just a thought.

Cheers