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MC cartridges new vs. old

Hello,

In my analog source I have intalled a used Lyra Delos as replacement.

But, I was looking a new cartridge, and found two diferent options, a new and old MC cartridges:

a) New Lyra Dorian at 850 € (special dealer offer)
b) Little used (less 50 h) Spectral MCR Signature at 950 €

All I have read about Spectral is great but is a very low output cartridge (0,2 mV) that is apparently hard to drive and very sensible to setup. Is the first generation of Scantech, is an old but appears to be a great low output cartridge from all reviews from users...

Dorian is a new cartridge, more easy to drive (0,6 mV) and also sensible to setup, is the five generation of Scan Tech.... Jonathan Carr, the designer recomend last generation of cartridge in general...

The rest of analog components:

Wilson Benesch Circle TT
Wilson Benesch ACT 0.5 arm
EAR 834P phone

What are your opinion or election betwwen these two or another similar to the Spectral like Lyra Clavis DC...

Thank you for your opinions and help.

Kind Regards,
geropaa
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,977 posts
 
"In my analog source I have installed a used Lyra Delos as replacement."

"Dorian is a new cartridge, more easy to drive (0,6 mV) and also sensible to setup, is the five generation of Scan Tech.... Jonathan Carr, the designer recommend last generation of cartridge in general."

Not sure you have the facts right, if I am reading this right? The DELOS is the newest version of the Lyra carts. The DORIAN is the generation BEFORE the DELOS.

Jonathan Carr, from everything I've read, says the NEW generation of carts are some of his best ever. Where did you read differently?

I've owned both the Dorian and the Delos and the Delos is indeed a better cart. Never heard the Spectral.
geropaa OP
3 posts
 
You are right Mofimadness, I changed the names of cartridges, I have a Dorian and my question is about Delos a modern cartridge.

And yes, you are also right about Mr. Carr says that the new generation of cartridge are his best ever.
From your words this is a fact between Dorian and newest Delos, my question is between an older cartridges which I don´t know if was designed by Mr. Carr and have really diferent especifications...

But anyway, thank you a lot for your help, in anycase I think the new is better bet, new and cheap, most important is that I try do a good setup of the cartridge.

Thank´s
frogman
7,409 posts
 
As I read your OP, and I read your mention of the Spectral, I thought to myself "Oh, oh!". Then I saw that you use the EAR 834P. Given the EAR's warm and lush character and generous gain, the Spectral might be a great match. I owned the Spectral years ago. It is an incredibly detailed and fast cartridge, but lean and a little dry and colorless (the natural kind of color is a good thing); very unforgiving. I also owned the original Clavis and I consider the Spectral a better cartridge. Never heard the Delos, but perhaps you can extrapolate some useful information from the above. Good luck.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,443 posts
 
New is always better.
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