Lyra Delos A truth teller or what?

By the way, I had a decent Naim CDP for sometime. While it did give some idea about the rest of the system’s voicing, the difference in dynamics, resolution and transparency that a quality analog rig (with a good phonostage) brings in even with a lowly 103r is so tremendous that I stopped making any comparison. I still agree that for measuring speed stability and transient response a good digital rig can come in handy, except that you may not know which element of the analog rig is at fault.

Indeed, we listen to vinyl for a reason, but I didn't have to tell you that ;-)

Digital can be useful for raw frequency response comparisons, but of course, the harmonic structure of most digital and vinyl is worlds apart. 

With a bit of familiarization, you can make some mental translations which can sometimes be helpful in diagnosis.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier Design

That’s true Thom

 It goes to show you how subjective this hobby is. I can't believe somebody would prefer the black to the Delos. I had them both in my system at same time and in my mind there was no comparison. I do agree with the poster that says the helicon is more accurate than the Delos.   Interestingly enough I found the Deloz to have a bit of a upper bass warmth that the helicon didn't so I went with the helicon.  I tried a high-level Benz  and found it to be much to thicken syrupy for my tastes. 

@tzh21y @rossb 

I owned a Clavis for a few years before shearing off the stylus.  Had it redone by Soundsmith but found it lost its magic. I traded for a Delos which I still have and like but I did prefer the pre-Soundsmith  Clavis to the Delos.  I felt it was more natural - less etched.

 A few months ago I  got the itch again and bought a Van den Hul Black Beauty Special X.  To me and in my system, there is no comparison between the VDH and the Delos.  The VDH has as much or more upper end extension without the etched sound of the Delos.  And the VDH midrange is far richer than the leanness I hear from the Delos.  By far the most impressive thing I hear from the VDH is its ability to bring the recording venue into your room.  I've never heard a cartridge with the "air" the VDH Black  Beauty presents.

This may not be a fair comparison.  The VDH Black Beauty SPX is over twice the price of the Delos. I Don't by any means want to trash the Delos. At its price point it digs a lot of music from vinyl.

I differ with some who think the Delos has a tipped up top end.  I think it's top end extension is its strong point.  Rather what I hear is an exaggeration in the upper mid range which gives horns and strings the "etched" sound many don't care for.  In a "soft" system this may be additive but in a neutral or SS system it just sounds bright.

Regarding the difference you hear between old originals and reissues, stay away from any reissue label that does not use the original master tapes.  With the the change in EU copyright law there is a lot of trash coming out of Europe which claims to be audiophile on 180 gm vinyl. In reality most of that stuff is "mastered" from a cd.  Stick with labels like Pure Pleasure, the newer MFSLs, and Analog Productions.  To my ear Chad at Analog productions is doing the best job of anyone with reissues.  He is very pricey but his mastering is superb.