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Suggestions to upgrade from Lyra Delos

Greetings again folks:

I've done a bunch of tweaking and fiddling with my Thorens TD124 including a new arm (Jeff Spall), Audio Silente bushings and other minor things.  I love my Delos in general, but I feel like it's missing something.  It's very detailed, fast, tight bass, good channel separation and soundstage (in general, feels a bit compressed front to back) but I feel like I'm missing that 'thing.'  Of course it could just be perception on my part, but I don't have much to compare with so that is the intent of this thread.

The rig:

Thorens TD124 Mk1 w/Mk II mods
Jeff Spall (Audiomods UK) Tonearm,v6
Lyra Delos, with Microridge stylus (original, not rebuilt)
Hagerman Audio Labs Trumpet MC (Loaded at 110 Ohms)
Stax SRM-007T Headphone Amp with Stax Lambda Nova Signature headphones

I'd like to stay under $5K as well and would prefer a similar cost to the Delos ($2K) if possible, but willing to invest more in a different experience if that experience is better.

I realize this is a highly subjective ask.  I would appreciate responses from those that have gone from or to a Delos and what you went to / from.  I'm certainly considering the Kleos or a used Etna (if I can find one in the price range) but again, would like to try another direction to experience a broader range of sound signatures.

Thank you, in advance, for any suggestions.

128x128dducat
dducat's avatar
dducat OP
40 posts
 
@dover - what I feel like I'm missing is 'roundness' of the overall sound presentation.  It presents well and is highly detailed.  It just doesn't feel 'musical' to me, I guess.  It's hard to explain really.

@solypsa - I have the most recent version, with the 15VDC wall wart power supply.  I think it sounds good - dead quiet, no over-coloration.  Again, I wish I could have pulled the trigger on a Herron, but I haven't been able to do that.  At least, not yet.

I do have designs on a Schroeder or Kuzma arm in the future.  I had forgotten that the Audiomods arm comes with a larger mass cartridge mounting plate, so I'm going to try that, for the moment, to see if there's any audible difference.  
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
Good plan. Meanwhile its possible that trying a higher quality 15vdc linear power supply on the Trumpet could raise it higher in SQ ( like the Farad ) but Hagermann is a very savvy designer so who knows...
larryi
4,101 posts
 
Whenever I hear someone say they are looking for a cartridge that is more musical vs. detailed, I think that the person is looking for something that sounds harmonically rich or "dense" such as Koetsu or certain Ortofon and Grado cartridges.  The downside to these richer sounding cartridges is a sense of the cartridge being a bit muddy or "sluggish."  If you are not looking for an extreme contrast to your Lyra (which a Koetsu certainly would be), perhaps a Dynavector XX-2 might be of interest.
dducat's avatar
dducat OP
40 posts
 
@larryi 

The other problem is that I don't know what I don't know.  I don't have much experience beyond my Lyra (other than a Denon 103R) since I've gotten back into the hobby after decades of being away from it.  I'm aware of the Dynavector XX-2, but have never heard one.

I certainly don't want to be 'sluggish' and I would not trade detail and speed for 'warmth' and 'sluggish.'   There may not be another option, per se, and I'm ok with that, but I thought I would reach out to this group to see if there were any similar experiences and/or advice which I've gotten a great deal of - so, thank you all for that.
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
My experience with a Delos ( one time for a client ) is that it is a great cart, however In this instance it wasn't as deep or 'fleshed out' in the bass as some others and this imho is required for a sense of 'richness'.
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