Lyra Lambda Atlas/Etna

@edgewear , does it come with a stylus guard ?

Nope, would be difficult with nothing to attach it to. It’s the main reason why (dis)mounting it is such a nerve wrecking affair. But worth it!

Mijostyn, do we imagine that any of the very best cartridges are manufactured by a machine? I think they’re all ultimately hand made. Also, you’re a fan of Schroeder tonearms, many if not most of which are made of wood. Tonearm changing shape would be much more consequential than cartridge changing shape. Metals change dimensions due to temperature changes too, so I would not be concerned about a wood body cartridge unless it sounds bad.

Since the load resistance is a function of the phono stage circuit as well as of the cartridge choice, I wonder how Allaerts can make such a definitive statement about how properly to load their cartridges (“845 ohms”).

Dear @mijostyn :  +1 ​​​​​​@edgewear who really is lucky with those platinum coils, as he said a collector item.

@lewm you only have to ask J.Allaerts here: 

http://www.jallaerts.be/

R.

@lewm , it depends on the manufacturer. With Ortofon only final assembly is done by hand. I would bet the same goes for Lyra. The bodies are more likely CNCed. 

My Schroder is Carbon. But, when he uses wood the wood is a very high density wood that is resin impregnated so it is very stable to humidity.

Metal is no where near as unstable to temperature as wood is to humidity. A 12" maple board will expand over 1/8th inch going from 20% to 50%. Imagine a crack in your table 1/8th inch wide. Metal might change a thou increasing the temp 100 degrees. (depending on the metal) Some woods are more stable than others like White Oak and Honduran Mahogany are very stable thus their use in boats. 

@rauliruegas , Have you heard a MSL Signature Platinum?