Hana Umami Red or Lyra Kleos?

Tablejockey, I like my traditional looking Classic 2 as well. I was real excited to get it after my old B&O Beogram 4002 finally was beyond repair after some forty years of constant use. I’d been wanting to upgrade to one for years.

I’m probably going to get the Lyra Kleos for it after the seller confirms it will work with my tonearm and integrated amp’s phono stage. I’m not anticipating any problems on that score, other than getting the dealer to answer the phone.

There are two models of the Lyra Kleos out there, the Kleos SL and the standard version. I’m fairly sure the regular Kleos is the one needed to complement my Luxman integrated amp’s phono stage, but need to get that confirmed before purchase. Appreciate your input on the Soundsmith Counter-Intuitive device. Take care.

Pilrem, that’s encouraging that your Lyra worked with our tonearm. Thanks. My turntable’s on a floating marble slab which seems to do the trick like your concrete floor in providing a stable base. Good to hear you’d buy another Lyra.

Mike

I have my Kleos mounted on a Well Tempered Black arm, this combo works very well. I think the SL version is best suited to someone who is able to use a SUT upstream of a ss phono stage…and nowhere near a tube phono stage. Otherwise, the standard version is the way to go, as it has a healthy voltage output.

skyscaper-

you haven't mentioned what cart you're upgrading from?

Lyra Kleos- you're in for a treat. Enjoy. 

Tablejockey, Thanks. I’m upgrading from an Ortofon 2M Black (moving magnet) cartridge. I spoke with the Lyros dealer today and should finalize the transaction tomorrow. I’ve someone lined up to do the turntable set up already too, so I’m excited and ready to go. Might have to wait for a couple to three weeks for it to arrive from Japan to the dealer, then ship here.

Interesting too the dealer who does turntable set ups on a regular basis, said the Lyros Kleo is manufactured and functions in such a way as it should not need a VPI dual pivot mod to work properly with a unipivot arm. They said they would be happy to sell one to me, but thought it was an unnecessary expense to incur.

Daveyf, the dealer concurred with you, the standard version is the way to go. It’s a few hundred dollars less than the Kleo SL too.

I’ll have to research alternatives to unipivot arms next for future reference. I’ll look up your Black Widow to see what that’s about since you mention you have one, not to mention it has such a cool name. Speaking of cool looks too, I was hoping the Hana Umami Red would have turned out to be first choice since it’ had the added benefit of matching my red couch and arm chair. Stupid stuff like that appeals to me.

Sadly, Soundsmith has not gotten back to me in a timely fashion. You snooze, you lose, as the saying goes, so they missed an opportunity and the Lyra Kleos it is. Can’t wait to hear it.

Mike

@skyacraper The arm I use is based on a liquid bearing. Designed back in the day by William Firebaugh, it is a unique design that does away with all bearing noise. The arm is also very lightweight, as such it works well on the Linn LP12 platform.