Lyra Helikon and Phd owners please


I have recently upgraded the cartridge from a Sumiko Blue Point 2 to a Lyra Helikon on a Rega RB 300 arm and Michell Gyrodec TT. The phonostage is a Sutherland Phd.With the Sumiko cart getting the Phd to wake up was a non issue :gently stroking the stylus, perhaps once or twice was enough and the Phd was ready to sing. With the Helikon nothing seems to work other than letting the stylus ride on the lp for 30/45 seconds.This is bothersome but not a big deal.Have tried setting the sensitivity control on the Phd( counter clockwise to increase it)but this only results in the yellow light (indicating that the cart is searching for a signal) coming on in the middle of a record and refusing to go off.
I wonder if any Lyra/Phd owners have encountered similar issues and what the possible soloution could be.
Many thanks and cheers
128x128sunnyboy1956
Hello My friend, it's Mark.
I thought I'd post my thoughts-ideas here, for not only you, but also perhaps others who own, or may own a Sutherland PhD in the future.

Some may remember that before, you had an issue with the Unit not wishing to shut down, when you were using the Bluepoint, with 2.5mv of output.

It does appear what you/we sourced the problem to (or at least we think this was what it was) was perhaps an inadequately shielded Cable, and that you were most likely picking up RFI, and keeping the Sutherland PhD awake.

This time it doesn't wake up! (You might have to start doing a final rinse LP rinse my friend with some strong coffee!? lol)

Realistically, I'm no Electronic Engineer, nor exactly know how, or where the Sentry is integrated into the Surtherland, but let me ask you this?

When the Sutherland does finally get up, and running, how is the output (Volume) with the Lyra Helikon compared to when you were running the Bluepoint 2 at roughly 50db of gain on the Sutherland?

What I'm thinking now, with the Helikon, with an output of a much lower .35mv (Or if you have the Helikon SL at .22mv) you possibly may not have the Gain set high enough at the Gain Boards (in other words, increase your gain to the highest setting you have on your Boards to try this) or my friend, you may possibly need the High Gain Boards?

I think I mentioned to you in private email not long ago, that I myself did decide to purchase the High Gain Boards from Elusive Disc (For me in the US, they were $74 Shipped)

Since Elusive Disc is a Sutherland Dealer, and the boss Bob Bantz quickly, and cheerfully answers his emails, from customers, he might be the best, and easiest person to get ahold of to see what he thinks, or can find out about this issue.

As you know, I myself didn't immediately have a need for the High Gain Boards since I'm running a Benz HO Glider, but thought that one day (Hopefully soon), I might have the need if upgrading to a Low Output MC like your Helikon, and figured I'd buy them now, while they were still readily available.

I'll try emailing Bob Bantz for you my friend. He'll reply soon, he's a great guy. I hope this helps, and we get you up, and running again quickly! Mark
The published spec for the Helikon is .6mv gain. This would be considered a medium-gain MC cartridge.
Hello Dgarretson/All
Sorry for any mis-information (I hate when I do that!) lol

Looking again at the reference I use, the MusicDirect 2007 Catalog, they have two specs for the Helikon. Under "thier" Cartridge Graph, they list it as .35mv, under thier Photo Ad for the Cartridge. they list .5mv, and at Elusive Disc, they list the standard Helikon at 4mv How come so much mis-information, and who gets it right? lol

I didn't see any listing on Lyra-Scan Tech site, but perhaps it's in the PDF User's Manuals there?

I'll take your word for it, and getting back to the issues at hand, I'm unsure if the original poster has compensated for the lower output of this Cartridge (whatever it really is! lol) versus his previous Sumiko Bluepoint 2, that this hopefully is the problem, and the adjustment to a higher setting on the Gain Boards, which is a simple unplug, rotate, and replug will solve his problem.

Otherwise, other than the initially used and evidently "RFI Laden" Cardas Golden Reference IC he was first using, and couldn't get the Unit to shut down, it appears he's had no other issues with his Sutherland PhD. Mark
Mark, My mistake as well! I see now that the Installation Instructions that came with my standard Helikon states .5mV output.