Lost on next upgrade from SME 20/2 + IV.Vi arm ...

Dear Jfrech: +++++ " I don't know what else to go for except maybe a Aesthetix Io.... " +++++

with that unit the cartridge signal has to pass at least for TEN stages/steps!!!! before amps.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

John, how about just getting a different cartridge?

Dear Dan_ed: The Lyra Scala is a very good quality performance MC cartridge even better that what the people think.

IMHO and as I see it a different cartridge could give John a different sound but not necessary what he is looking for. You have to think that in his today system the Scala signal has to pass for too many steps ( at least 9 before amps ) where not only is loosing original recording information ( that he can't recovery never again ) but in each step it is adding additional " wrong/bad information " that does not comes in the original recording.
IMHO what he or any one that cares about music sound reproduction ( and that invest high dollars in audio items ) is to take care ( extremely care ) to preserve in the best way the original cartridge signal because if not then what we are hearing?, certainly " sound " that is very far from what is in the recording because of loosed information and additional non-recording one.

That fact will be the same it does not matters which cartridge he is using, the real subject it is not on the Scala ( that I know he like it, who don't. ) but IMHO in the excessive cartridge signal manipulation.

Dan try to take/get a picture/photography with 9 veils in front of the " object " and you obtain an almost totally " cloudly " image that you can't say what it is, now take the same picture/object with only 3 veils: easy to understand!!, well that's all about ( other than the amp/speakers John's matching subject ). Of course this is only my opinion and advise about, the important subject is the opinion of John.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Jfrech,

I take it that you are not unhappy with the sound you are getting; you just want a little "more." Well, there is to me, good news and bad news. First, there is no obvious weak points to your system (good), but that means that there is no obvious means of "improving" it either (bad). The little more dynamics and soulfulness you want may not be easily achievable without a radical change to the whole system.

I personally think that the SME 20/2 and the SME arm are a terrific combination so it is hard to say any other combination would be an obvious upgrade.

However, I do have some suggestions on possible avenues to explore. I agree with Raul that looking into a new phonostage is a reasonable approach. That certainly minimizes the complications of having to make wholesale changes to other parts of your system. There is an incredible variety of available phono stages and the "best" for you is not necessarily the most expensive so do not think that you are limited to looking at something in a certain price range (like the Io) as the only logical "upgrade."

A more adventurous approach would be to consider another amplifier. The liveliness and soulfulness you are looking for might be provided by something like an OTL amp. Atmasphere comes to mind because your BAT preamp has balanced outputs. Good OTLs sound a whole lot more alive and exciting than most other forms of amplification (good SETs also do this, but are limited to use with very efficient speakers). I use a SET amplifier myself, but, my speakers are 99 db/watt efficient and I don't need really high volume level. With more "real world" applications, I like OTLs (provided you can stand the heat).

HI Raul,

I wasn't meaning to suggest there is anything wrong with the Lyra. I get the impression that John is just looking for a change in sound. As others have said his system is very good and I think that much of what he might replace would just change the sound, not necessarily make it better. So I was thinking that it might be the least costly solution if he was just to try a different cartridge.