Who does not like the Lyra Dorian?

Misskuma: yes I do have the correct impedance. It is probably a break in situation. It already is sounding better, however I can tell that Stringreen is right. The break in might be more like 60 hours for full effect. Probably 20 till it passes, but another 40 to make a complete determination.

Thanks all.
dave

Headsnappin has it right. Don't even think about definitive judgement until 60 (or more) hours. Of course, make sure all relevant adjustments and settings are correct. Good listening!

Only heard one once in a system I'd never heard before but it sounded exactly as you describe and the system owners eventually replaced it with a Denon DL-103(!).

I ran the Denon DL103 and the 103R for close to 10 years and it is one of my favorite cartridges. But in no aspect is the Denon a better cartridge than the Lyra Argo (i) I own.

On the other hand if one is looking for a laid back sound the Lyras are definitely the wrong direction. Especially the last generation of Lyra cartridges is lively, direct, detailed, a little forward, with great attack and decays. Even the tonal balance of the Argo find spot on and it captures drums and percussion more realistically than almost any cartridge I have heard.

In you case, a Shelter, Koetsu, or Denon DL103 may be more to your taste.

A brand new Dorian shouldn't be excessively bright. Right out of the box mine sounded very nice (on an RB300/Acoustic Solid Wood). By way of comparison, I also have an Oracle V/Graham 2.2 w/Nightingale running into the same phono stage and system. Tonally, the Nightingale - which is fully run in - was "lusher", but similar to the Dorian. Both are nicely detailed. The bottom end of the Dorian system was fuller and a bit "woollier", but this may well be the RB300.

Personally, I prefer the Graham and agree that the Dorian feels a bit more forward, but the Lyra sounds very good to my ear. I can't help wonder if the issue lies in system matching somewhere in your chain.

Well Martykl maybe the forwardness is a more accurate term than brightness. I can adjust brightness with lowering loading in the phono preamp, so that's not the problem. I am just getting used to a more merciless attack. The dorian (at this early stage) is still quite severe, at hour 13 of the break-in.

I also must say that I am used to a totally different sound: a Benz Ace. This might be part of the problem. But what a nice problem to have!