Anyone using a Lyra Delos yet?

Hi Shyander:

My experience is that tonearm cables tend to be around 100pF per meter, while those specified as "low-capacitance" may be around 50pF per meter.

If your phono cable is 1.2 - 1.5m (common lengths) and isn't spelled out as being low-capacitance, I'd suggest that a "safe" value is 360-330 ohms, but you could go up to 390 or 410 if you want more dynamics and sparkle. If your system tends towards brightness, or you desire a sound which is closer to a "Row M" seat at a concert hall rather than "Row A", you could use heavier loading (smaller resistance values).

I believe that the SME3009 has a detachable tonearm cable, and if so you could use a capacitance meter to check the capacitance value (or perhaps ask a TV or electronics repair shop to measure for you).

But don't worry overly much about the numerical value of the load. There is no point is using a loading value that is numerically correct if the resulting sound makes you want to turn off your system.

I'd suggest that you eventually acquire some low-capacitance cable and then revisit your loading values. Chances are that you will be able to use less loading, which should give you more dynamic range, wider timbral range, and better resolution.

hth, jonathan

Hi Jcarr:
I got my Delos last week and quickly put it on my system. The installation was so easy and effortless. The initial sound quality is elegant and detail which is the advantage of MC cartridge. I have two questions that I need from you:
1. I put the tracking force as 1.75grams, but the clearance between the cartridge and vinyl is so small that I feel the Delos white cloth is almost touch the record. Is that normal?
2. My phono stage has de-magnetiser feature, should I use it with Lyra MC cartridge?
Thanks.

i like the delos as well! great cart even out of the box.

Hi Shyander:

Apologies for the delay in replying.

1. If your tracking force gauge is showing an accurate 1.75 grams and the white paper at the bottom of the Delos is nearly touching the LP, the suspension probably should be tightened up a bit.

If you think there may be a problem, put the Delos back into its box, put in a label that says "low rider", and give it back to your dealer so that they can return it to us. We will be happy to take a look at the Delos and take care of any problem. Most likely it is only an adjustment issue that won't require much time to correct.

2. As long as the "de-magnetiser" circuit is working properly, feel free to use it with the Delos (or any other Lyra MC cartridge). Since we don't use Alnico magnets (which are much less capable of resisting demagnetization than samarimum-cobalt or neodymium), there should be no problem when using either passive or active "de-magnetising".

Quotes because IMO "de-magnetiser" gives an erroneous impression of what these types of circuits actually do to a cartridge.

BTW, as part of a multi-cartridge review, Wayne Garcia recently reviewed the Delos in the pages of The Abso!ute Sound. IMO he wrote a fair, even-handed review which accurately sums up the Delos' abilities (including his last sentance, which summarizes my goals for designing the Delos). You can read Wayne's review on-line, and the link is as follows (paste entire link into URL window):

http://www.avguide.com/review/benz-micro-slr-gullwing-denon-dl-103-lyra-delos-ortofon-mc-rondo-red-tas-206

best to all, jonathan

I have a Delos in an ET II tonearm on a VPI TNT, installed it last April. Herron VTPH2 phono stage, muse signature 3 preamp, Marantz SMS 11 amp, Audio Artistry Vivaldi speakers. It took some time to get the Delos set up right, but now it sings. Very easy to listen too, no fatiguing at all. Plenty of detail and low level micro dynamics. Most decent LP's just bloom. I can't imagine a "hot stamper" sounding any better. Now that it's settled in, listening to records is more like listening to people play music, rather than just listening to music, a distinction I hope I'm conveying correctly. I've had Van Den Huls, a Helikon and Grados, and this baby is my favorite cartridge so far, by a large margin.