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Lyra Helikon upgrade

Having lived very happily with my Helikon for 2 years, I am now contemplating an upgrade, the helikon tracks great has bags of detail and imaging. On good recordings it is fantastic, however I would like something a little more full bodied for those recordings that are less than perfect. My TT is an sme 10 with a iv arm. Currently I am interested in the Lyra Skala, and the benz LP is also on my list.
Thanks for any input...
Happy listening
sme10
r_f_sayles's avatar
r_f_sayles
872 posts
 
A great choice. I feel your on the right track and will most certainly be getting exactly what your looking for. The Benz Lp having a line contact stylus will also give you the benefit of not compromising a glowing full body for lack of detail, air, soundstage, or lack of groove noise. Happy Listening to you!
jfrech's avatar
jfrech
1,816 posts
 
Hi, a few years ago when I had a SME 20/2 and SME IV.Vi, I went from the Helicon to the Skala. This is a nice change exactly where you want it. Keep all the detail and imaging you love, but add even more transparency. Then you get a warmth that I was missing from the helicon like you.

I think the Lyra's are a great match for the SME arms and tables.

I posted a review awhile back, it's here:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ranlg&1156080228

Lyra also has a replacement for the Helicon, it's on their website, called the Kleos. I have not heard this cartridge yet.

Maybe Jonathan Carr will chime in here or a Kleos owner.

I am on my 2nd Skala now and it's my 4th Lyra I've owned (lydian beta, Helicon, 2 skalas). I've always been curious about other cartridges but never ever get serious.

I'd love to hear a Olympos, I'm guessing even at it's lofty price level I might make a impulse purchase!

Good luck, let us know what you decide on and the ultimate result as it breaks in.

Thanks !
dgarretson
2,613 posts
 
I took a Helikon to 2000 hours and went for Soundsmith's best retip to the stock boron cantilever. This was a worthwhile gamble: apparently the suspension has a longer lifespan than the stylus. The long wait for the retip gave me an opportunity to jump on the train of Raulireugas's long thread about NOS MM/MI cartridges. The best of these will give you what you're looking for and leave lots of cash to upgrade your phono stage.
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