Lyra Delos or Transfiguration Axia or ?

Ooops, I read Theo's response as the original post. My apologies to the OP.

Yes, the Delos is a fantastic cart and if the numbers look right (resonant frequency for your tonearm/Delos combo), it's a no brainer. I have the Delos on my VPI Classic and listen almost exclusively to jazz and I cannot get over how good this cart is every time I lower the stylus onto the record. Simply amazing.

I agree wholeheartedly about the delos..I have been running mine in for about a week..it's stunning-good. Light years ahead of the dynavector 17D3 I was using. I wonder how much better the kleos is - must...fight...upgrade...bug..
cheers,
byron

Thank's for all the advice, (you too Bill) I bought the Delos....but my TT does not arrive till Sept. 22. Lots of time to contemplate my next upgrade...I mean buy more lps.... lucky I'm going backpacking for 2 weeks, I'll save a ton of money!

Gandme,

I haven't heard the Delos, but, I am pretty confident you will like what you purchased. I've owned a Lyra Lydian and a Helikon, and I currently have a Titan. All were/are great cartridges, all are very long lasting (the Helikon is in a friend's system and it has been going strong for close to 2,500 hours of use), and built to close tolerances (cantilever/stylus straight and true, very close channel balance).

My other cartridge is the Transfiguration Orpheus L. This too is a terrific cartridge. This is the first Transfiguration cartridge that I've owned; so far, it has been terrific. I have heard the lower cost Phoenix and really liked its performance -- very lively, with the kind of midrange presence and clarity that particularly suited jazz recordings. That might be a candidate for the next step up.

I just mounted a new Delos 10 minutes ago in my SME 309 on an Avid Diva II. I have had a Dorian and recently an Argo i - and an Axia. I prefer the sound of the Lyras, although it is waay too early to say anytning about the Delos.

The Axia and Dorian were in a VPI Scout/JMW 9 turntable - and the Dorian was just so pleasant compared to the Axia.

So far the Delos has a great bass, great midrange, but a not so nice and pleasant treble, but I am sure it will come through in a few days. I am only loading it with 100 Ohm on vdH mc-501 tonearmcable - this could explain the treble...