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Lyra or ZYX ?

I am on a look out for an upgrade to my Denon 103pro. Primary requirement is Drive, pace and timing along with natural flow. I know both Lyra and ZYX cartridges are known for good pace and timing but which of them sounds more natural ? I listen to both Patricia Barber and Beatles alike so I want a cartridge which has that natural flow to music not just emphasizing shortcomings.

The reason I chose ZYX and Lyra and not a warm Benz or Grado is because I am also looking for a detailed cartridge. Within my budget I can look at with ZYX R100 Yatra or Lyra Delos.

Please share your experiences.
pani
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
The SME 3012 is more or less made for super soft compliance carts (For example Shure Systems at its time). The bearing of that Arm can't handle cartridges which moves energy into it. The Armbearing starts to "vibrate) and the result will be a smearing in the details. No audible dynamic stops-and go...but mainly you hear that with classical Ballet music....The Phantom Arm is ultrarigd for a Unipivot and one of those, where you can close a chapter.
pani OP
1,236 posts
 
Syntax, I was looking at a 47 Labs RS-A1 arm. It is affordable and quite well appreciated. Do you have any opinions about it ?
pani OP
1,236 posts
 
Syntax, you say that the SME 3012 was made for super soft carts but it has a effective mass of 14 grams, will that accomodate a high compliance cartridge like the Shure or Empire (compliance above 25) ?
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Hi Pani,
I have no experience with 47lab Arm. I always was on the way for serious solutions :-)
Well, one of my buddies owned such a 3012 Arm, he was total fanatic about it.
Until I loaned him a FR-64s. Then it was done for him, he sold his beloved 3012 immediately and got a good price (whatever this means), there is a big Fangroup for them.
My opinion? Don't waste your time with compromises...
pani OP
1,236 posts
 
Interesting reply :-). So you found the 47 labs tonearm too funny to try !

Anyway, Syntax, frankly I dont have the bandwidth to spend $5k on a tonearm. I suppose the kind of serious tonearms you are talking about are all $4k+, correct me if I am wrong. My maximum stretch budget will not exceed $2.5k, that too I am hoping I get a good price for my 3012. 47 labs is well within my budget and has got some nice user opinions. Then there are Jelcos but I am not sure if it is an upgrade over my existing arm. The point is, I do not know what to look for under $2.5k . FR64 is very well regarded I know, it could be an option. What else ?
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