Lyra Delos vs EMT TSD 15

Here is a comparison between Zu-103R, AT33PTG & Delos on a VPI Classic turntable. No doubt that the Audio Technica has a very high cost-performance ratio.

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=vinyl&m=880112

>The lyras I have heard do have a kind of house sound

We aren't trying for a consistent house sound (other than always prioritizing dynamics, resolution and musical flow), and there are quite significant differences in the style of sound between different Lyra cartridges. For example, the Delos is a more youthful-sounding cartridge than the Kleos, and the Atlas is a more masculine-sounding cartridge than the Etna.

The Lyras have medium-high compliance (17~18mN around 8-10Hz), but also benefit from somewhat heavier tonearms. As long as the turntable suspension is stable and the tonearm has vertical bearings in the same plane as the LP (so that VTF doesn't change when the record moves the cartridge up and down), I prefer to keep the cartridge-tonearm low-frequency resonance at least in the lower 8Hz range, even lower if possible.

kind regards, jonathan carr

Can I just say it's a privilege to have JCarr on this thread. I am saying my observations from having had in my system - both the Helikon and the Clavis both for about 3 years apiece. I've unfortunately not had any of the more recent cartridges - so obviously I may well be wrong. That said i find most companies - ie Koetsu, Naim, Lavardin, Krell, Linn, Rega - all have a certain house sound, and it was in pursuance of this I made my post. I will add that I liked the sound of the Lyra's I had otherwise I would not have bought them for so much! What i wanted to convey to the original poster was that he is comparing two very different cartridges IMHO (and experience) which is going to leave several potential conflicts - ie if you were to compare products occupying a similar space in the market place it is a fairer comparison. I hope I did not offence, because I was simply seeking to be erudite without having to elaborate like I have done here

Lohanimal, could you elaborate on: "he is comparing two very different cartridges IMHO (and experience) which is going to leave several potential conflicts - ie if you were to compare products occupying a similar space in the market place it is a fairer comparison"? How do the cartridges differ? The descriptors I've read of both cartridges, as far as what they excel at, seems similar. I'd like to know more.

I like the TSD 15 on the NOS EMT 948 in my room. but I'd say it's only 'pretty good', not outstanding. I have not directly compared to a Lyra Delos, but from my experience listening to the Lyra Delos I would prefer it to what I hear from the TSD 15. to be fair, the EMT tonearm on the EMT 948 is likely a limitation to both the TSD 15 and the EMT 948.

I'd love to install the Durand Kairos on the EMT 948 at some point to see just what that package is capable of.

The myth is that all EMT T(X)DS 15 are the same. This is not
true because the new suspension and stylus are designed
meanwhile. The stylus is designed for the records (vinyl)
not for the material for cutting the grooves. It is now
called 'fine line'. Gyger II (aka Van den Hul) is abandoned.
Reto Andreoli was the first to criticize Van den Hul stylus
shape as inadequate for the records but only few payd attention.
I own the new 'golden' XSD 15 which tracks much better
(70 microns with 2,5 g) and sounds much better then
LZI or Shiraz ( Roksan version of the 'old' EMT with Gyger II ).
EMT wants obviously to keep the old myth a life.