@audiofeil when you ran Delos on the Triplaner, did you use damping fluid ???
right now I am running without it...but....??????
thanks for input
Jim |
I have a question, first, I have the Lyra Delos cart and my Tonearm mass category is from mid-heavy to heavy. Is my Delos compliance with my Tonearm? Thank you. |
Good to hear, Pani. Always a tricky thing with pieces of gear you can't readily audition in your system.
Keep us posted on the Delos. |
Actusreus, I forgot to add, the RCM is a superb phonostage. Please do not drop it from your shortlist because of my Delos issue. I have heard the RCM in at least 6 different carts including the ZYX 4D and it is one heck of a phonostage. Very quiet, clean, open, dynamic with an almost natural tube like midrange. |
Actusreus, I will let it burn in more.
Dover, I am upgrading the motor of my Platine so my standby Technics is playing these days. |
Pani - what happened to your Nouvelle Platine Verdier |
Pani,
I'd suggest you give the cart a bit longer to break in, even though mine sounded great right out of the box, but even better after it broke in. I'm not familiar with the other cartridges you listed, but the Delos sounds very well balanced to me, which perhaps could be perceived as "bony" perhaps? I had sibilance issues with male vocals with my previous Soundsmith Aida so I can say with confidence the Delos does not exhibit sibilance issues, at least to my ear.
Btw, I'm also considering the Sensor Prelude so I'm a bit concerned now after reading your post. How long have you had it and what do you think of it? I don't mean to hijack the thread, but since it's now impossible to contact members directly, this seems to be the only way to ask for input. |
I recently got a Delos. Have done about 50 hours. I find the sound to be too bony (less meat)/threadbare. There is also an extra sizzle in the treble that distracts me. I am using it on a Technics SL-1200 TT with its stock arm. Here are the configurations I have tried:
VTF: 1.7, 1.75, 1.8 grams
Impedance loading: 47 kohms, 400 ohms, 200 ohms
VTA: almost neutral
My phonostage is a RCM Sensor Prelude.
I do not have the tools to measure the exact angle at which the stylus sits on the record (I know it is critical) but having tried various VTF, I did not hear any improvement in the areas that I am concerned. The threadbareness and sizzling treble is always there. Is it a matter of break-in ?
As reference I also use a ZYX RS30, Empire EDR9 and in the past Denon 103pro, none of these had these issues. Any suggestions on what could be going on ? |
Actus,
1mm gap sounds normal to me. Mine was adjusted as the washi paper was touching the vinyl during playback, dragging up dustball at end of side sometimes. Since the adjustment, I have roughly 1mm gap. |
Actus, no problem buddy.:)
I could imagine a few users returning their carts for remedial action but you wonder if that's the right thing to do in all(?) cases. Does this mean the manufacturer would crank up the suspension to compensate - giving the impression of a cart with too little VTF but excellent ground clearance. If so, ostensibly, that would defeat Lyra's original design intent while gratifying the customer.
At least the washi paper doesn't pick up many passengers i.e. fluff, when it happens, tends to stick mostly to the cantilever?
I have to admit that despite the restrictive nature of Lyra's setup recommendations for their new generation of carts, the results have been "textbook accurate". Horizontal VTA seems to give perfect results with a downforce of 1.75-1.76g (for me anyway). |
Thanks Moonglum. The cantilever looks to be perfectly perpendicular to the red front magnet carrier so I guess it's not a low rider and just as it's supposed to be. The sound certainly seems to be confirming it, haha! |
Actus. The manual states that when in use the cantilever should appear to be at 90 degrees to the front face. This seems to be the case when the cart is "low riding" (by this I mean the sort of "ground" clearances you describe).
Mine is the same but I've yet to hear it collide with any severe warps. My previousa cart didn't offer any more clearance than this either.
With warped discs it can be a little bit unnerving at times though...
Hope this helps..................M. |
I have a question about low riders. What exactly a low rider makes? My Delos sounds superb, but I noticed that it rides a little lower than it did when I first bought it (or at least it appears so to me, but I wouldn't stake my life on it :) It's possible that the suspension settled after about half a year of weekend use. There is about a millimeter, or close to it, of clearance between the record surface and the lowest part of the cartridge. Would this be classified as a low rider? Is this a problem that should be addressed with the dealer? |
"Does Jonathan Carr know why they discontinued the Dorian?...err.. replaced it with the Delos?"
Yep, he is the designer. Have your heard the Delos? As you may have read, the Delos is warmer without loosing the detail.
Robert |
Does Jonathan Carr know why they discontinued the Dorian?...err.. replaced it with the Delos?
I LOVE my Dorian (S/N DR0098)and after 5 years my only complaint is that the Washi Paper needs to be replaced! :) |
Thanks for your reply.
1.8 did not solve it and I have checked the alignment. I brought the rear of the arm down as well. It may be less pronounced but it is still there. Otherwise the Kleos is quite nice. It has 3 or 4 hours on it now. I do not hear misstracking on high level passages, just sibilance and sometimes some grunge on male vocals. It is not on all vocals but it is fairly common.
I will start another thread as this is supposed to be Delos related.
Robert |
>>12-30-10: Robob
I am hearing some sibilance that probably should not be there so I may need to go to 1.8g as I am a bit below that.<<
This is undoubtedly a tonearm, not cartridge, related issue. Or the alignment is imprecise.
I track Kleos in 3 tonearms at 1.75g or less without any issues.
Dealer disclaimer |
So, nothing yet from JC but I bought the Kleos anyway.
OMG! This is apparently the cartridge the Sig 9/Scoutmaster needed in my system. Has stronger upper highs than my Shelter 501 II, speed/slam, really nice bottom end, full (not overdone) mids, AND plenty of detail without being harsh. I heard reverb on Paul McCartney's voice in places I had not heard before. Guitars are wonderful and the way this cart reproduces piano is probably illegal.
About the speed, as many of you have probably experienced, often you get speed in the form of the leading edge of the note but not the fullness or the decay. The Kleos gets it all. More of the "In the room" bit than I am used to hearing form this system.
I am hearing some sibilance that probably should not be there so I may need to go to 1.8g as I am a bit below that. Also at 100ohms and it probably needs more. Left the VTA where the Shelter was so there is probably some work to be done there. Overall it is a shade raw sounding but I suspect that is a breakin and setup issue. It is not what I would call harsh.
Y'all be cool,
Robert |
Just mounted a Delos on my SME 309 tonearm with vdHul D-501 Hybrid cable from the armbase to my Audio Research PH3 RIAA. So far I am loading with 100 Ohm tantal resistors. The vdH cable has a capacitance of 75 pF/m - I have no idea og the capaciatance of the internal wire in the arm - anyone?
So according to the manual my load should be in the 200-390 Ohm range - pending what total capacitance is - I just read that it is a total of 155 pF - giving a load range of 330-160 Ohm. Gotta try this, when it has a bit more mileage on it... |
I too am thinking of putting a Delos or a Keos on a Scoutmaster with JMW 9 Signature. I have the VPI/Dynavector cart on one wand and a Shelter 501 II on another. To add weight I had my dealer add a shim (from VPI I believe)between the cart and the arm.
The VPI/Dynavector is devoid of highs to my 55yr old ears compared to cd's or DVDA through the same amp/speakers. The Shelter lacks dynamics, noticeable on drum hits and the like. I have tried different cables, phono preamps and loadings.
Maybe Mr. Carr can lend us his thoughts on this combo or has someone actually tried it? Not looking for utmost detail, need upper highs and some slam with somewhat warm mids. Seems as Delos and Keos might have those characteristics.
Thanks,
Robert |
..Having said that, tracking seems to be improving as the cartridge runs in. I revisited the HFN/RR test disc without changing anything (minimal adjust on the bias) and it seemed to have almost cleared the 2nd band this time, only an hour or so after the previous check. (I've reached a staggering 5 hrs on the clock now).
The Delos does naturally sit low, but my last cart had about the same ground clearance at this stage. Provided the suspension doesn't settle any further or start colliding with warps it should be tolerable.
I've been playing my worst albums - albums which normally don't excite the listener too much for whatever rationalisations e.g. suspected "poor pressing", and the Delos is turning each into "a performance". There have been more than a few spellbinding moments.
Cheers..............M. |
Paperw8 : "You'll get better dynamics but i think that 470 ohms is a bit bright. i had previously been using an effective load impedance of about 363 ohms. i am currently using an effective load impedance of 455 about ohms but may go back to 363 ohms after a while."
Indeed...my findings also Pw8. 220 initially seemed a little too bright but I had a feeling VTA needed further dialling in and it's pretty much there now. Azimuth and bias have taken some time because it's such a tolerant cartridge. Now that it's nearly there it's starting to sound like a very smooth tracker....Even though my MMIII has a similar stylus profile it's much more critical before it snaps into focus. It's a pleasure to "rediscover" MC with the Delos. It's my first Lyra but may not be the last...
I agree with the guys who say take the HFN/RR test disc tracking tests with a pinch of salt. The Lyra appears unexceptional when tracing test tracks (at the average VTF) but on music sounds unshakeable without necessarily having everything dialled in yet.
Best.....................M. |
i measured the capacitance of the tonearm cable by disconnecting the cable from the cartridge terminals and measuring capacitance at the +/- leads of the rca connector with a multimeter.
this discussion has become badly confused. the tonearm cable presents a capacitance across the +/- leads of the rca input at the phono stage. jonathan carr provided an explanation on how this can influence the performance of your phono stage in a previous comment in this thread, so i would encourage interested parties to look through some of jonathan's earlier comments because he gave a really good explanation that i am not going to attempt to repeat here.
in any event, a capacitance measured across the +/- leads at the rca input of the phono stage represents a capacitance that would be *in parallel* with the capacitance presented by the tonearm cable. therefore, you can get a measure of the effective capacitance at the rca input by *adding* the capacitance of the tonearm cable and the capacitance measured across the +/- leads of the rca input. you can then use that effective capacitiance in conjunction with the instructions the come with the lyra delos cartridge to set the input impedance level at the phono stage.
just because you can see a 220pf capacitor on the circuit board does not mean that the capacitance across the +/- leads of the rca input is 220pf. in my case, i attempted to measure the input capacitance at the whest phono stage with the power turned off because i was hoping for a simple measurement. it is simply not worth my while to attmept to model the effective capacitance of active devices on the circuit board to come up with a presumably more "precise" value; first, i don't have a schematic of the phono stage circuit board, and second, i wouldn't spend the time to come up with such a capacitance estimate if i did have the schematic.
given the amount of confusion that seems to have arisen, i would suggest that those who have a triplanar tonearm use a capacitance value of about 80pf for the 1 meter tonearm cable and assume the input capacitance of the phono stage to be 0pf. then you can use the 80pf value with the lyra delos instructions and set the phono stage input impedance accordingly. |
>>12-04-10: Dcarol
The fact that the Whest phonostages play MM is an aside as James says 'at this level people should be using MC'<<
That is pretentious BS on his part.
I own a half dozen moving magnets from the 70's and 80's that will kick the sh** out of many moving coils.
And I use them with far better phono preamps than his. |
just got an answer from James at whest regarding the capacitance value question and more. It seems that he has had quite a few emails regarding this subject.
I was right in thinking that without the 220pf the MM would sound wrong. As I thought, it's known anyway that the capacitance loading is to do with MM and not so important with MC. Varying capacitance on MM makes a very big difference in sound but not so with MC.
James says the most important aspect of design is 'information retrieval' and the only way around that is knowing what is 'coming in'.
I do get his reasoning and him likening basic knowledge of electronics to the basic knowledge of engine design. Many can understand getting 100hp from an engine but it takes a real understanding of all the component parts to get 500hp from the same block.
What I did not know was the input stage design of all the Whest phonostages except the small whestTWO are all designed for MC use. Meaning the impedances are geared towards low loading values - giving their lowest noise levels with low loads. The majority of phonostages out there are MM style with input - high resistance values/ impedances which is why many are noisier or sound poorer with MC loads. The fact that the Whest phonostages play MM is an aside as James says 'at this level people should be using MC'. |
Paperw8
The input capacitance MUST be 220pf because I used to use an MM cartridge on my PS.30R. MM cartridges require capacitance as you know, that's why they are there. dropping the 220pf and you'll have a really crappy sound on MM. I know because I took out my 220pf from my older PS.20 loading plugs and the sound was like a cheap 1920's gramophone.
MC cartridges don't really need capacitance but resistor loading. There is a big debate out there about required capacitance for MC. I have a friend who is an avid DIYer and he increased the input capacitance of his homebrew stage from 200pf to 1nf in 5 steps while using an old Linn Troika. Nothing really happened. But changing the load from 100ohms to 1k ohms in 5 steps made a massive difference at every step.
Also if you check inside the Whest 30R you will see 2 polypropylene 220pf capacitors at the RCA connectors. I think you may be doing the wrong thing or just totally forgotten 4th grade science.
I sort of remember in school physics that measuring resistance in parallel with capacitance will give you the reactance or a reactance measurement but trying to measure correct capacitance with a resistor across it is pretty hard if not impossible.
How do you measure the capacitance of your tonearm cable??? You must have to load it with a fixed resistor, measure the reactance and do the math to get the capacitance value.
I have found that loading does affect dynamics and presentation but needs to be set for the system and room. There are no hard fast rules with loading as moving the whole system to another room may need a different lading system because of the room. |
12-03-10: Moonglum
Thanks for that Paperw8.....I'm currently using a load of 220 with the PS0.3r and it sounds pretty good even though I'm still running in the cart, but you've intrigued me so I will try something approaching the 470 setting.
you'll get better dynamics but i think that 470 ohms is a bit bright. i had previously been using an effective load impedance of about 363 ohms. i am currently using an effective load impedance of 455 about ohms but may go back to 363 ohms after a while. |
Thanks for that Paperw8.....I'm currently using a load of 220 with the PS0.3r and it sounds pretty good even though I'm still running in the cart, but you've intrigued me so I will try something approaching the 470 setting.
Best................M. |
11-30-10: Moonglum
11-29-10: Paperw8
"from where you are getting your data on input capacitance? my whest manual provides no information on input capacitance. an input capacitance of 220pf sounds a bit high even for a moving magnet section."
-----------------
James Henriot.
i checked this out and got the sense that mr. henriot did not measure the capacitance across the +/- leads at the input rca connectors. but in any event, whatever capacitance value(s) you choose to use, the instructions that come with the lyra delos provide guidelines for how to set the input impedance at the phono stage. for what it's worth, if you tell the people at whest that you are using a lyra delos cartridge, they will typically configure the ps.30 for a load impedance value of 470 ohms. |
11-29-10: Paperw8
"from where you are getting your data on input capacitance? my whest manual provides no information on input capacitance. an input capacitance of 220pf sounds a bit high even for a moving magnet section."
-----------------
James Henriot.
-----------------
"Speaking of the whest manual, i will point out that there is an error in the chart that shows the latest (post 1 jan 09) load settings. the figure in the manual indicates that DIP switch position 4 selects a 1k ohm resistor, when in reality it is a 1.6k ohm resistor. if you look at the values indicated on the actual circuit board, it too indicates that this switch position is 1.6k ohm - the circuit board is correct and the manual is incorrect."
---------------
Useful info....
Cheers..................M. |
In my system, the only thing digital do better is noise.
Vinyl is better in every other aspect. The bass reproduction in analog chain is easily compromised: proper setup and acoustic feedback being most critical. |
11-29-10: Moonglum
100pf seems extraordinarily low for the RDT? My ps0.3r has a 220pF input C, while the 0.5m cable is assumed to be around 50pF Giving me a total of 270pF. By way of contrast a Trichord Diablo is way up there at 1.1nF(?) but as Audiofeil says it doesn't matter to MCs anyway.
from where you are getting your data on input capacitance? my whest manual provides no information on input capacitance. an input capacitance of 220pf sounds a bit high even for a moving magnet section. at any rate, once you figure out the input capacitance that you intend to use, my previous comments about setting the phono stage input load impedance will make more sense if you read the instructions that come with the lyra delos cartridge. you will find that having an estimate for the input capacitance is relevant if you want to set the load impedance at the phono stage. speaking of the whest manual, i will point out that there is an error in the chart that shows the latest (post 1 jan 09) load settings. the figure in the manual indicates that DIP switch position 4 selects a 1k ohm resistor, when in reality it is a 1.6k ohm resistor. if you look at the values indicated on the actual circuit board, it too indicates that this switch position is 1.6k ohm - the circuit board is correct and the manual is incorrect. |
100pf seems extraordinarily low for the RDT? My ps0.3r has a 220pF input C, while the 0.5m cable is assumed to be around 50pF Giving me a total of 270pF. By way of contrast a Trichord Diablo is way up there at 1.1nF(?) but as Audiofeil says it doesn't matter to MCs anyway. |
>>11-28-10: Paperw8
i would say that 100pf is a pretty good estimate for the total input capacitance value to use when you set your phono stage input load impedance<<
Actually due to the extremely-low self-inductance of a moving coil cartridge, capacitance is basically irrelevant.
This is the reason you seldom, if ever, see capacitance adjustments for moving coils on phono stages.
Please refer to my experience comments in previous post. |
for anyone who has a triplanar tonearm, i measured the capacitance of the 1 meter rca cable that triplanar provides with the triplanar tonearm and got a capacitance value in the 70pf to 80pf range (taking into account the accuracy of my multimeter). the input of my phono preamplifier adds about 10pf to 15pf. so in my case the total capacitance (cable and phono stage input) is in the 80pf to 95pf range. so if you are using a triplanar tonearm with your lyra delos cartridge i would say that 100pf is a pretty good estimate for the total input capacitance value to use when you set your phono stage input load impedance according to the instructions that come with the cartridge. |
11-28-10: Moonglum
Hi Paperw8...the Whest manual merely says "0.6mV-0.35mV = 55db setting", "0.4mV-0.25mV = 60db"(personally I would have written these numbers in reverse but never mind :o) Given that Lyra requests a "0.6mV or less" input, 55 chose itself. I hear what you're saying about low throughput. My concern was driving the phono stage into saturation.
55dB is a very workable setting with the lyra delos. i tried that setting and had no difficulty. for me it was just a matter of preference that i wanted to provide a signal that was at least equal to the input sensitivity of the preamplifier. but i think that jonathan can provide some useful observations on this point. driving the whest into saturation isn't a problem. i have used 65dB gain with the lyra delos without difficulty. i would expect the whest to be able to provide a signal output level of at least 2v. the problem that you can run into is that you send a really "hot" signal to the preamplifier. then the output volume can get pretty loud even when you have the volume at the 9 o'clock position. not only can that make it more difficult to finely control the volume level, but it would make the volume adjustment way out of line with other sources that you might send to the preamplifier. |
Paperw8 :
"55dB will send a signal of about 1/3 volt to the preamplifier where 60dB sends a signal of about 0.6 volts to the preamplifier."
Hi Paperw8...the Whest manual merely says "0.6mV-0.35mV = 55db setting", "0.4mV-0.25mV = 60db"(personally I would have written these numbers in reverse but never mind :o) Given that Lyra requests a "0.6mV or less" input, 55 chose itself. I hear what you're saying about low throughput. My concern was driving the phono stage into saturation. (Although designs like this tend to have plenty of headroom)
What is the Lyra anyway? About 450uV? Probably close enough to 60db to be inconsequential :o) |
25 years of experience makes you a young man dodgealum.
There's plenty of time remaining to find it.
Good luck to you and the weight. |
It hasn't been my experience either. Twenty five years, at least a half dozen different turntable/tonearm combinations with at least a twenty different cartridges. Some dealer set up and some by me using various alignment tools. To my ear vinyl beats digital in some very important areas but not in bass authority, impact and weight. Heresy? Maybe, but I'm with Paperw8 on this one. |
>>11-28-10: Paperw8
that hasn't been my experience.<<
Fair enough.
You need more experience. |
11-28-10: Moonglum
Paperw8, I'm also starting to use a Delos into the Whest (although not the dual transformer version) on the 55db setting.
55dB will send a signal of about 1/3 volt to the preamplifier where 60dB sends a signal of about 0.6 volts to the preamplifier. the difference is that in the former case you will have to turn the volume control higher to achieve a given sound pressure level from your speakers. as far as i can tell, a lot of it is a matter of preference and matching signal amplitude levels with other sources. in my case, my preamplifier has an input sensitivity of 0.5 volt and i wanted to make the signal amplitude level from the phono stage comparable to that of my cd player. that said, from what i've observed, using the minimum phono stage gain value seems advantageous since you can compensate in the preamplifier, which works with a large signal than that coming from the cartridge. as to on-the-fly vta adjustment capability, i suppose the idea is that the tonearm makes the adjustment so gradually that it doesn't damage the cartridge, but i am still disinclined to use the capability. i don't do vta on a per-record basis either although a good vta can make a noticeable difference in sound reproduction. it can be a bit of a hassle because depending on how much you change the vta you might also have to readjust the vtf. i pretty much set the vtf in the middle of the range so that the tonearm stays stable on difficult-to-track records. |
11-28-10: Audiofeil
No cd player can approach the bottom end of a properly set-up vinyl front end.
that hasn't been my experience. |
Paperw8, I'm also starting to use a Delos into the Whest (although not the dual transformer version) on the 55db setting. I sympathise with the value-for-money argument that this design represents.
I must admit that I agonised over the best choice of VTA vs VTF with this cartridge given Jonathan's recommendations. My arm has VTA adjustment capability on-the-fly but, like many others, I'm disinclined to constantly mess around with it. So, I was initially thinking 150g record as a ref with VTF at 1.75g and allowing a slight deviation on 120g/180g. Since most of my records are 120g I finally decided it was better to use 120g as Ref and accept a slightly larger hit on 180g, still within the cartridge's operating range.
Ultimately, if this proves unsatisfactory I could organise the occasional 180g "month/week" :D :D, nesting all the 180's together in one session and adjust the VTA tower on a one-off basis :D
Of course all this is academic if it turns out it sounds better at 1.77g (!! :D)
Cheers.... |
>>11-27-10: Paperw8
i can say that the bass response from my setup is comparable to that of a cd player.<<
Huh?
No cd player can approach the bottom end of a properly set-up vinyl front end.
>>cartridges are consummables in that you have to replace them after a few years of use<<
Not true.
Most stylii should go 4000 hours (or more) if aligned correctly. You will need to listen for 5 1/2 hours every day for 2 years in order to reach 4000 hours. Most people come nowhere near that. In fact, the majority of audiophiles trade up or sell their cartridge before it needs re-tipping.
>>the idea of spending $10,000 for a cartridge that i will likely have to replace in a few years is like lighting cigars with $100 bills<<
And you probably should not unless your system is uber-sophisticated. There is no rhyme or reason to install a $10K cartridge on anything but a reference level table/arm. You wouldn't buy racing tires for a Taurus right? |
i have a lyra delos installed on a triplanar tonearm with a whest ps.30rdt phono stage. it is a very nice sounding setup. one of the advantages of the 0.6mv output level from the lyra delos is that it allows me to use a gain level of 60dB, which provides more immunity to rfi than would be the case if i used higher gain levels (such as with lower output cartridges). from comments by jcarr, i got the impression that bass response should also be better with the higher output level. i can say that the bass response from my setup is comparable to that of a cd player.
i also like the price point for the lyra delos. cartridges are consummables in that you have to replace them after a few years of use: the more you use them, the sooner they have to be replaced. in my mind, the idea of spending $10,000 for a cartridge that i will likely have to replace in a few years is like lighting cigars with $100 bills. as far as i can observe, the lyra delos is a good sounding, and reasonably priced, cartridge. i would be inclined to replace my current cartridge with another. i have to admit, though, that i am curious about what a single-wound lyra delos cartridge would sound like... |
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. |
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 like the delos as well! great cart even out of the box. |
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. |
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 |
