Lyra Delos Cartridge - Underrated?


I have wanted to buy a destination cartridge for a couple of years now and in this time. In this time I have used 3 cartridges and have research to the point of "paralysis through analysis" and I was almost afraid to buy. What if I spend $2k and don't love what I bought?  Basically my system consists of:

B&W 803S
Musical Fidelity M6prx Amp
ARC LS-27 Pre
ARC PH-8 Phono Pre
Music Hall mmf 9.1 TT
Kimber KCAG Interconnects
AQ Niagara Interconnects
AQ Pikes Peak Biwire
PS Audio power conditioning
Previous Carts:
Denon DL103R modded by Paradox Pulse
Dynavector DV20x2H with Sound Smith ruby cantilever
Lyra Dorian.

I loved the sound of the Denon Cart but I anted more detail and openness. I tried the Dorian and really liked the detail but I missed the warmth and boogie factor of the Denon. I then used the Dynavector and man this very nice but there was a certain darkness or congestion. All three of these carts had strengths and my hope was to get these strengths rolled up into 1 cart.

Enter the Lyra Delos. I have a Dr. Feickert protractor and I am anal about cart set up but for the Delos, I decided to have it professionally set up by Jon at Ultrafi in Milwaukee, WI. where I bought the cart. The reviews that I have read really hammered home how important set up is and Jon at Ultrafi is the guru in my area. I took my turntable to Jon and he set up the cart and I brought it back home last Saturday.

I was expecting the typical break-in period but I was happily amazed at how good the cart sounded with only a few hours on it. This thing is everything I hoped for and more. I cannot find any weakness to this cart and I am happy to say that there is not one standout strength. To me, this is great praise for a cart as it means everything is good. The Delos simply blows away my last carts and I am surprised at how much more I like than I had thought. 58db gain, loaded at 500 and it sings. I won't go into the babble but I can tell you that when I listen now... it is to the music and not to the system. Everything sounds so good now that I am happy and just want to hear music without any thought to what is missing or emphasized.

I am now wondering the following things. Are less than glowing reviews for the Delos due to people not getting these things properly set up or not having a phono pre not up to the task? Are professional reviews influenced by the fact that the Delos is the LEAST expensive cart Lyra makes? If a Delos is "class A" what do they do with a Atlas or Etna?

I would like to hear any opinions if they are out there regarding the Delos from owners that hile or hate them. I know that this is not a new cart but I love it and I cannot recommend Jon and Ultrafi enough. Don't buy a Delos on-line. Get it from the best source and get it professionally set up.

 

pilrem

Showing 1 response by vinylcat

(Never posted here, but have a little input...)
Replaced my Lyra Argo (i) with the Lyra Delos ~1.5 yrs ago.
(Scheu Premier MK II, Morch UP-4 (Yellow), CODA FET 03P)
Great deal with the Lyra trade-in (via Needle Doctor) at the time; not sure what the latest deal is.
I really liked the Argo (i), as I had it for 9+ yrs and probably >2500 hrs., and going strong, which greatly influenced my decision to stick with Lyra.  Argo (i) was detailed (never struck me as strident; replaced an Ortofon Kontrapunkt A), great tracker, quiet; Delos is also fuller, great clarity, low end is improved.  And I like the looks (esp. with a Reprise Gold Label LP on...)
Lots of good cartridges out there, I'm sure, but I'm very satisfied with the Delos for the money.  I would certainly have paid full $ knowing what I know now...