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Lyra Titan i with a Manley Steelhead....settings??

Just got the Titan-i after trading in my Helikon to Hollywood Sound in Hollywood, Fla. Sounds great!

Question...what settings/configuration of the Manley Steelhead pre-amp would be optimum?

I'm running it through the MM inputs now (on the advice of the previous owner who said this avoided step-up transformer....etc and was purer sound). But, the Titan is an MC cartridge... so?

Also, regarding gain....what are the trade-offs? I've got the gain on the Manley all the way up on the 65 setting, and there's NO problem with volume when running everything into the McIntosh C-100 preamp. It just gets quieter, maybe less 'dynamic' on the lower gain settings....but, why would anyone want less gain?

Then, there's all those Load capacitances and Z's to choose from....... Can't say I hear any differences twisting the knobs. Whassupwiddat?

Any help//advices welcomed.

Thanks, in advance.
jbatlanta

Showing 3 responses by jbatlanta

jbatlanta OP
97 posts
 
Thanks, Cjfrbw....you sound well versed in using these combinations. I will try the MC inputs as you suggest and change some of the settings.

John
jbatlanta OP
97 posts
 
Yes, thanks to Mark and Cjf....I have now set the Manley/Titan on the MC inputs, and the controls are MUCH more active/interactive.

I do indeed now hear large differences in the control changes...Mark...thanks for the "insight" into what exactly I'm doing by changing that gain (re:using tubes).
And Cjf, I've started with your recommended settings and am "experimenting" from them....

Must admit, I'm liking running the gain a little 'hot' at 60....but 65 was too much. Now, my Mac pre-amp is at 47 for easy listening.

Still not hearing any real discernible differences with the load capacitances.

So, my Titan will "break in"? Have maybe 10 hours on it now. What happens? and when? :)

Look forward to hearing from the "boys" also.

Thanks a million!

John
jbatlanta OP
97 posts
 
Hey, cjfrbw.....just to confirm, I have been experimenting and am finding I like that 25 ohm Z setting. It just brings the cartridge alive, especially in the bass. Adding more seems to lean it out. (But, I didn't understand how you equated the 5.5ohm internal resistance of the Titan i to that 25ohm Z setting )??

And, interestingly, with my solid state system pre-amp, putting the Manley on gain of 60 (vs 55) and using both halves of the triode tube gives my sound more "roundness and lushness"....maybe more "tube-like"? :) 65 is, however, too much of a good thing.

The turntable is now 'definitely' kicking cd-ass!!! Before all this, it was the other way around.
All it took was replacingthe Helikon with the Titan, adding the Manley with some Harmonic Technology Silver tonearm cable, and then connecting the Manley to the system with Valhalla. (I'm joking about 'all it took'). A lot of money, but in the end worth it.

I especially love the Titan-i cartridge!

Thanks for all the help and opinions.
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