New Lyra Delos wheres the bass?


I am the owner of a new lyra Delos. The rest of my analogue front end is Pink Triangle PT Too and Funk Firm FXR II tonearm.

The cartridge has about 20 hours on it at present. It is superb in all respect except for the bass performance. Bass is light and lacking any extension. I want to know if this is a common thing or something that will improve during running in. At what point is one of these cartridges fully run in?

Thanks

Cylopse
cyclopse
It took about 50 hours before my Delos started being true to itself. It got incrementally better after 50 hours.
Check the phono amp loading settings. It sounds like you need to change the settings on your phono amp. I would start with the cartridge's recommended loading and try a few more settings in the range up and down. It sounds like you may have an impedance issue. Recommended loading: 91ohms ~ 47kohms (w/o transformer), 5ohms ~ 15ohms (w/transformer connected to 47kohm MM-level RIAA input)
Did you check your VTA? I ahd a Delos for about 30days and traded it up for the Kleos. But although the Kleos does deliver more bass the Delos wasn't lacking to a point of concern. Not knowing what your previous cart. was, the Lyra is a fairly tall body by comparison to some, so VTA would be my first checkpoint.
I had the delos for a few months now & of all the carts that i have heard in my system the delos has one of the best bass around. I think some where in your chain there is something amiss.
Cyclopse, the Delos is only my first Lyra and the bass is consistent enough to shake a solid concrete floor and for the listeners to feel it in their stomach and lungs. I set "level" VTA on my Phantom II such that it matched the setting when the stylus was resting on the gauge (i.e. using the integral spirit level.) Obviously this type of spirit level is probably only accurate to < 30 arc minutes but gives an excellent ball park indication and avoids overcooking/undercooking the VTF when we start messing around with VTA. For me it has proved indispensable.
Hope this is helpful.
Bit of a puzzle this one.

Dealer set the combination up and yes tonearm is horizontal to the record so no problem with VTA. Body of cartridge is close to but not touching the record.

One thing I did change yesterday was the tracking force. It was set to 1.7 by the arm dial. But when we put the Delos on a firends dedicated scales it showed up as 1.4gm! So this has been increased to 1.7 or just under 2 on the tonearm setting.

Phono Stage is a Astin Trew. It has many Capitance settings and I have tried 1Kohm downwards. Settled on 200 Ohms for the best balanced sound.

My digital front end can do similar things Moonglum in terms of bass but this vinyl front end is definitely lacking at the moment.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions.

Cyclopse
>>01-04-11: Cyclopse
Dealer set the combination up and yes tonearm is horizontal to the record<<

For clarification's sake, the top surface of the cartridge should be parallel to the record.

I've encountered a handful of instances in which the headshell/tonearm are not parallel to the cartridge's top surface. Rare, but it does occur.

Dealer disclaimer.
May be try adding a bit more mass to the Funk Firm arm headshell and rebalance it for 1.75 gram VTF.

I have used the Delos on a Phantom II and the heavier 12 inch Reed 2A on another table with no distinct lack of bass issue.
Cyclopse,

It sounds like you covered all of the basics--I would look primarily at loading and VTA when there is an issue of tonal balance. Perhaps you could try loading down the cartridge a little more (lower number, like 125 ohms or even lower number). That tends to increase the bass response, though at a loss of some top end extension and "air."

After about 50-60 hours of use, the cartridge should be substantially broken in. That is the point to again try experimenting with both loading and VTA. In some respects the two parameters are interactive in what they do to tonal balance so you have to try different mixes of the two (assuming you don't deviate too much from the top of the cartridge being parallel to the record surface).

When you say bass is light, are you talking about truly deep bass or a kind of lack of warmth associated with midbass/lower midrange (say 60-200 hz)? Most Lyra cartridges are NOT warm. Also, what are you comparing to the Delos (your prior cartridge)? If it is something like a Koetsu or a Grado, it will NEVER have the same kind of midbass weight and warmth.

Good luck.
The Delos and the Kleos are different. They are definitely warmer than previous Lyra's.
Hi Robob,

Think I have resolved it. It was a phono stage loading stage issue. Started again trying ALL the options commencing with 30K. I was using 200 Ohm but this transpired to be too high. Now using 100 Ohm which is a more evenly balanced sound and hearing good bass for te first time.

Made enquiries with my dealer and he will give me a super price on this Delos if I move up to the Kleos! The Astin Trew will then need to be upgraded so a second step I am thinking would be to purchase a Linn Uphonic.

Thanks

Cyclopse
I am quite happy withthe bass on my Delos. using with a rega P9 and McIntosh C2300 tube preamp onboard phono stage. Loading right now is at 200 ohms. I have baout 30 hrs on the cartridge. This replaced a Dynavector DV20X H.
"Think I have resolved it. It was a phono stage loading stage issue. Started again trying ALL the options commencing with 30K. I was using 200 Ohm but this transpired to be too high. Now using 100 Ohm which is a more evenly balanced sound and hearing good bass for te first time."

Good to hear. Not surprised on the 100ohm. I am running my Kleos at 100ohm. Unfortunately on my GCPH that is as low numerically as I can go. Why would you need to replace the Astin Trew for the Kleos?
That's what my dealer has recommend. Says I will get a better result with Delos Linn Uphonic than a Kleos Astin Trew.

I guess there is a view I am at the limit with this Pink Triangle, FXR II and Delos. Yes there is a synergy there OK. Was thinking of getting the Kleos and a better phono stage in due course.

Would appreciate your input Robob.

Cyclopse