Why not the Lyra Beta? It retails for $1000 and is a very revealing cartridge with very low record noise (on my VPI IV modified/SAMA/SME IV modified). It is a terrific sounding cartridge that has excellent tracking and projected very long life. My Dynavectors (Karat, Ruby, XL) all bit the dust every 3 years due to suspension hardening. My former Lyra Lydian lasted 8 years and still wasn't worn out or had a hardened suspension. I highly recommend the Lyra line for longetivity and low record noise. I am also considering upgrading to an ZYX R-1000 silver but that one is more than double this column's price range.
