You have a darn good system, particularly the Audio Research amplification. So I hate to even suggest this, but if you have a volume problem, my first thought is that it's not the cartrige itself. Rather, it's the interaction between the cartridge and the pre-amp. Specifically, the pre-amp isn't amplifying the output of the low-output MC cartridge to a sufficient degree. So the volume is low. The solutions would be (1) a cartridge with a higher output, (2) a step-up transformer between the turtable and the pre-amp, (3) adjusting the cartridge settings in the existing pre-amp, or (4) getting a new pre-amp with settings more appropriate for low output MC cartridges. I'm not familiar with the Lyra Titan, but if it's output is similar to the Arkiv, I would expect the volume problem to continue.
Akiva or Titan
I am looking to replace the Arkiv B in my Linn LP12. I am trying to decide whether it is worth the extra $1500 to go with the Lyra Titan.
One concern I have is volume. With the Arkiv B in my system, I really have to crank up the volume. (My system is listed under "2 Channel Basement Stereo") Will either of these cartridges exacerbate the problem?
One concern I have is volume. With the Arkiv B in my system, I really have to crank up the volume. (My system is listed under "2 Channel Basement Stereo") Will either of these cartridges exacerbate the problem?