Best phono stage for Lyra Etna SL cartridge?

I use the vandenhul grail se+ with my Lyra etna lamda sl catridge. I tried many phono stages, researched a lot and wound up with the grail se. I then upgraded to the se+ version. Very happy with the sound . I use it all balanced from needle tip onwards .

To get the best out of a very low impedance cartridge go for one of the phono stages that automatically adjusts. 1,2 ohm is not articulately low, but the voltage is. On the other hand they have a relatively high milli ampere output that just needs to be amplified.
I am using a Van den Hul "The Grail" but there are cheaper options!
I think Michael Fremer has lookrd in to this! Just Google.

I found the Lyra particularly smooth. Having a smooth type phonostage may be a bridge too far

My local dealer has installed a number of these cartridges and recommends 0-50 ohms of loading for this cartridge. I almost purchased this cartridge  - it was in the final 2 - but ended up going for a Grado Aeon, which is simply gorgeous

Very nice cart. Not the same league but I have a Lyra Delos running off of a EAR Yoshino 834 MM/MC and I'm pleased. From memory I believe the impedance is about the same between the two carts

The best is a Herron VTPH-2A. But since you can’t get one new, you’ll either have to find a used one or settle for something... less.

@chungjh,

Having missed your other post - https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/vta-adjustment-on-technics-1200g, disregard my comment regarding tweaking of the VTA.

Lyra Etna SL has internal impedance of 1.25 ohms, which is too low for the impedance range recommended for Kitsune (3-200 ohms).

1.25 or 3 Ohms it’s still very low impedance!
It must be OK

Dear @chungjh : The " best " PS is the one you own, I think you have no " trouble " there . It’s a very good designed unit.

Maybe what you need for this high cartridge quality level is try with different headshell build and weigth materials, better headshell wire connectors, perhaps tonearm internal rewiring and a different TT mat can help too.

https://zavfinousa.com/collections/vinyl-accessories/products/litz-76%E2%84%A2-pure-silver-tonearm-r...

https://zavfinousa.com/collections/vinyl-accessories/products/cryolitz-ag-pure-silver-headshell-lead...


But before all those you need to have a good protractor to make an accurated cartridge/tonearm alignment using either Löfgren A or B alignments and not the own Technics alignment.

If your cartridge is a new one you need to give it at least 50-60 hours to settled down and during this playing time don’t worry about impedance. After that time you need to make the cartridge fine tunning: rechecking the alignment set up, VTF, VTA, AZ and the like.

About impedance your cartridge is almost non-sensible to load impedances so it should works fine ( that phono stage. ) between 100-200 ohms.

Btw, try to mantain clean the LP surfaces and the cartridge stylus and try to use an anti-static brush as the one that has Zavfino.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.


@tomic601  , the OP has no SUT. It does not need it !

Regarding "current mode" phono stage you can read about this one from 47 Labs.
This is what I use for low impedance (as an option), but it's not necessary better than traditional phono stages, suts, headamps etc. Find what YOU like.

See the recent SUT thread where @jcarr weighed in on loading, etc.

Great advice to slightly revisit VTA…while messing w loading…..

+1 @dover

You may be surprised at what 47k can do for a LOMC  Then too, its dependent on the phono stage circuit's stability. At 14ohm load, the suspension has little movement which seems all wrong to me.

@chungjh,

Have you tried tweaking the VTA.  Lowering the tail just a little bit (assuming you have a tonearm that has adjustable VTA) can often reduce sibilance.  If this does work, then go back and try higher impedance.  You may need to tweak & tweak until you dial in the best you can get.

Good Luck,

by Current mode, you mean Lino C?

I thought that the impedance will control how bright or dark the sound is. I have slight sibilance that I want to get rid of, so I went to the lowest impedance of 14 ohms. I still hear some brightness. I can't lower the impedance anymore.

@sebrof  1+. Current mode is the way to go.

For such a low impedance cartridge you may want to look at Transimpedance phono stages. These stages are said to mate well with low impedance cartridges.
I recently purchased a Sutherland Little Loco to match with my AT ART-9 (12 ohms) and it works very well. Sutherland also makes the Loco, Chanel D makes one as well, and other manufacturers. There is no loading with the stages. An internet search gives lots of info.

@chungih
Your phono stage loading available ranges from 14ohms to 200ohm and 47k.
The cartridge can run into any load more than 10 times the internal impedance - so you can safely load it from 20ohms up.
What Lyra recommends is that you try all your settings and use your ear to decide. You should try it at 47k, then 200ohms. If your prefer 200ohms then try going down below 200 ohms one step at a time to see if there is any lower load that sounds better. If not leave it at 200ohms.
There are no rules because the optimum loading varies depending on the phono stage you use.

Can you external load it and tryout some various loadings?If that works you be in for ~$15-20.

Technics 1200G, Kitsune phono, Don Sachs 2 preamp, Pass x350.5, Soundlabs M545.

I thought the rule of thumb was X10 the internal impedance of the cartridge, but that isn't the only factor- I'd like to know what associated equipment you are using, since you can, by the choice of components, voice the system through the. cartridge, phono stage/step up or other pre-preamplifier. I even ran one Lyra wide open with no loading at one point. 
I've heard Lyras on a variety of systems that sound great. I owned several pre-dating the Olympus.