Hana Umami Red or Lyra Kleos?

That’s a good question mr-m. I’ll ask Soundsmith when I next contact them. I was reading up on the Counteri Intuitove which I stumbled upon why researching cartridge last week. Had never heard of it before. I wondered if it was worth having for it’s designed purpose, but maybe more so if it would positively affect unipivot stability as well.

Mike

skyscraper-

I REALLY enjoy my VPI Classic. Wouldn't have kept it if I felt I wasn't hearing at least a good chunk of what I hear in a super table.

Setup is paramount.

That said, my thinking is maximize my cart choices in the $1-2k price point(just over a 1/3 of the table. Phonostage that will handle Lyra Kleos level when the next upgrade  comes.

VPI Classic looks like a traditional table, which I like.

I can hear it's speed inconsistency with the acid test-sustained organ(Marcel Dupree and E Power Biggs fan) along with R&R guitar power chords(I like to play along on my guitar) keeping a fresh belt on helps. Once it starts to wear  and becomes smooth, it gets noticeable. This of course is just my experience. 

Enjoy yours, I certainly  do! 

mr_m-

I don't find the SS CI  helping stability. I don't find the VPI unipivot a big fuss. I put it on an LP, it does its thing. It may appear shaky a second or two in the lead in grooves, but appears steady once the music starts. Definitely makes setup easier. 

FWIW, I had a Lyra Delos mounted on a JMW 10.5i on my VPI Aries 3. I really like the uni-pivot arm and it was rock solid. I didn’t run any anti-skate and the delos tracked great and sounded excellent to me. I am using very nice lateral rack and have HRS E1 isolation bases under everything. I am on a concrete slab so the rack is spiked directly to the concrete.

I did have the aries table on a lesser rack on a wooden floor and the uni-pivot arm danced around a bit but settled in. A bit off topic, I wonder if those who don't like uni-pivot arms tend to have systems not on concrete? 

I would buy another Lyra in a heartbeat.

Tablejockey, I like my traditional looking Classic 2 as well. I was real excited to get it after my old B&O Beogram 4002 finally was beyond repair after some forty years of constant use. I’d been wanting to upgrade to one for years.

I’m probably going to get the Lyra Kleos for it after the seller confirms it will work with my tonearm and integrated amp’s phono stage. I’m not anticipating any problems on that score, other than getting the dealer to answer the phone.

There are two models of the Lyra Kleos out there, the Kleos SL and the standard version. I’m fairly sure the regular Kleos is the one needed to complement my Luxman integrated amp’s phono stage, but need to get that confirmed before purchase. Appreciate your input on the Soundsmith Counter-Intuitive device. Take care.

Pilrem, that’s encouraging that your Lyra worked with our tonearm. Thanks. My turntable’s on a floating marble slab which seems to do the trick like your concrete floor in providing a stable base. Good to hear you’d buy another Lyra.

Mike

I have my Kleos mounted on a Well Tempered Black arm, this combo works very well. I think the SL version is best suited to someone who is able to use a SUT upstream of a ss phono stage…and nowhere near a tube phono stage. Otherwise, the standard version is the way to go, as it has a healthy voltage output.