I don't dispute what anyone on these posts says...everyone hears differently and everyone has different components. I can only tell you what I hear. To these ears, there is no better cartridge that I have experience with, than the Atlas. I have had the SME V in my system, but although built like a tank, didn't have the alacrity I was looking for and replaced it with a VPI 3D. Perhaps (I don't know for sure), the difference was in the ability for the VPI to very accurately provide for correct azimuth. The difference in the presentation/performance of the cartridge having proper azimuth and being even a "smidge" off is enormous.. not just audible, but enormous... maybe the most important adjustment (for me). Another point is the (seemingly) never ending dispute regarding the use (or not) of antiskate. For these ears on My system, I hear an improvement with no antiskate...no matter which arm that I adjust. I am at present trying to evaluate the sound with/without a/s for a dispute on another site....but for the here and now, its no a/s for me. There is a very definite difference...its not in the increase of distortion on one side or another....my arm/cartridge tracks flawlessly with both methods....but its in presentation.....(still evaluating).
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0_holter....when azimuth is properly set there is great depth ...instrunents are in front of and behind others, the soundstage is very wide...sometimes beyond the side walls, images are sculpted in space with (almost) a black line around them...no bleeding left, and right...especially with the Atlas ( Or Etna which I also think is wonderful) All these elements, are what we audiophiles cherish in presentation. I need an arm that provides for this adjustment....I use the Fozgometer and its accompanying lp as my tool of choice. Providing I use a new battery every time, I find the results accurate, and easy to accomplish. I personally find that the use of anti/skate is detrimental to the sound. It may lessen wear of the stylus, but I have no concern about that. Using a/s on my system knocks some of the polish off of all that proper alignment contribute. If anyone reading this post disagrees with me, that's fine...I've heard all the arguments....however, I maintain my stand. Should you want to try to listen without a/s to find the differences, listen to only 1 instrument (I find percussion easiest to hear the differences). When you can hear what I'm writing about, it will be easier to find that sonic clue on all the other instrument and singers. My personal take is that a/s prevents the stylus from vibrating freely by exerting that outward force, and so reduces the stylus's ability reproduce those wiggles on the record. I only write what I hear....I'm not a scientist, or an engineer.....just sayin'
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0_holter....If your Atlas is distorting on one side or another, something is wrong with your setup. I am using an Ortofon which sails through anything ..no sibilants, no distortion, etc....no a/s.
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Nandric....I always set my vtf to the manufacuter's recommendation. They designed the cartridge and know what is best for it. I don't care at all how the cartridge does with test records...only how it sounds with my records. In my experiences test records that measure tracking ability can be damaged in even 1 play, and ruin any hope of accuracy.
Folkfreak...You're absolutely correct. Some companies are worse than others, (AirTight is one of the better ones) but that is why an arm has to be able to make all adjustments.
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0_holter....Hi 0,,,,,I use a VPI 3D. In my experience there is non better (here come the rebukes from all).....there are other great arms- 4point et al......they all sound different, but to these ears, ...... There is coming a new mod for the 3D which puts an additional (not different) bearing in play. Harry says it makes the arm even better.....we’ll hear. There are those that say that the arms they use has "perfect" anti-skate adjustments. Harry says he can’t make a perfect anti-skate adjust. That’s because it can not be done...its constantly changing.....no one needs it. (just my and a few others’ opinions - hope all can sleep well tonight) Anyway, the VPI antiskate is the best adjustment I’ve seen - It can be set accurately so the greatest degree of pull on the record can be adjusted for the best place ( the loudest portion) of the record side. Again...for me - I just don’t use it at all.
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Nandric....did you get up on the wrong side of the bed this morning or are you always mean spirited?
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Drastic.... After inspecting the stylus and declared it not bent......I would make positive that the turntable itself is level, I would make positive (using an electronic scale) that the vtf is exactly what the cartridge manufacturer recommends as optimum (not a range)... then I would absolutely make sure that azimuth is set correctly using the Fozgometer and its recommended lp using a brand new battery. If that doesn’t work, get back and we’ll go further.
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0_Oholter....the Atlas is phenomenally good at finding all the little differences in all that the record can reveal...performance, production, etc....That's why one pays all that money....however, it will be this microscopic, even if a bit off (we all seek perfection at this level)
Drastic....just wondering if this mistraking is on one record, at the same place....could a damaged record be responsible?
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Nandric...I was writing of your unfriendly comments to our Mexican friend. It would be better to discuss our beloved black boxes instead.
Records are easily damage with one play when torture tracks are negotiated at poorly set up vtf, a/s , - especially with severely cut stylii, etc. which negate any value for their subsequent use.
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Drastic....Personally I like the Foz. Yes it is very sensitive to voltage, consequently I use a new battery once, and then keep it for my smoke alarms. I’ve used mine 5 or 6 times, and think its easy and accurate...love the idiot lights ...... keeps the guessing at a minimum
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Nandric...My wife was a lawyer (lost her about 12 years ago to a failed heart transplant that was done by the famous Dr. Oz....a much nicer guy in person than on television...we used to have dinner with the Oz's...his liscense plate was "Wizard" ((which I think was kool)) ) ...not much rubbed off on me.
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Drastic.... Regarding the hot pressings that put down your Lyra..... I'm sure you double and triple checked all your adjusting parameters and the stylus itself. If it isn't long in the toothe....if it were mine, I'd send it back to Lyra for an inspection/evaluation. I would think they would do that no cost.....but....
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Raul.....I am using s/s Ayre components.....These seem to work with any cartridge I've had on my table....Benz LPS, Ortofon Windfield, Lyra Atlas and Etna, etc. Today I listened to a digital LP of the Bernstein Mahler 2nd.....the depth, air, and ease was simply outstanding.
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O-holter.....just reading the thread again. I got rid of my SME V because it didn't have the ability to adjust for azimuth. Sure you can shim the cartridge, but that is really unworkable. When azimuth is set correctly, the soundstage widens, yet the instruments become smaller...life like and in their proper space in the sound envelope. Depth is increased as is dynamic shadings. These attributes are much too valuable to give away on an arm that can not accomadate for it. These are the exact abilities that make the Lyra Atlas so special. I've head the Atlas on a few arms, and on mine - a VPI 3D. All the top arms sound a bit different, but to my ears, none was better than on my VPI 3D. I understand Harry is working on the addition of another pivot to make the arm even better....the mod is easily incorporated into all 3D arms, and has a modest price tag.
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0_hotter....when you say demag every second month....you only use the Cardas (or similar) disc??? I certainly would check with Lyra if it is wise to do this. Some high end cartridges have internal wiring that could be melted with some demag treatments.
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The Atlas should have no tracking problems with any commercially made LP.
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