Lyra Atlas experiences


A few years ago, I invested in a Lyra Atlas cartridge / pickup. I have moved up, from Lyra Clavis in the early 2000s and Lyra Titan i later. The Atlas was expensive, but I have not looked back. Yet I wonder, can something more be done, to optimize the Atlas, in my system, and others. How can this remarkable pickup run its best. What are the best phono preamp and system matches. Should the system be rearranged. Have anyone done mods or DIYs to their systems to get the "reception" right? What happened? Comments welcome. You dont need to own a Lyra Atlas but you should have heard it, to join this discussion. Comments from the folks at Lyra are extra welcome - what is your experience.
Oystein
Ag insider logo xs@2xo_holter
Dear @o_holter  @whatthe  @karl_desch : Masybe this is the best time to  buy a totally new LOMC cartridge ( o_holter, your Atlas has 1.k hours. ) that I have no doubt can set as a new reference or at least the more serious challenges to all other top today cartridges:

https://www.ortofon.com/mc-century-p-863?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=HiFi%20NL%20May%202018&am...


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
Thanks!
Karl - happy you enjoy the Atlas, I do too, it is in a very high league. My cantilever is maybe not quite optimal but I have never sent it in for a check.
Whatthe - I would probably think so too, with the Atlas SL. But my phono stage needs a stronger output from the cart, to do its magic.
Raul - yes the Atlas has run maybe 1500 hours, but according to the reputation of Lyra carts, it should be good for more, maybe 2500. Wear of the cart suspension is a possible cause of pumping - not sure. I think it has behaved this way more or less since I got it.

@rauliruegas gave bad advice at beginning of thread. I have an Atlas with an all tube system on an VPI Extended Aries I, with the 3D tonearm and it is freaking terrific! It is by far the best MC that I’ve ever owned. Just absolutely rotten advice. If you never owned a cartridge then how can you comment on the sound??? 
@rauliruegas    personally after owning the A90, I would never touch an expensive Ortofon cartridge with replicant 100 stylus again. @ around 1000 hours playtime, it does not last long enough.

  Lyra and Dyna cartridges last at least 2500 to 3000 hours easily.

  I owned an Atlas since 2012 and the last 2 months the Atlas SL after Lyra rebuilt my worn Atlas.
  Atlas has incredible life, dynamics and attack - but in certain systems can be a double edged sword.  Atlas SL is a little different where is it seems to be even more pure sounding so a little more forgiving.  

  I prefer both Atlas models to the Etna SL which is excellent but a little too forward in the vocal range and misses out on low bass but has excellent tone.
How much did it cost to rebuild your Atlas. I’m facing a possible rebuild and may cost $5995