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Lyra Kleos: tracking force/VTA/azimuth questions

I just bought a Lyra Kleos and I'm mounting it on a VPI JMW 12.7 (HRX turntable). I've done a bit of research, including Jonathan Carr's many posts here), so I know VTF is critical. I've done a trial set up to Lyra specs, and it doesn't sound right - piano in particular is distorted as if the cartridge is approaching break-up. I suspect the way I've set VTF. VPI recommends measuring VTF at the level of the record, which is impossible with the electronic scale I currently use - I simply put it on the platter and took readings, after first calibrating the scale, of course, and left it at 1.75 g. VPI says that simply measuring tracking force that way will under-represent actual VTF at the level of the record by a substantial amount because of the height of the gauge over the platter. Could that be the source of the problem I'm hearing? With other carts, I've done a couple of tests that seem to verify VPI's advice, so I plan to carefully measure the plinth to platter-top height, remove the platter, and build a temporary platform lower by exactly the thickness of the scale's pan. I'll put the scale on that, and then set VTF to Lyra's specs. This will result in VTF at the level of the record measuring correctly, when I put the scale on the mock-up platter, but NOT when I just slap the scale on the platter - it will measure higher. So my question is: does anyone see any potential problems flowing from my use of this process? I plan first to set VTA slightly tail high to approximate the magic 92 degrees SRA that seems to be the consensus of opinion these days.

Also, I'd like a bit of advice on using a fozgometer to measure azimuth. In my trial set up, I've never been able to get exactly the same readings left vs. right channel with the Foz; the best is a two-division difference, right higher in level than the left. I also get a one division reading, rather than zero, on the channel balance test, with both channel lights very faintly lit. Could this be a function of insufficient tracking force, or is there something else at play?

Thanks to any and all who might feel the spirit to respond (hopefully including you, Mr. Carr).
zachteich
radioheadokplayer
181 posts
 
I emailed customer service for Lyra USA: below is response

Dear Michael,

Bottom line is whichever way sounds best to you, that's the way it should be.  As for anti-skate, it's there to counteract the force of the arm being dragged towards the middle of the record and to compensate for the stylus "hugging" the right hand groove wall.  If you're sitting in the sweet spot and whatever information (such as vocals, usually) that's supposed to be in the center of the image is in the center of the image, then everything's fine.  Leave it as is.  If it sounds as though the balance control has been tweaked ever so slightly towards the right speaker, then maybe a touch of anti-skate is required.

Best regards,

Alasdair Patrick - Customer Service
glai's avatar
glai
446 posts
 
Banpuku-

22db channel separation is quite compromised. I would check the following.

1. Alignment: Poor alignment would reduce channel separation due to suboptimal contact betw stylus and groove. If you have the template, try different curves; stevenson, lofgren, baerwald and see if any improvement.

2. Avoid using a warped test record.

3. Use the proper equation: 20 * log v1/v2

All my lyras have >30db in ch. sep..

G.
banpuku
14 posts
 
Glai,

Thanks for the advice. I re-did the overhang and zenith adjustments. They were out of alignment. This improved the Azimuth from 22db to 25db. 3db improvement is noteworthy.

I will continue to adjust to maximize performance. That said, I am getting wonderful sound as it is out of the Kleos. I actually like this cartridge better than the original Titan I used to have.

Pat
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
I am getting wonderful sound as it is out of the Kleos. I
actually like this cartridge better than the original Titan I used to have.

Yes, the Kleos is a wonderful cartridge for average analog Systems which are
pretty simple in all components. Makes life pretty easy, it does not change
performance very much, no matter in what position it is mounted.It is a very
good cartridge for the majority of the current reissues which have a lot of
groove noise, tics, pops, based on its very limited high frequency ability.
Listening to such reissues with the Titan i is simply a pain, you hear all the
faults in the pressing process and incompetence from the Mastering guys...but
the better that one is, the Titan i will follow, it has no limit. In a way, a very
remarkable cartridge, but also a very demanding one. I bought Titan i twice.
glai's avatar
glai
446 posts
 
Bankupu,

When taking the channel separation measurement, use 1 Khz notch filter to discount the noise generated at other frequencies ( vibration from table, motor and footfall.) These will falsely decrease the maximum channel separation achieved. However, these value are instructive on the demands on low background noise and resonance control.

It should be >25db, once the separation is lost at the source. You are not getting any back even with monoblock preamps and amps.

The anitskate setting also changes the ch sep on my unipivot arms.

Glad you manage to improve the setting. The better alignment should also yield better sound thru less distortion.

Be patient and good luck.

Syntax-

I love the rim drive video. Be sure to share more.

The titan i is more demanding but more rewarding as well.

Not everyone is hardcore.
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