Lyra Lambda Atlas/Etna

The Proteus has 0.28mV@5cm_sec output voltage with coil impedance of 1 ohm, and is therefore more comparable to the SL versions of the Atlas and Etna (0.25mV@5cm_sec output voltage, coil impedance of 1.5 ohm) than the standard (0.56 mV@5 cm/sec. output voltage, coil impedance of 4.2 ohm) versions of the Atlas and Etna.

At the following link you can read about an audiophile who has used the Proteus, Atlas and Etna SL in his system, and obtained different results from Raul.

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3603

or if you would prefer to save time by reading only comments from the system owner:

https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3603?by_user=sunnyboy1956

FWIW, I have had the Formula One in my system for a few weeks. It's an excellent cartridge, it not only measures well, the attractive sonic signature makes it easy to recommend (other than that the low output may be a bit of a challenge for some phono stages).

Would I like to own a Formula One to run alongside an Atlas or Etna? Absolutely!
Would I care to replace an Atlas or Etna with a Formula One? No, that would be too limiting.

Undoubtedly however, the component preferences of some audiophiles makes it clear that they prefer more laid-back, less dynamic cartridges in their systems (grin).

BTW, the original version of the Etna was somewhat less dynamic than the Atlas, but the Lambda revision has noticeably reduced that difference.

@mijostyn , as long as the "loosened tolerances" are not due to damage, they should remain within the range of adjustment by the cartridge builder, and it therefore it should be possible to rectify the issues if the manufacturer accepts cartridge being returned for inspection / readjustment.

Some cartridge designs (certain Sonys come to mind) are not built in a manner that facilitates post-adjustment, but these are the exception rather than the rule.

Regarding Allearts' published specs, they may be beyond what one would expect to see in normal production; but presumably those specs were measured by using a test LP(s), and it is clear that there are substantial variations in test LPs from various labels.

The same cartridge will spec quite differently simply by changing the test LP. Occasionally cartridges are returned to us because the owner measured them with their test LPs and found issues, while we measured those returned cartridges with our test LPs and found nothing wanting.

As one publicly documented example, please read the following thread on Audio Asylum.
https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=vinyl&m=974176

Same cartridge, different test LPs, different specs.

Therefore, if a cartridge manufacturer finds a test LP that fits their designs like a glove, I suppose that it is not impossible that fabulous specs may be obtainable (smile).

PS. I also recall recent reviews of the same cartridge by a British publication and a German one, and the frequency response was different in those two reviews, but this could be caused by the location of the test tracks (due to the pinch effect).

@rauliruegas , I am aware of the VTF and impedance sensitivity of the F1. I was given 845 ohms as the impedance target, so that is what I used (Vishay metal-foil resistors). Overall I didn't find it unusually sensitive to setup, simply that it had quite specific requirements.

FWIW, the Atlas and Etna are even more sensitive to VTF changes than the F1.

I didn't try to play the F1 nude, as the coil impedance is high enough that taking the shielded case off may be a disadvantage in some urban environments.

Note that the F1 has an unusually wide body, which may cause compatibility issues with headshells that have drop-down sides (which are usually done as reinforcements to increase stiffness).

I like the F1, and had a lot of fun with it (smile).