2. analog
  3. 1333623073

Lyra or ZYX ?

I am on a look out for an upgrade to my Denon 103pro. Primary requirement is Drive, pace and timing along with natural flow. I know both Lyra and ZYX cartridges are known for good pace and timing but which of them sounds more natural ? I listen to both Patricia Barber and Beatles alike so I want a cartridge which has that natural flow to music not just emphasizing shortcomings.

The reason I chose ZYX and Lyra and not a warm Benz or Grado is because I am also looking for a detailed cartridge. Within my budget I can look at with ZYX R100 Yatra or Lyra Delos.

Please share your experiences.
pani

Showing 7 responses by syntax

syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
I agree with Dover. His advice is a good one and his comment about the 3012 is also spot on.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
The Zyx R100 is indeed a good deal. Good sound, uncritical to Arms, makes life easy. The Delos is a cartridge which is probably one of the best ever made. It has enormous reserves and the better the System gets, the Delos will go with it. Some "upgrade" to Kleos because they think, spending more money atomically will give better results. The typical audiophile mistake in analog. Delos is in a way a perfect balanced cartridge, through the whole Frequency area. But it NEEDS a good Hardware to shine.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
The SME 3012 is more or less made for super soft compliance carts (For example Shure Systems at its time). The bearing of that Arm can't handle cartridges which moves energy into it. The Armbearing starts to "vibrate) and the result will be a smearing in the details. No audible dynamic stops-and go...but mainly you hear that with classical Ballet music....The Phantom Arm is ultrarigd for a Unipivot and one of those, where you can close a chapter.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Hi Pani,
I have no experience with 47lab Arm. I always was on the way for serious solutions :-)
Well, one of my buddies owned such a 3012 Arm, he was total fanatic about it.
Until I loaned him a FR-64s. Then it was done for him, he sold his beloved 3012 immediately and got a good price (whatever this means), there is a big Fangroup for them.
My opinion? Don't waste your time with compromises...
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Hi Pani,

Internet decisions can be very problematic. It is no guarantee for that kind of satisfaction one hopes for. Don't you have a chance to visit a dealer? I made a lot of dealer visits when I was interested in a product (The Internet offers enthusiastic/positive/recommended/both thumbs up comments for even the worst sounding products..).I offered them money to rent their room for a Demo and we always had a good relationship. It was a win/win situation for both.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Hello Pani,
yes, the FR-64s will work with them on a top level (and with a lot more, too).
When you find one, turn the VTF knob, when you hear some clics, the grease inside is in good condition (there is a spring inside). When you need some force to turn and can't hear any clics while turning, the grease inside is stiff. They are from sound quality not comparable.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
When I owned Graham 2.2 I used Zyx with it. Top combination. The Zyx are in
general not critical to Tonearm matching.
In my opinion the higher you go with Graham Arms, the better is the result. This
design became always more and more heavy (see the different weights or
differences in the weight of the housing), the Phantom for example became
MUCH more heavy. All this supports an improved resonance control with a
wide(r) range of carts.
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