I owned or tried the following with my Lyra Argo (i):
- Vacuumstate JLTI
- Pass XOno
- Wright WPP200C
- ARC PH3 SE
- Shindo Monbrison, Cinemag step-up
The best combination was the JLTI followed by the XOno and the Monbrison/Cinemag. I really did not like the combination with a tube phono as it doesn't bring out the strengths of the Lyra Argo. The JLTI was excellent - detailed, balanced, evenhanded, and dynamic with excellent flow. The XOno was almost too much in the dynamics department, the Wright lost all the detail and nuance of the Argo.
Of the above, I would stay away from the EAR which in my comparisons wasn't even close to the JLTI. The Nagra could be an option that I imagine could work very well too. I would go with a solid state phono for the Lyra. And I am usually a tube person (currently running the Monbrison with A23 step-up and Allaerts cartridge). All the tube amps I tried just weren't the best match.
- Vacuumstate JLTI
- Pass XOno
- Wright WPP200C
- ARC PH3 SE
- Shindo Monbrison, Cinemag step-up
The best combination was the JLTI followed by the XOno and the Monbrison/Cinemag. I really did not like the combination with a tube phono as it doesn't bring out the strengths of the Lyra Argo. The JLTI was excellent - detailed, balanced, evenhanded, and dynamic with excellent flow. The XOno was almost too much in the dynamics department, the Wright lost all the detail and nuance of the Argo.
Of the above, I would stay away from the EAR which in my comparisons wasn't even close to the JLTI. The Nagra could be an option that I imagine could work very well too. I would go with a solid state phono for the Lyra. And I am usually a tube person (currently running the Monbrison with A23 step-up and Allaerts cartridge). All the tube amps I tried just weren't the best match.