I had Dynavector XX2mkII and now use a Kleos SL, which I think is a big step up, IMS. |
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FWIW, I think Syntax has it right, they really do wonders for those old records. The newer reissues sometimes are too much of a good thing so I use the MM cartridges for them. That not to say that the Lyra cannot be used for new records thats for sure, but they really sing with golden era recordings. |
Perhaps this thread should have been titled Delos, Kleos, Skala or Just Lyra Cartridges. I have been a Lyra / ScanTec guy since 1988. I have been happy with everyone of them. Apparently, so is everyone else with their Lyra, in their system.
My Kleos is currently riding on my Technics SL1200G modded with Triplanar Classic SE tonearm. I am Happy with the performance.
The Lyra Cartridges can be a little too much of a good thing, especially before 100 hours. Better around the 200 hour mark. Even then ??
I am growing quite fond of my Dynavector XX2mkII on my Kuzma TT w/ 12" VTA arm. Maybe a XV1s or XV1t in the future.
Lyra cartridges are great. I like that they are Quiet in the groove; Something that I consider is one of their Hallmarks. Great tight bass, superior detail, imaging and sound staging, dynamics and Long Lasting; provided, No Oops moments and clean records. I do use the STP treatment about every 2nd or 3rd record.
I do like the smoother / warmer sound of the Dynavector. Depends on mood and time of day.
Who gives you an in home audition of any cartridge????? Anyone ????
Besides Needle Doctor, Music Direct, Acoustic Sounds, Elusive Disk ......
What B and M dealer stocks and doesn’t order from a distributor these days.
I live in Chicago with 5 dealers within a 1 hour drive of my house. More if I am ready to drive 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Music Direct is about 45 min drive and has four systems in one room with multiple tables. If they Know you and Know that you are serious "player" , They will do their best to help you. I would like to hear a VanDenHul Frog. Good Luck with that.
Enjoy your Lyra cartridge. |
I agree with Syntax, the Delos sounds amazing with earlier recordings such as Mercurys and RCA thats for sure. |
... your promotional efforts help sustain Skala sales at a
higher volume than Kleos sales, I'm certainly not going to complain!
Well, I do not make any profit with any products, so I don't promote anything. There are others who do it. And, I don't need it for a living... :-) Will wait for Kleos i |
Hi Syntax:
>Every Audiophile will have his own kind of rating, what fits for one, doesn't for the next.
This is often true.
>I go for performance, to get the most information out of the groove,
So do I.
>Nice to listen to but hardly the right one when you want to know what the magic is about with Mercury Living Stereos.
Perhaps in your system. Not in mine. Nor in other high-quality systems that I have played the Kleos.
>It (Kleos) has a healthy output which is a good match for Phonostages with limited gain or channel separation.
Although the Kleos has a healthy output, it is bit less than the Delos, and benefits more from a higher-quality phono stage.
>Definitely more silent with noisy reissues than other Lyra cartridges. I think, it is based on the diamond they use for it.
The Kleos and Skala use the same stylus shape. The lower noise floor of the Kleos is primarily due to how the body is designed, and the different damping system.
>The Skala is better in overall Performance.
In my experiences, the Skala can be more impressive in certain areas such as transient attack and macro dynamics. OTOH, the Kleos has better timbre, and a wider dynamic range overall.
The Delos, Kleos and Skala can all work very well in many systems, but of the three, I would say that the Kleos is the most versatile. Some listeners may very well prefer the Delos or Skala, but IME this is due to system compatibility and personal preference - not quality.
>Today we live in an era, where every new products gets raves (... best sounding unit ever made, better than 3x so expensive ones which were the Standard .... endless work inside... and so on).
Cynicism may be occasionally justified, but not when pragmatic logic dictates otherwise. Sales of lower-priced products earn a company less than equivalent-volume sales of its higher-priced models. Why would the company promote a cheaper new product unless it honestly feels that the performance is as-good or superior to its higher-priced models?
But if your promotional efforts help sustain Skala sales at a higher volume than Kleos sales, I'm certainly not going to complain! (grin)
hth, jonathan carr |
Every Audiophile will have his own kind of rating, what fits for one, doesn't
for the next. I go for performance, to get the most information out of the
groove, others look for a "sound" which fits probably best for their
taste or the System in general. The Kleos is imo not the Highlight in
Performance, instead it is silent in the grooves and a good match for very
analytical sounding Systems. Nice to listen to but hardly the right one when you
want to know what the magic is about with Mercury Living Stereos. It has a
healthy output which is a good match for Phonostages with limited gain or
channel separation. Definitely more silent with noisy reissues than other Lyra
cartridges. I think, it is based on the diamond they use for it.
The Skala is better in overall Performance, based on its Body it is also not so
critical to Tonearms (energy transfer). Today we live in an era, where every new
products gets raves (... best sounding unit ever made, better than 3x so
expensive ones which were the Standard .... endless work inside... and so on). I
know owners which are very happy with it (until the next change is ready to go,
only then you can read what 'problems' the former one had ...). Overall I think,
the Skala is a very good cartridge which works very good in a wide range of Set
Ups. |
Snack, yes I do use the SPT. I got a bottle with my Skala. I would guess I use it every other record. |
I just did. I had a Nighthawk previously for a year or so, and a Vendetta for many years before that. Time marches on! The Jasmine is really very nice. |
I can't offer an opinion in response to your question, but I have been using a Delos for about 5 months now and can't say enough about how good its sounds. Since you have a nicer cartridge than mine, and also a Lyra, I will ask if you use their SPT liquid on it regularly?
I was very skeptical about this tiny bottle of liquid that costs $40, until recently when I had some extra coin in my pocket and wanted to try it.
I can honestly say that the improvement in sound when applying it to the stylus is not small. One thing I had become keenly aware of since buying the Delos is how much surface noise it picks up in comparison to my previous Van den hul cartridge. But when I apply the SPT to it the surface noise is greatly reduced. I also notice an increase in detail and overall "buttery" musical sound. This is not why I bought it though. The real reason was because I was worried about my stylus wearing out (I have 200-300 hours on it by now). The claim from Lyra is that applying this liquid before playing a record extends the life of the stylus. Based on the reduced surface noise I can believe this claim is true. It seems to serve as a lubricant to the stylus to reduce the friction.
I really love my Lyra Delos cartridge. I sometimes think about moving further up their line but for now I am so satisfied with what I have that I just want to make sure it keeps sounding as great as it does. |
I estimate only about 25% of my listening is to vinyl now. I do a lot of streaming, and use a music server.... Sounds like God is telling you to upgrade your Phonostage ... |
Actually, nothing wrong with the sound at all. It sounds great! I did look at the stylus with a microscope and it seems fine. I guess I am just being paranoid...
Regarding stylus life, my last three preamps all had hour meters on them which has helped me estimate the hours of use. I estimate only about 25% of my listening is to vinyl now. I do a lot of streaming, and use a music server. Sure, records are better, no question, but I do enjoy the deep music libraries of Mog, Pandora, and Rhapsody. |
Well you have a great analog front end. I think you have time left on your Skala unless you play a lot of real dirty records or a accident happened somewhere...are you just looking for something newer or does something seem wrong on stylus?
I did send my skala in for check up, they cleaned it and adjust the suspension (I think). Anyway i swear it sounded better when I got it back... |
It is a Well Tempered Amadeus, Jasmine phono stage, and Bob's Devices Cinemag 3440 AH (Blue). |
At 1000 hours you still have plenty of life left. The lyra stylus will last around 2000 - 2500 hours without any problems.
Cheers |
Hi, I've had 2 skala's (1 had a oops) and a helicon and Lydian beta. All are great and have their virtues...
Out of curiosity what table, arm and phono stage? The Skala seems to have a touch more warmth/dynamics...jcarr called it a bit more "fun" in a post somewhere...
Kind of where I am going if you seek a touch more warmth the Skala maybe the ticket...lower noise floor and more accuracy then I suspect the Kleos.
You likely can't go wrong here. However, I doubt that at a 1000 hours you have wear issues...
Good Luck ! |
Some say Delos better than Kleos. |
I have heard both at my dealers on two different tables and systems. I feel that they both have their own signature sound. I do own a Kleos and am very pleased. I thought about the Skala at the time as it would have only been 400.00 more. I chose the Kleos based upon it's new design factors and honestly the 400.00. I think you would be pleased with either. Since you have owned the Skala you may surprised with the different sound qualities that the Kleos brings to the table(no pun intended). I do beleive that the Kleos claim to a quieter surface noise is accurate. In addition, I have been extremely surprised at the bass response that I never had realized existed in those simple little grooves. I think the new suspension design of the Kleos/Delos generation of cartridge have brought Lyra performance to a new level. I would suspect that the Skala/Titan replacements will employ this same evolution in design technologies whenever Lyra replaces them. Jonathan Carr is active on this forum and maybe he will comment on the design differences and futures. |
