Who does not like the Lyra Dorian?


Just got one for my Linn LP12, and right off the detail was great, but it is very forward and bright. I am patiently waiting for it to warm up a bit so that I can make a real decision here, but I might suspect it is not to my taste (stress MIGHT, for I am known to misjudge these things in haste). I generally prefer a more spacious laid back sound, but the detail is seductive and it seems quite musical. I thought I would try something different, too firm an attachment to taste is questionable. Any thoughts?

By the way, I have Art Audio tube gear and Tetra speakers.
chashmal

Showing 7 responses by chashmal

Interesting suggestion Raul. (Tremendous system you have by the way!)
I have ways of making it less bright, decreasing loading in the phono stage for one, but the issue for me is the soundstage. To be fair, it has very few hours. If need be I will contact Lyra. It sounds like you are a supporter of this cartridge.

So, do you (or anyone else) have an out and out positive thing to say about it?
Misskuma: yes I do have the correct impedance. It is probably a break in situation. It already is sounding better, however I can tell that Stringreen is right. The break in might be more like 60 hours for full effect. Probably 20 till it passes, but another 40 to make a complete determination.

Thanks all.
dave
Well Martykl maybe the forwardness is a more accurate term than brightness. I can adjust brightness with lowering loading in the phono preamp, so that's not the problem. I am just getting used to a more merciless attack. The dorian (at this early stage) is still quite severe, at hour 13 of the break-in.

I also must say that I am used to a totally different sound: a Benz Ace. This might be part of the problem. But what a nice problem to have!
Mosin you are a reasonable guy. The Dorian is resolving in a merciless way! It does certain things much much better than my Benz, but it shows no compasion to any flaw, in particular distortion, like in Chess recordings from the 50's. However Blind Lemon Jefferson, J.S. Bach, and Stockhausen never sounded so good.

Maybe I am beginning to like it (at about 16 hours)!
I also think that much of the harsh reality is slowly being warmed up by the interaction of break-in and tube goodness! I have heard it said that Lyras might have been voiced with tube gear in mind. I am slowly coming to 'get it', but it is a shock indeed. One's aesthetic preconceptions can be quite daunting.
All warmed up after much play, and well....simply magnificent. I love this cartidge. Way better than my old benz ace.
Oh it is pretty interesting Ghanson. At first the detail sounded too bright and way too forward, very little space and air. At hour 10 there was some depth, but still bright and glaring. At hour 20 it warmed up, became quite spacious, and the detail began to really be interesting and brilliant as opposed to harsh. That was the suggested break in time.

But at hour 50, 60, and on to 75, WOW! It is really the cartridge I had hoped for, Don't get me wrong, it is still a forward sounding unit. But the positives far outweigh the negatives. I actually love it and plan on moving up the Lyra line when it needs replacing.

Hope that helps.