Lyra Etna Lambda SL tracking force


On another thread @newtoncr posted a question about VTF for the Etna Lambda SL cartridge: he queried whether his preferred tracking force of 1.8 - 1.9 g (mounted on an SME Series V arm) was OK given this was outside Lyra's recommended range of 1.62 - 1.72 g. 

The instructions that came with the Etna Lambda SL I've just had installed on a Linn Ekos SE arm state: 

‘Note that Etna SL (Lambda) features a new high-performance asymmetrical damping system, designed to make the signal coils precisely parallel to the front and rear magnets during play. The angle between signal coils and magnets is affected by tracking force, and we strongly advise not to deviate beyond our 1.68-1.78g guidelines. Setting tracking force so that the cantilever is exactly perpendicular to the (yellow) front magnet carrier during play should result in the largest dynamic range and best sound.’

For me the sweet spot appears to be 1.75g, at which setting the cantilever is still not exactly perpendicular to the magnet carrier (see photo) – suggesting that there is scope for further increasing VTF.

As the cartridge is breaking in I'm reluctant to increase tracking force. I'm wondering if anyone on here with experience of Lyra cartridges has used the 'perpendicular alignment' method?  

 

 

128x128p_vincent_jones

in God we trust, all others bring..Lyra. J Carr in past has responded to threads and PM via this site. Shane is g USA distributer, has been very responsive w my correspondence.

Jim

Dear @newtoncr ​​@p_vincent_jones   You could contact himthrough Agon here where you go to " marketplace feedback " and and send a personal message:

 

jcarr | Audiogon Discussion Forum

 

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

While you’re waiting on a response from jcarr, you might try lowering your tonearm height just a small touch with the recommended VTF applied. Since this tonearm should be a perfect, dynamically stable performer in it’s vertical plane, VTF will most likely not be affected by VTA/arm height.

My thinking is through suspension/cantilever deflection, the heavier VTF may be giving your ETNA the VTA it’s wanting. Just a thought . . .

The sweet spot is normally 1.69 to 1.71 assuming you have all other parameters correct. I am the original owner of one of these, though it is not an SL. I think you need to let this cartridge break in at the recommended VTF and then and only then experiment without deviating that far outside the recommended range. I agree that eventually Mr. Carr will give the final word. 

FWIW, Peter sent me an inquiry through Audiogon's private messaging system, to which I sent a reply on Dec.11.

Although Peter has therefore had the information that he was looking for, let me quote the relevant text from my reply, for the benefit of other users of the Etna, Atlas, Kleos or Delos, and have similar questions.

"I consider it more important to keep under 1.75g than make the angle between cantilever and cartridge body 90ª. Adding stress to the suspension is never recommended, and it is common that the suspension will settle somewhat over time."

"FWIW, the tracking force that gives the best sound seems to vary depending on the tonearm (the turntable suspension is likely to also play a role). It will further depend on the ambient temperature in your audio room, with 22~23ºC being optimal, higher room temperatures potentially benefitting from less VTF, and lower room temperatures potentially benefitting from more VTF (without exceeding 1.75g)."

"I haven't heard of too many customers preferring 1.75g. Some of our customers prefer the sound at 1.72g, while others prefer 1.68~9g."
 

A secondary query: is there any theoretical/practical advantage to using shorter mounting bolts than the ones my dealer has chosen to fit the cartridge to my Linn Ekos SE?

"As long as the mounting bolts are long enough to engage the screw threads of the Etna body completely, it is fine to try shorter bolts than what your dealer fitted. Personally I try to choose bolts that are no longer than necessary."

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

kind regards, jonathan