Temporary Lyra replacement? [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

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chrish

07-12-2011, 20:09

My Lyra Dorian has been broken by my two year old daughter whilst I was away for a few days :( Apart form learning to keep the turntable lid secure :doh:, I need to work out what to replce it with. I can't afford another Dorian right now, even with a trade in, so may have to wait a year or so and then get a Delos.

So - can anyone suggest a cartridge, as affordable as possible, to temporarily replace the Dorian without being too much of a let down (esp as my speakers can sound horrible pretty easily)? So far, possibilities I can find are: Denon DL 103, Denon DL 103R and Sumiko Blue Point Special.

The problem with the latter is that it's only a couple of hundred quid cheaper than a Dorian on trade-in, although it might be most similar. DL 103 is nice and cheap but would it sound horrible on my system (see below)? In which case, would the 103R be a better & cost effective bet?

The system is: Technics 1210, Jelco 750SA, Heed Quasar; Naim/Avondale amps; PMC FB1+ speakers.

Thanks for any advice - need to act quite quickly as I don't have any spare cartidges here....

Cheers

Chris

Reid Malenfant

07-12-2011, 20:15

Hi Chris, just a thought, but have you got in touch with Dominic at Northwest Analogue? He might be able to fix your cartridge & even improve it for less than you thought ;)

He's on the forum, it doesn't cost anything to ask after all...

chrish

07-12-2011, 20:37

Hi Reid - Thanks, that's a thought. I hadn't considered a repair. Is it likely that it could e cost effective and retain the original's sound..?
Cheers, Chris

Reid Malenfant

07-12-2011, 20:41

:lol: Look around this site for cartridge repairs & mods done by Dominic, I think you'll find that people are beginning to queue up to get stuff done... I myself want to get a cheap old Goldring G800 given the Dom treatment :eyebrows:

No kidding :)

He is just a PM away, no harm in asking as I say :cool:

chrish

07-12-2011, 22:13

True enough - have sent Dominic a PM. Will be interested to see what he says.

In the meantime - anyone with opinions about the possible replacement cartridges, should I go in that direction?

Thanks

Chris

julesd68

07-12-2011, 22:15

What about the Zu 103 that Jerry is loving?

http://www.zuaudio.com/#turntable-cartridge.php

Tarzan

07-12-2011, 22:40

Lyra Dorian or the whole Lyra line is a lot different in sound from the Denon DL series l would say.

Gromit

08-12-2011, 20:14

Lyra Dorian or the whole Lyra line is a lot different in sound from the Denon DL series l would say.

Agreed - the Lyra can sound stunning (I had one some time ago) but it needs a fairly tame-sounding arm. I used mine in a NAS Spacearm, in which it sang its little heart out and wasn't in the slightest bit 'lean' or bleached at all - instead it was big, ballsy, wonderfully dynamic (both in terms of transient attack and musical phrase dynamics) and just downright fun to listen to.

As a left field choice in the Jelco I'd look at a London (Decca) Gold or Super Gold. Absolute dynamite when set up right. Not cheap though.

jostber

08-12-2011, 20:42

Dominic is selling Lyra cartridges as well, so he might be able to repair yours.

chrish

08-12-2011, 22:04

Thanks for the suggestions - the Decca sounds interesting but a bit over budget for the moment. One to look into in the future though from what Ive read.

I appreciate the DL 103 (and presumably derivatives) will sound very different to the Lyra, really just looking for something that will sound decent / enjoyable in the interim.

Have contacted Dominic and may end up going that route - shame I didn't put the cantilever to one side though as that now seems to have disappeared! :doh:

Cheers

Chris

DSJR

09-12-2011, 14:20

BPS will last two minutes with a little one around - they often get broken when fitting and don't even get to see a record...

Denon 103 is cheap and very durable and should take re-tipping with a "proper" stylus later on ;) I know of a chap who's had his 103's done and he swears by them - and his Decca's - don't you BM?

bigmoog

09-12-2011, 19:47