New Cartridge

[prestonchipfryer]

I am currently using a Lyra Dorian, mounted on an SME V on a Technics SL1200 running into a Dynavector P75. Are there any carts which would sound similar to the LD? or should I change the P75. Budget is £600-£1000 or thereabouts. The Lyra is approx. four years old but hasn't seen too many hours (approx 200). :)

[Wakefield Turntables]

what about some of the older Ortofon carts? Ortofon works very well with the V, I have cadenza black. You might want to dig out a Ortofon ROhman, you can usually get a second hand one for roughly your price range.

[oldius]

Dynavector xx2 is always recommended with that stage. Can be got from 2juki on eBay for under £800.

[DSJR]

What's wrong with what you have? The SME won't favour beefy sounding cartridges, so a lively and communicative style may well suit better.

I think that before you throw away hundreds of hard earned quid, I'd look at the support for the techie, the Cyrus pre (what about a Croft 25R line version, or a 25R with SUT?) perhaps, a thorough recap and soup-up on the Quad 909, since some of the later Chinese made ones have inferior caps fitted and the Quad-link bits apparently get in the way to a measurable degree... Can't say too much on the Spendors as I haven't heard them, but the polypropylene style cones they use(d) could soften fine details a little and give an overly "safe" kind of presentation sometimes, although I don't know the 90's models apart from the obvious SP1, SP2and S100 ones...

With respect, it's been my personal experience that we often look to change the thing that's right in the system and ignore what may best be upgraded. You could of course flog the Cyrus, Quad 909 and Spendors and "invest" in some AVI ADM's, probably the 40's, and forget about "HiFi" for ever ;)

[prestonchipfryer]

What's wrong with what you have? ;)


Well nothing wrong really, I'm quite happy with the sound. Perhaps when the time comes I could get the Lyra re-tipped.




With respect, it's been my personal experience that we often look to change the thing that's right in the system and ignore what may best be upgraded.


Yes I have been guilty of doing that in the past :( and that's why, of course I look to AoS for advice.

Your mention of the Quad 909. It is an early one (I think) bought around 2004/5 (can't remember exactly) but as you suggest it may be worth getting it upgraded. Who would be able to do this? :)

[hifi_dave]

Nothing wrong with a Dorian, especially in an SME V. A Delos is better and you can p/x your Dorian but is it worth a whole heap of cash ?

[prestonchipfryer]

Dynavector xx2 is always recommended with that stage. Can be got from 2juki on eBay for under £800.


Does the xx2 sound anything like the DV20h? :)

[prestonchipfryer]

what about some of the older Ortofon carts? Ortofon works very well with the V, I have cadenza black. You might want to dig out a Ortofon ROhman, you can usually get a second hand one for roughly your price range.


Thanks for the suggestion, but don't want second-hand. :)

[DSJR]

Re the 909...

The basic amp design is a good one I think and fully realised the Current Dumper idea, which is now largely unnecessary these days due to improvements in output transistor types in recent years... The 909 gives a healthy improvement into 4 ohms and little short of a vintage Krell or Levinson should give it too many aural headaches if you compared without knowing what was playing, if you see what I mean.

Production of the 909 shifted to China many years ago I understand and all was well while they used good quality electrolytic capacitors throughout. At some point, this changed for whatever reason, and as well as sounding worse, the measurements went out of the window as well. if yours has recognisable makes of electrolytics inside, you shouldn't need to worry there for a few more years I feel. if your Spendors can be bi-wired, I'd probably get a second 909, check it out and bi-amp them. Cables can be made up if necessary and the preamp should be able to drive the halved load (two amps in parallel).

The other thing that's been commented on on the Dada site is the Quadlink electronics fitted to the 707 onwards. if it isn't needed, it's been felt to be better fully disconnected and removed from the signal path, as noise and distortion are further reduced I believe. Well worth you taking the trouble and time in looking this up on the Quad Revision Blogspot I think...

Back to OP though. The Lyra's these days have a nice sparkle to their reproduction which ties in with Japanese pressings having a different vinyl formulation or summat. HiFi Dave has sold Lyra for decades now and I really would follow his advice when the time comes since you obviously like what you have - good styli last for a couple of thousands of hours, not hundreds as in lesser diamonds.....

[oldius]

Xx2 supposed to be the hot spot in the dv range. It is my dealers cart of choice.

[prestonchipfryer]

Nothing wrong with a Dorian, especially in an SME V. A Delos is better and you can p/x your Dorian but is it worth a whole heap of cash ?


Yes the Dorian and the V go together well. I will give some thought about the Delos. :)

[prestonchipfryer]

Re the 909...

The basic amp design is a good one I think and fully realised the Current Dumper idea, which is now largely unnecessary these days due to improvements in output transistor types in recent years... The 909 gives a healthy improvement into 4 ohms and little short of a vintage Krell or Levinson should give it too many aural headaches if you compared without knowing what was playing, if you see what I mean.


Yes I know what you mean by saying that. :)



Production of the 909 shifted to China many years ago I understand and all was well while they used good quality electrolytic capacitors throughout. At some point, this changed for whatever reason, and as well as sounding worse, the measurements went out of the window as well. if yours has recognisable makes of electrolytics inside.

Will have a look tomorrow when the house is quiet.


Back to OP though. The Lyra's these days have a nice sparkle to their reproduction which ties in with Japanese pressings having a different vinyl formulation or summat. HiFi Dave has sold Lyra for decades now and I really would follow his advice when the time comes since you obviously like what you have - good styli last for a couple of thousands of hours, not hundreds as in lesser diamonds.....

Thanks David. :)

[daytona600]

how about a mico benz wood L £995 new , Have one for £ 795 BNIB unused
hifi world standard "higly finessed swiss moving coil that plays music with riflebolt precision " for BNIB cadenza black £ 1650 new £ 1350

[Audioman]

Unless you can't stand the sound do not change the cartridge ! 200 hours is nothing. Plenty scope as others have suggested to upgrade elsewhere and make a real improvement. I would look at speakers or phono stage first to make biggest difference in presentation.

[prestonchipfryer]

All replies are very much appreciated. But, after all, I will stick with what I have for the mo. :)

[julesd68]

Your mention of the Quad 909. It is an early one (I think) bought around 2004/5 (can't remember exactly) but as you suggest it may be worth getting it upgraded. Who would be able to do this? :)

Red Hill Audio do Quad upgrades - they are working on my amp right now ...

[prestonchipfryer]

Red Hill Audio do Quad upgrades - they are working on my amp right now ...


Great, please let me know when you get your Quad back what your thoughts are. And what sort of cost is involved. Thanks.

[julesd68]

Will do John ...

In the meantime have a quick look here - http://redhillaudio.co.uk/