Phonostage for Lyra Titan i

Pierre · Apr 9, 2014

Hello

I have been thinking if its time to upgrade my phonostage.... I'm using the one thats in my Hovland HP200p.
I dont know if thats the best phono for my Lyra Titan i cart. Or if it a great phono at all.

So thats why i was thinking that its was time to do some listining on differents phonostage. But witch are a good match to my Lyra? Or is the phonostage in my Hovland good enough?

Thanks.

cjfrbw · Apr 9, 2014

You'll likely just get people's preference or commercial suggestions, but you really just need to listen to as many as you can to get an idea, preferably in your own system.

I tend to be fan boy prejudiced, but I think the Allnic 1500 LCR phono is one of the best "banging on the cusp of high end" bang for bucks out there. The more recent models have lots of loading options. I ran one many years ago with a Lyra predecessor, and it worked very well.

Young Skywalker · Apr 9, 2014

Hi Pierre,

The Lamm LP2 Deluxe is an excellent phono preamplifier in absolute terms and particularly well suited to both the healthy output voltage of the Lyra Titan and that cartridge's internal impedance (given the Lamm's internal Jensen step-up transformers).

I have not heard the latest LP2.1 Deluxe which now uses Russian tubes as opposed to Western Electric 417As (or their Raytheon equivalents, the 5842) of the LP2 Deluxe.

You will have to source a LP2 Deluxe on dealer run out or on the used market. While you are at it, you might also look at picking up a Lamm LL2 Deluxe or LL2.1 Deluxe linestage to accompany the Lamm LP2 phono preamp.

You might also reconsider your choice of tonearm with the Titan. All Lyra cartridges, and this is especially true of the Titan which has a reputation for sounding harmonically thin and/or brash in the upper frequencies, transfer a great deal of energy into the tonearm. Tonearms with tight bearings (and no more bearings than is necessary to confer stability) will always provide the best performance with such a cartridge, this is not about personal preferences but physics. A better technical match with your tonearm would be a Transfiguration or ZYX cartridge.

If you really want to hear what the Titan can do then pick up a used Fidelity Research FR-64S tonearm and an Ikeda (used), Orsonic (used), or Acoustical Systems Arché (new) headshell.

Bruce B · Apr 9, 2014

You already have the Pass amp so get the XP-25 and be done with it!

jfrech · Apr 10, 2014

All good feedback above...I've had GREAT results with a Lyra Skala and Lyra Atlas with my Nagra VPS/VFS. I've also heard the Allnic H3000v in my system...very good performer also...Nagra being more transparent in the mids and top, Allnic more demential and more organic/deeper bass.

It's a good lesson on how both can sound great...just a bit different. I could be happy with either...

JackD201 · Apr 10, 2014

My Atlas loves my Lamm LP2D

rockitman · Apr 10, 2014

another option that is cost effective.
http://www.avshowrooms.com/Wyetech_Ruby_Phono.html

puroagave · Apr 10, 2014

rockitman said:
another option that is cost effective.
http://www.avshowrooms.com/Wyetech_Ruby_Phono.html

wow, we certainly have a different definition of "cost effective"

rockitman · Apr 10, 2014

puroagave said:
wow, we certainly have a different definition of "cost effective"

I wouldn't consider a phono stage that costs less than the Titan. It's half way to Pass XP-25.

cjfrbw · Apr 10, 2014

I thought that Lyra had a somewhat legendary solid state unit of their own at one time. I guess the problem would be availability.

MylesBAstor · Apr 11, 2014

cjfrbw said:
I thought that Lyra had a somewhat legendary solid state unit of their own at one time. I guess the problem would be availability.

Long, long out of production due to European Environmental laws. And it was around $25K when available.

microstrip · Apr 11, 2014

MylesBAstor said:
Long, long out of production due to European Environmental laws. And it was around $25K when available.

Was it because of the lead in the solder?

MylesBAstor · Apr 11, 2014

microstrip said:
Was it because of the lead in the solder?

I don't believe so.

Not available. Production has been discontinued since 2007 because new European ROHS rules outlawing certain substances in all electronic parts and products sold in the EU caused many parts manufacturers to discontinue critical parts used in the Lyra Connoisseur preamplifiers. Even though the ROHS laws only concern the EU, the worldwide discontinuation of critical parts, which were never replaced by ROHS-approved equivalents, caused that LYRA was forced to stop production of the Lyra Connoisseur preamplifiers alltogether. Full service & support available. Also, on a case by case basis we are able to upgrade older 4-series versions to 4-2 SE level.

mep · Apr 11, 2014

RHOS compliant usually means no lead.

BruceD · Apr 11, 2014

Ha, The Military still specify Lead Solder

BruceD

XV-1 · Apr 11, 2014

Personally I find the Lyra cartridges sound better with excellent tube phono stages. Makes the most of Lyra's transparency, speed and couples it with that tube magic and extension that happens in the upper frequencies of the better tube phono stages.

Rings true in my system at least

kleinbje · Apr 12, 2014

XV-1 said:
Personally I find the Lyra cartridges sound better with excellent tube phono stages. Makes the most of Lyra's transparency, speed and couples it with that tube magic and extension that happens in the upper frequencies of the better tube phono stages.

Rings true in my system at least

I'll second that! A little less extravagant but my Kleos SL loves my Chinook with Amperex 7308's. My PASS Alephono was nice, but the Manley is Magic

MylesBAstor · Apr 12, 2014

I have yet to hear a bad phono stage with the Titan. Way I interpret it is that each phono stage brings out a different aspect of the cartridge eg low end, transparency, staging, etc.

Dre_J · Apr 12, 2014

MylesBAstor said:
I have yet to hear a bad phono stage with the Titan. Way I interpret it is thar each phono stage brings out a different aspect of the cartridge eg low end, transparency, staging, etc.

+100

Garth · May 3, 2014

Lyra atlas

MylesBAstor said:
I have yet to hear a bad phono stage with the Titan. Way I interpret it is that each phono stage brings out a different aspect of the cartridge eg low end, transparency, staging, etc.

Myles you seem to be in the know I have a Atlas on order their is some question if Lyra can or will supply my dealer is not certified Lyra dealer thou he has sold a fair number over the years. Any way I am if it arrives mounting it on the newest version of the triplaner arm with a Clear audio statement and a Burmester 100 phono. In your opinion is this a good match as much as I like the sound of tubes I have moved on to the best solid state I can manage . My pre and power are Ayre with CLXs . Not trying to high jack the thread on titan just seemed like close question to the titan.

Thanks Garth

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