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REVIEW: Lyra Skala Phono Cartridge

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Model: Skala
Category: Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price: $2700
Description: MC Phono Cartridge
Manufacturer URL: Lyra
Manufacturer URL: Lyra

Review by JCF ( A ) on August 22, 2006 at 04:47:41
IP Address: 71.96.138.113
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for the Skala


About a month ago I took the plunge and traded in my beloved Lyra Helicon that I'd owned for over 3 years. Nothing really seemed wrong. In fact, the Helicon has wonderful bass, endless detail, great imaging. It's the curse in this hobby to try something new huh !

Enter the Lyra Skala. Litteraly almost a drop in upgrade. Changed the overhang less than .5 mm. Adjusted the VTF to mfg recommendations. Have been changing VTF some due to the cartridge breaking in. All by ear adjustments. Anti-skating set by eye per lyra's instructions. The simpliest set up I've ever done. It's almost like Lyra did this on purpose for Helicon owners.

Other system details not listed in the link. I run a din to xlr tonearm cable (Purist Venstas) in to a fully balanced phono stage (BAT VKP10SE superpak)

If you're familar with the Helicon, at first listen, you'll hear several things with the Skala...sweeter, more detail, more quiet background. Even though I loved my Helicon, my system, was a little on the nuetral side sometimes. The Skala goes a long way to warm things up ever so slightly. It's a not a huge voicing difference-but just enough for me. Helicon owners with a quick listen will here an improvement-not overwhelming. Sit down, spin a few lp's...you'll change your mind. There's a lot "more" there now.

Ok-the big changes. DETAIL. DEAD QUEIT backgroud. DEPTH & HEIGHT. DYNAMICS in the midrange. I put those in caps for a reason. The Helicon was no slouch in any area, but the Skala is a significant improvment in these areas. Oh my, I've never heard so much from my vinyl set up. It's not so much that the Skala is spotlighting, it's the super low noise floor allows this to emerge. The images are bigger, rounder, and more distinct from one another. Stage is wider and much deeper.

Some other improvements from the Helicon are deeper bass, tigher and a sweeter more extended top end.

With trade in, the Skala cost me $1700. Very much worth the difference, for me, and my system. Music I typically listen to is Jazz (Bill Evans, Cannonball Adderly etc), Light rock (Norah jones, Sarah Maclaughlin), Classical - small string quartets etc. Compared to the Helicon, Nothing goes backwards. A very worthwhile improvement.

(I have some system pics if someone can tell me how to get em posted here)


Product Weakness: None really...system matching will be the important requirement here...
Product Strengths: Ease of install for Helicon owners, Breakin time short 50 hours, quiet very low noise floor


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: BAT VK75SE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): BAT VK51SE, VKP10SE w/ Superpak
Sources (CDP/Turntable): SME 20/2a, SME IV.Vi
Speakers: Wilson Watt Puppy 6
Cables/Interconnects: Purist Dominus, Venastus, and Opis
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Jazz
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Lyra Skala Phono Cartridge - JCF 04:47:41 08/22/06 ( 2)