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REVIEW: Lyra Argo Phono Cartridge

65.142.39.117


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Model: Argo
Category: Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price: $1195
Description: 0.45mv MC Cartridge
Manufacturer URL: Lyra
Model Picture: View

Review by BlackFrisbee ( A ) on January 17, 2005 at 09:27:16
IP Address: 65.142.39.117
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for the Argo


I haven't posted here in awhile, but this cart is so good, I feel like I should chime in. It is musical, dynamic, and a truth-teller. I'm probably a good candidate to review it for a couple of reasons. My musical taste is varied enough to put it through its paces, and my system capabilities are probably right inline with the Argo's (in other words, I haven't mounted it on a $100 direct drive turntable, or on a Rockport Sirius III :-). I'll talk about the sound first, and then some about the techie stuff.

I could go on and on about the sound, but I guess the most revealing comment I could make is how it so easily shows the differences in various recordings. It's a chameleon, and that's a great compliment. Many more of my records are now in the "excellent" sounding category. Two recordings at the opposite end of the spectrum are Rickie Lee Jones's Pirates, and the Pink Panther soundtrack by Mancini. Pirates is an early digital recording from '81, and the spare, almost icy, precision of it comes right through. The Pink Panther, otoh, is a warm recording from '63 during the tube era. It's gooey lushness comes right through, too, but with lots of natural detail. The sax on the title track blows me away. Both albums, though so different, are a joy to listen to.

This cart can walk and chew gum at the same time, too. Riders on the Storm showed this nicely. The sharp, dynamic attack of the thunderstorm, the easy groove of the tune, Ray Manzarek's shimmering electric piano, and Morrison's eerily present vocal just seem to flow all at once. Instrument detail and separation are excellent, but it's still natural sounding, without the sterility or analytical sound of some setups. Surface noise is reduced to a minimum, and tracking on most material is fine. Seems to be a good match with the 309 arm, with the counterweight riding close to the pivot point.

Here's the bad news-some "torture" tracks like those over-miked bass drums on Telarc digital classical records (Carmen, anyone?)can make it stumble, and even chuck it out of the groove. There have been some sharp, powerful transients on one or two other albums that have made it stumble, but for me it's a minor gripe. YMMV, too, depending on arm/table combo. This is after about 50 hours or so, and could improve slightly later. Also, it's not the last word in microdaynamics, but very good at explosive macrodynamics.

Overall soundstaging abilities seem to be dictated by my system and room. I don't get alot of sideways spread beyond the speakers, but if there's any depth on the recording the cart reveals it nicely, and passes it along. Produces very solid, 3D images.

Frequency response linearity is very good, if properly setup.

Out of the box, it was a bit harsh and brittle. I set the VTA down a bit to tame it, and played it for awhile until it settled in. This took 25 to 30ish hours, I guess. For current "final adjustment", I've got VTA dead neutral, about 1.72g VTF, and overhang and azimuth as dialed in as I can get 'em. Very sensitive to setup, so patience is rewarded. I started out with loading at 200 ohms. It sounded good, but a bit constricted and closed in. My phonostage is a royal PITA to change loading, so I guessed on 1k, and that seems to have done the trick. Spacious and airy, without being too sharp.

The stylus guard is really handy, although it fits a little loosely, so be careful during installation or it could fall off!

I have found Jonathan Carr's (Lyra's designer) comments on the asylum to be on the mark about the Argo. I would recommend their stylus cleaner, too. It uses a really soft brush, and relies more on the cleaning ability of the fluid than on friction from a stiff brush. Works well. I noticed someone posted about the diamond on a Lyra falling off after two years, but I wonder if they were using some other cleaner, and that maybe caused it.

This was definitely worth the investment for me. I had been using a certain European cart that retails for the same price, and the Argo just blows it away. Highly recommended!


Product Weakness: Mistracks on some torture-type material a la Telarc, etc. Also not the final word in microdynamics.
Product Strengths: Natural, vivid presentation. Very revealing of different source material, a joy to listen through.


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: VTL ST-150. 175 W/ch into 4 ohms in tetrode mode.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): VTL TL-2.5
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Michell GyroSE Mk1, SME 309, Tom Evans Microgroove Plus, Lyra Argo
Speakers: PSB Stratus Gold i, 88 db, 4 ohm nominal.
Cables/Interconnects: Stock tonearm cable, PS Audio XStream Plus from phonostage to pre and from pre to power amp. Some AQ elsewhere in system.
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, Folk, Jazz, Classical, Fusion, Solo acoustic
Room Size (LxWxH): 22 ft x 14 x Variable
Room Comments/Treatments: Vaulted ceiling
Time Period/Length of Audition: 50 hrs
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Lyra Argo Phono Cartridge - BlackFrisbee 09:27:16 01/17/05 ( 3)