Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Lyra Parnassus D.c.t. Phono Cartridge by charisma12

Model:	Parnassus D.c.t.
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$3495
Description:	Moving coil cartridge
Manufacturer URL:	Lyra
Model Picture:	View

Review by charisma12 on December 25, 2001 at 10:30:42
IP Address: 64.56.224.53

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for the Parnassus D.c.t.

I have compared both the Helikon and Helikon SL to the Parnassus D.C.t in my system and still stick with the D.C.t.
IMHO, the Parnassus D.C.t is a very different animal. It has tons of details, which the Helikon or even the Helikon SL cannot approach. Please do not misunderstand that the Helikons are not good. They are remarkable cartridges. However, the Parnassus D.C.t is just better. It is much faster and cleaner with sharper imaging and focus. It is very transparent and accurate and has extremely low coloration (the lowest I have come across). The D.C.t is very honest to the source. It does not hide the flaws in the recordings. It is that scary !! Some audiophiles complain that the D.C.t is a bit cool and analytical. But could that be the software itself ??
Parnassus D.C.t is like dark chocolate. It may have some bitter taste, but real and true. Helikon or Helikon SL is like milk chocolate, creamy and sweet, owing to the addition of artificial flavor.
Since the Helikon SL has the same winding pattern as the original Parnassus, thatâ€™s why it retains some of the Parnassusâ€™s sonic signature.
Please excuse me for my poor English writing because English is not my mother tongue. Anyway, hope you understand my expressions.

Product Weakness: Need precise setup and frequent stylus cleaning, shows up all the shortcomings in the less than first rate recordings
Product Strengths: Accurate, fast, detailed, transparent, pinpoint imaging and focus, extremely low coloration

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Ensemble Evivo
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Ensemble Virtuoso plus Ensemble Fonovivo phono stage with Ultra Low Noise Power Supply
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Oracle Delphi MK V Limited Edition / Graham 2.2
Speakers:	Ensemble Primadonna Gold EC
Cables/Interconnects:	Ensemble Masterflux interconnects, Ensemble Megaflux FSF speaker cables, Ensemble Megaflux power cords, Venture Black Reference digital cable
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Classical and Jazz recordings in the 50's, 60's and early 70's
Room Size (LxWxH):	19' x 12' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Room Tune plus RPG plus DIY acoustic treatments
Time Period/Length of Audition:	Enough to make conclusions
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Ensemble Isotrans isolation transformers, Ensemble Power Point AC distribution units, Shaki Stones, Black Diamond Racing products...etc
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Need precise setup and frequent stylus cleaning, shows up all the shortcomings in the less than first rate recordings
Product Strengths:	Accurate, fast, detailed, transparent, pinpoint imaging and focus, extremely low coloration