Analogue Upgrade Help.

Save your money and buy a Grado Reference high output version. If you're in no hurry you'll find a great deal on one sooner or later on Audiogon. You will be thrilled with this cartridge. I use a low ouput version (1mV)on my Well Tempered Reference, which replaced a Van den Hul Grasshopper Gold. I use an EAR phono preamp running into an Audible Illusions 3A. If I had the 4mV version that I'm recommending to you I would not even need the EAR as the phono stage on the AI is excellent, just not quite enough gain for 1mV. I imagine the Lyra would be a bit better than the Grado, but as stated by Twl above, your present turntable/arm combo may not do it the justice it deserves. My Well Tempered would, but the Grado is such a good match I don't see the point in spending the extra money. The Grados are that good!

TWL and Tswhitsel - Thanks for the kind help and advice. I am planning to upgrade to a TNT or equivalent TT in a couple years but not immediately (ongoing kitchen/living room renovations preclude the added expense). I planned instead to upgrade the cartridge first, but I was under the false impression, based on reviewer/reader comments in Stereophile and TAS, that MC was the only way to go. I am very encouraged by Tswhitsel suggestion of the Grado Reference. I considered this cartridge but did not know what to expect. I use a Clearaudio Beta Aurum cartridge today and used a Grado Platinum last year.

I certainly agree with the recommendation of the Grado Statement Reference in a high output model. I also have a MK4 TT with a classic Grado Signature arm; this cartridge sounds fantastic with this combo. Surface noise is so extremely low; it's just amazing. I have my VTA set such that the cartridge body is almost exactly parallel to the record, maybe just slightly negative, depending upon variables.

Thanks Bob_bundus. I appreciate the input and the help.

Thanks Bob_bundus. I appreciate the input and the help.