Thanks again every one for the help. One last question. Would the Skala be closer sonicly to the Delos than the Kleos?
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In a way it doesn't matter. Most components in a System need compensation among each other. And most users want to spend money, the ability to understand what is going on has absolutely no connection to that. MP3 became a huge success and it is only logical that it will be available in a cartridge design sooner or later. There is a System out there somewhere that's the ideal match for any cartridge. |
I think the Dynavector has an overall slightly warmer sound than the lyra. maybe a little more body through the midrange. but the lyra does not sound sterile or thin at all. Just a very nice and very balanced from top to bottom cartridge. i used the Dyna XX2 MKII for two years and was very happy with it. I think this Delos is a step above it. |
Tom_hankins, nice to hear that the Delos is working so well for you. I also have found an excellent cart for my system, in the Emt Tsd-15 . I have been in search of other fine cartridges in the $1500-2K range. Was hoping if you could answer a basic question about going from D-V to the Delos. I have no experience with the Lyra's, but haven't considered them, because they are said to have a dead nuts neutral type sound. Do you consider the Delos to have a bit more body, than your D-V in general. The Tsd-15 was basically a wake up call for me. It showed me that a 2K cartridge, when properly matched, can be quite good. |
Tom, I would not define the highs as neither soft or bright but as natural as I would expect them to be. I really feel this cartridge has a knack for presenting a true and accurate timbre from top to bottom. To say soft, bright, warm or cool is applying margins where none exist. In my opinion of course. I have had catridges that are bright or harsh and some that are bland or mushy. To me the Lyra house sound is true to voice, as I imagine it to be, since I was not in the studio. I just think the Kleos exemplifies the best qualities of that Lyra sound at a price that could easily be 1000.00 more. |
Thom, I notice you have the xv-1s. Compared to this cartridge, yes the Kleos is less extended in the upper frequencies. The xv-1 has more upper frequency air, and bass impact. Most other aspects of the Kleos is sota, especially in the midrange and quietness. Whether or not you or anyone will see this aspect of the Kleos and advantage or disadvantage will depend on the tonal qualities of your sysem I would suspect. |
I too started with a Delos but my dealer allowed me to upgrade to the Kleos and after about 4 weeks with the Delos it was a superb performer but the Kleos is better. I feel that extracts more information to the extent that I have been amazed at how much information is contained in those grooves. But once it is extracted with archeilogical precison it then converts it to music in the most natural tonality I could hope for. The differnce between the two is quite large in that they both are wonderful cartridges and the Delos is a destination in it's self, the Kleos is just a much more musical and enjoyable journey. I look back as I spent money I really couldn't or shouldn't have invested at the time for economic reasons, but now about 8 months later, I can only say it was worth it. |
Dear Tom: Both the Delos and Kleos are "New Angle" cartridges, in which the signal coils are accurately aligned to the magnetic system when vertical tracking force is applied, and this technology is the basis for why they sound and perform better than competing cartridges at similar price points. Compared to the Kleos, the Delos has a somewhat higher output signal which may help some phono stages, but that is the extent of its advantages over the Kleos. The Kleos has less wire in the coils (and therefore lighter and more responsive coils), more intimate bonding of the stylus to the cantilever (which conveys the vibrations of the LP groove more faithfully to the signal coils), a stiffer body which is also less resonant, and tighter bonding between the cartridge and tonearm headshell. Both are good-sounding cartridges, but IME (and according to most users, dealers and reviewers that I have heard from), the Kleos sounds considerably better. In some areas, in fact, I prefer the sound of the Kleos over the Titan i (a more natural top end, and less background noise). OTOH, every listener is free to choose the sound that he likes best - when it comes to subjective tastes, there is no right or wrong. kind regards, jonathan |
Sonically the Kleos is a downgrade but you won't notice it because you spent more money and your brain expect a better performance. Kleos is a good choice for a very analytic, thin, harsh sounding analog rig or for average Phonostages which can't show big differences. It is smooth and has a very soft high frequency area. It is also silent in the grooves. Great for noisy Reissues. Delos is better for someone who is looking for real Performance with a very good analog System. Normally it should be sold for 6k and the Kleos for 1.5k. That's high End. But don't be confused, you will get a lot of confirmations from happy Kleos owners who think it is a great cartridge :-). Lyra has some outstanding ones (or had), but not each one is among them. Lyra Kleos in action . |