SUT decision: Ortofon Verto vs Ortofon STA6600L

Another option is the K&K step-up. It uses excellent Lundahl transformers and has adjustable gain. You can also ask Kevin to supply slide-in resistors to give you loading options.

Dear Pani: +++++ " However I dont get the same flow of the music which I get when SUT is in place. " +++++

I can't know what you are listening in your system but ZYX " signature " is different from Lyra.

Now, there could be some reasons your Lyra performs in that way: not a very good match with the tonearm is mounted, needs a different load impedance value ( you have to check with different values. ), colored IC phono cable, some set up parameters as VTA/SRA/AZ/VTF where the cartridge is not " confortable ", SUT own distortions or is the way the Skala sounds.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

I Don't know if it is ok for me to discuss my own product here, but since it is moderated, I will let the moderator decide. I will not give my personal opinion but just refer to a few reviews of the 1131
http://cinemag.biz/news/STRP-120500.pdf
http://www.10audio.com/bob%27s_devices_1131_step_up.htm
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue61/reader9.htm
I believe in Art Dudley's column he compares it to the Lundahls.

Pani: Could me " healthy " that you contact directly to Lyra looking for a best advise to achieve the " best " the Skala can shows you.

R.

Hi Raul,
Lyra will recommend their own SUT which is the Erodion. This is out of my budget.

Raul wrote:
I can't know what you are listening in your system but ZYX " signature " is different from Lyra.

Now, there could be some reasons your Lyra performs in that way: not a very good match with the tonearm is mounted, needs a different load impedance value ( you have to check with different values. ), colored IC phono cable, some set up parameters as VTA/SRA/AZ/VTF where the cartridge is not " confortable ", SUT own distortions or is the way the Skala sounds.

Raul, I have been using this phonostage for the last 2 years or so and I have been very happy with it. I have tried many different cartridges, many interconnects, different tonearms and different settings all throughout my analogue rig. It has been a common observation that my phonostage sounds absolutely glorious with ZYX cartridge but not as good with Lyra. I dont know why. I have three Lyras till now and 3 ZYX. The result is consistent. With a SUT, things are different, the Lyra sings. Which tells me that the issue is mostly about loading. I could not get that same flow at any of the load settings on the phonostage. There must be something more to it but I am not a techie to be able to open the phonostage and check inside or modify. BTW, the Lyra sings really well with the 47 Labs phonocube and even Lehmann Audio Black Cube. So it likes direct input inside the phonostage, that is clear. Cannot blame any one component here.