Lyra was one of the first brands that I sought out when I started Signals 16 years ago. Despite quite a few model changes over this time they remain very much our sort of cartridge. Open, uncoloured, dynamic. Just plain musical. Our more recent discovery of Nottingham Analogue turntables and arms has given us fresh enthusiasm for analogue replay and the new range of Lyra cartridges dovetail wonderfully with Nottingham turntables and Naim electronics.

None of the Lyras seem to be particularly fussy about arm matching. Unipivots such as the Naim ARO and Nottingham Space Arm suit them, as do all current SMEs. Tonally, none are exactly cosy, but neither are they cold. Having said that, system matching from turntable through to cable and loudspeaker choice can have a dramatic effect. Please never buy such items blind (or deaf). The following trio are or favourit Lyras. All on demonstration and, usually, in stock too.

For a limited period, all Lyra cartridges purchased from Signals come with a free bottle of Lyra SPT stylus cleaning fluid.

Lyra Dorian

One of the most popular (and one of the best) £500-£600 cartridges. We have had excellent results in a wide range of turntables and arms, including the Nottingham Analogue products.

Stereophile Recommended Component, Class B

The "budget-priced" Dorian offers 0.6mV of output and a recommended tracking force of 1.8-2gm. MF: "The Dorian's transparency, transient speed, rhythmic solidity, resolution of low-level detail, and taut, well extended bottom end brought an overall balance and musical excitement that I've yet to hear from any cartridge competing at this price." (Vol.28 No.3)

For the technical, the Dorian specifications:

• Type: Moving Coil, low-impedance, low-output, medium compliance
• Frequency range: 10Hz ~ 50kHz
• Channel separation: 30dB or better at 1kHz
• Cantilever system: Solid boron rod with Micro Ridge line-contact stylus
• Internal impedance: 9.5ohms
• Output voltage: 0.6mV (5.0cm/sec., zero to peak, 45 degrees at 1kHz)
• Cartridge weight (without stylus cover): 6.4g
• Compliance: Approx. 12 x 10-6 cm/dyne at 100Hz
• Recommended tracking force: 1.8 ~ 2.0g
• Recommended load into non-inverting RIAA equalizer amplifier or head-amplifier: 10ohms ~ 47kohms
• Recommended load into step-up transformer: 5~ 15ohms

Lyra Delos

The next level to the Dorian and replacement for the much-loved Argo. A significant step forward from what was already a superb cartridge, this is something of a technical tour de force. Stunning stuff. The colour combination might be a little 'loud' but it belies the subtle, agile and extremely musical qualities within.

Download the PDF

Delos specifications:

• Frequency range :10 Hz to 50 kHz
• Channel separation : 30 dB or better at 1 kHz
• Cantilever system : Solid boron rod with Namiki microridge stylus (2.5 x 75 micrometres profile)
• Coils : Six Ns high-purity copperInternal impedance8.2 Ohms
• Output voltage : 0.6 mV (5.0 cm/second, zero to peak, 45 degrees)
• Cartridge weight : 7.3 g without stylus cover
• Compliance : Approx 12 x 10-6 cm/dyne at 100 Hz
• Recommended tracking force: 1.7 to 1.8 g (1.75 g preferred)
• Recommended load into phono stage or head amp : 91 Ohms to 47 kOhms (best value determined by listening)
• Recommended load into step-up transformer : 5 to 15 Ohms

Lyra Skala

The rather unassuming white blob left is the Skala, the latest creation by Lyra designer, Jonathan Carr. It costs £1995 and comes second down the range below the Titan.

This little baby might appear unassuming but it certainly does comprehensively outclass its cheaper brethren. Definitely only to be auditioned if you can actually afford it.

Of course, unless you actually get to hear the Skala, ignorance is bliss. As with the Dorian and Delos above, we have this cartridge on demonstration and available for home trial.

Skala specifications:

• Type: Low-impedance, low-output, medium compliance moving coil
• Frequency range: 10 Hz to 50 kHzChannel separation35 dB or better at 1 kHz
• Cantilever system: Solid boron rod with Lyra original natural diamond line-contact stylus (3 x 70 micrometres profile)
• Internal impedance: 5.5 OhmsOutput voltage0.5 mV (5.0 cm/second, zero to peak, 45 degrees)
• Cartridge weight: 9 g without stylus cover
• Compliance: Approx 12 x 10-6 cm/dyne at 100 Hz
• Recommended tracking force: 1.65 to 1.75 g
• Recommended load into phono stage or head amp: 100 Ohms to 47 kOhms (best value determined by listening)
• Recommended load into step-up transformer: less than 10 Ohms

Carriage free within UK on all of the above. For Lyra trade in prices, please speak to a fully interactive real live human being on 01473 655171 or email.

Arcam, Audio Technica, Creek, Chord Company, Eichmann, Dynavector, Epos, Focal / JM Labs, Grado headphones, Harbeth,

Isoblue (and special branch), Kudos Audio, Lyngdorf, Lyra, Michell Engineering, Naim Audio, Neat Acoustics, Nordost, Origin Live, Ortofon, Nottingham Analogue, Partington, Primare, Rega, Roksan, Sim2, Graham Slee, Shahinian, Something Solid, Stands Unique, Stax Earspeakers, Sumiko, Trichord, Wireworld, Wyrewizard