Lyra Etna SL

i was never really sure about the potential of high end catridges till i tried and bought the DV TKR. now that its run it, i really need to watch out now in case i find myself on an expensive slippery slope to true high end -- of which i suspect the TKR only gives but a hint...

enjoy

ken

If I were in the market for a cartridge at that level then the Etna would be right up there on my wishlist - and I have a Kleos to trade in 

I use a Lyra Etna and think it is wonderful. Compared it to a top end Dynavector before I bought with the conclusion the extra £1k for the Etna was well worth it.

Would love to hear the Etna can't afford one but can imagine it sounds pretty stunning.

There's something quite magical about Top end moving coils they certainly deliver in spades ,but at a price.If I ever one the lottery I would have a well stocked cabinet full of Koetsu' s. Lyra's,Deccas etc. That would be good fun.

I can't afford one either (though I have thought about how to).  I was very surprised how much better it was than my Kandid.  Better buy that Power Ball ticket tomorrow.

Tabby cat posted:

..... There's something quite magical about Top end moving coils they certainly deliver in spades ,.....

i can well imagine that given my experience with the much humbler DV TKR and that is the cart that woke me up to the possibilities of top end carts.

i find it some what odd to be enthusing about these transducers in this world of streaming -- where there is aren't really any equivalent wearing parts...

enjoy

ken

I see the streamers like Tidal saving my DVXX2 for another year or more.  I do love my Palmer TT and system, vinyl is very satisfying  but I can't see paying that much for a cartridge. And I don't think I want to hear one, my retirement is very comfortable at this level. All paid for.

Matt

I would love to hear one. Hell I'd love to hear a Kandid. But I got very gun shy a few years back after I collapsed the cantilever on  Dynavector 17 mk 2 during installation. The thought of doing that on an Etna gives me the willies big time!

Matt,

So you've heard the Etna SL!

Here's what David had to say about it:
INCREDIBLE!
"Live" attack. Full body. All instruments all the time. In tune. All emotions, from Ashkenazi to Zevon. Amazing control. Exiting AND relaxed.
Worth the 10k.

Rumour has it that there will be a new Lyra coming out to filll the gap between the Kleos and Etna since Skala is discontinued.

ken c posted:

Tabby cat posted:

..... There's something quite magical about Top end moving coils they certainly deliver in spades ,.....

i can well imagine that given my experience with the much humbler DV TKR and that is the cart that woke me up to the possibilities of top end carts.

i find it some what odd to be enthusing about these transducers in this world of streaming -- where there is aren't really any equivalent wearing parts...

enjoy

ken

Ken,

It's pretty bonkers buying a piece of equipment that will eventually expire but I suppose everything wears out and streaming devices become obsolete with new dac technology and amps need recapping.Having said that you know when you hear a top end moving coil the economics go out the window and the music puts a big grin on your face.Although your bank statement might not.....diamonds are a girls best friend and incurable Analog addicts like us.

kuma posted:

Matt,

So you've heard the Etna SL!

Here's what David had to say about it:
INCREDIBLE!
"Live" attack. Full body. All instruments all the time. In tune. All emotions, from Ashkenazi to Zevon. Amazing control. Exiting AND relaxed.
Worth the 10k.

Rumour has it that there will be a new Lyra coming out to filll the gap between the Kleos and Etna since Skala is discontinued.

I think we can safely say he liked it.  I found it to be one of the best listening experiences of reproduced music that I have experienced.   Out of my range right now but the Mega Millions is up to $445 million!  ��

kuma posted:

Matt,

So you've heard the Etna SL!

Here's what David had to say about it:
INCREDIBLE!
"Live" attack. Full body. All instruments all the time. In tune. All emotions, from Ashkenazi to Zevon. Amazing control. Exiting AND relaxed.
Worth the 10k.

Rumour has it that there will be a new Lyra coming out to filll the gap between the Kleos and Etna since Skala is discontinued.

Who is David?

Varyat,

David & Alma Wilson are the owners of Accent on Music in Mt. Kisco who are long time Linn/Naim dealer.

CariocaJeff posted:

Compared it to a top end Dynavector before I bought with the conclusion the extra £1k for the Etna was well worth it.

I still have not had an opportunity to listen to the Dynavector XV1t.

How is it different from the Etna?

Altho, one another thing David mentioned was that this SL version sounds very different from the standard Etna. He should know cuz, my friend purchased the original Etna from him.

matt podniesinski posted:

kuma posted:

Matt,

So you've heard the Etna SL!

Here's what David had to say about it:
INCREDIBLE!
"Live" attack. Full body. All instruments all the time. In tune. All emotions, from Ashkenazi to Zevon. Amazing control. Exiting AND relaxed.
Worth the 10k.

Rumour has it that there will be a new Lyra coming out to filll the gap between the Kleos and Etna since Skala is discontinued.

I think we can safely say he liked it.  I found it to be one of the best listening experiences of reproduced music that I have experienced.   Out of my range right now but the Mega Millions is up to $445 million!  ��

Matt,

I hope I'll also have the same positive listening experience you all had!

I am looking forward to listening to it in my rig.

kuma posted:

Varyat,

David & Alma Wilson are the owners of Accent on Music in Mt. Kisco who are long time Linn/Naim dealer.

Thanks for the clarification Kuma. I had a feeling that was who you were talking about- just did not want to assume ...

ATB,

Mark

David and Alma are wonderful folks. They put together my LP12 for me -- though I had nothing like an Etna SL put on the business end!

I heartily encourage our fellow travelers in the New York City area to pay them a visit.

kuma posted:

matt podniesinski posted:

kuma posted:

Matt,

So you've heard the Etna SL!

Here's what David had to say about it:
INCREDIBLE!
"Live" attack. Full body. All instruments all the time. In tune. All emotions, from Ashkenazi to Zevon. Amazing control. Exiting AND relaxed.
Worth the 10k.

Rumour has it that there will be a new Lyra coming out to filll the gap between the Kleos and Etna since Skala is discontinued.

I think we can safely say he liked it.  I found it to be one of the best listening experiences of reproduced music that I have experienced.   Out of my range right now but the Mega Millions is up to $445 million!  ��

Matt,

I hope I'll also have the same positive listening experience you all had!

I am looking forward to listening to it in my rig.

I look forward to your impressions of the SL.

Hi Matt,

Went over to David and Alma's today based on your rave review of the Etna.  I had to agree with your assessment.  As David has said live attack with a full body with instruments in tune and I would add with great timing.  We listened to Beethoven string trios and Ladino and Jewish folk vocals.  All sounded wonderful, but when David put on an Audiophile violin LP, the Etna made it clear that the sound was "engineered" for certain types of non musical tastes.  The cartridge reveals the best from good recordings and the worst from bad engineered recordings. 

Wish I could afford a Kandid at half the price!

Ira

ANE posted:

All sounded wonderful, but when David put on an Audiophile violin LP, the Etna made it clear that the sound was "engineered" for certain types of non musical tastes. 

Ira,

Which *Audiophile* violin LP is that?

kuma posted:

CariocaJeff posted:

Compared it to a top end Dynavector before I bought with the conclusion the extra £1k for the Etna was well worth it.

I still have not had an opportunity to listen to the Dynavector XV1t.

How is it different from the Etna?

Altho, one another thing David mentioned was that this SL version sounds very different from the standard Etna. He should know cuz, my friend purchased the original Etna from him.

Kuma,

Will try to explain, but don't know all the hifi buzzwords, just love to here music well reproduced.

the dynavector was good - detailed, great soundstage, but the Etna just took the music to the next level, more detailed, a slight veil over the Dynavector was replaced with music just appearing in space out of no-where, so much more musical, and exciting. Amazed now how albums I have known for 30 years, suddenly reveal things I have never heard before, even from digital versions, and how often even when doing something else, I get dragged back to listen and concentrate on the music.

I think the dynavector would have left me still thinking there was another level to go, but the Etna seems to get me there. 

Thanks Jeff.

Yeah. Dyna carts always impress with a great soundstage ( particularly width ) but that's strictly a visual thing which is not on a high sonic priority for me. Some cartridges, I found have uncanny ability to transport a listener to the venue presenting a performer in a real acoustic space. I do not know what electrical property produces this.

Interesting that you find XV1t *veiled* what is the arm you put the cartridge on? At this level, all the cartridges *should* have above average clarity and details.

Listening to friend's Olympus and my beloved Miyabi/47, the former has a far better detail retrieval and much improved tracking ability but both cartridges can produce an *in-room presence* of a performance much better than almost anything I have heard. ( other I have had was stone bodied Koestu albeit not on a Sondek )

That's what I am hoping to get from the Etna SL. I certainly don't get that from either Kleos SL or Kandid.

I was talking to someone about this and the best he has experienced was Miyabi Custom.

Kuma,

i heard both cartridges on my SG1.2, the arm being the SG centroid,  after it was set up awaiting delivery to me. 

Differences were all relative - I would have been happy with the dynavector if had not heard the Etna. The veil was small but noticeable  given the clarity of the Lyra.

the second sentance of your first para is a great way to describe what the Etna does for me. I find it amazing that I so often now feel part of the music. 

Would like to hear the SL version sometime, but for now I'm happy with what I have, and just want more and more time to saviour what is the closest I've got to hearing music reproduced the way I know it can!

Ira,

Which *Audiophile* violin LP is that?

Sorry Kuma, David put on the LP and the violin after only a few bars sounded "artificial" to me.  He took it off and put it away.  I have no idea which record was being played.

Ira

ANE posted:

Hi Matt,

Went over to David and Alma's today based on your rave review of the Etna.  I had to agree with your assessment.  As David has said live attack with a full body with instruments in tune and I would add with great timing.  We listened to Beethoven string trios and Ladino and Jewish folk vocals.  All sounded wonderful, but when David put on an Audiophile violin LP, the Etna made it clear that the sound was "engineered" for certain types of non musical tastes.  The cartridge reveals the best from good recordings and the worst from bad engineered recordings. 

Wish I could afford a Kandid at half the price!

Ira

Glad you enjoyed it Ira.  As far as the Kandid, who knows.  Every once in a while one of their customers upgrades and trades in.  I have acquired several black boxes that way.

All the best,

Matt