Gian can put his thoughts, but I would say that Lyra has more of those but Opus does not have less. It is not rolled off, for example, if that's what you are worried about.
Etna SL vs Atlas SL vs Opus 1
- Thread starter MadFloyd
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Gian can put his thoughts, but I would say that Lyra has more of those but Opus does not have less. It is not rolled off, for example, if that's what you are worried about.
Thanks, Ked. While I am slightly worried about it being rolled off, what I'm really worried about is too much emphasis in the midrange that give the impression of it being rolled off. For example, many classical recordings don't have that much upper frequency info (or come across as 'midrange-y') and a cart that has a lot of midrange bloom (like my Zyx) makes the recording sound rolled off (or dull).
I want a cart capable of conveying beauty, but not at the cost of emphasizing the midrange. I want clarity, resolution, speed, extension, deep soundstage, instrument separation. All the good stuff.
I want a cart capable of conveying beauty, but not at the cost of emphasizing the midrange. I want clarity, resolution, speed, extension, deep soundstage, instrument separation. All the good stuff.
You will get "all the good stuff" you mentioned above plus more dimensionality than many top carts from Opus1 sir.
Kind regards,
Tang
Thanks, Ked. While I am slightly worried about it being rolled off, what I'm really worried about is too much emphasis in the midrange that give the impression of it being rolled off. For example, many classical recordings don't have that much upper frequency info (or come across as 'midrange-y') and a cart that has a lot of midrange bloom (like my Zyx) makes the recording sound rolled off (or dull).
I want a cart capable of conveying beauty, but not at the cost of emphasizing the midrange. I want clarity, resolution, speed, extension, deep soundstage, instrument separation. All the good stuff.
I think Lyra does most of things but think for speed it truncates decay which is why, whenever I have heard it, and this is in many systems with valves and SS, CH, Ypsilon, pass, naim phonos, I have appreciated how music is presented but never become involved. Dynamics, speed, detail, resolution, extension, has always been great.
Opus was clearly better in Gian's system, immediately, on all the classical records I played. More natural, better stage. On an attribute to attribute basis it would lose out on speed, extension, and dynamics to the Lyra, but would still be better... That's the problem with trying to write why vs listening.
It did not have a midrange bloom. But then I think zyx while it has a nice midrange does not have a bloom at the cost of other stuff. Koetsu and madake do. And zyx universe premium at Steve's is far from dull. So there is some system mismatch
Will Opus be a cart that Is complete? I don't know. It might still not be sufficient, but then will all others. It will be more complete than Lyra based on listening in Gian's system. That's the problem with these carts. Spend so much and it's not complete. It sounds better than GFS at Gian's too, but may or may not do so at Mike's.
If you ever go to audio arts in N.Y. The Allaerts to me is a complete cart, outside Mike's analog set up, albeit with less resolution than Lyra (like all other carts), plus a price am happy with. This might change over the next three months as I compare it to more carts.
As always, I really appreciate your insight, Ked. I think two other issues I have with my Zyx Premium (which I can't seem to give away) is that the bass is too sluggish for me and the transients are on the soft side. I recently got to hear Peter's Airtight Supreme and My Sonic Labs in my system and preferred both to my Zyx. I think the Supreme was more realistic and the MSL a little hyped in the highs (not that I minded that much).
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Yes, I think you said it right - which is why Lyra makes analog sound more like digital.
And the systems I have heard the top Lyra carts ironically are all tube. Ron and I were talking Atlas vs Proteus recently (we both heard the same system) and agreed that the Proteus isn't warmer persay, its just more analog sounding and the brain relaxes yet still has wonderful resolution, dynamics, etc.
Keith, which Proteus are you referring to? I see there is a new D (diamond) model that is 10k...
I have a Lyra Etna SL and doesn't sound digital at all too me. It is definitely less warm than my Benz Micro LPS or Ortofon Anna, but it is not digital sounding.
Maybe I need to understand what you mean by sounding "digital."
Thanks, Ked. While I am slightly worried about it being rolled off, what I'm really worried about is too much emphasis in the midrange that give the impression of it being rolled off. For example, many classical recordings don't have that much upper frequency info (or come across as 'midrange-y') and a cart that has a lot of midrange bloom (like my Zyx) makes the recording sound rolled off (or dull).
I want a cart capable of conveying beauty, but not at the cost of emphasizing the midrange. I want clarity, resolution, speed, extension, deep soundstage, instrument separation. All the good stuff.
Ian, did you feel that my AirTight Supreme had those qualities when you heard it in your system? Or the MSL Sig. Gold? The Opus 1 is supposed to have even more resolution, extension and speed, apparently. I have not heard it.
Ian, you should contact Albert Porter. He had the Atlas and now favors the Opus 1. He should be very candid with his reasons if you call or email him.
