Lyra Connoisseur Preamp : Senior but not Senile!

[CKKeung]

A good friend of mine recently bought an used Lyra Connoisseur Preamp.
It has been discontinued for years but the condition is excellent!





It is a Japanese 100V version.
When my friend brought it home and have a brief listen, a 220v-to-100V transformer was used.



Quite inconvenient but why he was willing to buy it?
It's because he has a pairing Lyra Connoisseur Phonoamp!
It is said that they have an unbelievable synergy when used together.
And my friend used a Lyra Etna SL before, but currently got a Lyra Olympos X-Frame.



Here are the two of them (their main units) in my friend's rack :



Actually they have the same external powersupply unit.



Mr. Jonathan Carr is willing to upgrade the PSU of both of them to the newest Ver4.3 mk2.
And at the same time changing the Phonoamp psu from 100V to the 220V of HK.

They are now on the way to Japan :



I can't wait to listen to the performance of the Lyra Olympos X-Frame with the upgraded Lyra Connoisseur Prwamp and Phonoamp!

 

[banpuku]

I recall owning a pair of Lyra Connoisseur pre-amps. Probably the best solid-state pre-amps I have heard. Also, some of the best craftsmanship with it's air dielectric circuitry. And the sound, the best solid state I have encountered. For frame of reference, I have owned (or enjoyed at length) VTL, ARC, Boulder, Doshi, Lyra, EMT JPA-66, Vacuum State and others. My current reference is EMIA phono and elmaformer. Lyra is very natural for solid state. Easy on the shoulders, lets you relax.

 

[amadeus]

A good friend of mine recently bought an used Lyra Connoisseur Preamp.
It has been discontinued for years but the condition is excellent!

View attachment 74991
View attachment 74992
View attachment 74993

It is a Japanese 100V version.
When my friend brought it home and have a brief listen, a 220v-to-100V transformer was used.

View attachment 74994

Quite inconvenient but why he was willing to buy it?
It's because he has a pairing Lyra Connoisseur Phonoamp!
It is said that they have an unbelievable synergy when used together.
And my friend used a Lyra Etna SL before, but currently got a Lyra Olympos X-Frame.

View attachment 74997

Here are the two of them (their main units) in my friend's rack :

View attachment 74995

Actually they have the same external powersupply unit.

View attachment 74996

Mr. Jonathan Carr is willing to upgrade the PSU of both of them to the newest Ver4.3 mk2.
And at the same time changing the Phonoamp psu from 100V to the 220V of HK.

They are now on the way to Japan :

View attachment 74998

I can't wait to listen to the performance of the Lyra Olympos X-Frame with the upgraded Lyra Connoisseur Prwamp and Phonoamp!

I owned both the Lyra Connoisseur 4.2 and Phonostage great gear especially the Preamp is very good and will remain so enjoy them!

 

[howiebrou]

I saw that preamp in the shop and thought about it for a while. Always liked this model.

 

[andromedaaudio]

Looks like a timeless design , very nice

 

[BruceD]

Where it all started --the Brilliant Mares Connoisseur 2.0 Jonathan C took up the reins and ran with it since --Kudos!

Easily together with the Curl Vendetta ( T teflon capped version) possibly the two finest Phono stages to come from a SS JFet stable.

I've heard the Mares and owned 3 Vendettas.

You have a jewel of great beauty there CK savour it

Incidentally I wonder where Jonathan gets his Jfets from?--I believe they were out of production ages ago--Charlie Hansen(RIP)

was rumoured to have snavelled the last batch of the fabled Hitachi's for himself!

BruceD

 

[banpuku]

Last I knew, and this is 10 year old information, Lyra no longer produces the Connoisseur pre-amps. I was in correspondance with Jonathan Carr at the time and he indicated that the EU banned the type of solder that they were using and did not like the sound of alternative solder, so they stopped making the product.

 

[BruceD]

Last I knew, and this is 10 year old information, Lyra no longer produces the Connoisseur pre-amps. I was in correspondance with Jonathan Carr at the time and he indicated that the EU banned the type of solder that they were using and did not like the sound of alternative solder, so they stopped making the product.

Yes this ROH's rubbish has taken some fine audio products with it or rather out of the EU

--Shindo for one.

Funny the Core solder Ok for the Military but not for Sir, Señor ,Frau ,etc etc etc !

Ah well inquisitive minds will search the workaround --human nature

Carry on chaps ,

BruceD

 

[Birdwatcher]

Are the Lyras already returned from the service?

 

[Nemal1]

Gorgeous and timeless products. I once aspired yo them just as the new regulations came in and production ceased. Great shame

 

[LL21]

I think Roy Gregory has kept his personal Lyra all these years (including as of now) as a reference preamp. He has mentioned this in the past, and is a huge admirer of this legendary piece.