Lyra Atlas SL Lambda Moving Coil Cartridge

Lyra Atlas SL Lambda Moving Coil Cartridge

Lambda The Next Level Up.

A seldom-mentioned yet key factor in defining the performance and sound of a phono cartridge is the suspension and damper system. A cantilever’s materials, dimensions and constructions all affect the sound in unique ways, and unless the dampers and suspension are engineered to be a suitable match to the cantilever chosen, the sound and performance will not be optimal.
For Lyra’s post-2008 New Angle models (Delos, Kleos, Etna, Atlas) Lyra developed tapered dampers to pre-load the cantilever downwards when it is in the rest position, so that the application of vertical tracking force (VTF) will bring the coil angle into alignment with the magnets when the cartridge is in the playing position.
But Lyra’s continued research into dampers and suspension systems has now led to the next level up - Lambda.
Lambda separates the tapered dampers of the New Angle cartridges into flat elastomer discs (for damping) and an additional support “pillow” to serve as the cantilever pre-loading element.

This division allows the use of more specialized materials that are better suited to their individual tasks.

The Lambda Atlas and Etna thereby continue the New Angle benefits (coil and magnet angles become aligned when the cartridge is in the playing position), but stability and sonic performance are significantly improved.

The Lambda improvements apply to both the single coil layer models (Atlas SL, Etna SL) and the standard double coil layer models (Atlas, Etna). Likewise for the Atlas Mono and Etna Mono models.

Despite the revisions to the damping system, the cartridge body structure of the Atlas remains unaltered, likewise with the Etna. There for all Lyra Etna and Atlas cartridges that are returned to Lyra for rebuilding will automatically be upgraded to the latest Lambda specification.

Lyra Atlas SL

LYRA ATLAS SL ("Single Layer" low-impedance, low-output model)

This is a special, built-to-order, version of Lyra Atlas for expert users with very high-gain, extra low noise phonostages, or alternatively a step-up transformer designed for phono cartridges of 2 - 3 ohms or less. 

Most users (and phonostages) will benefit from the regular Atlas with much higher output and considerably more energy; resulting in a much better signal-to-noise ratio. If you are in doubt about which version of Atlas that will work best in your system, please go with the regular Atlas.

The Atlas SL may provide extra pure and pristine sound from an audio system that is optimized for a low-impedance, low-output cartridge. However, this may be accompanied with a lesser level of energy and power.

Lyra nevertheless has decided to offer SL models, for those who are confident that they can extract the benefits from such a low-output MC phono cartridge.

SPECIFICATIONS FOR ATLAS SL

• Designer: Jonathan Carr 

• Builder: Yoshinori Mishima (final build, testing), Akiko Ishiyama (preliminary build).

The Lyra cartridges are special order.