Ekstatik dilemma

[vincent]

I've had an Ekstatik on home-dem for the past five days. When it goes back to my dealer tomorrow, I will decide whether to order one or trade in my current Kleos SL for an Etna SL. The Etna would be £250 'cheaper'.

The Ekstatik is an excellent cartridge, exceptionally refined and revealing. It has improved significantly over the course of the week (Linn say it needs 40 hours minimum). In an ideal world I would have been able to home-dem the Etna SL, but that's not going to happen.

Thanks to John and the team at Audio T in Brighton for trusting me with this!

[Wenge1]

.
With respect to the cat - All I will say that you are very lucky you are not having to buy two Ekstatiks with a knakered one being a trade in for another new one ............

As regards your dilemma: it depends on what your outlook is with respect to to the level of risk you perceive the situation poses. In my view the Lyra Etna will outperform your current Kleos by some margin. How much more and will it outperform the Ekstatik? I can't say. I'm making the assumption that you can't have a demo of the Etna SL in any way even at a Lyra dealer. Is that the case? If it is my personal view is that the risk of going with the Etna SL would be small. But that is just my view; most others may well disagree. What matters is your view on the perceived risk.

[Coyote Jim]

Mmmmmmmmm
If it was lying on the platter then the arm board wouldn't still be flush.

[vincent]

.
With respect to the cat - All I will say that you are very lucky you are not having to buy two Ekstatiks with a knakered one being a trade in for another new one ............

As regards your dilemma: it depends on what your outlook is with respect to to the level of risk you perceive the situation poses. In my view the Lyra Etna will outperform your current Kleos by some margin. How much more and will it outperform the Ekstatik? I can't say. I'm making the assumption that you can't have a demo of the Etna SL in any way even at a Lyra dealer. Is that the case? If it is my personal view is that the risk of going with the Etna SL would be small. But that is just my view; most others may well disagree. What matters is your view on the perceived risk.

Thanks for this, very well put. I agree that the 'risk' of my not liking the Etna SL is small. Had it not been for the introduction of the Ekstatik I would have had no qualms at all about buying the Etna SL without hearing it.

Against the Etna SL is the likely long wait, and complete absence of information on delivery time. In the Ekstatik's favour, the cartridge has been designed for maximum synergy with the Ekos SE. I like the three point mounting, and the relatively light weight of the cartridge at 7 grams is theoretically an advantage (Kleos is 8.8 grams, and Etna 9.2).

[Mr Onion]

A cat-astrophe has been avoided (sorry )

Good Photoshop though

Personally (and of course cartridge choice is very personal) if you are happy with Lyra, then I would stick with them.

[Wenge1]

Mmmmmmmmm
If it was lying on the platter then the arm board wouldn't still be flush.

Mmmmmm, now you mention it, it does still look flush - perhaps it's another Schrodinger's cat paradox .......

[Coyote Jim]

Best one I've seen well done.

[Wenge1]

.
With respect to the cat - All I will say that you are very lucky you are not having to buy two Ekstatiks with a knakered one being a trade in for another new one ............

As regards your dilemma: it depends on what your outlook is with respect to to the level of risk you perceive the situation poses. In my view the Lyra Etna will outperform your current Kleos by some margin. How much more and will it outperform the Ekstatik? I can't say. I'm making the assumption that you can't have a demo of the Etna SL in any way even at a Lyra dealer. Is that the case? If it is my personal view is that the risk of going with the Etna SL would be small. But that is just my view; most others may well disagree. What matters is your view on the perceived risk.

Thanks for this, very well put. I agree that the 'risk' of my not liking the Etna SL is small. Had it not been for the introduction of the Ekstatik I would have had no qualms at all about buying the Etna SL without hearing it.

Against the Etna SL is the likely long wait, and complete absence of information on delivery time. In the Ekstatik's favour, the cartridge has been designed for maximum synergy with the Ekos SE. I like the three point mounting, and the relatively light weight of the cartridge at 7 grams is theoretically an advantage (Kleos is 8.8 grams, and Etna 9.2).

I have no info on waiting times but I can say that I don't think the weight of Etna at 9.2g is an issue. I have no issues with running an Atlas at a 11.6g in an Ekos Se (with the heavy version of the counterweight).

[vincent]

Best one I've seen well done.

I would like to have been there when the guys at Audio T opened their email after the Bank Holiday (the photo accompanied my initial feedback)

[vincent]

I have no info on waiting times but I can say that I don't think the weight of Etna at 9.2g is an issue. I have no issues with running an Atlas at a 11.6g in an Ekos Se (with the heavy version of the counterweight).

Are you using the heavy version of the Linn counterweight? In which case have you stopped using the sKale? With my Kleos the sKale is definitely better than the standard counterweight (which has to be located quite a way from the fulcrum). I tried the sKale ('light' setting) briefly with the Ekstatik, but I didn't hear any improvement compared to the Linn c/w (located close to the fulcrum due to the light weight of the Ekstatik).

[Mr Onion]

Best one I've seen well done.

I would like to have been there when the guys at Audio T opened their email after the Bank Holiday (the photo accompanied my initial feedback)

Now thats pure evil


I like it

[Wenge1]

I have no info on waiting times but I can say that I don't think the weight of Etna at 9.2g is an issue. I have no issues with running an Atlas at a 11.6g in an Ekos Se (with the heavy version of the counterweight).

Are you using the heavy version of the Linn counterweight? In which case have you stopped using the sKale? With my Kleos the sKale is definitely better than the standard counterweight (which has to be located quite a way from the fulcrum). I tried the sKale ('light' setting) briefly with the Ekstatik, but I didn't hear any improvement compared to the Linn c/w (located close to the fulcrum due to the light weight of the Ekstatik).

I was using the term 'heavy counterweight' generically so any confusion is understandable. I am still happily using the sKale but with an extra weight disc .......

[vincent]

I have no info on waiting times but I can say that I don't think the weight of Etna at 9.2g is an issue. I have no issues with running an Atlas at a 11.6g in an Ekos Se (with the heavy version of the counterweight).

Are you using the heavy version of the Linn counterweight? In which case have you stopped using the sKale? With my Kleos the sKale is definitely better than the standard counterweight (which has to be located quite a way from the fulcrum). I tried the sKale ('light' setting) briefly with the Ekstatik, but I didn't hear any improvement compared to the Linn c/w (located close to the fulcrum due to the light weight of the Ekstatik).

I was using the term 'heavy counterweight' generically so any confusion is understandable. I am still happily using the sKale but with an extra weight disc .......

I really like the sKale – the superiority of which I have confirmed on several occasions. It would be interesting to know how much of the improvement in the Ekos SE's performance is due to the sKale's lower centre of gravity, and how much to its location closer to the fulcrum. Then of course there is the very different coupling of the c/w to the arm: the standard c/w is very tight, the sKale relatively pliant (the product apparently of a lot of research and trial and error).

[vincent]

After a week's home-dem, the Ekstatik has returned intact to AudioT in Brighton. Thanks to the team for trusting me with the loan, and to John in particular for doing the changeover at home (and apologies for the Chico pic, which I know caused some initial consternation!).

I liked the Ekstatik, and thought it out-performed my Kleos SL in many respects: wider soundstage, better dynamics, greater separation of instruments and vocals, and superior resolution. For many people this will be the ultimate cartridge for their LP12.

However, listening again to my Kleos SL, I was immediately reminded of something about the Lyra sound that was missing with the Ekstatik, which by comparison I found a little too analytical and dry, and not as musically engaging.

So, I've pulled the trigger on an Etna Lambda SL, sight unseen and sound unheard, for which I will have to wait 8-10 weeks. I expect the Etna SL to deliver more of the seductive quality I associate with the Kleos SL.

[LD100]

I expect the Etna SL to deliver more of the seductive quality I associate with the Kleos SL.

Indeed, I also am enthralled with the Lyra sound...I went from an Argos to my current Kleos SL and when replacement time comes around it will certainly be another Lyra. Congratulations on your choice!

[vincent]

Indeed, I also am enthralled with the Lyra sound...I went from an Argos to my current Kleos SL and when replacement time comes around it will certainly be another Lyra. Congratulations on your choice!

I'll post on my experience of the Etna once I have it up and running in a couple of months time.

I notice you too have the Kleos SL, and wondered whether you had any problems with your phono stage handling the very low output? Interesting review by Roy Gregory for the Audio Beat comparing the original Etna, the Etna Lambda, and the Etna Lambda SL – his conclusion unequivocally favours the SL version, with the right phono stage.
http://www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/l ... lambda.htm

[Wenge1]

So, I've pulled the trigger on an Etna Lambda SL, sight unseen and sound unheard, for which I will have to wait 8-10 weeks. I expect the Etna SL to deliver more of the seductive quality I associate with the Kleos SL.

Congrats on coming to a decision that you are happy with. I also like the Lyra sound and from that point of view I understand why you decided to go with the Etna. That being said its your view that matters rather than mine or anybody else's.

[LD100]

Wondered whether you had any problems with your phono stage handling the very low output?

No problems at all...I use a Manley Chinook Special Edition tube phono stage set at 65dB of gain.
Sounds smooth as glass.

[vincent]

After a wait of more than six months, my Etna has finally landed.

Straight out of the box, the improvement on the already very good Kleos SL is obvious. Early days, but I would sum up the relative superiority in terms of increased authority and weight, combined with a more natural, subtle and refined presentation – with greater insight into the music (Suzanne Vega's 'Solitude Standing' sounding more emotionally engaging than ever): in short, more of everything associated with the Lyra sound.

Thanks to John @ Audio-T in Brighton for his expertise and work in fitting the cartridge and servicing the deck.

More to follow as the cartridge beds in

[LD100]

Congratulations on your choice! Enjoy all that critical listening!

[evil_C]

Looks great. Enjoy!

And take EXTRA care when dusting the armboard.

[Mr Onion]

Looks great. Enjoy!

And take EXTRA care when dusting the armboard.

Isn't thats what the cats tail is for?

Great looking cart, have fun re discovering all of your record collection

[Coyote Jim]

Looks great. Enjoy!

And take EXTRA care when dusting the armboard.

Isn't thats what the cats tail is for?

Great looking cart, have fun re discovering all of your record collection

Mmmeeeowww

[vincent]

Looks great. Enjoy!

And take EXTRA care when dusting the armboard.

Isn't thats what the cats tail is for?

Great looking cart, have fun re discovering all of your record collection

Mmmeeeowww

Chico's tail would be perfect for dusting, were it not attached to the cat

[evil_C]

Chico's tail would be perfect for dusting, were it not attached to the cat

Simple solution: