Lyra Delos
A medium-weight, low-impedance moving coil phono cartridge designed by Jonathan Carr and built by hand in Japan.
Overview
The Lyra Delos is a moving coil (MC) phono cartridge, and it sits as one of Lyra's entry-level models in a high-end lineup. Jonathan Carr designed it. Akiko Ishiyama and Yoshinori Mishima build it by hand in Japan. The body is skeletal, with an unusually shallow angle, and the damping system is asymmetrical. The dampers are pre-angled and work with the body's geometry to optimize signal coil alignment during playback. It costs less than other Lyra cartridges, but it is still a high-end part meant for critical analog listening.
Specifications
| Output level | 0.6 mV |
| Internal impedance | 8.2 Ω |
| Cartridge weight | 7.3 g without stylus cover |
| Compliance | Approx 12 x 10⁻⁶ cm/dyne at 100 Hz |
| Recommended tracking force | 1.7 – 1.8 g (17–18 mN) |
| Original MSRP | $2,495.00 |
| Designer | Jonathan Carr |
| Builder | Yoshinori Mishima (final build, testing), Akiko Ishiyama (primary build) |
| Type | Medium weight, medium compliance, low-impedance moving coil cartridge |
Design
The body is skeletal with an unusually shallow angle, paired with an asymmetrical damping system. The dampers are pre-angled to work with the body's geometry, so when tracking force is applied the signal coils line up optimally. The aim is better tracking accuracy and signal coherence on LP playback.
Context
The Delos is one of Lyra's entry-level moving coil cartridges, though it stays firmly in the high-end category. At $2,195, it was the lowest-priced model in the Lyra lineup. That makes it the cheapest way into the brand's hand-built, high-performance cartridge technology.
Market
Used pricing on the Delos varies. Listings run from $1,400 to over $2,000, depending on condition and availability. Factory-refurbished units have sold for $2,190, and current listings show prices around C$2,076 for low-use examples. Analog enthusiasts still go after it, even though it is the lower end of Lyra's range.
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