Hand-Built, Japanese-Made Lyra Kleos SL Moving-Coil Phono Cartridge Has Single-Layer Winding: Super-Low-Output Version of Kleos Yields Deeper Details and Increased Resolution
Available by special order, the Lyra Kleos SL MC phono cartridge is a super-low output (0.2mV) version of Kleos featuring a single-layer winding that reduces by half the moving mass, netting increased detail and enhanced resolution. Hand-made in Japan, individually tuned for optimal uniformity, and designed by analog expert Jonathan Carr, Kleos SL benefits from precision engineering and an array of enhancements that include "new angle" geometry on the boron cantilever, a line-contact stylus, and supreme resonance control via its massive body. There's no way words can adequately describe the depth, detail, and imaging Kleos SL will wring from your music collection. Nor is there any comparable substitute for the emotional responses you will enjoy from hearing your vinyl LPs sound so lifelike and engaging.
Extra Purity, Sumptuous Detail: Kleos SL vs. Normal Kleos
Due to the reduced output, Kleos SL requires a high-gain phono preamplifier capable of 64dB of gain or a step-up transformer designed for cartridges of 2-3 ohms or less. While Kleos SL is definitely not for all users, those with the proper components will experience the added benefits of extra purity, more pristine tones, and deeper details.
"New Angle" Geometry for Superior Alignment and Increased Resolution
Kleos SL features an innovative cantilever angle that gives it an advantage on virtually every other suspension model on the market. Most every other cartridge centers the cantilever in the generating mechanism when the cartridge is at rest, inevitably leading to distortion and loss of resolution when the cartridge is lowered to the playing surface. Kleos SL benefits from Lyra's "New Angle" suspension system, which completely aligns the cantilever, coils, and the main cartridge structure. Similar to the way a car suspension extends fully when raised on a lift and pre-loads when returned to the ground, this unique suspension arrangement tilts the cantilever when it is in the rest position but achieves a perfect geometrical relation of all the generating elements once the stylus is lowered to the record.
Addictive Speed, Dynamics, Soundstaging, Smoothness, and More
Sonically, Kleos SL is lightning fast, with outstanding speed and dynamics. Soundstaging and imaging are first-rate, and Kleos SL delves deeper into a recording than the Lyra Helikon to retrieve more detail. Thanks to the new coil alignment, Kleos SL is a superb tracker, offering an incredibly smooth overall tonal balance with spectral content at both extremes. Kleos SL also serves up an ultra-smooth midrange, with a graceful and extended top end. Kleos SL never sounds warmed over, just warmer. Shockingly quiet, Kleos SL benefits from a much lower noise floor than previous Lyra designs and delivers a substantial increase in perceived gain and resolution.
Boron Cantilever and Advanced Coil System
Kleos SL is the least-expensive cartridge toreceive Lyra's Ogura-manufactured boron cantilever and "New Angle" coil system. This extraordinary system is normally reserved for Lyra's top-line cartridges. The low mass, line-contact stylus (3x75µm) rides lower in the groove, revealing greater detail with an incredibly low noise floor. The cartridge pins are platinum plated for outstanding durability and conductivity.
Massive Duraluminum Body Yields Increased Energy Transfer
Made of an advanced duraluminum, an aircraft grade aluminum alloy with a beautiful plated finish normally reserved for ultra-expensive camera equipment, the cartridge body is massive. Kleos SL has a raised contact path across the mounting hole that concentrates the contact force of the cartridge to the headshell for increased energy transfer. When viewed from the rear, the Kleos SL has two distinctive cylindrical inserts, press-fit into the mounting block. These specially tuned heavy-metal elements provide an enormous level of damping and resonance suppression, eliminating standing waves within the chassis of the cartridge.
Stylus: Lyra-designed long-footprint variable-radius line-contact nude diamond (3um x 70um profile, block dimensions 0.08 x 0.12 x 0.5mm), slot-mounted
Cantilever system: Solid boron rod with short one-point wire suspension, directly mounted into cartridge body
Coils: Single layer, 6N high-purity copper, square-shaped chemically-purified high-purity iron former, 2.7ohms self-impedance
Output voltage: 0.25mV@5cm/sec., zero to peak, 45 degrees (CBS test record, other test records may alter results)
Frequency range: 10Hz ~ 50kHz
Channel separation: 35dB or better at 1kHz
Compliance: Approx. 12x10-6cm/dyne at 100Hz
Vertical tracking angle: 20 degrees
Cartridge body: One-piece machining from solid 7075 alloy billet, with reduced-surface higher-pressure headshell contact area, partially non-parallel shaping, phase-interference resonance-controlling mechanism, and body threaded directly for mounting screws
Cartridge mounting screws: 2.6mm 0.45 pitch JIS standard
Distance from mounting holes to stylus tip: 9.5mm
Cartridge weight (without stylus cover): 8.8g
Recommended tracking force: 1.65 ~ 1.78g (1.72g recommended)
Recommended load directly into MC phono input: Determine by listening,
Recommended load via step-up transformer: Use a step-up transformer designed for 2 - 3 ohms cartridge impedance. The transformer output must be connected to standard 47kohm MM-level RIAA input, preferably via short, low-capacitance cable
Recommended tonearms: High-quality pivoted or linear tangential tonearms with rigid bearing(s), adjustable anti-skating force, preferably VTA