Lyra Argo i Cartridge

Technology-wise, apart from the stylus guard, the Argo shares practically nothing in common with the Lydian Beta. Rather than thinking of the Argo as an upgraded Lydian, it is more appropriate to consider the Argo as a simplified Helikon - with different physical geometry, different metallurgy and alternative voicing.

The Argo doesn't have any polepieces. The only components that create the magnetic field are two symmetrical disc magnets. Therefore, the magnetic field is also completely symmetrical. This results in more accurate conversion of mechanical vibrations into electrical signals; in other words, lower distortion. This also allows the coils and cantilever to move more freely, leading to improved low level resolution and better tracking abilities, particularly at low vertical tracking forces.

The Argo's body has been machined from a single piece of aluminum alloy for superior rigidity, then hard-anodized.

The front magnet carrier of the Argo is non-magnetic and non-conductive. The shape of the Argo body has also been designed to minimize the presence of conductive materials in the vicinity of the magnetic gap and signal generator coils. This construction prevents the formation of variable eddy currents that would otherwise interfere with the primary magnetic field and distort the signal generation process.

The Argo's stylus is at the tip of a low-mass diamond block measuring 0.08 x 0.12 x 0.5mm. The stylus itself is a Lyra-designed line-contact, with a major radius of 70 micrometers and a minor radius of 3 micrometers. Good theoretical design combined with exhaustive interactive testing has created a stylus that is extremely good at tracking and detail retrieval, yet offers ultra-low levels of groove wear, has a very good signal-noise ratio, and reduces the audibility of groove damage.

The cantilever of the Argo is a solid boron rod with an extra metal reinforcement jacket. The low mass and high stiffness of the cantilever reduces overshoot, thereby helping to minimize the audibility of groove damage and improving the perceived signal-noise ratio, even on worn records.

The 4-ohm low-impedance signal coils are wound from high-purity copper over a chemically-refined high-purity iron core. The use of high-purity materials reduces both measured and audible distortions.

The Argo uses completely new damper compounds that provide superior tracking and detail retrieval, and help create an energetic and powerful, vibrant, yet transparent sound.

Both the cantilever assembly and interior body structures of the Argo have been designed so that the cantilever mounts directly to the cartridge body. Intermediate mounting methods such as polepieces or subcarriers have been completely eliminated. This direct mounting system minimizes the number of mechanical joints between the cantilever and tonearm, and maximizes mechanical energy transfer away from the stylus and generator area. The end result is far less reflected mechanical energy, and therefore significantly reduced levels of distortion.

The signal output pins of the Argo are plated with rhodium, a highly conductive material that is far more durable (and expensive) than gold.

The light weight of the Argo (around 6.5 grams) means a reduced moment of inertia for many tonearms, leading to improved tracking performance.

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Vinyl Asylum Review of Lyra Argo