Lyra Olympos Phono Cartridge

The LYRA Olympus exists as a special model outside of the standard LYRA range. It is a custom specialty offering, and should not be thought of as our top-of-the-line cartridge.

In the early 1990's we introduced the Parnassus which had a dark blue body, unlike the later Parnassus D.C.t with Titanium body. This original Parnassus was built around a very unique platinum-iron magnet and two 5N high-purity iron pole pieces. It had a uniquely seductive and attractive sound.

A few years ago a set of 10 platinum-iron magnets and 5N iron polepieces were discovered in old stock. LYRA designer Jonathan Carr had long wanted to design an entirely new cartridge employing the latest geometry and cutting-edge features of LYRA's 21st Century cartridges while incorporating the now unavailable platinum-iron magnet in a titanium body. As a result, a very limited production run of 10 Olympos cartridges was planned.

The cantilever, coils, and stylus combine recent innovations with design elements unique to the Olympos. As with the Titan i, the boron cantilever was diamond coated, and the body machined from a sold block of titanium. However, the design of these parts was specifically developed for the Olympos, not borrowed Titan I parts. The Olympos is the only current LYRA cartridge that retains a traditional single magnet with fore and aft polepiece arrangement.

The original run of 10 Olympos cartridges sold out on introduction in 2002. We subsequently discovered that additional Olympos cartridges could be produced if an original Parnassus cartridge is used as a "donor". From the donor we reclaim only the platinum-iron magnets and 5N iron polepieces. To date approximately 60 Olympos cartridges have been produced.

Since each Olympos is custom made, versions including Olympos SL (lower output) and Olympos Mono have been produced. However, an Olympos cannot simply be ordered from your LYRA retailer; LYRA can only make an Olympos when a donor Parnassus cartridge is provided.

Lyra Olympos Technical Data