Cartridges — Lyra Atlas λ Lambda

The Atlas Lambda is a moving-coil phono cartridge with low output from Lyra of Japan, an updated version of the original Atlas. Its body is machined in one piece from a solid titanium billet, using contact machining for the outside and non-contact methods for the internal structures, and the asymmetrical shape is designed to control resonances through phase interference. Lyra also builds the Atlas Lambda in an SL super-low-output version and a mono version.

Key specs that matter

Output is 0.56 mV at 5 cm/sec, zero to peak at 45 degrees. The stylus is a Lyra-designed long-footprint variable-radius line-contact nude diamond with a 3 x 70 um profile, cut from a block of 0.08 x 0.12 x 0.5 mm and slot-mounted. It sits on a diamond-coated solid boron rod held by a short one-point wire suspension. The two-layer coils are wound from 6N high-purity copper on a cross-shaped former of chemically purified iron, giving 4.2 ohm self-impedance and 11 uH inductance. Frequency range runs from 10 Hz to 50 kHz and channel separation is 35 dB or better at 1 kHz. Compliance is about 12 x 10-6 cm/dyne at 100 Hz, tracking force is 1.65 to 1.75 g with 1.72 g recommended, and the cartridge weighs 11.6 g without its stylus cover.

Engineering and use context

The cantilever is mounted straight into the titanium body through a high-pressure knife-edge system, so there is no separate subassembly between the moving parts and the chassis. The X-shaped coil former replaces the square former of earlier Lyra designs and lets each channel work with more independence from the other, which evens out differences between vertical and horizontal compliance so the coils move with equal ease in all directions. Lyra's New Angle technique mechanically pre-biases the signal coils so they line up correctly with the magnets once the cartridge is under playing weight. A yokeless dual magnet system is retained. Compared with the Titan, the Atlas Lambda produces 12% more output voltage while using 22% less wire in its coils, which lowers the moving mass.

Pairing

Lyra recommends a moving-coil input loaded between 104 ohm and 887 ohm, and the low self-impedance also suits a step-up transformer. The body weight and medium compliance call for pivoted or linear tangential tonearms with rigid bearings, and the tracking force window is narrow enough that a precise stylus gauge is worth using during setup.

Alternatives

The Lyra Etna Lambda is the brand's step-down moving-coil model, with the same output voltage and coil electrical figures, also offered in SL and mono variants.