Lyra Argo i MC Phono cartridge

Officially introduced from August 2005, the “Argo i” was the result of continuous research and improvements in technology, so actually every LYRA Argo that has been shipped in the year 2005 technically speaking is an “Argo i”. However, starting from August 2005, the cartridge body has been silk printed with the “Argo i” logo, and a new packing box with the new logo has also been introduced. The new version carries the same price tag as the old, and every original Argo owner will be able to upgrade to the new version at the regular cost of normal exchange whenever there is a need for a re-build or a re-tip (as when the cantilever is broken or the diamond stylus is worn).

The scope of the improvements are in the suspension, damping, and voicing of the cartridge. The primary technical objective of the changes was to improve the tracking of the cartridge, especially during test conditions when ”torture tracking tests” are used. It is a well known fact that low-compliance MC cartridges track less well then their high-compliance MM siblings. However, at LYRA we wanted to give it our best shot, and we succeded in improving tracking markedly over the previous model.

Even though we had intended this to be a ”silent” improvement in the middle of the model cycle, we quickly realized the changes resulted in a number of very audible improvements. The entire performance from the bass through the midrange register was noticably better and every listener exposed to this cartridge would comment that this raised the entire level of the cartridge’s performance. At this point we ”gave in” and decided to announce the improvement with an alteration of the model name and introduction of new packing.

Performance-wise, the “Argo i” is an extremely refined phono cartridge that will shine in any advanced analog system with capability of properly amplifying its output of 0.45mV (5.0 cm/sec). Compared to the entry-model Dorian, the “Argo i” will demand a bit more from the phono amplifier and the overall ability of the analog system to retrieve the level of detail and sophistication the cartridge is capable of delivering. Rather than an advanced version of the Dorian, it is more appropriate to consider the “Argo i” as a slightly simplified Helikon - with different physical geometry, different metallurgy and alternative voicing.

The “Argo i” is the most cost-effective phono cartridge in the LYRA range to be entirely built and ”voiced” (like a musical instrument) by Yoshinori Mishima. Thus it carries special value and significance for the connoisseur user who is looking for this level of sophistication.

TECHNICAL DATA

The “Argo i” 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 i”'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 i” is non-magnetic and non-conductive. The shape of the “Argo i” 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 i”'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 interative 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 i” 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 i” 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 i” 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 i” are plated with rhodium, a highly conductive material that is far more durable (and expensive) than gold.

The light weight of the “Argo i” (around 6.4 grams) means a reduced moment of inertia for many tonearms, leading to improved tracking performance.