You'll notice that the Lyra uses Compact Flash Ram to store MP3 files or other data, which is slightly larger in size than the ultra-thin SmartMedia memory cards that the Creative NOMAD and Diamond Rio MP3 players utilize.
While not as popular as SmartMedia cards, the Compact Flash cards are similar in performance level as well as availability, with 96MB and 128MB cards available should a Lyra owner wish to expand their song capacity.
With the included 32MB of memory we were able to store approximately nine to ten MP3 songs on our Lyra player at the maximum quality level of 128Kbps, which is about 40 minutes of music.
The Lyra's included MP3 encoding software, which allows users to convert their existing CDs into the MP3 format via their PC's CD-ROM, is able to choose from four audio quality sound levels to enable more storage space should the user require it.
We found that the second quality setting from the top, or 96Kbps, allowed for approximately an hour of near-CD quality music to be stored on the Lyra's 32MB compact flash card, and we were hard pressed to hear a substantial difference between the two.
The Lyra's bundled software, which is provided by Real Networks, includes a tremendous amount of flexibility and recording options, as well as coordinating all of the MP3 songs on your PC's hard drive with the portable Lyra.