Lyra Etna Versus Kleos

Dear pdsmith957: """  I am seriously considering buying the Etna now at $7000. I figure I will want to upgrade from the $3000 Kleos in two or three years, when who knows what the price will be for the Etna... """

sounds good that alternative but probably in those 2-3 years Lyra will has new models.

In the other side even than Lyra is a good choice there are other good cartridge alternative, one of them could be the Colibri by VdH: great performer too that is a challenge even for the Atlas.
The audio market is " full " of very good cartridge options.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

I'm curious why no one has mentioned the Transfiguration Proteus when recommending the Aetna cartridge. I think they are priced similarly and present a somewhat different but equally excellent sound. Unless of course the 2.0mv output is in question for the Proteus. I'm not certain of the Etna's output.

I know it sounds very ambitious but seldom will you hear such a recommendation, get an Audio Technica ART9, compare the Lyras to it and then decide if any of them is worth their money. I have heard the Lyras and owned the Skala for a good period of time. The ART9 is at least 3 levels better than the Skala. The only problem with ART9 is it is so cheap that you may be discouraged. 

I owned the Etna for about a year and loved its natural and full bodied sound, lots of meat on the bones if you will. Another cartridge you might consider is the ZYX Universe II, it strong suits are clarity, and separation of sounds in it's soundstage. Hopefully you will be able to audition some of these cartridges in your set up. Best of Luck

I recently demoed the Etna against the Kleos and I was blown away by the difference.  The Etna by comparison just revealed so much more information off the vinyl than the Kleos that it made the Kleos sound almost one dimensional.  And I know the Kleos is a great cartridge, it's just the Etna is an incredible experience.  Wide, dynamic and immersive.  I had just had the Kleos installed on my tonearm and asked if I could still have the Etna switched out.  Expensive yes, but if you are hardcore about your system it's a must have.  Go listen to it if you can.