Replacing Lyra Kleos at end of its life need suggestions as to what next?

If you want to upgrade from the Kleos, please send the Kleos to me. I can help dispose of the cartridge. I will even pay shipping and more.  Seriously.

I would consider the Ortofon A90 or A95 if your phono pre can handle to lower output.  These will perform similar to the Kleos but with more energy and neutrality. The ZYZ cartridges are great but definitely a different house sound compared to Lyra.  Fun choices to make!

Your setup problem is something to really ponder
... imo a much better cartridge setup wrong will sure lead to disappointment and or damage

if possible establish a trusting relationship with local analog TT experts

i have a DELOS setup by an expert that sings....

good of luck in your search for what seems like a flavor change, which imo is ok

Hi Michael (@ radioheadokplayer),

If I hear you correctly, your current ideal cartridge would be a "better" Kleos (i.e. an Etna). If that’s the case, then you’ve (in a sense) answered your own question - to stay with Lyra.

It’s difficult to get a read on someone’s preferences through a discussion on the interwebz, but unless you’re looking to try a different flavor, I think you’d be less happy with Ortofon/Dynavector/ZYX.

Note that I said less happy and not unhappy. These are all very fine cartridges, and while I sell and endorse Ortofon, Dynavector, Koetsu and Lyra, I’ve sent many an individual to Mehran for a ZYX when my read on them was that ZYX was the answer for them.

If Lyra’s virtues are something you don’t want to give up, and an Etna/Etna SL is out of reach, then I’d consider either a Soundsmith rebuild or a trade-in toward a Kleos SL. I believe your Dartzeel has sufficient gain for the lower output of the SL.

I get the argument that a retip will not be the same cartridge. Having recently set up one of my Stelvios with a Durand Kairos and a Soundsmith serviced Kleos (cantilever/stylus replacement) I can tell you that Peter is getting it down - retaining the essence of Lyra.

Let’s say that it’s not a perfect carbon copy of a new Kleos. It will most certainly be closer to your Kleos than a new Ortofon, Dyna or ZYX would be.

Furthermore, it sounds as if your cantilever/suspension is in good shape. Peter’s philosophy is to change as little as possible when servicing a cartridge, and in your case that might be so little as a retip.

The very worst case is that you’d have a cartridge that’s very close to your Kleos, but that the difference annoys you. You have a cartridge you might relegate to backup duties - for something on the order of $500.

The next step up would be a trade-in toward a Kleos SL.

Yes, you’re a potential candidate for an XV1s. It has a bouncier, bolder, more prominent upper bass with slightly less extended highs (slightly). It’s a bit more vivid (in a technicolor way) than the Lyra. I tend to like the Dynavector on rock ’n roll. The XV1s hits you in the chest. The Lyra family navigates fast, right hand piano runs and female voice (upper registers in general) like nobody’s business.
Of course, I’m splitting hairs in an attempt to describe something that’s basically impossible to do in a meaningful way.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier Design

I appreciate how many people reached out here to me...

this community is a great resource for the audio pursuit.

I do intend to retip the Kleos through Soundsmith so as to have as a backup cartridge.

I am acquiring a Soundsmith Hyperion cartridge.  My Dartzeel Phono Preamplifier is not easy to change the loading (requires opening the unit and soldering) so wanted to a cartridge that would work with the existing loading of my Dartzeel and not require a lot of loading experimentation. 

this cartridge also has a reputation for being relatively easy to set up and maintain.  I will probably also need to get an upgraded arm in the near future and this cart seems not to be especially picky about tonearms.

Most of all it seems respected for its sonics by many people that I trust.  I wanted a cart that was very adept at a wide range of music and this cart has a good reputation in that respect.  Finally it is expensive but not exorbitant.  It helps that its backed by a 10 year warranty and a very generous retipping policy.