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

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.  

Very cool @radioheadokplayer. Please let us know what you think.  I have the Zephyr MIMC star mounted on a Morch DP-8 and enjoy its fidelity very much.  I'm sure you will love the Hyperion.  

Just a question: does Lyra not rebuild their own carts anymore?

Now, I hope I don't make anyone mad, but I recently read about a certain non-lyra rebuild of one of their carts, and it was a downgrade-not an upgrade. Part of what makes the designs is the cantilever and tip. 

I can't speak of the cost or the sound, perhaps having a  rebuild for less money with cheaper materials makes a lot of sense, just, maybe a little perspective. 

What about, say, a high output to a low output version? I can see a case where upgrading the phono stage and going low output on a lyra could be as much an upgrade in sound as the next step up in the cart line.

Dear @radioheadokplayer :  Exist no one re-tipper that can does the job for your Kleos but Lyra and are very good reasons to that because Lyra as other top manufacturer in reality does not re-tipp but gives you a " new " cartridge/a reborn.

The manufacturers as Lyra will send you back a Kleos with all the up-dates Lyra made through the time and that they just not shares public. So you will receive a better Kleos that with top cartridges no re-tipper but the designer/manufacturer can even the quality required level because the cantilever and stylus that are supplied to Lyra ( between other things. ) are " exclusive " to very selected Lyra  designer targets that no re-tipper ( after market. ) can even and additional to that critical issue only Lyra/designer can voice that Kleos with certainty of that voicing proccess: only J.Carr can do it, no re-tipper can.

Yes, it's more affordable use an after market re-tipper but not the real best way to do it with top cartridge models as your Kleos.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.