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


I purchased a slightly used Lyra Kleos on Audiogon awhile back and its now probably close to retirement. 

I have enjoyed the cartridge and considered upgrading to the Lyra Etna but its rather expensive.  I thought about getting another Kleos but think want to upgrade rather than simply replace.

A couple dealers have suggested either a Soundsmith Hyperion or a ZYX Universe III.  The ZYX is roughly the cost of the Etna so that gives me pause.

Complicating matters neither of the dealers are local so would have to mount the pricey cartridge myself or with the assistance of friends in or out of the audiogon community.  

I have a Lenco L75 idler wheel direct drive turntable that has an upgraded plinth among other things and am using a Dartzeel phono/line preamplifier.

I listen to wide assortment of music including jazz, rock, and singer/songwriter stuff.....but not classical music....

any thoughts welcome

thanks

Michael

radioheadokplayer
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.


I don't think the question has been answered, but are you sure your cart is at the end of it's life? 

What gives you that indication? Have you had it checked?