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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
radioheadokplayer OP
181 posts
 
I removed the Kleos cartridge and will be retipping it with Soundsmith.

We put a Soundsmith Hyperion on the table and its a tremendous cartridge. Transparent yet rich with wonderful channel separation and deep tight bass.

The Kleos is an excellent cartridge too and before it became somewhat worn it was very enjoyable and can easily see installing it retipped in my second system where I am currently enjoying an Ortofon A90.

Thanks for everyone’s input and the able assistance of Dan Meinwald at Ear Audio USA who installed it for me and of course Jonathan Tinn for recommending and selling me the cartridge at a nice price.

I still think that a better arm would take it up another level and will consider that in the future as well.
objktnble
4 posts
 
I hope you will post your impressions after the retip and also with the Hyperion after it has some time on it. I am also considering this route and would very much appreciate anything you care to share.
Thanks
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
The Kleos is a great cartridge.  I am really liking my Delos right now.  If I was going to look at carts, I would look at the ortofon Winfield Ti,  just fabulous.
goldman
26 posts
 
Hi.  I just wrote a mini review of my turntable, the Artisan Achates SE. and it is also a Lenco-based turntable.  I used the Lyra Kleos SL and now have the Etna.   I can assure you a well-executed Lenco-based idler is worthy of an Etna, but the Kleos SL is a giant killer and capable of amazing sound.  You should click on the links in my review.  Those 2015 Axpona videos and reviews were with my table and they were using the Kleos SL.  With that set-up, Michael Fremer said this was his favorite room of the whole show.   They accomplished that with a Kleos SL.   
goldman
26 posts
 
I forgot to add...I believe when you send your Kleos in for a rebuild, you can request that they convert it to an SL.  The SL is 0.25 mV output and the Etna is 0.56mV, but the difference is only approximately 3dB.  My volume dial was at 10:00 o’clock with the Kleos SL and 9:00-9:30 with the Etna.  I was surprised, but not much of a difference.   Both are loaded at 183 ohms via a 1:16 step-up into a 47 kOhm tubed phono.  
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