Cartridge and/or phono stage upgrades

I was looking to upgrade my phono stage for my Lyra Kleos. Modwright and some others were on the list. Instead I bought a Sound-Smith Sussurro MKII Gold, Sound-Smith's MC phono stage, and an SBooster power supply. I was able to buy a demo cartridge from an authorized dealer at a significant discount but with Sound-smith's retipping policy it was a no brainer. 

I have had both the JC3+ and the Herron. What I have now is more musical to my ears. It may just that I prefer the SS to the Lyra. 

For me it’s DS Audio. I can’t go back to MM or MC ever again. The Hype is Real as so many have already said.

You have a good phono pre and would get way more out of a top quality cart

I went  through your plight recently and got  a Lyra Kleos SL

Ciuld not be happier

@hysteve chk your PM

@hysteve I would love to own a  " Transfiguration Axia cart with God knows how many hours "

A few years past to get into the Transfiguration experience, I was attempting to buy a damaged Proteus as a Wild Punt, as it was not working on one channel.

I would have loved to have owned the Donor Model and have known its full history, as you seemingly are at as a starting place.

My intention was to send the Cartridge of for a Investigation to learn what a repair would look like.

You don't know this but you Axia is filled with Micro Crud, the mechanical function of the Cartridge is substantially compromised. A Professional Service that overhauls a Cartridge don't need to Inspect to tell you this they know. The Cartridge was pretty much performing negatively due to built up contamination near 500 Hours of usage, from that point on it got more and more hindered with the continuing of Gatecrashing micro particulate.

The Stylus could be worn and the Tension Wires could be a little slack.

A inspection of the Cartridge to be supplied a Quote for work undertaken is approx' $60, usually incorporated into the Overall Quote if the Service work is accepted.

In relation to my attempt to own the Proteus, I passed on very similar info to the Vendor to consider before agreeing to a sale price.

The Vendor sent a Cartridge to the US, for the Inspection and not too ling after received a Cartridge that knocked them out of the Ball Park.

Not bad for close to £400 with shipping both ways inclusive.

With the New Price and Overhaul Price combined, the Cart' can easily supply close to 3000 Hours+ usage for under $2K, if it extends to nearer 4000 hours that is $00.50c per hour of usage.

The really interesting thing is that you can have a Stylus Cut of Your Choice, Ogura Vital ?? - Fritz Gyger - Microridge - Shibata.

Gyger's FGS has transformed plenty of Cart's and has many advocates. 

I have a friend who visits Gyger's Premises in Swiss and Buys at the door. It is great fun looking at the Parts in their storage case, an Eagle would struggle to see the contents.