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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

Showing 1 response by ninetynine

ninetynine's avatar
ninetynine
135 posts
 
I had Kleos, Skala and Titan i. Only the Kleos for longer and on some LP´s it sounds great. On others it is too much HighEnd to my ears.
But asking about which cartridge to buy is very difficult to answer. Problem is, that the fewest of all are not really well build.
I have a VdH Frog which was especially build for me and in my ears it sounds better than all Lyra´s i heard (EMT JSD6, Phasemation PP300, DV XX2MKII, Transfiguration Phoenix S too)
But i have had some Frog´s with fabrication defect...
I think the Hyperion is a great thing to test. My MIMC is the most neutral cartridge i ever heard.
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