Is it worth getting an 11 year old cartridge re-tipped?

@jmrrobbie1 

Do you mind telling me what it cost you to have all that work done on the cartridge that you described?  If you don't want to be exact, a rough estimate?  I've never had this work done before on a cartridge, and I'm about to get a Koetsu from a late relatives estate.  Thank you.

I listen with a Supex SD-909 MkII manufactured the 70s or 80s, bought used. Needle Clinic has retipped it twice with boron/micro reach. Suspension is very delicate and the ability to pick up subtlety and detail make it competitive with far more expensive carts. I put about 20 hours a week on it

@bazb 

If I were you I would get a factory rebuild - this is the same as a new cartridge.

As far as I am aware the factory rebuild is significantly less than the  full price pot a new one.

With all due respect to the rebuilders the Lyra styli are special order, and a retip cannot match the performance of a factory rebuild.

As an example JCarr has posted on this forum that the Soundsmith retip stylus are signicifantly larger than the original Lyra stylus.

Although others may say the retips sound excellent, remember they are comparing the performance to a worn out cartridge, not factory new.

allenf1963

My cost for a total Soundsmith rebuild and an upgrade to a Boron cantilever & Nude "Contact Line" diamond (a low mass design) was about 22% the cost of buying brand new, for the same cartridge. The pricing depends on the amount of damage and work that needs to be done & choice of cantileve/stylus-diamond. After an evalution - Peter discussed options vs cost before preceeding. 

OP

if I were in your shoes, I would, provided you know who is doing it. If it gets messed up, well there it goes. but if goes well, A Lyra Kleos will always be a Lyra Kleos. if you like its sound signature and synergy, I would keep that going. 

However, if you are looking to find out what is out there, well this is the good time to switch

Good luck