Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Benz Micro Benz Micro ACE Phono Cartridge by J-PMatt@Comcast.Net

Model:	Benz Micro ACE
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	$500.00
Description:	Low Output Moving Coil
Manufacturer URL:	Benz Micro
Manufacturer URL:	Benz Micro

Review by J-PMatt@Comcast.Net ( D ) on April 30, 2003 at 17:32:04
IP Address: 68.45.82.147

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for the Benz Micro ACE

I purchased this cartridge about a year ago. I've probably logged about 200 hours on it, and so I'd have to say it's broken in. It's connected to a Rega RB300 modified by Origin Live. My table is the Basis 1400. I'm also using the Ringmat (excellent product!)
I went through a period of swapping out similarily priced cartridges for nearly a year. Buy and sell.............buy and sell....... including Ortofon, Clear Audio, Dynavector and Goldring.
This cartridge is different. Just different. It gets everything right. High and low frequency extension is excellent. Bass has weight and substance without obscuring detail. And what I mean by that is, for instance, "Golden Slumbers" on the Beatles "Abbey Road" MFSL. First, we hear a piano and Paul's vocal. Then strings come in with one note of Paul's bass guitar. Then, Paul hits a second note on his bass. This note is louder and (I think) higher up on the fret board. All to often, and using the same amp and speakers, this second note sounds awful as it did with the other cartridges in my system. It almost sounds like the amp is clipping or something, and the room can become loaded. Not so with the Benz. It remained every bit as tight as it does on the CD version of the same recording. Strings, Acoustic guitar (nylon or steel string), violin, cymbals.....so much detail and yet so smooth! The other cartridges I used did many of the things the Benz does, but not without sacrifices. Sure, the Dynavector gave me detail, but sometimes the high side was plain irritating. The Ortofon had plenty of weight (Kontrapunkt), but sometimes it seemed bloated on my system (And I didn't like the high tracking weight of that cartridge either).
Which brings me to the midrange. In a word, truthful. Now, that may be because of the black backround the Benz brings forth its sound from, or it may be due to something more that I can't communicate to you. The Electrocompaniet phono preamp I'm using definetly exudes this characteristic, but not to the point that ANY cartridge can sound like the Benz. Imaging and focus are definetly excellent. Not the best mind you, but I'm quite sure I'll have to spend alot more money to improve it.
I tried this cartridge because it was in my price range, and quite frankly, there are other areas of my system that I would use my disposable income toward instead of a cartridge. Speakers, for example. That said, because of the ACE's performance, I feel almost comfortable doing just that. Almost, because now that I've heard what a somewhat modestly priced cartridge from Benz Micro can do in my system, I must admit that the thought of doubling my budget and going with something else from Benz intrigues me.
Be that as it may, this cartridge gets my vote as the best in the $500.00 range. It amazes me that there isn't more said about this cartridge, considering the possibility that I'm not alone in my findings.

Product Weakness: Compared to the best........not the last word in imaging and depth. It's not really fair to say that considering its price.
Product Strengths: Price/Performance

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Electrocompaniet AW 250DMB power amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Electrocompaniet EC-4.7
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Basis 1400/Origin Live RB-300/ Electrocompaniet ECP1 phono preamp
Speakers:	Talon Audio Peregrines
Cables/Interconnects:	Stealth Triple Wrapped Silver speaker cable. Stealth CWS balanced and single ended interconnects
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Beatles, Pavarotti, Christopher Parkening, Cat Stevens, Billy Joel, and full scale orchestra with choir
Room Size (LxWxH):	40 x 30 x 8
Time Period/Length of Audition:	200 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	MIT Z Center
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Compared to the best........not the last word in imaging and depth. It's not really fair to say that considering its price.
Product Strengths:	Price/Performance