Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Benz Micro Benz Micro ACE Phono Cartridge by AnalogJ

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

Review by AnalogJ on May 14, 2010 at 16:08:57
IP Address: 66.30.97.136 Add Your Review
for the Benz Micro ACE

This is not going to be an in-depth review of this cartridge, but the model I have is an ACE-L2 mono, so it's not the most up-to-date version of the cartridge, so caveat emptor. I listen to everything from classical to jazz to rock to folk.

Regardless, I also own a wood body Benz M2. The difference between the M2 and the ACE is quite substantial in terms of being musically involving. You might notice some of the more hifi artifact kinds of differences such as the wood body cartridge seeming to go deeper and highs more extended. Clearly there is more weight to the wood-body cartridge, but the music is just much more involving. The ACE's transients are a little soft, so music sounds too relaxed regardless of the music. Images/instruments are full-bodied, but lack some of the harmonic complexity clearly exhibited by the M2. It's like the ACE makes everything pleasant, it's so balanced but doesn't excel in any one area, that it makes the most exciting of music into somewhat background music. I can't say that about the M2. While not THE most taut of reproducers I have heard, it's very good. The M2 exhibits great dynamic swings, both micro and macro, exhibits very good harmonic texture. It is really quite a really good all-rounder. If there is an overt fault, it does have a slightly recessed midrange. If it weren't for that, it would probably beat the pants off of cartridges many times its price.

For a budget cartridge, I would probably look elsewhere other than the ACE. It doesn't have any really overt faults (aside from the same recessed midrange), it just doesn't make music come alive the way I know music can.

Product Weakness:	Slightly rolled off at frequency extremes. Rhythmically too relaxed, regardless of the music. Harmonically a bit too smooth, lacking color of texture.
Product Strengths:	Smoothness and lack of grain. Full-bodied. Not offensive in any way. Not much will overwhelm it.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Unison Research Unico (modified by Parts Conexxion)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): none
Sources (CDP/Turntable): VPI Scout w/lots of extras
Speakers: Castle Eden
Cables/Interconnects: Misc.
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Misc.
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	Unison Research Unico (modified by Parts Conexxion)
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	VPI Scout w/lots of extras
Speakers:	Castle Eden
Cables/Interconnects:	Misc.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Misc.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner