2. analog
  3. 1140298570

$2k for new Cartridge Benz LP or......

Hi all,

I'm looking to change my cartridge and have the opportunity to trade my Benz Ruby 2 for an LP for $2k. I will be able to hear the LP but not in my system...and the system I will hear it in is significantly differnent so the excercise may be less than useful. I also have Helikon on hand but found it not as pleasing through the mid band as the Benz. It is sitting on the shelf with probably less than 200hrs on it.

What else is out there around the $2k mark that would have the ease through the mid band and some slam..I have refurbed stacked ESLs running back through a Berning ZH 270 or Futterman H3 or Various vintage amps to an Aesthetix Io Sig with VC & 2 supplies . Arm is an SMEV and Hovland MusicGroove 2.

$2K is a challenge I know.. but this is the ease of entry for the LP I'd really love an upper end Koetsu but the $$$ are not workable now..Thanks for any comments.
nkj

Showing 2 responses by oldvinyl

oldvinyl
37 posts
 
I started years ago with a Benz MC-Gold, and have worked through the Glider, H2O, Ruby 2 and now the LP for the past 3 years. My system has the exact same phono stage ( Io Signature with volume controls and 2 power supplies ). My table (Avid) has the SME IV arm.

The step from the Ruby 2 to the LP is a quantum leap. And this is based on the LP from 3 years ago. Benz keeps improving it. If you want more info, call Garth at Musical Surroundings. They have stepped up the output voltage a little and changed some of the internal parts, yet kept the price the same.

One nice thing about Benz is that factory retip is reasonably priced. Often, you just simply wind up with a new cartridge and the old one is cycled back through. As you know, it is less expensive to stay within the Benz line for an upgrade than to switch brands.

The LP is very lyrical, harmonically rich and has deep, taut bass. The timbres are very natural - transparent and revealing. I love the sound of the Benz. Have not tried a Koetsu, my friends that have them love them and they also like the sound of my analog playback. The LP tracks well and is perfectly mated to the SME arm. Vocals are really well rendered, soloists and massed chorus alike. I listen to lots of classical and some jazz, most of it recorded in a hall with minimal microphones (ie not studio recordings). The LP really lends itself to conveying the ambience and warmth of acoustically recorded music.

One thing I did find was that I had to get a really well shielded DIN-RCA tonearm cable. I tried the Hovland, Graham, Harmonic Tech and Music Metre and settled on the Nordost Quattro Fil (just upgraded to Nordost Frey).

Good luck on your search.
oldvinyl
37 posts
 
The problem I had was that the Music Metre Silver phono cable had a loosely wrapped shield. Music Metre preferred unshielded for their silver cables, but with my set up and all the power supplies it was picking up too much hum.

The Harmonic Technology was not shielded well enough, it had a low level hum. Also, the musical presentation of the Harmonic Tech was not quite right to my ear. It seemed a bit bright.

The Graham IC-70 was very well shielded but seemed to be a bit soft or muted. It could have been a break-in issue, but that cable just did not do it for me musically.

I found a 2m Nordost Quattro Fil. It turned out to be the quietest of the bunch. The shielding completely eliminated the hum. Also, it was the most musical phono cable. Sweet highs and rich mid-range. The bass is really extended and tight.

I am going to sell that Quattro Fil, having just recently upgraded to the new Nordost Tyr phono cable. It takes everything the Quattro Fil did up a couple levels. More bocy on the sound, way more ambient detail (without sounding detailed or etched at all).

Alas, I have never heard the Purist Venustas, but have read a lot of good things about it.

Enjoy the music!!

oldvinyl
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