Nice choices! I have a Cardas 2, which is a Benz Ruby 2 built to Cardas's specs, a spare arm wand today. .I ran a Cardas, and then a model 2 for two years in my system. It is musical, well balanced across the frequencies with leanness, and no excessive tip ups in the highs. Some information is obscured as when it is compared to higher price cartridges. I run something else now, but not relevant to the question being asked. I loved the sound of this cartridge. On a one to ten scale, I rate a Benz/Cardas 2 a 7.5. At a higher price point, I like the Koetsu Urusui better in every way and may be one of the better values in the high price categories. Extremely musically involving without sacrificing much of anything to its betters. I rate it as 8.5, and a cartridge that improve most all good high-end systems. May be best buy in Koetsu line, but I know that a lot of people like the Koetsu Signature Platinum even more. Youre certainly considering two good choices here, and cant go wrong. It just a question of dollars well spent vs more dollars for that little bit more. Good listening in either case is in store for you. Cheers, Gerrym5
