I have both the similarly priced Grado Reference Sonata MM, and the Benz Ace(L)MC, on a Rega 600 tonearm. I had the Grado for a while, and eventually heard a hum, and realized that the wood body had a crack in it, from the screw hole, down the front of the bodt by the logo (no, I didn't crank down on the screw). I replaced it with a Benz while waiting for the repair/replacement. Luckily my pre-amp has controlable dip switches for both.
Anyway, the Benz has color coded prongs on the cartridge for the headshell wires. When I got back the Grado, I realized that the whole time, I had the left/right channels mixed up, because besides confusing nomenclature, the instructions show the wiring configuration, but has the cartridge upside down, in the picture (needle up). Why does it have to be so confusing?
OTOH, I do like the sound of the Grado better...warmer highs, and deeper bass.
Anyway, the Benz has color coded prongs on the cartridge for the headshell wires. When I got back the Grado, I realized that the whole time, I had the left/right channels mixed up, because besides confusing nomenclature, the instructions show the wiring configuration, but has the cartridge upside down, in the picture (needle up). Why does it have to be so confusing?
OTOH, I do like the sound of the Grado better...warmer highs, and deeper bass.