Opinons on Ortofon 2M Bronze vs. Benz Micro Gold

What's your turntable and tonearm?

Those are a couple of great candidates for high output cartridges in that price range, but so is the Audio Technica AT150MLX (available for significantly less at lpgear.com), the Grado Reference Platinum or Sonata, Clearaudio Artist or Performer, Goldring 10x2 series, or Goldring G2300 or G2400.

I have been loving my Audio Technica AT150MLX for 4-1/2 years. It was an Absolute Sound Cartridge of the Year in the Jan 2012 issue, and the stylus is currently replaceable for $225. The only caveat is to make sure you give it a total capacitive load of 100-200 pF.

Oh, and the AT150MLX has as sophisticated a stylus as you'll likely find--a MicroLine, normally only found on $2K and up LOMCs.

Thanks for your info, Johnnyb53. I have a Nottingham Spacedeck with the Spacearm. I was of the impression that the Benz Micro Gold was a low output cart (0.4mV)? Maybe I'm not correct about that? Also, I can get $100 off the Gold with my old MC20E2 as a trade-in even though the cantilever is snapped off (cleaning lady with a mean duster and my oversight in not putting the plastic protector back on it the night before....:-(

In any case, good to know about the AT150MLX and will keep it in my considerations.

Thanks again.

Anovak

Forgot to finish that thought:

"Also, I can get $100 off the Gold with my old MC20E2 as a trade-in even though the cantilever is snapped off (cleaning lady with a mean duster and my oversight in not putting the plastic protector back on it the night before....:-("

Which, basically, I buy the Gold for $325.....same price as the AT150MLX. Valid point about the replaceable stylus.

No experience with the Benz. I had the bronze on a sota comet tt with rb300 arm, it is very relaxed and doesnt call attention to itself. It is ultimately very musical and easy to live with.The upgrade path (to black) is a plus as well.

FYI-I currenty have a Origin Live Aurora table with OL silver mk 2 arm with Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge. I have better results with the OL/silver2/blue set up than the comet/rb300/bronze.