ADVICE: Benz Micro

[Haselsh1]

As you can see from my listing I am using a slightly modified Thorens TD160 B with a Linn LVV tonearm. I am also using an Ortofon OM40 cartridge that has been with me for what seems like the last million years. Within the next couple of weeks I am thinking of buying a Benz Micro Silver to replace the OM40 as a) It is cheap and b) I am a tad fed up with the OM40. I also have to add that it is of course high output which is a must.
Any thoughts...?

[Haselsh1]

OK guys and gals, the truth is, I have around four hundred quid burning a hole so I could really do one of the following:

A) Benz Micro Silver

B) Jelco SA250 tonearm to replace the old Linn LVV

C) Temple Audio monoblocks to replace the very old Rotel mono's

Any of these are only stop gaps until something better emerges.

[struth]

id be i!clined to go for a cart

[Haselsh1]

id be i!clined to go for a cart

Thank you Grant, that was my preference to be honest. I think it would produce the biggest overall effect...?

[walpurgis]

Replacing the LV-V with an SA-250 is definitely not a move I'd make. It's unlikely to sound better (if as good) and is really only suitable for MM carts due to the modest mass. The LV-V with a good headshell will be streets ahead should you ever choose to invest in a decent MC cart.

[walpurgis]

I agree with Grant actually. Go for a cart!

One of these maybe:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-DL-110-High-Output-MC-Cartridge-Made-by-Denon-from-Japan-100-Brand-New-/271381264669?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f2f95791d

It'll be fine in the LV-V and sound very nice.

I've bought from him. He's helpful and trustworthy. You have to wait a little while for delivery, but you'll save a fair bit of money.

[Haselsh1]

I agree with Grant actually. Go for a cart!

One of these maybe:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-DL-110-High-Output-MC-Cartridge-Made-by-Denon-from-Japan-100-Brand-New-/271381264669?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f2f95791d

It'll be fine in the LV-V and sound very nice.

I've bought from him. He's helpful and trustworthy. You have to wait a little while for delivery, but you'll save a fair bit of money.

Geoff, many thanks for the advice but I bought a Denon DL-160 back in 2009 and then sold it because it was nowhere near as good as the OM40. OK back then I had it in an Alphason HR100SMCS tonearm but that is now all in the past. I was also really pissed off that the Denon cartridges more than doubled in price overnight for no apparent reason.

[struth]

I agree with Grant actually. Go for a cart!

One of these maybe:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Denon-DL-110-High-Output-MC-Cartridge-Made-by-Denon-from-Japan-100-Brand-New-/271381264669?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3f2f95791d

It'll be fine in the LV-V and sound very nice.

I've bought from him. He's helpful and trustworthy. You have to wait a little while for delivery, but you'll save a fair bit of money.

Hell just froze over;)

[walpurgis]

really pissed off that the Denon cartridges more than doubled in price overnight for no apparent reason.

All Japanese cartridges went up in leaps. Audio Technica stand out to me as having had huge price increases.

[Spectral Morn]

I like both the Benz Gold and Silver, great value for money and don't foresee any compatibility issues.


Regards Neil

[Thebiglebowski]

One of the best high output MCs I've had is the Sumiko bluepoint No.2 another option is the DV 10x5 which comes in at around £350 and is also very good. I tried the DL-160 but didn't like it very much and have never found an AT cart I like.

[Haselsh1]

Thank you so much for your thoughts guys. As I was also considering a 10X5 I shall keep it to a Benz Micro Silver or Dynavector DV10X5. I remember back around 1979 buying an Ultimo 10X and absolutely loving it. It would have been even better had I put the bugger in a compatible tonearm. Brand new I remember it costing me sixty five quid. How times change eh...?

[vouk]

Hi Shaun,

You really can't go wrong with the Benz Silver - for the money, it's a really good cartridge.
As an alternative suggestion, I could also highly recommend the Goldnote Bobolino (http://www.goldnote.it/wordpress/bobolino-2-2/). Had a good listen to it recently and I was quite impressed to the point that it will be soon replacing the Benz Silver as my back-up cartridge.
Best
-j.

[Thebiglebowski]

I had a Bluenote Boboli (now Gold Note) on my old LP12/Ittok and although it is about the same size as a London bus it sounded very good.

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/9607/imagebtq.jpg

[AlexM]

Sorry to put a dampener on your plan, but I had the benz micro silver on my sl1200/jelco sa750 and ive got to say that it did nothing for me. Bland and inoffensive, and no real guts or drama. Maybe a mismatch,; but I was very glad to replace it with a benz ace m, which was much, much better in all respects. Ymmv.

Regards,
Alex

[belloire]

i had a 10x5 on a voyd valdi, and thought the dl110 was better, and cheaper. not tried the benz silver, though i do have a benz ace sl. great cart, but expensive and mc.

another option is the AT 440mla. very nice cart. heard it on an lp12 with basic arm and it worked well.

[Haselsh1]

OK guys many thanks for your input and comments. As I really do not know what to do, I have decided to do nothing for now. I do know that as soon as funds allow I am going to be purchasing a pair of Croft Series 7 monoblocks to go with my preamp. After that I shall concentrate on the Thorens maybe with an Origin Live arm. At the moment though, many thanks for your input.

[anubisgrau]

ever since is bm silver or gold in the range of 400 quid? i'm sure you can find them in europe for about a half of that.
many years ago i switched from 103 to silver and i liked it. never looked back. but it was about 150-200e.

[paskinn]

Don't spend that £400. You would just make another sideways move...something we are all prone to. As you say, save up for something which offers a real, clear, step forward. That may well be the Crofts. Whatever it is, it won't be very cheap, so just save your cash for now.
Hard to do, I know, but cheaper in the long run than an endless stream of mid-range mediocrity.

[clack]

I don't like HO MC's. They are no-no's in my opinion.
My humble advice is to try a Nagaoka cart.
Their look, with those silly pastel colors, is such that no one would bet a cent on them.
But wait until it's on your TT.
I have an MP 200 and it's just unbelievabile for its tracking ability.
If your need is to have an ultimate scan to the content of your vinyls, a Nagaoka can be the best choice for their modern, full of detail but well balanced sound too.

[Haselsh1]

I don't like HO MC's. They are no-no's in my opinion.
My humble advice is to try a Nagaoka cart.
Their look, with those silly pastel colors, is such that no one would bet a cent on them.
But wait until it's on your TT.
I have an MP 200 and it's just unbelievabile for its tracking ability.
If your need is to have an ultimate scan to the content of your vinyls, a Nagaoka can be the best choice for their modern, full of detail but well balanced sound too.

My only argument against Nagaoka cartridges was that bloody ridiculous price hike which led them to be no longer worth the asking price. I already have a cartridge that tracks superbly but doesn't do anything spectacularly. My current cartridge has enough output for my phono stage but sadly is not of the OM Super variety. I am currently toying with the idea of upgrading the cartridge body with a Super body which I know from previous experience would be quite an upgrade.

[clack]

Yes, Nagaoka can be pricey, but I never found cheap stuff with really high performance.
Here anyway you can find it at a good price.

http://www.ebay.it/itm/NAGAOKA-MP-200-Tonabnehmer-1-2-Magnetsystem-NEU-OVP-/120895102183?hash=item1c25e8dce7

Once again their look can be deceptive, but who had such cart on his TT knows that something really spectacular can be expected. It leaves with the mouth open even people who is used to live with carts of really high cost, like the most regarded true MC's.

[Beverast]

If you are looking at getting a Nagoaka cartridge I would recommend snvinyl (Scott Nangle). Just recently picked up an MP500 from him for £429 which is far cheaper than any other place I can see in the UK. Also has the above mentioned MP200 for £219 which I think is also a good price.

[clack]

Very good price indeed!
And an excellent cart.
Makes people forget the MC's