Haselsh1
25-10-2015, 08:48
OK, my effort at a mini review of my now two week old Benz Micro Silver.
My old cartridge was an Ortofon OM40 so this will be a direct comparison with that cartridge and the first and most obvious thing is surface noise. It is now almost non existent using the Benz Micro over the OM40. This I can only imagine is down to stylus shape as the OM40 uses a Fritz Geiger shape with the Silver using an elliptical. My guess is that the Silver doesn’t trawl the deepest depths of the groove like the FG stylus does. Excellent result.
The bass is nothing to write home about and is very little different to the Ortofon. There is bass and it is quite deep but not overly obvious. OK but could be better.
The treble is a big difference from the Ortofon in that it is now really quite sharp and incisive. Much better presented and much more detailed in the best possible way. In comparison, the Ortofon made cymbals sound like dustbin lids.
The midrange is the biggest difference here. It is just so full and warm in comparison to the OM40 with far greater detail and a totally natural sound. The stereo imaging is stunning with much greater depth and realism. Sounds are now very isolated from each other in a very wide, expansive way. This is where I absolutely love this cartridge.
The change from the OM40 to the Benz Micro Silver was very definitely an upgrade and not just a change. Bear in mind though that there is quite a drop in output level.
My old cartridge was an Ortofon OM40 so this will be a direct comparison with that cartridge and the first and most obvious thing is surface noise. It is now almost non existent using the Benz Micro over the OM40. This I can only imagine is down to stylus shape as the OM40 uses a Fritz Geiger shape with the Silver using an elliptical. My guess is that the Silver doesn’t trawl the deepest depths of the groove like the FG stylus does. Excellent result.
The bass is nothing to write home about and is very little different to the Ortofon. There is bass and it is quite deep but not overly obvious. OK but could be better.
The treble is a big difference from the Ortofon in that it is now really quite sharp and incisive. Much better presented and much more detailed in the best possible way. In comparison, the Ortofon made cymbals sound like dustbin lids.
The midrange is the biggest difference here. It is just so full and warm in comparison to the OM40 with far greater detail and a totally natural sound. The stereo imaging is stunning with much greater depth and realism. Sounds are now very isolated from each other in a very wide, expansive way. This is where I absolutely love this cartridge.
The change from the OM40 to the Benz Micro Silver was very definitely an upgrade and not just a change. Bear in mind though that there is quite a drop in output level.