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a dilemma for cartridge/phono stage combination

the cantilever of my Benz-Micro MC-20E2 "High Output" cartridge was broke.
fixing it will cost more than a new one.
benz offered me what they call  repair/exchange with a nice 40 % discounted price.
i'm thinking to go on it.
my dilemma is between a high output cartridge like mc silver, which is kind of equivalent to the one i had, or to the low/mid output.
i'm working now without external phono stage and with my 2.0 mv that i had i used to raise the volume of my intagreted amp not more than 11-12 clock.
i read that generally low output mc are better quality that the high one's.
another cartridge that i have with 0.4 mv ( monster cable alpha 2) gives me very thin and dull sound, so i guess i will need an phono stage for the low output cartridge.
if it'll give me a real sound improvement i am ready to spend on a phono stage.
i know that benz micro also sell those. 
the models i consider for my budget limit are :
Benz Micro MC Silver
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-mc-silver.html

Benz Micro MC Gold
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-mc-gold.html

Benz Micro ACE-S low
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-ace-s-low.html

Benz Micro ACE-S medium
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-ace-s-medium.html

Benz Micro ACE-S high
https://artsexcellence.com/benz-micro-ace-s-high.html?___store=ae_en&___from_store=ae_nl

my turntable and arm are well tempered.

i'll appreciate very much some guidance .

stone1

Showing 2 responses by sbank

sbank's avatar
sbank
2,038 posts
 
Did you adjust the loading and gain to appropriate levels when you changed the cartridge? The needs of every cart are different. If they aren't adjustable, at least tell us what the phono stage built into the integrated are set for. Cheers,
Spencer
sbank's avatar
sbank
2,038 posts
 
@lewm nice clear explanation.
@stone1 read that slowly 5 times, there is a lot of important information in that post.

The model & specs for the phono section built into your integrated would be very helpful(e.g. phono stage gain, line stage gain, loading-maybe 47k ?, capacitance). Until you figure out what would properly feed the phono stage you already own, you would be foolish to simply take @roberjerman 's suggestions and just buy what he likes. However, if you clarify the options to use:
SUT into your phono input
SUT + other phono stage into a line level input
Other phono stage (with X amount of gain) alone into a line level input
then your are in a much better position to decide which cartridge will be a good match.
Perhaps then the specific items suggested or alternatives best be considered; I'm not disagreeing with @roberjoberman's choices, just saying to figure out what you need then choose it. Don't just buy to try without understanding which paths could make sense for your long term plan and budget. 
BTW, no everyone agrees that SUTs are best idea vs. higher gain active phono stages. That's a highly debated whole 'nother conversation.
FWIW, if you do decide to pursue a separate phono stage, a used Benz Lukashek was recently listed. Might be some synergy there to go with a Benz cartridge...just a thought, I don't have a strong opinion on that item. Cheers,
Spencer
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