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The Cartridge and Stylus makes a big difference.

I am becoming more convinced that the cartridge and the most importantly, the stylus has a lot to do with good sound. I had Benz cartridges for years and always blamed my arm and table (VPI Scout) for mistracking and sound quality issues mainly sibilance.  As years go by I have learned that the Cartridge and Stylus have a lot to do with this problem.  Shame on Benz Micro for not making it right with me for years as I struggled with this.  Its amazing when I put a Lyra Delos on the same tonearm, my problems went away immediately.  Same thing with the Denon, the Ortofon, and so on.

My problems started with the ace, then the wood, then the ref and so on.  I always thought it was my table that was to blame.  I had a glider that was better but still had the same issues.  It was amazing when I had a new cantilever and stylus put on the glider by Andy Kim, my problems went away.  I should have known right there.  I am sure I am not the only one.  I took the Benz Micro Ref to a Linn dealer and had him install it on a 18K turntable and it did the same thing, maybe even worse.  So if you have a Benz and have experienced some of these issues, I assure you, you are not alone.  I hope they get there act together.  

Thanks to Lyra I am finally enjoying my music instead of trying to figure out what is not aligned properly and fiddling forever.
tzh21y
tzh21y OP
1,377 posts
 
The thing is, I really liked the presentation of the Benz cartridges, especially with classical music.  I kept hoping for a better outcome.  They all did the same thing at the same spots on the records.  That led me to believe that the stylus was cut in such a way to promote inconsistent tracking.  When i had a new cantilever and stylus installed on the glider, it tracked fine.  It should track the best from the factory, not Andy Kim for heaven sakes.  Andy did a great job.  it was the best the glider ever sounded.  Thats not good enough.
unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
196 posts
 
I think that you just don’t like the Benz. You should simply say so and let it go at that. No need to jump from there to saying that Benz must be doing something wrong.

My Benz out of the box tracked fine, no technical issues.

That said, I don’t use the Benz for classical. Too cold and shallow. Not in the same class as the Koetsu, or a Van denHul or a Grado for that matter. I use it for rock and for parties. 

Purists say that I shouldn’t use Van denHul for retipping. But there is a several thousand dollar difference between the Van denHul retipping policy and that of Koetsu, whose policy is essentially like trading in your leased car for a new model.  Koetsu replaces everything but the body, Van denHul just replaces the tip only, and the cantilever if needed.

The Van denHul tip gives the Koetsu a slightly more analytical sound, which is not a bad thing. 

slaw's avatar
slaw
5,785 posts
 
To me, based on the OP's recent threads, I think it has more to do with the owner than the equipment.
wcfeil
464 posts
 
Without the stability of a good table and high quality tonearm, the best cartridge in the world is underperforming. 
tzh21y OP
1,377 posts
 
I do not disagree with anyone.  I am just giving my experiences.  Every other cartridge I used was fine.  If you asked me, the fussiest cartridge I have had to set up is by far the Delos to get it to sound right.  There is a lot that is possible with that cartridge if you know how to set up a table.
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