[nnck]

Mods: I had this posted in the wrong circle (in the Vintage Circle - please delete it there?)

I am currently using a Benz Micro Ace HO cartridge on my VPI Aries Scout TT. I havent had any experience with LOMC cartridges. But now that I have a preamp with sufficient gain (Modwright LS100 is capable of 70dB in its built in phono stage), I'm thinking I might want to give one a try. A few that I have been reading a lot about are the following. Can anyone with experience compare/contrast the way these sound?

Benz Micro Wood SL
Shelter 501 II
Dynavector 20X2 Low

Also, what are your experiences going from a HOMC to a LOMC? Was it worth it?

[etcarroll]

Presently using the DV, had the Shelter 501 MkII with it.

The DV has it in low to mid range.

The Shelter has a sweeter top end, more 'air'.

I'm now looking for a cartridge that combines the things I liked about the 2 of them.

I'm using a VPI SSM with the  JWM 9 Signature arm, an EAR 834P phono pre with 3 NOS Telefunken tubes, and a Purity One pre with NOS Teles, and an older Bryston 4B.

[nature boy]

Mods: I had this posted in the wrong circle (in the Vintage Circle - please delete it there?)

I am currently using a Benz Micro Ace HO cartridge on my VPI Aries Scout TT. I havent had any experience with LOMC cartridges. But now that I have a preamp with sufficient gain (Modwright LS100 is capable of 70dB in its built in phono stage), I'm thinking I might want to give one a try. A few that I have been reading a lot about are the following. Can anyone with experience compare/contrast the way these sound?

Benz Micro Wood SL
Shelter 501 II
Dynavector 20X2 Low

Also, what are your experiences going from a HOMC to a LOMC? Was it worth it?

I have the Dyna 20X2 Low on a modified Rega 300 arm and coupled with a Dynavector P75MKII phono stage.  Thoroughly enjoy the sound.  The P75 is considered an entry level unit but it has a phono enhance mode that is simply stunning with Dyna low-output MC cartridges, at least IMHO.

I would check with VPI on their suggestions.  I believe Scouts often get matched with Dyna 20X-H special edition cartridges, so I suspect there is synergy.

NB

[95Dyna]

I'm using the Benz Wood SL with my VPI Classic with excellent results.  On paper it is a pefect match for the 10i SE tonearm.  It's making some 30-40 year old records sound like they never have before.

[Shakeydeal]

I have owned the Shelter 501, the DV 10x4 II and DV20xL, and I now have owned three Benz L2s. I would say that tonally the Benz is smack in the middle of the three, almost the best of everything they have to offer. It is more neutral in the midrange than the Shelter, but still highly involving. It gives up a little detail to the DV, but is still highly resolving.

Hope that helps.

Shakey

[fz1jmp]

Hello;
I've recently been through a few cart's looking for a keeper. I have a Scout. I had a Dyn 10x5H, DV20X-H and a Benz Glider XL. A few Grados also. The Benz is my keeper. The reproduction is clean and tight. The mids are very organic and neutral. I had the DV20X for close to a year and did like it. The Benz is just plain better in my ears. Hope this helps somewhat. Jack

[nnck]

Hello;
I've recently been through a few cart's looking for a keeper. I have a Scout. I had a Dyn 10x5H, DV20X-H and a Benz Glider XL. A few Grados also. The Benz is my keeper. The reproduction is clean and tight. The mids are very organic and neutral. I had the DV20X for close to a year and did like it. The Benz is just plain better in my ears. Hope this helps somewhat. Jack

Yes it does help. Finally getting a lot of comparisons here. Keep em coming if you have an opinion. Thanks everyone.

[ptmconsulting]

Had a chance to listen and compare an XV-1t to a Transfiguration Orpheus yesterday. Similar sounds, but in general the DV was very neutral. Maybe too much so for my taste. The Orpheus had a bit more bottom end fill, which made it more pleasurable to listen to for me. Not syrupy at all, but it just had some magic. I would guess that the XV-1t would not make bad recordings sound good at all - ruthless in its neutrality.

Translating this down their line I would suggest that the XX2 vs the Axia might be an interesting compare to see if the same holds true.

[Ericus Rex]

I can vouch for the Benz line of cartridges but I have no experience with Shelters or Dynavectors to offer a comparison.  I have heard that the Ace does not have the Benz 'house' sound.  I have not heard one myself.  If you go with the Benz expecting a similar sound to your Ace you may be disappointed.  However, if you're not happy with your Ace don't rule out the SL Wood based on the Ace's sound.  I have a Benz M2 wood body and like it very much.

[orientalexpress]

i have  a benz gullwing ,benz mc20 high output cartridge and dynavector Dv 20xl,the benz sound more live and dynavector sound darker ,but good midrange great for jazz and female vocal but everything i prefered Benz.


lapsan

[SET Man]

Hey!

     I found this post to be of my interest also. I have no idea how the Shelter and Dyna sound.

    I'm currently using the first version of the Benz ACE HO.

     I don't have much experience with cart before the ACE I was using Sumiko Blue Point Special EVO III I think. It was a night and day between the two. With the Benz ACE sound much less mechanical and much better in every way

     When is time to get new cart I might go for the wood body Benz if fund allowed.

Take care,
Buddy 
     
   

[drjjpdc]

nnck and other Benz guys,

They are all good carts but since you have the Benz, I would stick with that. I have a Benz Wood H, because I don't have a PP and my Audible Illusions 3A has enough gain just for the higher output model. With 70 db gain you could get the low or medium model, if I had that much gain I think I'd go for the Low model. Plus another reason to stay with the Benz if you like the Ace is that Benz has a very liberal trade in/up policy.

In addition the Wood is a great value, you would have to spend a good chunk more up the line to get a better Benz cart. BTW, I have my Benz on a Clearaudio Concept and it sounds great.

[Agrippa]

Considering the trade in allowance from your current Benz, surely a new Benz is a no-brainer, at least financially.  Presuming you like the sound of it, of course.

As far as HO vs LO goes, there used to be a huge difference between the two, but these days it's much more of an even match.  My previous Benz was an H2, which was pretty much on par with its M2 and L2 siblings, if perhaps slightly less adept at resolving detail than the LO version.  I traded it in, and up, for an Ebony TR, which for my money is the best cartridge Benz makes.  At least I find it resolves fine detail even better than the LP does and is a tad more neutral.  Not absolutely neutral, there is still some of that Benz "romance" left, but less than with any other Benz I've heard.

On the Dynavector side I've got a Karat 19A and an XX-2, which are both supremely dynamic, something which has also characterised every other Dynavector I've heard.  Slightly more dynamic than the Benz, although the difference is no longer as significant as it used to be.

If I had to choose between the two brands, I would have to go with Benz, at least if we're talking about the more accomplished varieties from each.  That said, my poisons of choice are jazz, string quartets, singer-song writers and such.  If my music of choice was rock, metal and such, I would likely go with Dynavector instead.

I can't really speak to Shelter, since I've only heard the original 501, a good number of years ago.

[airhead]

The Benz cartridges have been recommended to me by a local dealer also.  i am currently using a van den Hul MC ONE on a Well Tempered Turntable.  It may be time to replace the van den Hul.  I like it very much.  Should I consider another van den Hul or a Benz?

[drjjpdc]

Airhead,

I have a VdH and almost all of their carts can be re-tipped. Since you really like the sound of your cart, I would save some dinero and seriously consider re-tipping.

Here is their website.

http://www.vandenhul.com/p_IP1.aspx