Just purchased a Benz Ruby Z...and awaiting it's landing!

Sonny · « **on:** 21 Mar 2012, 06:54 pm »

Having owed a number of cartridges in my renewed love for vinyl over the past few years (Shelter 501, 901, Dyanvector 10x4, XX-1, 20XL, AT33PGT, Benz Reference 3 S) and heard a number in others' systems (Koetsu Rosewood/Black, Ortofon Jubilee, ZYX R-1000, Grado Reference, Soundsmith Voice, etc.), I've been thinking that what my system needs is a little bit of track-ability, body and speed...so, having loved the Shelter sound for a few years and still with the 901 on the VPI JMW 10.5i stainless steel arm, I've decided to forgo the Dynavector XX-1 L for the Ruby Z...hopefully the crazy price will reward me.

BTW, the Z will be mounted on a stock JMW 10.5i arm with Vahalla wires.

Here's a short write up on the Z http://www.bm.rs/Micro%20Benz/Benz%20Micro%20Ruby%20-%20Tone%20Audio%20No%2040.pdf. I've tried to look for more info and even audition one, but alas, that was fruitless, so, going blind, I hope this was not a "dumb" and "naive" move.
This is Benz's second best cartridge next to the LP-S. Anyways...it looks beautiful and with a compliance of 15, it should track well. Here's a pic:

Excited to have it land!
T

Minn Mark · « **Reply #1 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 06:57 pm »

Cool, and congratulations ! I have a VPI Classic I with the 10.5 arm so am anxious to hear your use and listening impressions. Currently using a Sumiko Blackbird; have not used a LOMC, and I'm a real dunce when it comes to understanding compliance.

Good listening,

M

DaveyW · « **Reply #2 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 07:01 pm »

NICE!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts

Sonny · « **Reply #3 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 07:11 pm »

Thanks! I'll let you know how it sounds and compare it to the 901...
Thanks for all those supporting my Sweet Spot Reveal interconnects! This wouldn't be realized without your trust and help!

JCarney · « **Reply #4 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 07:15 pm »

Congrats! I think you will be very, very pleased, but I am a little biased. I have an older LP in my main rig that will be with me for many more years. On the bedroom table is an Ace that's been on there for close to 4 years. Both of them provide a great deal of enjoyment. I look forward to reading what you think about the Z. Give it 2 or 3 albums to loosen up before you settle in for a good listen. I base that on my experience with the Ace. I purchased the LP used.

Enjoy getting to know the new toy,
JCarney

Mike B. · « **Reply #5 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 07:37 pm »

I have an older Ruby H. I like it very much. I am sure you will be very satisfied.

woodsyi · « **Reply #6 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 07:40 pm »

Nice. Let us know what Ruby Z sounds like. I liked my Ruby3.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #7 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 08:02 pm »

Right-on, T...enjoy

TONEPUB · « **Reply #8 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 09:10 pm »

We reviewed it a while back, nice cart!

Sonny · « **Reply #9 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 09:14 pm »

Quote from: TONEPUB on 21 Mar 2012, 09:10 pm

We reviewed it a while back, nice cart!

Thanks...I think I linked your review here...did you get a chance to listen to the Gullwing SLR? If so, how does it compare? or the LP-S?

Flamenco_Diego · « **Reply #10 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 10:16 pm »

I did a mini review / compare with the Shelter 7000 that may interest readers.

see:

http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/38260-benz-micro-ruby-z-vs-shelter-7000-mini-review/

its also on Audiogon somewhere.

The Ruby Z is still a newish cart, and i found it hard to get reputable reviews about it.

Sonny · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 10:20 pm »

Quote from: Minn Mark on 21 Mar 2012, 06:57 pm

Cool, and congratulations ! I have a VPI Classic I with the 10.5 arm so am anxious to hear your use and listening impressions. Currently using a Sumiko Blackbird; have not used a LOMC, and I'm a real dunce when it comes to understanding compliance.

Good listening,

M

M, I think LOMC is the way to go! I guess if you have a good preamp that will be able to handle such a low output and not fuss, that's the key. I have a DIY Pass XONO, so, it's worked flawlessly, even with the 0.24mV of the Dynavector XX-1L.

I love these VPI arms...I know some don't care for them, but I like the simplicity! I've not tried the Anti-Skating on mine, but have heard from friends that they've tried but like it without better. Are you using it?

Sonny · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 10:22 pm »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 21 Mar 2012, 08:02 pm

Right-on, T...enjoy

Thanks John, perhaps one day when Annabelle (10 months now) is older...we can have a listening party again!

It will definitely take me some time to set up and give the Ruby Z a proper listen!

Sonny · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Mar 2012, 10:30 pm »

Quote from: woodsyi on 21 Mar 2012, 07:40 pm

Nice. Let us know what Ruby Z sounds like. I liked my Ruby3.

Woodsyi, I hear the new Ruby Z is full "S" class, though I don't really know what the "S" stands for or does when compared to the non "S" Class versions, do you?

Sonny · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Mar 2012, 04:17 am »

Ok, the Eagle has landed! Got the Ruby Z yesterday, and today I set it up...a pain as the cantilever is way under the Zebra wood body...really hard to see and set up. A pain for sure! I was seeing doubles by the end...oh my eyes!

So, it's been playing an hour! At first lowering of the stylus on the first LP (Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section), WOW! loaded at 479 ohm it sounded great! Fast, detailed, dynamic, full bodied and overall, a pleasure to listen to! On the next LP, RLJ's "My One And Only Love", her voice was magical, it had the body and texture that it should (having heard her live), the accordion sounded woodsi, like it was real there, the guitar was amazing! Each plucked was heard, the fingers sliding up and down the frets, it's all there! The bass was a little too much, I thought, but perhaps its a loading incompatibility... recommended 500 - 47K loading. I am at the bottom end and will work my way up from there! So far, it's sure a nice surprise!

More to come as my 10 month old daughter is asleep and being a loft, I can't crank it up, so just breaking it in with Bill Evans' "you must believe in spring"

More to come!

Sonny · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Mar 2012, 04:21 am »

BTW, it's mounted on a JMW10.5i arm with Vahalla wiring, set at 1.9 gram VTF and hopefully Azimuth and VTA is ok, eyeballing it!

T

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Mar 2012, 05:09 am »

Quote from: Sonny on 21 Mar 2012, 10:22 pm

Thanks John, perhaps one day when Annabelle (10 months now) is older...we can have a listening party again!

It will definitely take me some time to set up and give the Ruby Z a proper listen!

Cool - look forward to it, Tuan

We're moving (again) with the plan to finally buy after 9.5 years in the renting 'cold'. Prices are down and rates are lower than ever before so it makes more sense than it has in anytime in the past decade here.

Anyhow, one of my requests with the bride is a real listening room (likely combined with an office setup). If I get it I hope to host a listening party of my own in the future.

We'll see - maybe it's a pipe dream as a LOT of money still doesn't buy as much as I'd have hoped in Marin Co.

DaveyW · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Mar 2012, 07:26 am »

Hi Sonny,
This does indeed sound very promising

I've found getting a "full" sound (certainly in the Grado league for example) from a LOMC can be a little elusive.
The suspension should "free up" after a few spins and open up a little, so see how it goes. This and loading optimisation should get it to deliver what you're after.
Good stuff - keep us posted.
Cheers
Dave

DaveyW · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Mar 2012, 07:46 am »

Quote from: TheChairGuy on 24 Mar 2012, 05:09 am

We're moving (again) ....... one of my requests with the bride is a real listening room (likely combined with an office setup). If I get it I hope to host a listening party of my own in the future.

Good move John

We were in a similar situation - no dedicated listening room.
Ended up ditching the TV out of our main Lounge/Living Room leaving the 2 channel system.
The TV's now in a much smaller room which is mostly occupied by the kids.
Had it like this for about 6 months now and it's worked quite well.
We have the main room to ourselves and spend much more time listening to music - mostly vinyl of course

Good luck finding somewhere that fits the bill - It'll be worth it.

Cheers
Dave

Sonny · « **Reply #19 on:** 24 Mar 2012, 04:59 pm »

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