[tvad4]

I received my KAB Technics SL1200 MK II today and installed my new Benz Micro Ace Medium cart. I noticed two things immediately. First, the color markings on the cartridge pins were exactly backwards!  Freakin' odd. You'd think a $550 cart would have the colors for R&L marked correctly. Yes, I checked the channel orientation with the HiFi News Test LP. When I connected Red>Red, etc. (even though the wires were crossed) the channels were reversed.

Second, I noticed that according to the cartridge height scale in the Technics SL 1200 MK II manual, the VTA adjustment cannot go nearly high enough to accommodate the Benz Micro Ace cartridge.

I notice that the highs are a bit recessed with the Benz Ace compared with my Goldring Eroica H cart on my old MMF-7 table. The MMF-7 A/B'ed with my Modwright Sony 999ES was nearly indistinguishable in the extension and crispness of the highs. The highs with the Technics SL1200/Benz Micro Ace combo are considerably different from the CD version of the same recording regardless of the loading I try (thus far 200, 380 and 580 ohms). They aren't bad...just a bit muddier and less defined. So, I'm wondering if this an effect of VTA being too low, or if this a characteristic of the Micro Ace cartridge?

Any other SL1200/Micro Ace users out there notice these anomalies?

[TheChairGuy]

tvad,

I'm not sure how new is 'new' for your Benz.....but the whole package of sonics may flesh out more fully after 25+ hours of use.  That's about the point where I've found, on a fairly wide variety of cartridges having now experienced, where it begins to show it's true self (including, and sometimes especially, in the treble).

My new Pickering XLZ7500-S still sounds recessed overall after maybe 5 hours play time on it.....especially in it's treble registers.

Hang tight and keep suffering thru the early stages - the best may be yet to come   

[Psychicanimal]

With my Ortofon X-5 MC VTA is critical within 1/10 of a millimeter.  Nuff said.

[SET Man]

Hey!

    Congratulation on you new SL1200 and ACE MO cart.

    As you might already know that I have the ACE HO version with my modded Frankenrega and RB250 arm. I have a 2mm washer under the RB250 and the height and sound seem to be just fine. Still I'm thinking of getting the VTA adjuster.

    Benz Micro recommend minimum of 40 hours break in. My ACE definitely sounds better after that period.

   So, let us know how do you like the combo after the cart is broken in.

Take care,
Buddy

[Psychicanimal]

For accelerated cartridge break-in nothing beats 45 RPM dance singles.

[TONEPUB]

The Cardas sweep record seems to be pretty good at cartridge break in as well....

[lcrim]

Grant:
I am very surprised that the tonearm rewire reversed the channels but if you say its so then it must be.  As you know I have the Glider L2 on my 1200 and I also have the Goldring Eroica LX on my other TT and I agree that the Goldring is somewhat brighter than the Benz but I've never felt that the Glider was in any way recessed in the treble, just a different presentation.  I totally disagree with the belief that cartridges require break in time but to each, his own.  The new tonearm wire is an entirely different story in my experience and does go through some changes but you have no point of comparison.
Did you use the jig to get the stylus in exactly the right spot in the headshell?  Another hint is that I don't even look at where the wheel for adjusting the height of the pivot point ends up, the starting point is to get the tonearm parallel to a record with the arm down in playing position.  I have always used the heavy black rubber mat upside down,  I've been using the Isoplatmat under the rubber mat and it adds focus as well, I think.  In any event, small adjustments in the vertical tracking angle are audible with the Benz cartridge line.  I have not heard much difference in impedance loading in using my Jolida JD-9 w/ the Glider and the MC-3.
Didn't you recently change both your amp and speakers?  With such enormous change in the primary system interface a little time to become more familiar with the sound of your system may help you to tweak things so that the sound becomes even more enjoyable.