[orientalexpress]

I broke my Benz Micro Gullwing last night  ,I\m so mad at myself right now.Benz want $1600 for retiping exchange for it.i should never work on my turntable when I\m tired. .an expensive lesson to be learn//


Lapsan

[Elizabeth]

From the many reports over on Audio Asylum, SoundSmith is very good.
The only issue I have ever heard of is that some folks wind up waiting longer than they expected. But that is rare too.
So reads like it should be a good decision.
Added: I have a Benz Glider. that stylus hanging way out there is begging to be snagged. I worry about it.

[dlaloum]

Reports on the soundsmith ruby cantilever are that it is often better than the originals (that of course will depend on how good your original was!)

But one thing to keep in mind is that the mechanical resonance of the cantilever has an impact on the sound, and a different cantilever may have a different resonance and therefore a different "tone" (or more correctly - frequency response).

But in terms of detail retrieval, dynamics and all the desirable qualities, I have yet to see anything bad said about these...

Bye for now

David

[woodsyi]

You probably broke the cantilever as I doubt you only managed to chip the tip.  Fortunately replacing cantilever with their stock is cheaper than retipping your own cantilever.  I know it sounds funny but it's true.  It was more expensive for me to retip. 

[rollo]

  Nothing but good reports on Soundsmith. Your gonna wait about 3 months.



charles

[orientalexpress]

Reports on the soundsmith ruby cantilever are that it is often better than the originals (that of course will depend on how good your original was!)

But one thing to keep in mind is that the mechanical resonance of the cantilever has an impact on the sound, and a different cantilever may have a different resonance and therefore a different "tone" (or more correctly - frequency response).

But in terms of detail retrieval, dynamics and all the desirable qualities, I have yet to see anything bad said about these...

Bye for now

David

That what i'm afraid of,i decided to sent to Benz Micro instead,even it's cost $875 and wait 60 days but i get the original sound of the gullwing.Thanks again



Lapsan

[sts9fan]

I have a glider with a SS ruby cantilever. I think it sounds great but I never heard it with the original boron. 

[Ericus Rex]

That what i'm afraid of,i decided to sent to Benz Micro instead,even it's cost $875 and wait 60 days but i get the original sound of the gullwing.Thanks again

That's the price of a full rebuild, I think.  Did you ask about replacing only the stylus/cantilever?  I had a full rebuild done about a year ago to a Ruby 3.  I seem to remember the cantilever replacement being more like $450.

[orientalexpress]

That's the price of a full rebuild, I think.  Did you ask about replacing only the stylus/cantilever?  I had a full rebuild done about a year ago to a Ruby 3.  I seem to remember the cantilever replacement being more like $450.

That the thing that worry me ,Soundsmith use ruby cantilever,Benz use Baron cantilever,i prefered the Baron since that what the gullwing come with.


lapsan

[Ericus Rex]

I was talking about Benz work.  The rebuild I had done was on a Benz-Micro Ruby 3.  I was saying you might be able to get only the cantilever/stylus changed at Benz for less money than the $875 full rebuild.

[orientalexpress]

this is from benz website  $800 or $1600  for trade in which u didn't have to wait.those are the only 2 option they're give me ,i wish have that 3rd option for 450.00  that would been nice. http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/cartr.html




Lapsan

[chester_audio]

Soundsmith does great work. But the gullwing won't be the same after this. Based on what I've experienced the cartridge will retain the character and overall sound, but may pick up more from the grooves. Whether this is better or not is subjective and you'll decide that for yourself. So, while the Benz won't be the same if Soundsmith fixes it that may not be a negative. FWIW, Peter has fixed my XV-1s before, but this time I'm going for the factory rebuild so that I get back to the stock sound.

If you go the retip route you'll be waiting either way. Maybe makes sense to put some of the savings toward a back up cartridge?

[Ericus Rex]

this is from benz website  $800 or $1600  for trade in which u didn't have to wait.those are the only 2 option they're give me ,i wish have that 3rd option for 450.00  that would been nice. http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/cartr.html

Hmmm.  Contact Benz directly:

http://www.benz-micro.com/

I got a full rebuild which included new stylus, new boron cantilever, new copper coils and full cleaning for 720 euro.  I seem to remember just replacing the cantilever/stylus to be around 375 euro.  And the Ruby 3 was more expensive than the Gullwing.

[lofreek]

The Dynavector that Peter at Soundsmith repaired for me with a ruby canteliever and fine line stylus was improved significantly over stock. Peter is amazing with cartridges.