Benz Micro ACE

24.39.87.154

Posted on April 10, 2017 at 10:29:58

raya
Industry Professional

Posts: 662
Joined: May 9, 2014

I picked up a low hour, low output version hoping it would give me what my m.09 and Glider provide. In some cases it does but no amount of tweaking has opened up the top end enough. I've tried all types of loading and alignment adjustments. On its own merit it has deep and we'll defined bass. Probably its bests attribute, bettering my other Benz cartridges. The mids are smooth, which is fine but the highs are, we'll, just not exciting and needing about 3db boast starting at around 10 to 12k.

So, is this it's sound signature or do you think I'm getting it wrong. As it stands, it's a nice cartridge and probably great for a bright system but, as mine system is not bright it ends up being a bit lifeless as it stands.

BTW this is not the S series.

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RE: Benz Micro ACE

bjh

15:05:38 04/11/17

2

RE: Benz Micro ACE

raya

17:11:28 04/11/17

RE: Benz Micro ACE

bjh

20:09:40 04/11/17

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RE: Benz Micro ACE

bjh

15:05:38 04/11/17

2

RE: Benz Micro ACE

raya

17:11:28 04/11/17

RE: Benz Micro ACE

bjh

20:09:40 04/11/17

RE: Benz Micro ACE

jedrider

07:38:21 04/11/17

RE: Benz Micro ACE

Stephen Murphy

18:34:02 04/10/17

RE: Benz Micro ACE

kitch29

14:51:21 04/10/17

5

RE: Benz Micro ACE

raya

17:11:44 04/10/17

4

NUDE IT

Curious

05:18:09 04/18/17

3

RE: NUDE IT

raya

18:33:03 04/19/17

2

RE: NUDE IT

raya

07:28:03 04/20/17

RE: NUDE IT

raya

20:30:05 04/21/17

RE: Benz Micro ACE, posted on April 10, 2017 at 14:51:21
kitch29	I thought my Ace L did nothing wrong....or well. Don't recall it being bright, though, and that was with speakers featuring Altec 802 compression drivers.

RE: Benz Micro ACE, posted on April 10, 2017 at 17:11:44
raya Industry Professional Posts: 662 Joined: May 9, 2014	I didn't describe it as,bright but rather lacking in upper end and a bit lifeless.

RE: Benz Micro ACE, posted on April 10, 2017 at 18:34:02
Stephen Murphy Audiophile Posts: 1333 Joined: April 17, 2002	The Glider's all metal construction make it very fast in terms of transients. I've never heard the Ace but I guess it doesn't surprise me that the acrylic shell slows it down a bit. I've been using a Glider forever and it seems to give me everything my ears crave! Thanks for your take on the Ace. I have looked at those too.

RE: Benz Micro ACE, posted on April 11, 2017 at 07:38:21
jedrider Audiophile Posts: 15166 Location: No. California Joined: December 26, 2003	Pretty happy with mine. When I get it just right, it seems very fast, but maybe lacking that last degree of sparkle. I load mine at 3K ohms. It's still a fantastic cartridge that someone will certainly appreciate.

RE: Benz Micro ACE, posted on April 11, 2017 at 15:05:38
bjh Audiophile Posts: 18614 Location: Ontario Joined: November 22, 2003	I put an ACE in a Benz Wood body (from a deceased Ref 3) ... the transformation was not subtle ... never liked prior, fine sound post.

RE: Benz Micro ACE, posted on April 11, 2017 at 17:11:28
raya Industry Professional Posts: 662 Joined: May 9, 2014	Think I should nude it?

RE: Benz Micro ACE, posted on April 11, 2017 at 20:09:40
bjh Audiophile Posts: 18614 Location: Ontario Joined: November 22, 2003	I wouldn't say not to try but I wouldn't want to get hope up. My guess VTA adjust mosyt likely to vary sound (if can adjust)?

NUDE IT, posted on April 18, 2017 at 05:18:09
Curious Dealer Posts: 5878 Joined: April 28, 2010	I did and it changed the carts presentation. You may like it. "Hope is a good thing. Maybe, the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

RE: NUDE IT, posted on April 19, 2017 at 18:33:03

raya
Industry Professional

Posts: 662
Joined: May 9, 2014

So I nuded it this afternoon and I am now giving it a spin. I also added a drop counterweight a few days back, which seemed to improve things a bit. Finally, I've settled on 200 ohms as the best setting, as less loading seems to harden up the midrange and more loading rolls off the highs.

It hasn't change the overall sound character, with the exception of the highs seem more tonally correct. Not as spot on as my M.09, but better than it was stock. I do like it's effortless presentation, full bass, and now, high end. The minuses are the slight veil, compared to my M.09, and what seems to be, a bit of compression, especially in the upper mids.

At this time, I feel the mod has improved the overall sonic picture and makes the cartridge better suited towards my taste but, alas, it is not the equivalent of my M.09, which I was kind of hoping for. Maybe when I wear out the diamond and have SS retip it, it will bring it closer to what I hope.

RE: NUDE IT, posted on April 20, 2017 at 07:28:03

raya
Industry Professional

Posts: 662
Joined: May 9, 2014

This cartridge will be collecting dust, as I have installed a NOS Adcom HC EII, which gives me what I wasn't able to get from this cartridge.

See Adcom HC EII mini review for further thoughts on the Adcom.

RE: NUDE IT, posted on April 21, 2017 at 20:30:05
raya Industry Professional Posts: 662 Joined: May 9, 2014	I've determined that the ACE has something wrong with it and is having troubles tracking. I'm sending off to Soundsmith for inspection.

Vinyl Asylum

Benz Micro ACE

24.39.87.154