Benz MC Gold
Used with:
Michell Tecnodeck and Tecno Arm
MC Gold is Benz’ most affordable product, and it seems to offer good value for money, but in terms of playback precision, it is no substitute for the brand’s dearer cartridges. Both ACE L and ACE SH have significantly better tracking which results in clearer “S”es, especially with older, more worn records. Its resolution seems to be ok at first, until you compare it to the ACE variants, or even to the affordable Denon DL304-II. With its unusually small “Special Elliptical” stylus, the Denon offers particularly good value for money with lots of refinement and excellent resolution, but it doesn’t offer the timbral fullness of sound that the Benz MC Gold does.
Benz ACE L
Used with:
Michell Tecnodeck and Tecno Arm
Avid Volvere + SME 309
Technics SL-1210
The ACE L is quite a different animal compared to the MC Gold. More detail, better clarity, fuller, more articulate, and tighter bass, while avoiding any sharpness. Tracking is excellent. While never aggressive, depending on the turntable and the rest of the system, the ACE can be a little clean or even clinical, showing you without mercy when a record doesn’t sound great. Conversely, well-produced records can sound absolutely stellar. The combination with Michell Gyro with Tecnoarm as well as the Avid Volvere with SME309 results in a well-controlled, tight, and solid sound that is technically excellent but could do with a little more flow and treble fluidity. A combination that works unexpectedly well is with a Technics SL1200, but of course, price-wise, this is a strange match and it has to be said that the SL1200 has its own limitations which ultimately undercuts the ACE’s capabilities in many areas. Still, fun to find that this does actually work.
Benz ACE SH
Used with:
Yamaha PX-2
Avid Volvere + SME 309
Technics SL-1210
The ACE SH is a high output MC, fit for use with a regular MM phono preamp. This cartridge offers a nice tradeoff between refinement and power. It offers very robust and ballsy sound combined with truly excellent tracking (better even than the older initial ACE) and very good resolution. Its drive and dynamic power really are addictive, but it can’t quite match the refinement and low-level resolution that the more MC-typical ACE L is capable of. Then again the ACE L doesn’t quite offer the power that the ACE SH does, so between these two cartridges, it really is a matter of personal preference.
