Moving Coils, Made from scratch
Located in the picturesque Swiss town of Neuhausen am Rheinfall is the Benz Micro cartridge factory. Here, master cartridge builder Albert Lukaschek works with a small group of artisans, hand crafting some of the world’s best MC phono cartridges. Coils are wound by hand under intense magnification, cartridge bodies and chassis parts are constructed and assembled in house, and each cartridge is carefully listened to by Mr. Lukaschek himself. Any cartridge that does not meet his strict criteria will go back for adjustment until it is perfect. This pride of workmanship can be felt when you first place a Benz Micro needle into a record groove and experience a level of musical engagement unmatched in home audio.
BENZ Micro CARTRIDGES
Because of the competitive pricing and hand-made nature of Benz cartridges, certain models sell out from time to time. Contact your nearest Benz Micro dealer for information on pricing, availability, and system compatibility.
Click here for a list of Benz Micro Dealers
LP-S
The flagship cartridge of Benz Micro. Weighing in at 16 grams due to it's massive brass frame, the Benz Micro LP-S features an aged ebony wood body, micro-ridge stylus, and low mass ruby plate generator. The low mass of the plate and coil structure matches with the high mass of the cartridge body to create the perfect balance of detail and control. The LP-S is particularly regarded for it’s excellent low frequency performance, producing a focused bass response that rivals any playback device in the analog or digital realm. Properly set up on the right tonearm, the Benz LP-S offers a level of musicality unmatched at any price.
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Body: Vented machined Ebony wood
Cantilever: Solid boron rod: 0.28 mm diameter
Stylus: Nude line-contact diamond, mirror polished
Stylus tip radius: 3 x 60 µm
Vertical tracking angle (VTA): 20 degrees
Coil: Square ruby jewel plate
Weight: 16.4 grams
Output voltage: 0.34 mV at 3.54 cm/s
Internal impedance: 38 ohms
Frequency response: 10 – 50,000 Hz ± 1 dB
Channel balance: Better than 0.5 dB
Channel separation: Better than 35 dB at 1 kHz
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at a tracking force of 2 grams: 80 µm
Dynamic compliance: 15 µm/MN
Recommended loading: 500 – 47,000 ohms
Recommended tracking force: 1.8 – 2.2 grams
Optimum tracking force: 1.8 – 2.0 grams
Recommended tonearm mass: Medium to high
Optimum working temperature: 23°C
Break-in period: 40 hours
Warranty 2 years manufacturing defects
Specifications subject to change without notice
RUBY-Z
The 4th generation of Benz Micro's Ruby series, this model has undergone years of refinement. Using Benz Micro's signature square ruby plate generator, the Ruby Z is able to extract minute textural details from the record groove due to the lightweight, non-ferrous nature of the ruby core. With its warm tonal presentation and rich midrange, the Zebra wood body completes what is perhaps the most beautiful looking and sounding of Benz Micro's cartridge offerings. Available in low output (Z) as well as medium output (ZH).
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Body: Vented machined Zebra wood
Cantilever: Solid boron rod: 0.28 mm diameter
Stylus: Nude line-contact diamond, mirror polished
Stylus tip radius: 3 x 60 µm
Vertical tracking angle (VTA): 20 degrees
Coil: Square ruby jewel plate
Weight: 10.7 grams
Output voltage: 0.34 mV at 3.54 cm/s
Internal impedance: 38 ohms
Frequency response: 10 – 50,000 Hz ± 1 dB
Channel balance: Better than 0.5 dB
Channel separation: Better than 35 dB at 1 kHz
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at a tracking force of 2 grams: 80 µm
Dynamic compliance: 15 µm/MN
Recommended loading: 500 – 47,000 ohms
Recommended tracking force: 1.8 – 2.2 grams
Optimum tracking force: 1.8 – 2.0 grams
Recommended tonearm mass: Medium to high
Optimum working temperature: 23°C
Break-in period: 40 hours
Warranty- 2 years manufacturing defects
Specifications subject to change without notice
SLR GULLWING
The SLR Gullwing is a streamlined, stripped down version of the flagship LP-S cartridge. Sharing many of the same internal components and shedding the Ebony housing in favor of an open-air design, the SLR offers airy detail and transparency without sacrificing its characteristic Benz Micro tonal warmth. One of the best values in high end audio, the Gullwing comes in both low output (SLR) and medium output (SHR) versions.
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Body: Brass, open, free-floating
Cantilever: Solid boron rod: 0.28 mm diameter
Stylus: Nude line-contact diamond, mirror polished
Stylus tip radius: 3 x 60 µm
Vertical tracking angle (VTA): 20 degrees
Coil: Square ruby jewel plate
Weight: 12.2 grams
Output voltage: 0.34 mV at 3.54 cm/s
Internal impedance: 40 ohms
Frequency response: 10 – 50,000 Hz ± 1 dB
Channel balance: Better than 0.5 dB
Channel separation: Better than 35 dB at 1 kHz
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at a tracking force of 2 grams: 80 µm
Dynamic compliance: 15 µm/MN
Recommended loading: 500 – 47,000 ohms
Recommended tracking force: 1.8 – 2.2 grams
Optimum tracking force: 1.8 – 2.0 grams
Recommended tonearm mass: Low to medium
Optimum working temperature: 23°C
Break-in period: 40 hours
Warranty- 2 years manufacturing defects
Specifications subject to change without notice
Ref-S
The Benz Micro Reference “Ref-S” uses a more sophisticated, low-impedance version of the cross-coil generator. Suitable for traditional high gain phono stages as well as transimpedence phono stages, fixed-load phono stages, and step up transformers, this versatile high-performance generator is housed in a beautifully crafted myrtle wood frame which provides the perfect amount of mechanical damping for a rich, detailed, musical presentation.
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Body: Vented machined wood
Cantilever: Solid boron rod: 0.28 mm diameter
Stylus: Nude line-contact diamond, mirror polished
Stylus tip radius: 3 x 60 µm
Vertical tracking angle (VTA): 20 degrees
Coil: Pure iron cross
Weight: 9 grams
Output voltage: 0.26 mV at 3.54 cm/s
Internal impedance: 3.5 ohms
Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz ± 1 dB
Channel balance: Better than 0.5 dB
Channel separation: Better than 35 dB at 1 kHz
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at a tracking force of 2 grams: 80 µm
Dynamic compliance: 15 µm/MN
Recommended loading: 50 – 47,000 ohms
Recommended tracking force: 1.7 – 2.2 grams
Optimum tracking force: 1.7 – 1.8 grams
Recommended tonearm mass: medium to high
Optimum working temperature: 23°C
Break-in period: 40 hours
Warranty- 2 years manufacturing defects
Specifications subject to change without notice
ZEBRA WOOD (L,M,H)
The first new cartridge model from Benz Micro in over a decade, the Zebra wood offers a stunning combination of performance and value. Borrowing materials from the Ruby Z, specifically the namesake zebra wood body, retaining the internal generator of the Woodbody series cartridges, the Zebra Wood represents the continuation of the Benz Micro legacy. The denser, more expensive zebra wood material further enhances resonance control, while the classic iron cross generator provides the warm, sweet sound that has always been associated with this legendary Swiss brand. Like its predecessor the Wood SL, the Zebra-L is widely compatible and will perform beautifully on a wide range of systems and musical styles. Available in three outputs: Low (Zebra L), medium (Zebra M), and high (Zebra H).
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Body: Vented machined Zebra wood
Cantilever: Solid boron rod: 0.28 mm diameter
Stylus: Nude line-contact diamond, mirror polished
Stylus tip radius: 3 x 60 µm
Vertical tracking angle (VTA): 20 degrees
Coil: Pure iron cross
Weight: 9.6 grams
Output voltage (at 3.54 cm/s): 0.4 mV (Low), 0.8mV (Medium), or 2.5mV (High)
Internal impedance: 12 ohms (Low) 24 ohms (Medium) or 95 ohms (high)
Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz ± 1 dB
Channel balance: Better than 0.5 dB
Channel separation: Better than 35 dB at 1 kHz
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at a tracking force of 2 grams: 80 µm
Dynamic compliance: 15 µm/MN
Recommended loading: 100 - 47k ohms (Low, Medium) 1000 - 47k ohms (High)
Recommended tracking force: 1.7 – 2.0 grams
Optimum tracking force: 1.7 – 1.8 grams
Recommended tonearm mass: Medium to high
Optimum working temperature: 23°C
Break-in period: 40 hours
Warranty 2 years manufacturing defects
Specifications subject to change without notice
Glider S (L,M,H)
A legendary cartridge, one of the first of Benz Micro’s high performance offerings, the Glider remains available in limited production runs and may be one of the most affordable 100% hand-made phono cartridges in the world. Utilizing an open-air design and a carefully crafted iron-cross coil generator, the Benz Micro Glider is subject to the same scrutiny and testing procedures as its more expensive cousins.
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Body: Aluminum, open, free-floating
Cantilever: Solid boron rod: 0.28 mm diameter
Stylus: Nude line-contact diamond, mirror polished
Stylus tip radius: 3 x 60 µm
Vertical tracking angle (VTA): 20 degrees
Coil: Pure iron cross
Weight: 6.8 grams
Output voltage (at 3.54 cm/s): 0.4 mV (Low), 0.8mV (Medium), or 2.5mV (High)
Internal impedance: 12 ohms (Low) 24 ohms (Medium) or 95 ohms (high)
Frequency response: 20 – 20,000 Hz ± 1 dB
Channel balance: Better than 0.5 dB
Channel separation: Better than 35 dB at 1 kHz
Tracking ability at 315 Hz at a tracking force of 2 grams: 80 µm
Dynamic compliance: 15 µm/MN
Recommended loading: 100 - 47k ohms (low) 1000 - 47k ohms (medium) 47k ohms (high)
Recommended tracking force: 1.7 – 2.0 grams
Optimum tracking force: 1.7 – 1.8 grams
Recommended tonearm mass: Medium
Optimum working temperature: 23°C
Break-in period: 40 hours
Warranty 2 years manufacturing defects
Specifications subject to change without notice
ABOUT BENZ MICRO
Founded by the late Ernst Benz in 1970, Benz Micro has been producing MC phono cartridges since the early 1980's. In 1994 the company came under the ownership and direction of Mr. Albert Lukaschek who ushered in a new era of product development and company growth. The popularity of Benz Micro exploded in the following decades as more people worldwide became aware of the incredible quality of these highly musical hand-made cartridges.
Sierra Sound became the official distributer for Benz Micro in 2020 after a 2 year absence of the product from the US market. Benz Micro cartridges are once again in steady supply and are better than ever.
Please contact us for information on an authorized Benz Micro dealer near you.
What People Are Saying
“ (the slr gullwing) can reproduce recorded textures with an overtly tactile, right-there-in-front-of-me intensity that most other cartridges can't match”
“I think the Benz LP-S is one of the two or three best cartridges I’ve had in my system. It is outstanding.”
— Jonathan Valin, The Absolute Sound