Stereophile Recommended Components April 2010 Benz Micro ACE SL: $700 $$$ The ACE SL moving-coil cartridge outputs 0.4mV and has a 0.28mm cantilever of solid boron and and a nude mirror-polished, line contact stylus. Based on the pure-iron cross-coil generator system of Benz Micro's upscale Glider, the hand built ACE series uses a cost-saving aluminum frame and acrylic body. Though is couldn't match the dynamics and bass extension of the more expensive cartridges, "The ACE SL's tracing and tracking were impressive by any standard," said MF. It produced solid images within a wise soundstage, offered an "astonishing" amount of inner detail, and had an overall sound that was "somewhat polite." MF: "The Benz-Micro ACE SL is easy to recommend."
Only Please Call for Pricing and Availability$900.00$900.00
The S-Class models of the Wood Body SL (low-output), SM (medium) and SH (high), the Glider SL, SM, SH, and the ACE SL, SM, SH all incorporate the Benz Dynascan system with a Gyger S stylus coupled to improved generators using new coil windings and refined pole pieces/damper designs. Albert Lukaschek began researching increased performance and uniformity of his cross-coil designs while developing the Benz Ebony H, L and TR models. Experimenting with the length of the solid Boron cantilever revealed how the elasticity of this very stiff material affected compliance and trackability. Development of a grooved rear pole piece for countersinking the o-ring damper, first introduced on the Benz Ruby square plate cartridges, was then adapted to the cross-coil designs, given their lower contact area and damping characteristics. The lower mass coils and matched cantilevers of the new S-Class retain their real world output levels and with their improved styli, offer heightened performance. These cartridges yield one of the best performance/value ratios in cartridge market, regardless of output level.
Benz Ace SL Specifications
Output: .4mV
Stylus: 5x120µm
Impedance: 12 ohms
Loading range: >100 ohms
Weight: 8.8g
Compliance: 15cu
Tracking force: 1.6-1.9g
Cartridge Trade Details All old and used Benz and Clearaudio cartridges have trade value toward new Benz models. This trade value varies based on what model you already have and what model you plan to purchase. Please see the list below to determine your final price after the trade discount.
If you have a cartridge that you'd like to trade in, please place an order for the appropriate trade option. We will process the order with the discount applied and ship your new cartridge. We will then issue you an RA number by email or phone. Please reference that number when you send us your old cartridge. We require receipt of the trade within 30 days of order placement, after which point we are authorized to charge you the full retail price of the cartridge you ordered.
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