Benz Micro Ace

"The ACE SL produced solid, well-defined, yet delicate images within a world-class-wide soundstage of reasonable depth. Its resolution of ambient cues and inner detail were astonishing for $700. Its tonal balance combined lower-midrange warmth, reasonably good bottom-end extension, good top-end extension and detail, and a slight reticence in the transition from the upper mids to the treble that produced a relaxed, very pleasing, yet detailed sonic picture. There were no standout colorations, hard edges, or grain." - Michael Fremer,Stereophile June 2009

ACE is an acronym of Advanced Cartridge Engineering. The S Class models of the Benz Micro ACE SL, SM, SH all incorporate the Benz Dynascan S stylus coupled to improved generators using new coil windings and refined pole pieces/damper designs.

A recipient of The Absolute Sound Editors Choice award for several years and a cartridge recommended byStereophile, the Benz Micro Ace S Moving Coil phono cartridge is a favorite of music listeners who require natural (organic) presentation of music — warm, silky smooth and natural highs to the mid-range and effortless low end. Benz Micro extends this performance with its new Ace S class. It comes in Low Output (0.4mV), Medium Output (0.8mV) and High Output (2.5m

Specifications:
Type: Moving Coil stereo cartridge 
Cantilever: Solid boron rod with 0.28mm diameter 
Stylus shape: 5 x 120 µm
Weight: 8.8 g
Output voltage: 2.5mV
Internal impedance: 90 ohms
Compliance: 14
Recommended loading: > 1,000 ohms
Tracking force: 1.6-1.9 g
Break-in period: 40 hours