Benz Micro Ebony M MC Cartridge, Medium Output

The Benz Micro Ebony M is a handcrafted Swiss moving-coil cartridge with medium output voltage and a solid ebony body.

The Ebony M is the medium-output variant in the series: the same hand-wound iron cross coil generator and the same Mozambique ebony body as the Ebony L, but with a noticeably stronger level of 0.8 mV. That makes it fit MC inputs that are missing that last bit of gain headroom at 0.26 mV.

Why the Ebony M?

Because it combines the warm, full-bodied Ebony sound with a more everyday-usable output level. The dense ebony absorbs resonances, the bare micro-ridge diamond (5 × 120 µm) on a solid boron cantilever reads the finest groove structures. Tonal colours come across naturally, voices and wooden instruments gain warmth – and yet no detail gets lost. Not the loudest way to the goal, but often the most uncomplicated.

What you get

A medium-output MC cartridge for MC phono stages with moderate gain, each unit with an individual measurement protocol. Ebony body, iron cross coil, micro-ridge diamond on a boron-rod cantilever. Mounting, alignment and matching to tonearm and phono stage is handled by our workshop in Wädenswil on request.

Who's the Ebony M for?

Plain talk: the Ebony M is the series' golden middle way – for anyone whose Ebony L stays too quiet on their phono stage, but who doesn't want to jump straight to the H's high-output character. At 0.8 mV it still belongs on an MC input; for a pure MM or tube stage, the Ebony H is the better choice. On medium-mass to heavy arms it comes into its own.

Our verdict

The Ebony M is the pragmatic middle of the Ebony series: a warm, natural fundamental tone, but with enough level for phono stages without that last bit of gain headroom. Anyone with a very low-noise high-gain MC stage does a touch finer with the quieter Ebony L; for most real-world chains, the M is the more uncomplicated pick – and that's exactly why we recommend it often.

Technical data

• System type: Moving Coil (MC), Medium Output
• Generator: Iron cross coil
• Output voltage: 0.8 mV (at 3.54 cm/s)
• Internal impedance: 5 Ω (manufacturer spec)
• Recommended load impedance: > 35 Ω
• Stylus profile: Micro-Ridge (bare diamond), 5 × 120 µm
• Cantilever: solid boron rod, 0.28 mm
• Body: Mozambique ebony
• Compliance: 14 µm/mN
• Tracking force: 1.6 – 1.9 g
• Weight: 10.7 g
• Break-in time: approx. 40 h
• Scope of delivery: individual measurement protocol, mounting screws, stylus brush

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the Ebony L, M and H?

All three share an ebony body, iron cross coil and micro-ridge diamond. They differ in output voltage and recommended load: L 0.26 mV for high-gain MC stages, M 0.8 mV for medium MC inputs, H 2.5 mV for MM and tube inputs. We're happy to help you work out which version suits your phono stage.

Do I need an MC phono stage for the Ebony M?

Yes, but not a high-gain version. At 0.8 mV, the Ebony M fits MC inputs with moderate gain; Benz specifies at least 35 Ω as the load. On a pure MM input it stays too quiet – there the Ebony H is the better choice.

What's the ideal tracking force for the Ebony M?

Benz specifies 1.6 to 1.9 g. In our workshop in Wädenswil we usually set it around 1.8 g – that's where tracking accuracy and dynamics are most balanced. After around 40 hours of break-in, a second look at the alignment is worthwhile.

Why buy the Benz Micro Ebony M from HD Zürisee?

Because the right output variant gets you further than any datasheet detail. We take a look at your phono stage, recommend L, M or H accordingly, and fit the cartridge completely on request. A specialist team with years of experience and our own workshop – get in touch by phone, email or WhatsApp.

Goes well with

You'll find matching turntables under Turntables, the gain you need under Phono Preamplifiers. The brand's other cartridges are in the BENZ Micro overview, more cartridges in the Cartridges list, cleaning and setup accessories under All Things Vinyl.