Benz Micro Ebony L MC Cartridge, Low Output

The Benz Micro Ebony L is a handcrafted Swiss moving-coil cartridge with low output voltage and a body made of solid ebony.

Benz Micro builds its cartridges by hand in Switzerland. For the Ebony series, designer Albert Lukaschek winds a low-impedance cross-coil generator and sets it into a body machined from Mozambique ebony. The dense natural wood absorbs resonances, and the low internal impedance of 5 Ω keeps the background quiet – provided the phono stage behind it is a good match.

Why the Ebony L?

Because it renders tonal colours as naturally as only a few cartridges manage. The mirror-polished Micro-Ridge diamond (5 × 120 µm) reads the finest structures out of the groove, and the rigid boron cantilever transmits every movement to the coil without delay. Voices and wooden instruments gain body and warmth without details falling by the wayside. If you thought your record collection was tapped out, this cartridge is happy to prove you wrong.

What you get

A low-output MC cartridge for high-quality MC phono stages, each unit shipped with its own individual measurement protocol from the Swiss workshop. Ebony body, iron cross-coil, bare Micro-Ridge diamond on solid boron cantilever. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we're happy to mount and align the cartridge on your tonearm on request – including matching it to your phono stage.

Who is the Ebony L suited for?

Straight talk: the Ebony L is for people who find many modern MC cartridges too technocratic and cool – here, naturalness comes first. At 0.26 mV it needs a low-noise MC preamp with decent gain; anyone with only a simple combined input won't get the full picture and is better served by the Ebony M or H. On medium-to-heavy tonearms it performs at its best, on very light arms the matching gets sporty.

Our verdict

The Ebony L is the sensible recommendation for anyone who finds many modern MC cartridges too cool-sounding. Ebony and the low-impedance cross-coil generator render tonal colours warm and calm without leaving details behind – provided a low-noise MC preamp stands behind it. If you value naturalness over analytics, this cartridge will keep you at the record player, relaxed, for a long time.

Technical data

• Cartridge type: Moving Coil (MC), Low Output
• Generator: low-impedance iron cross-coil
• Output voltage: 0.26 mV (at 3.54 cm/s)
• Internal impedance: 5 Ω
• Recommended load impedance: > 50 Ω
• Stylus: Micro-Ridge (bare diamond), 5 × 120 µm
• Cantilever: solid boron rod, 0.28 mm
• Body: Mozambique ebony
• Channel separation: > 35 dB (1 kHz)
• Compliance: 14 µm/mN
• Tracking force: 1.6 – 1.9 g
• VTA: 20°
• Weight: 10.7 g
• Optimal operating temperature: 23 °C
• Break-in time: approx. 40 h
• Included: individual measurement protocol, mounting screws, stylus brush

Frequently asked questions

What tracking force is ideal for the Benz Micro Ebony L?

Benz specifies 1.6 to 1.9 g. In our workshop in Wädenswil we usually set the cartridge towards the upper end, around 1.8 g – that's where tracking and dynamics are best balanced. We're happy to do the fine adjustment on your tonearm for you.

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

Yes. With 0.26 mV output voltage and 5 Ω internal impedance, the Ebony L belongs on a low-noise MC input. Benz recommends a load from 50 Ω upwards. On a pure MM input it stays too quiet – there, the Ebony H is the right variant of the series.

What does the Micro-Ridge stylus profile mean?

The Micro-Ridge diamond has a very narrow, elongated contact area that mimics the shape of the cutting stylus. That lets it pick up even the finest information from the groove and spread the tracking force over a larger area – more detail and, at the same time, less wear on your records.

Why buy the Benz Micro Ebony L at HD Zürisee?

Because an MC cartridge lives on being set up correctly. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we mount the Ebony L, adjust tracking force, VTA and azimuth, and match it to your tonearm and phono stage. Call us at 044 680 22 00 or write via WhatsApp to 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls).

Goes well with

The right turntable is in our turntables, the amplification it needs in phono preamplifiers. More cartridges from the brand are in the BENZ Micro overview, alternative cartridges in the cartridges list, and care accessories under All Vinyl.