Benz Micro Ruby ZH MC Cartridge, High Output

The Benz Micro Ruby ZH is a handcrafted Swiss moving-coil cartridge with a boosted output voltage of 0.7 mV, a zebrano wood body and an iron-free ruby square-rod generator.

Technically the ZH is the twin of the Ruby Z – same body, same ruby square plate, same Micro-Ridge diamond. The difference lies in the winding: more turns, double the output voltage. That makes the ZH suited to phono stages in the 50 to 60 dB gain range, typically tube phono stages.

Why the Ruby ZH?

Because in practice the level question decides the sound more often than any sound description. If your phono stage lacks the headroom for a low-output MC, you get noise instead of resolution – and no ruby plate in the world will un-hear that. The ZH solves it at the source: 0.7 mV gives your stage enough to work with without overdriving it. The rest is the same mechanism as the Z – zebrano damps, the iron-free core keeps overtones clean, the boron cantilever transmits every impulse without detour.

What you get

A high-output MC for phono stages with 50 to 60 dB gain, with its own individual measurement protocol from the factory. Zebrano body, ruby generator, Micro-Ridge profile at 5 × 120 µm, load from 400 Ω. At 10.2 g and 15 µm/mN compliance, the ZH is a case for medium-heavy tonearms. Mounting, alignment and matching to your chain, we handle completely on request.

Who is the Ruby ZH suited for?

Honestly: the ZH is the right choice if your phono stage is a tube stage or a moderately amplifying MC stage and you don't want to add a step-up transformer. One important point to note: with Benz, "High Output" means 0.7 mV – noticeably quieter than an MM cartridge's usual 4 to 5 mV. On an ordinary MM input with around 40 dB you'll therefore be short on level. If, on the other hand, you have a high-gain MC stage above 60 dB, you'll get the last bit of resolution out of the quieter Ruby Z.

Our verdict

The ZH isn't a compromise, it's an adaptation to the reality of many systems. If you own a good tube phono stage and want to keep it, this gets you the full Ruby mechanism without rebuilding the electronics. There's one condition: the input must be low-noise. If it is, the ZH plays with the same composure as its quieter sibling – and you save yourself the step-up transformer.

Technical data

• Cartridge type: Moving Coil (MC), High Output
• Generator: iron-free ruby square-rod (ruby plate as coil former)
• Output voltage: 0.7 mV (at 3.54 cm/s)
• Internal impedance: 38 Ω
• Recommended load impedance: > 400 Ω
• Recommended phono gain: 50 – 60 dB
• Stylus: Micro-Ridge (bare diamond), 5 × 120 µm
• Cantilever: solid boron rod
• Body: zebrano wood
• Compliance: 15 µm/mN
• Tracking force: 1.8 – 2.0 g
• Weight: 10.2 g
• Break-in time: approx. 40 h
• Included: individual measurement protocol, mounting screws, stylus brush

Frequently asked questions

Which phono stage suits the Ruby ZH?

A phono stage with 50 to 60 dB of gain, according to Benz Micro – typically tube phono stages and MC stages with moderate gain. The load should be above 400 Ω. Tell us your device and we'll tell you whether level and load match up.

Can I connect the Ruby ZH to a normal MM input?

Generally not optimally. A standard MM input delivers around 40 dB and is designed for 4 to 5 mV – the ZH's 0.7 mV stays noticeably too quiet there. You need a stage with 50 to 60 dB gain or a switchable phono preamp with an MC setting.

What's the difference between Ruby Z and Ruby ZH?

Only the output voltage, and therefore the matching phono stage. Body, ruby generator, Micro-Ridge diamond, weight and compliance are identical. The Z delivers 0.35 mV and wants over 60 dB of gain, the ZH delivers 0.7 mV and feels at home between 50 and 60 dB.

How long does the Ruby ZH take to break in?

About 40 hours of operation. By then the suspension loosens up, the bass gets deeper, and the treble loses the last trace of hardness. You don't need to do anything special for this – just play records and don't judge the cartridge after the first side.

Why buy the Benz Micro Ruby ZH at HD Zürisee?

Because with the ZH, level matching decides whether the cartridge shows its potential. We at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil check your phono stage, mount and align the cartridge, and match load and gain. Get in touch at 044 680 22 00, via WhatsApp at 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), or at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

The right amplification is under Phono preamplifiers, the turntable to go with it under Turntables. More cartridges are in the cartridges overview, care and alignment tools under All Vinyl.