Benz Micro Reference S MC Cartridge, Low Output

The Benz Micro Reference S is a light, handcrafted Swiss moving-coil cartridge with a bruyère wood body and a low-impedance, copper-wound cross-coil generator.

The body is made from bruyère – the same root wood used for high-quality tobacco pipes, prized for its damping properties. Add a Micro-Ridge diamond on a boron cantilever, an internal impedance of only 5 Ω, and a total weight of 9 g.

Why the Reference S?

Because it tells music as a whole instead of breaking it into parts. The copper-wound cross-armature sits at a low 5 Ω, which makes it uncritical about load impedance and allows almost any setting from 100 Ω upwards. The Micro-Ridge profile at 5 × 120 µm precisely traces the groove walls, while the bruyère body takes out the artificial hardness. Voices and acoustic instruments gain a bloom that still doesn't tire after three hours.

What you get

A low-output MC with 0.26 mV that belongs on a low-noise MC phono stage, complete with an individual measurement protocol. Bruyère body, copper cross-coil, 5 Ω internal impedance, load from 100 Ω, tracking force between 1.8 and 2.2 g. At 9 g the Reference S is among the lighter Benz cartridges, which suits medium-heavy tonearms as well as some lighter ones. We're happy to handle mounting and alignment for you on request.

Who is the Reference S suited for?

Straight talk: the Reference S is for listeners who put naturalness above clinical sharpness. At 0.26 mV it belongs on a genuinely low-noise MC preamp – on a tightly-budgeted standard input it sounds flat, and that would be a shame. If you're after maximum punch and attack, you'll find louder arguments elsewhere. Its low weight, on the other hand, makes it unusually flexible when choosing a tonearm; with very light carbon arms we work out the resonance frequency beforehand.

Our verdict

The Reference S is one of those cartridges you don't buy for a single trait, but for the sum of them. The bruyère body takes out hardness, the 9 g open up an unusually wide choice of tonearms, and the low 5 Ω make matching to the phono stage relaxed. Just don't skimp on gain – then it plays stubbornly above its class.

Technical data

• Cartridge type: Moving Coil (MC), Low Output
• Generator: copper-wound cross-coil (cross-armature), low impedance
• Output voltage: 0.26 mV (at 3.54 cm/s)
• Internal impedance: 5 Ω
• Recommended load impedance: > 100 Ω
• Stylus: Micro-Ridge (bare diamond), 5 × 120 µm
• Cantilever: modified boron rod
• Body: bruyère wood (root wood)
• Compliance: 15 µm/mN
• Tracking force: 1.8 – 2.2 g
• VTA: 20°
• Weight: 9 g
• Optimal operating temperature: 23 °C
• Break-in time: approx. 40 h
• Included: individual measurement protocol, mounting screws, stylus brush

Frequently asked questions

What phono stage does the Reference S need?

A low-noise MC phono stage. With 0.26 mV output voltage, the Reference S is a decidedly quiet cartridge – an MM input alone isn't enough. Thanks to its low internal impedance of 5 Ω, it also works well with step-up transformers. We're happy to work out which combination suits your chain.

What load impedance is ideal for the Reference S?

Benz Micro specifies more than 100 Ω. Because of the low internal resistance of 5 Ω, the Reference S is uncritical about the load and works with many MC phono stages. We find the value with the most natural balance together, on your phono stage.

Does the Reference S suit light tonearms?

At only 9 g it's one of the lighter Benz cartridges and therefore flexible. It runs well on medium-heavy arms as well as some lighter ones. With very light carbon arms you should check the resonance frequency beforehand – tell us your turntable and we'll work it out for you.

How high should the tracking force be?

Benz Micro specifies a range of 1.8 to 2.2 g. Within that range you'll find the point with the best balance of tracking and openness; too little tracking force doesn't save a record, it costs it. We're happy to do the fine adjustment with a scale and test record.

Why buy the Benz Micro Reference S at HD Zürisee?

Because a cartridge of this class lives on alignment. Our experienced team mounts the Reference S, sets tracking force, VTA and azimuth, and matches it to tonearm and phono stage – and at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil that also includes the honest word if a combination simply doesn't work. Reach us at 044 680 22 00, via WhatsApp at 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

A matching turntable is under Turntables, the low-noise amplification behind it under Phono preamplifiers. More cartridges are in the cartridges overview, brushes, scales and cleaning under All Vinyl.