Benz Micro Glider SL MC Cartridge, Refurbished

The Benz Micro Glider SL is a light low-output moving-coil cartridge with a boron rod cantilever and a nude line-contact diamond – this unit, serial number 40778, has been fully refurbished by the manufacturer, has received a brand-new stylus with diamond and is going out as a Black Friday deal for CHF 1'090.

New, it costs nearly CHF 2'000. So you get it at practically half price, and not as a used remainder but fresh from a spa cure: this Glider went to Schaffhausen and comes back rested, with a brand-new stylus.

The story of this particular unit

A customer moved up to an even more exclusive cartridge and returned the Glider SL to us in an exchange. The previous owner had broken off the stylus, so simple servicing was not enough. Instead of putting it on a shelf, we sent it to Lukaschek Hi-Fi Electronic in Schaffhausen – where Benz Micro is built. There it was fully refurbished and received a completely new stylus with diamond, brand new. The refurbishment was completed on 11 November 2026. Since 13 November it is back with us in Wädenswil, with original box, case and data sheet.

The offer runs until and including 30 November 2026 or while stocks last. Stock here means exactly this one piece.

Why the Glider SL?

Because it is one of those cartridges that never needs to push itself forward. At just 6.8 g and with its open construction it gets along with light and heavier tonearms alike, where others turn temperamental. The solid boron rod of 0.28 mm diameter carries a nude, mirror-polished line-contact diamond (3 × 60 µm) that tracks the groove cleanly – on this unit the stylus is new. The iron cross coil delivers 0.4 mV at 12 Ω internal impedance – the classic low-output choice for good MC phono stages.

What you hear

Open, airy and musically honest. The Glider never imposes itself but lets the music breathe: tonal colours are right, the stage is cleanly layered, fine dynamics are preserved. Not an effects cartridge but one you still enjoy after years. A frequency response of 20 to 20'000 Hz at ±1 dB and a channel balance better than 0.5 dB make sure the data sheet does not lie.

Who is the Glider SL for?

For vinyl listeners with an MC phono stage from around 60 dB who want an uncomplicated, tonearm-friendly cartridge. Plain speaking: without an MC stage you waste its potential. And this refurbished unit exists exactly once – when it is gone, it is gone. If you want a factory-new cartridge in retail packaging, a used unit is not the right address anyway, even if it looks this fresh.

Our verdict

A proven all-rounder, overhauled by the maker itself and fitted with a brand-new stylus, at half the new price. If you are looking for a Benz classic and keep an eye on the budget, you will hardly find a better argument than this Black Friday piece. And should the neighbour's son ask about a cartridge tomorrow: you will already have it.

Technical data

• Type: moving-coil cartridge (low output)
• Condition: refurbished (11 Nov 2026 at Lukaschek Hi-Fi Electronic, Schaffhausen), used from customer exchange
• Stylus: completely new stylus with diamond, brand new (replacement after the previous owner broke the stylus)
• Warranty: 3 months
• Serial number: 40778
• Output voltage: 0.4 mV (at 3.54 cm/s)
• Internal impedance: 12 Ω
• Frequency response: 20 – 20'000 Hz ±1 dB
• Channel balance: better than 0.5 dB
• Channel separation: better than 35 dB (at 1 kHz)
• Cantilever: solid boron rod, 0.28 mm diameter
• Stylus profile: nude line-contact diamond, mirror-polished, 3 × 60 µm
• Generator: pure iron cross coil
• VTA: 20°
• Weight: 6.8 g
• Included: cartridge in original case with spirit level and test record, data sheet, original box

Frequently asked questions

What does «refurbished» mean for this Glider SL?

The cartridge was fully refurbished at Lukaschek Hi-Fi Electronic in Schaffhausen, where Benz Micro is built. The previous owner had broken off the stylus, so the Glider SL received a completely new stylus with diamond, brand new. The refurbishment was completed on 11 November 2026, and it performs like new again.

What does the Glider SL cost new, and what do you save?

New, the Benz Micro Glider SL costs nearly CHF 2'000. This refurbished unit is available as a Black Friday deal for CHF 1'090, so practically half price. The offer runs until and including 30 November 2026 or while stocks last. Stock here means exactly one piece, serial number 40778.

Which phono stage does the Glider SL need?

An MC phono stage with around 60 dB of gain or more. At 0.4 mV output the Glider SL is a low-output cartridge, a plain MM input is not enough. If you have no MC stage, we will tell you honestly whether a phono stage or a step-up transformer is worth it for your system.

Does the Glider SL fit my tonearm?

Very likely. At just 6.8 g and with its open construction the Glider is considered uncomplicated and works on light to medium-mass tonearms. Tell us your turntable and tonearm and we will check the combination beforehand. On request we take care of mounting and setting tracking force, VTA and azimuth.

Why buy the refurbished Benz Micro Glider SL at HD Zürisee?

Because we know the history of this unit: from the exchange here, through the refurbishment in Schaffhausen, to the return to Wädenswil. Our experienced specialist team mounts and sets it up on request and tells you openly whether it suits your arm and phono stage. Reach us on 044 680 22 00, by WhatsApp on 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

The low-noise amplification behind it can be found under Phono preamplifiers, a matching turntable under Turntables. More cartridges are in the Cartridges overview, more Benz Micro under BENZ Micro and further deals under Black Friday deals.