{"product_id":"benzmicrorefs","title":"Benz Micro Reference S MC Cartridge, Low Output","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the Reference S?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho is the Reference S suited for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStraight 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCartridge type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moving Coil (MC), Low Output\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenerator:\u003c\/strong\u003e copper-wound cross-coil (cross-armature), low impedance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutput voltage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.26 mV (at 3.54 cm\/s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInternal impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended load impedance:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u0026gt; 100 Ω\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStylus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Micro-Ridge (bare diamond), 5 × 120 µm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCantilever:\u003c\/strong\u003e modified boron rod\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBody:\u003c\/strong\u003e bruyère wood (root wood)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompliance:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 µm\/mN\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTracking force:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.8 – 2.2 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVTA:\u003c\/strong\u003e 20°\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptimal operating temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23 °C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreak-in time:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 40 h\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e individual measurement protocol, mounting screws, stylus brush\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat phono stage does the Reference S need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat load impedance is ideal for the Reference S?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenz 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes the Reference S suit light tonearms?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow high should the tracking force be?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenz 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy buy the Benz Micro Reference S at HD Zürisee?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause 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 \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/41765342200\"\u003e076 534 22 00\u003c\/a\u003e (text only, no calls) or at shop@hdzuerisee.ch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA matching turntable is under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/plattenspieler\"\u003eTurntables\u003c\/a\u003e, the low-noise amplification behind it under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/phono-vorverstarker\"\u003ePhono preamplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e. More cartridges are in the \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/tonabnehmer\"\u003ecartridges\u003c\/a\u003e overview, brushes, scales and cleaning under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/alles-vinyl\"\u003eAll Vinyl\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BENZ Micro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52989490856272,"sku":null,"price":1900.0,"currency_code":"CHF","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0932\/3262\/8048\/files\/benz-micro-reference-s-mc-tonabnehmer-schraegansicht.jpg?v=1785439178","url":"https:\/\/hdzuerisee.ch\/en\/products\/benzmicrorefs","provider":"HD Zürisee AG","version":"1.0","type":"link"}