The latest LP S incorporates a higher mass brass frame for improved coupling to tonearms, evolved ruby square plate generator and Ebony body. Brass, an alloy of copper and tin, complements Ebony, materials used for building musical instruments. The LP S has 50% more mass than the previous model for enhanced vibrational and resonant characteristics, thus revealing greater dynamic contrasts, deeper bass and increased resolution from all records. The latest LP S Class was the first Benz Micro to use the new Micro Ridge stylus, now found on all Benz Micro Swiss-made cartridges.

The latest LP S incorporates a higher mass brass frame for improved coupling to tonearms, evolved ruby square plate generator and Ebony body. Brass, an alloy of copper and tin, complements Ebony, materials used for building musical instruments. The LP S has 50% more mass than the previous model for enhanced vibrational and resonant characteristics, thus revealing greater dynamic contrasts, deeper bass and increased resolution from all records. The latest LP S Class was the first Benz to use the new MicroRidge stylus, now found on all Benz Swiss-made cartridges.

Ruby Z upgrades this famous model to full “S Class” status. It features the new Zebra wood body, second only to Ebony for its resonance characteristics, offering bass weight and pitch definition, midrange linearity and high frequency clarity with a natural musicality. The new Micro Ridge stylus is featured, providing enhanced tracking, resolution and groove integrity.

The generator is based on the Ruby square plate and output is .35mV. The Ruby Z low output is best used with phono stages offering greater than 60dB gain, loaded at 400 ohms or higher. The Ruby Zebra cartridge weighs only 10.6 grams, making it ideal for a wide range of tonearms, including today’s state-of-the-art, and vintage models lacking the energy control, bearing designs, or counter-weight range

The new Benz Micro Ruby Z H phono cartridge Neuhausen-am-Rheinfall, Switzerland:

Albert Lukaschek, owner, Managing Director and Chief Designer of Benz-Micro products, introduces the new Benz Micro RUBY Z H higher output flagship phono cartridge. This special higher output version of the Benx Micro RUBY Z is a result of market demand for a higher output "true MC" based on the Benz Ruby non-ferrous generator.

After intense research into current magnetic materials, Herr Lukaschek chose a Hybrid Magnet consisting of neo-dymium, boron and iron. The strong magnetic properties of this Hybrid Magnet can only be applied to the non-ferrous Ruby core used in the Benz flagship cartridges. The super strong "H" magnet would cause magnetic saturation of iron cores used in the Benz Micro Glider, MC Reference and other models, as well as found in almost all other cartridge designs.

The Benz Micro RUBY Z H uses the new "DYNASCAN" ultra-profile diamond stylus, hand mounted to the Benz Micro solid boron rod cantilever. Cantilevers are laser cut to specification and the "DYNASCAN" is face bonded to the treated edge of the boron cantilever under high powered microscopes in a special "clean" environment. The ultra-low mass of this scanning end of the cartridge delivers low level resolution, tonal linearity and incredible dynamics.

The Benz Micro RUBY Z H uses all the other benefits of the BENZ MICRO RUBY 2 including mass reduced, diamond polished Ruby former; high purity, super fine copper wire; reinforced coil/cantilever coupler; and machined Bruyere wood body. The RUBY Z H has an output level of 0.7mV at 5cm/sec (.6mV at 3.54 cm/sec). The Benz Ruby Z now also features the "DYNASCAN" stylus, "H" magnet, revised coil windings and output of .45mV at 5cm/sec (.3mV at 3.54 cm/sec).

The Benz Micro Gullwing is a hybrid of the LP S class, Ruby, and Glider phono cartridges. The Gullwing SLR (S Class, L for low output [.35mV at 3.54cm/sec], and R for Ruby). The Gullwing is our homage to the Benz Micro Glider symbol and the classic Mercedes Benz 300SL.

At first glance, it resembles the famous Glider, but the new Gullwing is derived from the highly regarded Benz Ruby and the new LP S. The Gullwing is the only Benz cartridge other then the LP S with a frame machined from solid brass. The Gullwing frame is Rhodium plated for enhanced electrical characteristics and as further homage to the silver 300SL. The generator uses the square Ruby plate and oversized neodymium magnet similar to the Benz LP and Ruby. The SLR low output is best used with phono stages offering greater than 60dB gain, loaded at 400 ohms or higher.

The Gullwing open air design is based on the Benz Glider, but is almost twice the weight due to the much heavier brass material and the very large Neodymium magnet. This is the most powerful magnet used in any moving coil design and can only be used with the non-ferrous Ruby square plate generator as an iron coil cartridge would be overloaded by the intense magnetic field. The Rhodium plated brass frame and mega-magnet gives the Gullwing a 12.2 grams weight vs. 6.8 grams for the Glider. When designed in 1993, the Glider’s weight was based on use for a very wide range of tonearms, one of the many reasons for its incredible success. The Gullwing is designed for today’s best tonearms, those with advanced energy control (sophisticated bearings and damping) and that can handle a high mass cartridge. The Gullwing uses the new MicroRidge stylus, now found on all Benz Swiss-made cartridges.