To respond again to you infotrad, I onwed an original Benz Glider for at least a good ten years. Yes it was a good Cartridge, and when I switched from the MacCormack Micro Phono Drive ($750 list) to the Sutherland PhD ($3,000 list) there was a very good improvement in sound.
I think it's safe to say that the better Phono Pre you can utilize, the better the performance you will squeeze from the Glider, and perhaps this can be said about all other Cartridges as well. Cabling as well will enhance any Cartridge's performance.
The best advice I can give you for the Benz Glider, is do call around reputable Benz Dealers, and get a price first, as there is variation.
Not being a Shill for MusicDirect, but I did last year buy a brand new Benz Ruby 3 through them, as my Glider disintregrated right in my hands doing a Protractor Alignment. The Body seperated from the frame, being held together by one drop of adhesive. With it, went the 4 Pin Wires, and Suspension Wire of Cantilever!
My friend Bes Nivera at MD did cut me a good deal on the Ruby 3, and the Cartridge in many cases drop ships directly from Musical Surroundings, the main Benz Distributor in USA (Garth Leerer)
By from what I can see, my first version Glider was absolutely bare, offereing no protection from my fingers as I grasped the Cartridge to move it. It appears to me that newer version Gliders (if you look at the pics of one) that they have what appear to be "skirts" on either side of the Cartridge now.
The new Gyger Stylus may offer lower groove noise while in play, versus the older Stylus, and as well, might mean a little more work in keeping a smaller profile Stylus pristine clean. An RCM is definitely a great thing to have. Mark
I think it's safe to say that the better Phono Pre you can utilize, the better the performance you will squeeze from the Glider, and perhaps this can be said about all other Cartridges as well. Cabling as well will enhance any Cartridge's performance.
The best advice I can give you for the Benz Glider, is do call around reputable Benz Dealers, and get a price first, as there is variation.
Not being a Shill for MusicDirect, but I did last year buy a brand new Benz Ruby 3 through them, as my Glider disintregrated right in my hands doing a Protractor Alignment. The Body seperated from the frame, being held together by one drop of adhesive. With it, went the 4 Pin Wires, and Suspension Wire of Cantilever!
My friend Bes Nivera at MD did cut me a good deal on the Ruby 3, and the Cartridge in many cases drop ships directly from Musical Surroundings, the main Benz Distributor in USA (Garth Leerer)
By from what I can see, my first version Glider was absolutely bare, offereing no protection from my fingers as I grasped the Cartridge to move it. It appears to me that newer version Gliders (if you look at the pics of one) that they have what appear to be "skirts" on either side of the Cartridge now.
The new Gyger Stylus may offer lower groove noise while in play, versus the older Stylus, and as well, might mean a little more work in keeping a smaller profile Stylus pristine clean. An RCM is definitely a great thing to have. Mark