@stringreen Here's a thought: perhaps we could work out an exchange of my ART9 for your Benz LP-S? That way you could directly compare the ART9 with your Benz and your Ortofon, and I'd get to hear the LP-S, a cartridge I've been curious about for a while. I suppose it depends on just how "long" the "tooth" has gotten on your Benz. My ART 9 is in great shape, with moderate use on only US-cleaned records on a VPI turntable. Maybe about 250 hours max. Feel free to PM me here at A'gon if that seems interesting.