Phono cartridge Goldilocks

The Benz Micro LPS mr is still in production

"Benz Micro cartridges have been in production since the 1980s, earning recognition throughout the world as one the top brands in the field. Ernst Benz, founder and designer of the original Benz-Micro cartridges, retired in 1994 and sold the cartridge production to Albert, his close associate and designer of the Benz-Micro PP-1 phono stage. Albert relocated and modernized the factory, employed a highly skilled workforce, introduced many new models, and expanded his OEM cartridge manufacturing.

In the past year, Albert has stream-lined his factory, focusing on the most popular high-end Benz models: the LP-S MR, Ruby Z, Gullwing SLR. "

http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/product/benz-micro/

I second the Transfiguration Proteus, have had one for about a year with a vector 4 tonearm and Basis 2200 table.  I love it - haven’t heard the Benz but sounds like a winner also. 

Have you tried tuning your step-up transformer? I use a bank of nude Vishay loading resistors (on the input), and switch in the loading that sounds best for the given record. Then I use an air gap capacitor to tune the output from the SUT.

My RSP sounds plenty lively in my system, but certainly sounds dull if  loaded too hard.

I do use the TX2575 as load resistors and I have gone up as far as 300 ohms and it is still too dull for my tastes. How does one use an air gap capacitor for loading, this sounds interesting?

Hello Jarrett.

I use Sowter transformers as per their recommended schematic, with lower values of both resistance and capacitance in series across the output. Parallel to that is a range of possible load resistances from far above to far below what is recommended. These are inserted across the outputs of the transformer. Trial and error showed the way here - obviously, highly system dependent.

My phono stage (home-brew) has airgap variable capacitors (100 to 400 pF, but will be changing to 0 to 1000 on the next iteration) across the inputs, i.e. the outputs of the SUT’s. These serve to fine-tune the sound, in a slightly different sense than the loading resistors - it’s hard to describe, but the airgaps seem to me to provide a useful sonic complement to the loading resistors. YMMD, but it may not be appropriate even to attempt it, in your system, as less capacitance is brighter. Come to think of it, have you tried ultra-low capacitance cables?

Have you tried pushing the load resistance up to 1K, or even higher? Say 10K? Loading with a transformer is a black art, as you know, and is, dare I say it, highly system dependent?

I found my KRSP to be highly sensitive to VTA and azimuth. But, of course, you will already have explored all that.

I spent so much time on my KRSP because I had to make it work - it is a considerable luxury for me.