In my mind, the Benz cartridges and most any Lyra cartridge are polar opposites, in terms of the words I might use to characterize the two brands. This is not to say that you can't like both. I find both to be too "biased" (for want of a better word) on the opposite sides of the spectrum, in the way in which they play music; one can be a bit "clinical" (Lyra) and the other tends to the euphonic (Benz). Although I have heard the Benz LPS on a very fine system (underwhelming IMO), I must admit that I have not heard the latest, greatest Lyra TOTL cartridges. My neighbor, who sold the Benz LPS in order originally to buy ZYX UNIverse(s) (he had 3 in rapid succession), now has a Lyra Etna. I must go listen to it, not that I would ever spend that much.