VPI Aries 2 , SME IV and Benz Micro Ruby 2 .

Gfloyd53,

I don't see any phono stage specs for the 320s on the ML site. The key questions are:

GAIN
How much phono stage (not line stage) gain does it have?
It may have selectable phono gain settings.
If so, find out what all the choices are.

IMPEDANCE
What input impedance does it have at the phono inputs?
It may have selectable impedance settings.
If so, find out what all the choices are.

I wouldn't expect any serious cartridge compatibility issues with a reasonable quality SS phono stage, but I've been surprised before. Play it safe. Ask ML for the gain and impedance specs before choosing a cartridge.

Doug

Thank you Dougdeacon,
The gain is selectable. Either 40db or 60db by sliding jumpers. The load impedance is 200ohm or 47kohm, again by sliding jumpers. You can also do custom loading with resisters added to screw terminals. There is also a jumper to add a capacitive load for low output MC cartridges that could use it. It doesn't look like there would be a problem with just about any cartridge. But does the sonic character of this phono unit change the best, most synergistic match to a Benz Ruby or ZYX Airy or some cartridge other than the Sumiko Celebration? Also, I almost never see the Celbration for sale used.

How about a Sumiko Talisman Alchemist III? If you're guessing that I don't know much about Sumiko, or this cartridge in particular, you are 100% correct. I've found no Sumiko Celebrations for sale. I missed a Ruby 2 and I declined a seller's counter offer on a Benz H 2.0. Right now there are plenty of demands on my money so I'll probably upgrade later on. Maybe to the Celebration or a Dynavector XV 1s.

For now, I'm buying a Benz-Micro L2.

After some initial improvement, I was still not satisfied with my setup using the MC 100 ohm setting on my preamp. I had read about the Benz Micro Lukaschek and how it was engineered to complement MC cartridges, and especially, Benz's own wood body series (L2 and Ruby 3). I also read on Ortofon's site how loading an MC higher can open it up. So I bought a Benz Lukaschek PP-1 T-9 and I find that I have gained some openness (not a lot yet). But it differs wildly with different cables and on different records. Some cables work better with some records while different cables that sound horrible on the same records, are the best cables for some other records. Admittedly, all the cables I'm using are cheap ones I've had laying around for years. Radio Shack Gold 'Audiophile' cable, Monster 100 Interlink, Monster M1000 Interlink and the 'garden variety' 50 cent cable that comes with every lo-fi component. The tonearm cable has not been changed. It is still the SME IV's cable.