Best of the Gliders, or?

I have listened to both the Glider M2 and the M2 in my system. I'm pretty stingy with funds, but thought the M2 was far more enjoyable in my system. It just had a more easy-going, evenly balanced flow to it with a sweeter and more full-bodied midrange, crisper (and less "glassy") top end and warmer bottom. You could, however, tell that both cartridges come from the same family. My system is different from yours - I'm running a Michell Gyro SE Mk II and Graham 1.5tc (IC30 cable) tonearm and the very basic Musical Fidelity XLP phono stage. So the results may be different in your system.

WRT output...that would depend on your phono stage more than anything, and I'm not familiar with yours. If it has sufficient gain and stays quiet enough, everything I've read suggests to take the low output versions of the Benz cartridges when possible. I actually have the L2 on the way and just have the M2 as a dealer loan until the L2 arrives.

I truly do thank you folks for the comments so far, and you have all "reconfirmed" my thoughts, that low output would be the way to go with Benz.

Being here for a couple of years now, I've read literal 1000's of posts, and I thank the A-Gon folks very much for providing an archives, in which one can search a specific topic-subject-product.

Of course I was a neophyte when starting into the "MC" world when I purchased the Glider, relying on reviews, and what others had said.

My impressions are that the HO Glider, being known as a "Moving Iron" Cartridge is perhaps not what many consider to be a true in the sense MC Cartridge.

This Cartridge has been a fun (And enjoyable) ride the last 10 years, and I would naturally like to continue this enjoyment. Every time a tweak was employed to the Turntable, or new Phono Stage, or acquisition of SDS, etc, the old Glider got better, and better.

I imagine in this price range, so much more has come along in the last 10 years. There is many directions I could go should I choose.

Should I decide again to go with a Benz product, are there any recommendations who I should do business with? I was thinking the Needle Doctor? Any better choices?

Most likely at this point I am seriously considering the Wood Body L2, a step up from the Glider.

I would think my Sutherland PhD should be able to provide a good Phono Stage for whatever my funds can cough up for a cartridge.

I reckon I can always charge, and make a few payments (99 payments, and she'll be mine! lol) Of course a Lyra Titan is out of the question! hee hee Mark

When I upgraded to the Benz Ebony, it was a jaw dropping difference. Squeeze out as much as you can and get the highest performing cartridge you can possibly get. You will enjoy the upgrade for many years.

Markd51,

Since you're obviously open to making a change, can you state what aspects of the Glider's sound you'd want to change or improve? What do you love about it? What do you find maybe a little lacking?

Sharing what you like/dislike might lead to more useful recommendations than the usual, "I like this" and "I like that".

Hello Doug, To start out, I'd like to say thank you for responding, and also to thank you for your countless posts, and contributions to this group, which many I have read.

I've read numerous archived posts regarding many of the top highly regarded brands, such as Benz, Koetsu, Lyra, Dynavector, ZYX, etc.

I guess what I seek is not too different from what others do, when they wish to climb the Analog Ladder.

I'd like better retrieval from the LP's Grooves, and hopefully with it, a quieter, darker background. Things like better, more authorative bass, midrange magic, smooth, but extremely detailed highs, and a more holographic Soundstage-presentation.

While I have mentioned two earlier candidates in the Benz line (New Glider or the Wood Body right above it), I'm certainly not overlooking brands-models such as the Lyra Argo, and the Helikon.

I've read much good with the Argo-Helikon, and I'm sure either would be an impressive step up from my 1st version HO Glider.

The ML Stylus the Lyra possesses sounds like the way to go for these attributes-qualities I seek. My Sutherland PhD should be up to the task, and able to make good use of the increase in quality with one of these Lyras, as one of my good personal friends Thomas M. Back uses uses the Lyra Titan, and Clearaudio Master Reference with his Sutherland PhD.

The only one possible downside I see going to the Lyra (hopefully the Helikon) would be that I don't believe any Lyra Dealer takes Benz Cartridges in trade, so that would most likely mean selling my Glider perhaps here on Agon for a reasonable price, to help offset the cost of the new Cartridge.

I have no precise knowledge of hour's of use on my Glider, I'd probably have to "guess" 300-450 hour's of use, so it's probably not worn out just yet. Mark