Benz Ruby ZH or Wood SM?


Any thoughts or ideas? According to the website http://www.musicalsurroundings.com/cartr.html , these are both now updated to S-Class status but the differences mainly being the Ruby ZH has the Zebra wood body vs the Bruyere wood of the Wood SM. The other difference is the Ruby ZH .7mV has an internal impedence of 80 ohms (pretty high) vs the .8mV Wood SM of only 24 ohms(much better). And of course, a huge difference in price between the two.

All thoughts, ideas, comments are encouraged and welcome.
Thanks
no_regrets
NG: You might want to look at the Gullwing, too. It's essentially an LP-S in a metal body for $2K less. And if you can go low enough output, the Ebony L-S is wonderful and has a much lower DCR than the Ruby.
Do you know when you will receive the Ruby Z? I just ordered mine yesterday? This will be my second high end Benz MC in my system. I already own the LPS, but needed a good contender for my second tonearm.

Have you heard the new Ruby Z yet?
Hi Audioquest4life,

I just placed my order last night. My dealer said he doesn't have it in stock so he will have to order it from Musical Surroundings on Monday. From that point it should take about 4-5 days for me to receive.

I ordered the Ruby ZH....which is the zebrawood ruby that has the .7mV output. I needed the higher output due to the fact that my all tubed phonostage only puts out about 52dB of gain and I do not use any step up transformers.

I'm really looking forward to receiving it. I have not yet heard the Ruby Z myself, but everything that I have heard from several different users is that it far surpases the Ruby 3. I like the Benz Wood bodied house sound and have faith that I will love this new Ruby ZH.

Let me know how your breakin process goes and how you like it.
Hi No_regrets,

Thank you for the reply. The Ruby Z is less than a thousand dollars than the LPS, but looking at the specifications, everything else is the same, so, I am wondering if the wood on the LPS is really worth that much more of a difference in price. The Zebra wood sure looks better to me. Mind you, I own an LPS, and I will be able to to a direct comparison to the Zebra wood once it arrives. The looks, specs, and price of the Ruby Z make it appear that the Ruby Zebra is probably in the same league as the LPS and compares to the super exotically priced MC cartridges costing at least twice its price.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life