benz ruby

I believe that the Ruby was made in the mid to later 90s, as the next step up after the Reference in the Benz line. I'm not sure of all the technical details, but one big (maybe the only) difference between the Ruby and the Ruby 2 I recall is that the latter is a higher output cartridge. The original Ruby could be bested by the Reference if you didn't have enough gain in your phono section to handle it, while the Ruby 2 is compatible with more phono stages. Perhaps there might be other differences that our other members can point out. Be careful buying older cartridges, as they do age, particularly in the suspension materials.

what is your tt and arm. phono info will be ok as well and helpful.

The current ruby 2 is extremely low output - .3 mv. They also make a ruby h which is higher - .8 mv I think.

Not very many phono stages can handle that low of an output. I am using a pass labs phono ono with my ruby 2. It has 76 db of gain and I find that to be an appropriate amount. I still have to use middle position gain on my pass labs aleph P preamp. I know the aesthetix IO is supposed to be a very good tube unit for low output cartridges.

The benz lukaschek is another that is mentioned as a very good match - some very knowledgeble people think it's the best best. TAS reviewed the ruby 2 and the lukaschek. The felt the lukaschek was an excellent phono, but noted that the pass labs XONO and a herron phono brought out a few more details.