My current Benz-Micro ACE low or Koetsu Black?

I heard a Benz Micro Ace a while ago and found it quite balanced and musical and entertaining. From what I subsequently read, it's actually a better-balanced cartridge than the Glider, and more satisfying in the long run, in this sense (musicality and balance) also "magical". I agree with Twl, your money is better spent on upgrading the 'table, or on more records, the Ace is a class act.

Koetsu catridges were designed on idler-wheel turntables, which have very powerful, tight bass, due to their great torque. I suspect that mounted on such a 'table (or a large direct-drive such as the Technics SP10 MKII) instead of a belt-drive, the Koetsu would be found to have excellent bass with sufficient control, the weak bass exposing a belt-drive weakness vis-a-vis 'tables with better speed stability (more torque to overcome stylus drag).

Ballywho,
Thanks for being brave enough to mention your table, because I agree with Twl and Johnnantais.

Putting a $1400 cartridge on a $300 table is putting the cart before the horse. I've tried it. It doesn't work. The cartridge highlights all the weaknesses of the table, whatever they may be. A good table and arm can make even an entry level cartridge sing. That's how Johnnantais is set up and I'll wager his rig would bowl you over. A poor table (or arm) will drag even the best cartridge down.

Sell the Moth/RB300 and buy (just one possibility) a Nottingham Horizon SE/RB250. That'll cost roughly the same as a Koetsu Black. Mount up the Benz and you'll be very happily surprised. You'll also have a rig good enough to support a better cartridge the next time the upgrade bug bites.

Wow, KurtTank, Tom, and Jean have all really banged the nail on the head for you, Mark. Good advice. I have tried both of the cartridges you mention. The Ace is a pleasing cartridge, as you say, and though maybe not "better" than the Black, this is subjective and the Benz, IMHO, no doubt sounds very good with that arm. Jean makes a very interesting point, BTW, with respect to the Koetsu "voicing". You will get all sorts of advice regarding table selection. If you are not ready to go that route yet, financially or otherwise, I'd have to recommend sticking with the Ace given your present setup.

Ooops, didn't mean to exclude Doug from the "good advice" category. He must have posted as I was writing.

No problem. Are we even now? ;-)

(Apologies to others for an inside joke.)