Benz Micro Glider - Rebuild, Trade-in, or?


I have a Benz Glider cartridge that I love, but it's become decidedly left-handed. That is, the output on the right channel is diminished, so the image is heavy on the left side. The right has output, but it's reduced.  

I don't know if a rebuild service is an option, or if a Trade-in is economical.

Any advice?

 

Background - I think it's the original low output model. I got it when I purchased a Pink Triangle Anniversary Table from a local repair shop about 10 years ago. The guy said he didn't know if the cartridge was any good and just included it in the sale.

bdgregory

Check that all 4 wires on the cartridge pins and headshell or tonearm pins are tight.

Fixed?

To prove it is the cartridge coil, You can reverse the wires on the pins, put left and left ground to right + and -; and right to left. Now, if the left speaker is weaker, it’s the coil. If the right stays weaker, it is something else, put them back l to l, r to r

As it happens, I have my friends Benz Micro Wood LOMC here, the pins have colored rings. (good timing, I’m giving it to him tomorrow).

btw, if it is the coil, I’m fairly certain Steve Leung at VAS can repair it.

https://vasnyinc.com/

AI Quickie

"The standard color code for phono cartridge wiring is White for Left Channel Signal (Positive), Red for Right Channel Signal (Positive), Blue for Left Channel Ground (Negative), and Green for Right Channel Ground (Negative). 

  • White: Left Hot (+)

  • Red: Right Hot (+)

  • Blue: Left Ground (-)

  • Green: Right Ground (-) 

While these colors are standardized for most turntables and tonearms, the physical arrangement of pins on the cartridge itself can vary by manufacturer. It is crucial to verify the specific pinout in your turntable’s user guide or on the cartridge body, as some brands may use different color schemes or pin layouts."

btw, it has just been mentioned, do NOT try to measure a LOMC coil's resistance with a multi-meter, it can damage/destroy the coil.

I would send it to groovetickler (Joseph Long) for an assessment and repair if necessary. See his Instragram page; he’s posted hundreds (thousands?) of his repairs w/ pics and videos. Hopefully something simple like the coils got rotated.

Glider is a sweet cart. Hard to say if Benz is even in business anymore; nobody seems to have a direct line on that. Pretty sure the factory trade-ins are long gone but they were a great deal in the 2000s!

@elliottbnewcombjr 
btw, it has just been mentioned, do NOT try to measure a LOMC coil's resistance with a multi-meter, it can damage/destroy the coil.

It's a good thing you posted this . . . I was going to get my meter out next.

I'm 99% sure it's the coil.  I've switched L-R , and also checked and cleaned connections.

thanks for the suggestions.

@mulveling , thanks for the suggestion