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Benz LP cartridge distortion - any advise?

I recently purchased a BENZ LP cartridge here on Audiogon and I am having a frustrating time dialing it in. The main issue is with an unpleasant amount distortion and sibilance heard on vocals. It can also be heard on some brass instruments. Other instrumentation (guitars, bass, drums, etc) sounds clear.

This is my first cartridge of this caliber and I have read that dialing it in takes some work, but I have reached a point where I need to ask for some help. I wonder if someone who is more experienced with this cartridge might be able to give me some direction.

Here is what I am working with:

Benz LP cartridge (original, not the current “S” class), purchased used with 100 hours, currently tracking at 1.9 grams (alignment was performed with a MINT tractor)
VPI Classic turntable with JMW 10.5i tonearm
Graham Slee Elevator, currently loading at 1000 ohms
EAR 834p phono stage
McIntosh MA6600 amplifier
B&W Nautilus 804 speakers

Adjustments in VTA don’t seem to help eliminate the sibilance or distortion.

I appreciate any advise.
woodvale
woodvale OP
6 posts
 
I set azimuth using a voltmeter and test record. Still the same amount of harshness on vocals.
woodvale OP
6 posts
 
The distortion is centered with the vocal. And it is consistent from record to record. I have tested about 15-20.
audiolui
294 posts
 
Hm.. It could be the cartridge. The Benz LP is, in my opinion, a warm and full bodied cartridge. I am surprised it generates lots of sibilance. I guess loading down the cartridge won't help either. I think you can retip it at a price. Perhaps the seller could share the cost.

I know a dealer who can help you retip it at a good price. You can contact me if you like.
don_c55
1,025 posts
 
The Benz Lp works best into a 47K load (no loading resistance)!

If that does not work you got a "Bum" cartridge.

Used cartridges with 100 hrs (????) are usually a rip off!
mjordanas
47 posts
 
Woodvale,

I have encountered recently the similar issue - "unpleasant amount distortion and sibilance heard on vocals" -though, in different system (Rega P25 table, RB600 arm, Denon Dl-103 cartridge).

Went down googling last night, and found a discussion of smilar problem with dl-103 on rega.

While I thought my cartridge was aligned perfectly (I am using default Rega protractor), actually it was not, I had to move the cart all the way front on arm and align it there (before its was aliged somewhere in the middle). it worked - sibilance on vocals now seems gone.

the questions is if you hear sibilance on the whole LP? My problem was starting with like second or third track on one side.

So #1 check the cartridge position on the tonearms end. #2 if the problem seen on all tracks, that could be defect of of cartridge (factory re-tip is quite affordable for benz Micro LP, $800 at musical surroundings). #3 might be silly idea, but it could be tabe/arm and cart mismatch (key word hear compliance??)?

Just my two cents...


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