Tale of 2 cartridges

The renowned Denon DL103R has been around for 20 years and still in production. I have a brand new one fitted to Linn Ittok LVII.

And later I bought a lightly used Benz Micro MC20E2L (low output) moving coil cartridge from a friend in the US. The MC20E2L was fitted to the Kuzma arm.

Which do you think sounds better? They say the Benz is lacking low bass but not in my system. I find the bass wonderful and treble clear and airy. They both cost about RM600 to RM800 each.

Acoustic Signature Challenger turntable

Now, the main source is from this turntable which was bought used from a Singaporean. The TT is equipped with its own outboard power supply unit which outputs 12VAC (frequency adjustable) and preset at 2 speeds 45 & 33.3 rpm. It replaces the Linn LP12/Ittok LVII that has been around since 1980 and still performing well.

A Boston Audio Mat-1 solid graphite platter mat replaces the stock felt mat.

The tonearm is a unipivot Kuzma Stogi S bought from a friend in Penang. Cartridge options : Denon DL103R and Benz Micro 20E2L both moving coils. Phonostage is Japanese made Softone Model 4 which uses built-in step up transformers for MC inputs and 2 Sovtek 12AX7LPS tubes for amplification. The stock tubes have been replaced with NOS Mullard M8137s (CV4004). More on these later ....