ZEBRA

The S-Class models of the Wood Body SL (low), SM (medium) and SH (high), all incorporate the Benz Micro Ridge stylus coupled to improved generators that utilize new coil windings and refined pole / damper designs. Albert Lukaschek of Benz Micro began researching improved performance and consistency of his crossed coil designs while developing the Benz Ebony H, L and TR models. Experimenting with the length of the solid boron cantilever revealed how the elasticity of this very stiff material contributed to compliance and tracking. The development of a grooved rear pole expansion to flare the O-ring damper, first introduced on Benz Ruby square plate cartridges, has therefore been adapted to cross coil designs given their lower contact area and damping. The SL is 0.4mV at 3.54cm / sec with a 12 ohm coil impedance, perfectly suited for MC phono stages with gain of 60dB or higher. The SM is 0.8mV and 24 ohms, designed for less efficient systems and tube phono stages with gain between 45 and 58 dB. The Wood SH (2.5mV at 3.54cm / sec) is among the best high output moving coils ever made, ideal for moving magnet phono stages, low gain tube phono stages and AV systems.