Well, the absolutely stunning part of the ACE is the amazing bass and smooth mids. It is also a very refined cartridge, for its price. But after more extensive listening it does not compare to my Benz M.09, which just plans kicks ars all the way around. The highs on the ACE have a nice timbre but even after various set up adjustments and load settings, ends up about 3 dbs too low at around 10k.
So, off with it and on with the M.09 for some extensive listening.
Right out of the gate, I'm very, very happy. All the glorious extended and acurracy one expects from a top notch cartridge is there with vivid midrange, too boot. The bass is fine and I'm really not missing anything there but.......I'll give it to the ACE, from the upper to lower bass it kicks ars and betters the .09.
Trying various cartridges it the Jelco arm tells me that what my initial thoughts were are true. You will hear the accurate tonal difference between cartridges, meaning that the arm does it job by getting out of the way and allowing the cartridge communicate its voice.
I have an underslung counterweight on order for the 370 and hope that it will continue to elevate this arms ability. As good as the Regas are in the budget references department this arm might be as good and maybe a touch better. It is just as good and should be a viable option for anyone looking for an arm that does not have long green to spend.
I'll report back after I get and tryout the new counterweight.