Tonearm Reviews

Kuzma 4Point tonearm Follow-Up

Follow-Up from October 2011 (Vol.34 No.10):

I reviewed Kuzma's 4Point tonearm in September (p.99) and concluded "while I'm hesitant to call anything 'the best'. . . I can definitely say that the Kuzma 4Point produced the best performance from the Lyra Titan i that I've ever heard from it in my system: the best tracking, the best tonal balance, the best imaging, the best (and most remarkable) cleanness of vocal sibilants." However, when I compared the $6500 Kuzma with my long-term reference tonearm, the Continuum Audio Labs Cobra ($16,995), the latter was fitted with the Ortofon A90 cartridge. I preferred the Kuzma/Lyra to the Continuum/Ortofon, but further comparisons were necessary to eliminate the effect of the different cartridges.

Using my BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder, I played and recorded some LP test tracks at 24-bit/96kHz, first with the Lyra Titan i cartridge in Kuzma's 4Point tonearm, and then with an Ortofon A90 cartridge in Continuum's Cobra arm. Both arms were mounted on the Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn turntable. Then I swapped the cartridges between the arms, played and recorded the same tracks again, and compared all four versions.

These are both great tonearms with similar tonal balances, but I think the Kuzma 4Point pushed more energy down the pipeline. It sounded closer to the sound of tape than any other arm I've heard. An improved version of Graham Engineering's Phantom is on the way, but for now, the Kuzma 4Point may be the finest tonearm out there, period.—Michael Fremer

COMPANY INFO
Kuzma Ltd.
US distributor: Elite AV Distribution
1027 N. Orange Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 466-9694
www.eliteavdist.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
trixiebatherson's picture
Submitted by trixiebatherson on Fri, 2013-04-05 00:09

And that is one sexy tonearm!  Ayeehh. :)

 

Instabullet | Buy Likes Instagram

DaveyF's picture
Submitted by DaveyF on Wed, 2018-05-16 19:46

I noticed that in your review of the Kuzma 4Point 9 in the current issue of Stereophile (June 2018 issue) that you make mention of the fact that this new arm is more compatible with the Linn LP12 platform. Unfortunately, this is reported to actually NOT be the case! There are several users in Europe who have tried this combo, all have been severely disappointed! The suspension of the Linn requires a very light weight arm...along with cabling that has no way of interfering with the subchassis and bounce. As a current LinnLP12 Radikal D owner, I know this as a fact. The LP12 is VERY unforgiving when it comes to arms and the compatibility with weight, design etc. Did you happen to check the new Kuzma 4point 9 on a LP12 table?

X