Michael Fremer

Canada-based Kronos Audio Technology introduced its least expensive turntable. The $15,000 Sparta .5 is as the name suggests half of a $22,500 Sparta turntable. The .5 has but one platter.

By now you know the drill: The Electric Recording Company finds a collectible and music-worthy title to reissue and does its fanatical-attention-to-details thing, both in the mastering from the original tape on a lovingly restored all-tube cutting system to a meticulously produced record sleeve and jacket that are in most ways difficult to distinguish from the original as described in previous ERC reviews.

No one has ever accused Franc Kuzma of designing glamorous audio jewelry. His turntables and tonearms are industrial-strength examples of engineering know-how and machining excellence. But to those who appreciate such things, his products are truly beautiful, even if they're not adorned with chrome, wood, and sleekly polished surfaces. And if looking at the 4Point tonearm ($6500) in pebbly Darth Vader black doesn't get your analog juices flowing, perhaps its innovative design will. But first, this message:

The original Kuzma 4 Point tone arm had an effective 11" (280mm) length. More recently Kuzma introduced a 14" version designed to work with its large-plinthed Stabi M turntable.