I’m considering a Kuzma 14” 4 pt. I’ve read the rave reviews. What I want to know is what cartridges do not work well with the high-ish mass of the Kuzma?
Kuzma 4 point 14” cartridge compatibility?
- Thread starter ACHiPo
- Start date
I don't own one, but have setup a few carts on the '14'. The list of what works, not to say particularly synergistic, is far longer than what doesn't. ( 19g after all is not so high ). At over 2kg the total weight of the assembly is up there, only an issue if the TT has a suspension tho...
If you have a shortlist of cart contenders you may get more specific user experiences!
If you have a shortlist of cart contenders you may get more specific user experiences!
Great arm!
I'm partial to the Kuzma CAR 40/50, Ortofon Credenza on up.
Out of curiosity, whats the table?
Wrt specs, the Vinyl Engine arm-cartridge resonance can offer some information. 4P14 is 19g effective mass. That is my no means the determing factor of what works well, but it may give an idea of what might not work well.
Otherwise, not sure if people will come forward with their failures. I don't have a count though I expect Eric is right, more likely to get responses if you ask for winners or propose a list. Most cartridges that work with the regular 4P will work with the 4P14.
Franc will recommend his own line of cartridges. I have had excellent results out-of-the-box with the Fuuga. I also have success with the van den Hul Master Signature on my 4P, however you will want to request one be built for you to handle the effective mass; off the shelf MS likely will not. My Allnic Puritas works well with the 4P; I suspect the Rose and Amber models will as well.
@Ultrafast69 it is a Technics Sp10R in an Acoustistand Delrinium plinth (unsuspended) with 3 arm boards. I’m pretty sure my Sound Smith Hyperion and London Reference will work well as they are both lower compliance. Other carts in my stable include Lyra Kleos which is higher compliance, a FR6SE which is also high compliance.
I intend to use the Hyperion almost exclusively.
Don't worry too much, or really at all, about compliance matching if you've got a modern table that doesn't transmit rumble and isn't on a flimsy stand. I have two 4-point 11s at 18g and have now paired this arm with average weight carts up to 28*10^-6 cm/dyne dynamic compliance mounted on a little lightweight, unisolated Brinkmann Bardo. The sound is excellent and tracking has been flawless. Certainly don't recommend narrowing your cartridge selection to a limited group based on results from one of the online resonance calculators under most circumstances.
As to the Soundsmiith Hyperion on a 4 Point, that'd be a curious choice. Subjectively, I'd think the pairing would sound extremely detailed bordering on analytical.
@bazelio why would the Hyperion on a 4 Point be more analytical than the Hyperion on my Terminator, which I find engaging and musical?
Interesting that in the Feb 2022 issue Fremer has mentioned the anti skating weight that Kuzma used to provide with the 4p was too heavy for many cartridges. With someone he knows it skewed the Lyra Etna cantilever more than once. Apparently it has not changed to lighter
A smaller, lighter version of the weight is available from Kuzma. I have both. Anyone who has skewed a cantilever via anti-skate was way way off in their setup. Another alternative to the Kuzma weights themselves are these, which are available in many smaller sizes and are just as easy to use.
The Hyperion sounds wonderful on the 4 Pt. Slightly better—fuller, richer—than on the Terminator. The London was too light to balance, so I gave up. Will mount it on a higher mass arm or add headshell mass.
That’s my observation too. I don’t argue whether excessive anti-skating skew a cantilever or not but it happens mainly because of improper setup.
I am due to receive a Technics SP 10 R shortly (after almost a year wait) and have not settled yet on the choice of an arm. I am therefore very interested by this conversation. I am also considering a 4P14” or a Viv Lab 7” or 9”. My cartridge is a DS Audio 003. Any advice/recommendation would be greatfully received. The plinth will be a custom made high mass constrained layer damping one.
With vdH Master Sig on the 4Point, I use a tiny ball of Blue-Tak. Measure it on my cartridge scale, then stick on the anti-skate stalk at its base.
Sorry this post has a typo. In the last line not should be now. Cannot edit anymore.
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