My (SMT) room

[Marcus]

Diamond cantilever of Kuzma CAR 60.

 

[Bobvin]

Diamond cantilevers seem to be making their way into more brands’ offerings. How long have you had yours and what did you have before, and what is your impression?

 

[Marcus]

My previous cartridge was Benz LP-S which I bought in 2012, so a year ago I was faced with the decision to send it on retipping or to buy a new one. I was very satisfied with Benz but wanted something even better. Decided for the CAR 60 because I heard it in a friend’s system which I know very well, also it’s a great match for my 4Point 14. We also tried CAR 50 which is an excellent cartridge but CAR 60 is on another level. Hard to say if it’s only the diamond cantilever that makes the difference. Technical data for both are identical only the cantilever is different (CAR 50 has a boron cantilever). Both carts also look identical but the CAR 60 added something special to the reproduction. This was not subtle but a profound improvement in realism. It has that rare tape like continuity and fluidity with “magical” (sorry for using this word but cannot find a more appropriate one) feeling of reality and richer harmonic structure. It’s considerably better in retrieving details in playing techniques that add to the sensation of a live event. These two cartridges have the same basic “character” but the 60 is more refined, defined and resolving and more extended on both sides. To me it is easily worth the extra money.

CAR 60 can not be compared to the Benz LP S. It’s on a different level. If I had to do an analogy, the difference is like between the Zanden 1200 Mk3 and Signature. https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/zanden-1200-signature.30449/page-3#post-695144. But if you like or love Benz, you will be extremely satisfied with the CAR 60 (and CAR 50) which means, you won’t be faced with a totally different character.

 

[Lagonda]

How many hours do you think you have played your 8 year old cartridge ?

 

[Marcus]

I would say between 2.400 and 2.800 hours max.

 

[Marcus]

Here’s a few photos of CAR 60 unpacking.

 

[Lagonda]

I would say between 2.400 and 2.800 hours max.

That is a lot of hours, something to consider in a direct comparison with your new cartridge, i have maybe 1500 hours on my LPS, and it does not have the high frequency sparkle it had when new.

 

[Marcus]

I consider 6-7h hours/week as normal use but after another thought I would say my regular listening sessions last closer to 5-6 hours/week. Whatever, I had two LP S in my system, heard at least 3-4 samples in others systems and I know exactly how it sounds (new and old) and although you’re right re. high frequency sparkle, this is irrelevant in the context of my comparisons.

 

[Birdwatcher]

Even the CAR50 has a sapphire cantilever (nor boron, as mentioned), otherwise rally the same technic data.

Do you know the manufacturer of the bigger Kuzma CAR cartridges? Former Kuzma cartridges were made at Shelter, ZYX, and I am not sure, some of them at Benz Micro.

 

[Marcus]

Yes, you’re right Birdwatcher. CAR 50 has a sapphire cantilever. I apologize for my mistake. As I wrote somewhere else, I know only that CAR cartridges are made in Japan but not at Shelter or ZYX.

 

[Bobvin]

Hard to say if it’s only the diamond cantilever that makes the difference. Technical data for both are identical only the cantilever is different (CAR 50 has a boron cantilever). Both carts also look identical but the CAR 60 added something special to the reproduction. This was not subtle but a profound improvement in realism. It has that rare tape like continuity and fluidity with “magical” (sorry for using this word but cannot find a more appropriate one) feeling of reality and richer harmonic structure. It’s considerably better in retrieving details in playing techniques that add to the sensation of a live event. These two cartridges have the same basic “character” but the 60 is more refined, defined and resolving and more extended on both sides. To me it is easily worth the extra money.

Your comments wrt the CAR60 with the diamond cantilever are very similar to the “magic” I hear from the Etsuro Gold with diamond cantilever. I predict even more mfg’s are going to be including a diamond cantilever because the speed provides, IMO, an abundance of micro-information that has remained out of reach, and that micro-info opens up to another realm entirely.