Kuzma cart differences: CAR30-40-50?

[jsec]

Hi All,
I'm considering a new cart and was wondering if anyone has experience on the Kuzma carts from CAR 30 / 40 / 50? I have been using Koetsu Rosewood Sig. Plat. and heard good things about CAR 40 and 50.

/Juha

 

[RickS]

I’ve read some very good reviews of the 30, 50 and 60 Car models. At 17grams each they’re too heavy for either of my turntables otherwise I’d love to hear one in my system.

 

[jsec]

I’ve read some very good reviews of the 30, 50 and 60 Car models. At 17grams each they’re too heavy for either of my turntables otherwise I’d love to hear one in my system.

This was partly the reason why I asked, cause it seems the reviews haven't been favorable. For example Michael Fremer's review of CAR60 wasn't pretty. Also would be great to hear if anyone has experience of moving from 30 or 40 to CAR 50 or 60.

 

[Marcus]

Read here:

My (SMT) room

Diamond cantilever of Kuzma CAR 60.

www.whatsbestforum.com

I also compared Benz LP S with the CAR 30 in a friend’s system (on 4 Point tonearm and Stabi Reference) and liked it a lot. Really great cartridge.

 

[RickS]

The Kuzma CAR-30 MC Cartridge Is a Smooth Performer That Offers Transparent Performance, Stacking It Up Quite Nicely Against The Competition

www.analogplanet.com

 

[sjs]

Living Voice used CAR50 and CAR60 at Munich for the past couple of years with Consolidated Audio SUTs, the CAR60 was generally used on the Kuzma TT with Saphir and a copper/nano sut, and the CAR50 was used on the Grand Prix Audio Monaco with Kuzma 4Point14 and silver/nano sut, I spent a lot of time listening to both and thought they were both exceptional, and very musically rewarding, with the CAR60 having more filigree and fine resolution. Unfortunately I have not heard the CAR40 or CAR30 for long enough to give a good comparison.

 

[djsina2]

I had the CAR-50 in an all Kuzma setup and didn’t care for it. Pristine and sterile, if that’s what you like.

 

[Adagio]

I recomend CAR if you have a tonearm that can handle the weight.
I have used Benz LP, Benz Glider, Benz ACE L, Hana Umami Blue, Scheu MC among others. I really love my CAR-30 and now I just recently sold of my spare Benz Glider and I’m ready to buy the next main cartridge for my StabiR/4-point 9”. I’m pending between the CAR-40 and -50. Haven’t decided yet.
I took my CAR-30 over to a friend who has the exact TT setup but the Unami Red and a Koetsu rosewood signature and we compared carts. To my surprise the -30 didn’t make a fool of it self. A majority of the people there preferred CAR-30 to Hana Red including myself, even the Koetsu had a hard match.
In my ears there was no clear winner because they where all excellent cartridges. But the CAR-30 had more pace, more big dynamics and sounded more dramatic then the other two. I liked the Koetsu a lot, it was surprisingly detailed and crisp to my expectations. The Hana Red was the least likable in my ears on this system I must add. It was the brightest of the three, a lot of details but not as grounded as the two other, no real momentum.
It all comes down to system and subjective preference I suppose.
Keep us updated.

 

[Adagio]

I recomend CAR if you have a tonearm that can handle the weight.
I have used Benz LP, Benz Glider, Benz ACE L, Hana Umami Blue, Scheu MC among others. I really love my CAR-30 and now I just recently sold of my spare Benz Glider and I’m ready to buy the next main cartridge for my StabiR/4-point 9”. I’m pending between the CAR-40 and -50. Haven’t decided yet.
I took my CAR-30 over to a friend who has the exact TT setup but the Unami Red and a Koetsu rosewood signature and we compared carts. To my surprise the -30 didn’t make a fool of it self. A majority of the people there preferred CAR-30 to Hana Red including myself, even the Koetsu had a hard match.
In my ears there was no clear winner because they where all excellent cartridges. But the CAR-30 had more pace, more big dynamics and sounded more dramatic then the other two. I liked the Koetsu a lot, it was surprisingly detailed and crisp to my expectations. The Hana Red was the least likable in my ears on this system I must add. It was the brightest of the three, a lot of details but not as grounded as the two other, no real momentum.
It all comes down to system and subjective preference I suppose.
Keep us updated.

To be fair I had this cart for many years and it is refurbished once, about two years ago, I have about 290h on it since.
It was refurbished by Techne Audio in Germany.

 

[Tomictime]

I’ve a CAR-40 and find it muscular and excellent in a Dynavector DV-505 into an ARC Ref Phono 2se. Other carts are; Dyna 17D3 and a Koetsu Urushi Black. Tge Kuzma replaced a Lyra Delos.

 

[kodomo]

I had a Car-40 that I bought as a package with Stabi M and 4-point arm. I really liked it and enjoyed it and it can be a very comfortabşle choice if the price is right. I have then used Miyajima Madake which I liked more and then a Miyabi Fuuga. I very much prefer my Miyabi Fuuga now to these two cartridges and some others on my 4 point.