Kuzma SAFIR 9

[simonthepieman]

The way I have described the Safir arm is like there's no arm at all just the cartridge floating in the groves. I thought the Safir was "end-game" for me but then I received the CS Port TAT1M2 and as big a leap as the Safir was the CS Port was another magnitude of improvements. (It vs a Kuzma Stabi R yes not in the same $$$ range but still just goes to show the differences in what tables can do al else being equal)

How does the csport compare to an xl air im guessing you have experienced that turntable before opting for the one you use now?

 

[simonthepieman]

…I thought the same but then came the XL Air upgrade…

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/kuzma-xl-air.28295/post-895870

Hello Marcus I have e the Cs port , the XL air and GP monaco 3 on my wish list
I hear the monaco vs xl air soon at the same UK dealer/importer
Did you hear the Cs port before opting for your xl air love to know your views
Simon

 

[simonthepieman]

The Safir 9 mounted on the Kuzma XL DC TT is a match made in heaven regarding eliminating any VTA adjustment issues with the Safir 9 as you can have the XL DC tonearm tower fitted with a very accurate Digital Gauge to adjust and set very accurately the tonearm tower height to adjust and set the cartridge's VTA (as long as you know how much height adjustment you require to vary the VTA to give you your required VTA setting (ideally the dynamic not static VTA)).

Great posts have you heard the xl air? Are you going down that route in the future?
Really enjoying all the info you supply best wishes Simon

 

[Marcus]

Hello Marcus I have e the Cs port , the XL air and GP monaco 3 on my wish list
I hear the monaco vs xl air soon at the same UK dealer/importer
Did you hear the Cs port before opting for your xl air love to know your views
Simon

Hi Simon, this is a thread about the Safir 9. Please be on topic and ask questions about the XL Air in the appropriate thread. I will give you my answer there.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Sorry WBF Members for diverging and being off topic from this SAFIR9 thread (although I do mention the great SAFIR9 in my post ;-) )

Now moved my post to the 'Kuzma XL AIR' thread !
Once again apologies !

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Great posts have you heard the xl air? Are you going down that route in the future?
Really enjoying all the info you supply best wishes Simon

Hi 'simonthepieman', My post to reply to your post above is now on the 'Kuzma XL AIR' thread !

 

[simonthepieman]

Hi 'simonthepieman', My post to reply to your post above is now on the 'Kuzma XL AIR' thread !

OK sorry I will go there im sure I can find it

 

[jfrech]

Jfrech I can see you use the kuzma products
Did you compare your Monaco 3 to the kuzma xl air ?
If so what are the main reasons you chose the GP product
I am going to listen to both soon in the UK

I have not compared those turntables. I have had my Grand Prix Monaco for about 10 years, just love the sound.

FYI, my Safir 9 is playing beautiful music now. I'll take a pic and post later today. Just love it !

 

[jfrech]

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

View attachment 125092

They look great together....like the Safir9 was made for the Monaco even more so than for the Kuzma TTs !

 

[jfrech]

They look great together....like the Safir9 was made for the Monaco even more so than for the Kuzma TTs !

Haha, yes and thanks! Oh the sound...everything is quieter than the 4point. Allowing more resolution, dynamics, tonal shading...just more info. It's just mesmerizing to listen to. I do like my cable choice (cardas clear) so far, it's missing what I was hearing with the Kondo wiring. I am NOT saying the Kondo is bad, just has something different than I was used to and liked...

 

[matakana]

Haha, yes and thanks! Oh the sound...everything is quieter than the 4point. Allowing more resolution, dynamics, tonal shading...just more info. It's just mesmerizing to listen to. I do like my cable choice (cardas clear) so far, it's missing what I was hearing with the Kondo wiring. I am NOT saying the Kondo is bad, just has something different than I was used to and liked...

Very nice kit jfrech, if you don’t mind me asking, did you get a choice or did you specify the cartridge pin tags . Thank you.

 

[jfrech]

Very nice kit jfrech, if you don’t mind me asking, did you get a choice or did you specify the cartridge pin tags . Thank you.

I didn't ask re: the tags. Why? I am assuming they buy the loom from Cardas with the tags already on? Totally can be wrong here...

 

[matakana]

I didn't ask re: the tags. Why? I am assuming they buy the loom from Cardas with the tags already on? Totally can be wrong here...

To make sure that the main core that are ( I presume ) plated are not brass as it’s possible they could be then, being Cardas.

 

[Kcin]

Haha, yes and thanks! Oh the sound...everything is quieter than the 4point. Allowing more resolution, dynamics, tonal shading...just more info. It's just mesmerizing to listen to. I do like my cable choice (cardas clear) so far, it's missing what I was hearing with the Kondo wiring. I am NOT saying the Kondo is bad, just has something different than I was used to and liked...

I didn't ask re: the tags. Why? I am assuming they buy the loom from Cardas with the tags already on? Totally can be wrong here...

Hi @jfrech

Can you clarify the "so far it's missing what I was hearing with the Kondo wiring....." or for now is it that the Cardas and Kondo are just "different"

I had the Safir here with the Kondo wire and I have the 4 point with the Kondo. The safir transcends so far beyond the 4 point that discussion of wire is moot from my perspective. You just don't realize how much noise is transmitted with a conventional tonearm until you have the safir in place.

On the cartridge tags, I highly doubt that Kuzma buys looms of cardas wire with tags on them . I am sure they have rolls of cardas or discovery or kondo and solder their own tags on. The tags are nothing special just D-sub female connector pins for pennies a piece.

 

[jfrech]

Hi @jfrech

Can you clarify the "so far it's missing what I was hearing with the Kondo wiring....." or for now is it that the Cardas and Kondo are just "different"

I felt the silver wire portrayed the sound in a different way than what I was used to with the copper wire. And yes, no need for a A-B comparison on these two arms, the SAFIR is so much better...

 

[ationg]

I may be wrong but it is my guess that highly detailed cartridges may be too much of a good thing with the Kondo-wired SAFIR. My SAFIR is fitted with a diamond cantilever Etsuro. The balance is a bit off.

 

[Wutang-401`]

@ationg how long have you had it? my Audio Note ioGold is thrilling on the Safir and it is quite detailed. The wire burnt in and then disappeared as far as I can tell. I am so pleased I was thinking on writing a post about just how good I am finding the Safir to be. I would have about 200 hours of actual playing time on the arm by now.

 

[jfrech]

I may be wrong but it is my guess that highly detailed cartridges may be too much of a good thing with the Kondo-wired SAFIR. My SAFIR is fitted with a diamond cantilever Etsuro. The balance is a bit off.

I think that's a good description of what I heard "to much of a good thing"

 

[mtemur]

I may be wrong but it is my guess that highly detailed cartridges may be too much of a good thing with the Kondo-wired SAFIR. My SAFIR is fitted with a diamond cantilever Etsuro. The balance is a bit off.

You can rest assured that Kondo silver wire is not the culprit and I don’t think Safir is either