Kuzma SAFIR 9

[thekong]

I can use some help on VTA adjusting. My dealer and I got it 100% dialed in for 180g records. Listening, measuring, adjusting, listening until we both agreed that's the spot. It's a wonderful arm and clearly can hear very small changes.

With out any markings on the cylinder that holds the arm, how can I know when I move this for a 200g that I can return it to the exact spot it's at? Adjusting is easy, but repeating the place you were at seems hard. This is where the 4p shined. Seems like Kuzma needs to etch some markings, he did it for Azimuth, so why not markings for repeating VTA adjustments?

I am looking into precision calipers to measure...such as this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IG46NL...40&linkCode=osi&tag=shopperz_origin33-20&th=1

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Hi jfrech, I have think of an easier way for you to consider. On the 4Point, you have what Kuzma called the “height ring”, which locks up at the arm pillar to hold up the arm when the screw at the arm base is released. The Safir also comes with this ring, but here it just acts as a spacer, and should be resting on the arm base, but NOT locked at the pillar.

I think you can use this ring to easily get back to the lowest VTA setting, which let’s say is 180g. First, since Safir’s VTA screw has to touch the arm base to adjust VTA, a hole needs to be drilled in the appropriate position on the “height ring “ for the VTA screw to pass through. Now, with the “height ring” on the pillar (not locked), once you have set the correct VTA for 180g, lock the “height ring” onto the pillar (the height ring should be touching the arm base at this point), the same way you would do it on the 4Point.

You have now a repeatable setting for 180g. For 200g, you can just raise the arm, and use the method suggested by DasguteOhr to measure the height difference between the “height ring” and the arm base.

I think this should work!

 

[jbrrp1]

But wouldn't that be a problem for 120g records, then?

 

[thekong]

Yes, that’s why I said assuming the lowest VTA setting was 180g! If the lightest LP you will play is 120g, then set the height ring at 120g, and measure the height difference between the height ring and arm base at 130g, 180g, 200g etc. While still more complicated than with the 4Point, should be easier and quicker than using a precision caliper every time you switch to a different weight LP.

 

[Wutang-401`]

i experienced tremendous VTA sensitivity which then seemed to die off as the cable burnt in. one week i was adjusting vta all the time and then it just became a non-issue and i haven't but touched it once or twice in several weeks since.

 

[SOS]

Just following back up with further thoughts on my MSL Platnium Signature cartridge. I said I thought it was a bit "polite" sounding, this on my Kuzma Safir arm. Had preferred the MSL Gold Sig over the Platinum. Well, I received a CS Port Linear Arm AFU1-2 so tried the MSL Sig Platinum installed in an MSL headshell and wow! It still has great detail but now the cartridge sounds totally different, more musical, more life and energy. So never judge a cartridge on one tonearm.... obviously.

 

[thekong]

I had the chance to talk to Franc Kuzma in the Munich show yesterday about this new black Safir. It is no more than a layer of paint, but since you can’t paint the Sapphire tube directly, a special processed is needed, which would drive the cost up about 10%.

 

[worldtime]

I had the chance to talk to Franc Kuzma in the Munich show yesterday about this new black Safir. It is no more than a layer of paint, but since you can’t paint the Sapphire tube directly, a special processed is needed, which would drive the cost up about 10%.

I saw it on site, tbh it doesn’t look really nice. The black finish seems very rough.

 

[phoni]

... and 12-inch version is on the way!

 

[Wutang-401`]

i changed platters the other day and anyway i ended up with the arm resting on the tonearm lift when it was playing. i adjusted to remove this after (days?) some time and was impressed by the sound change. i decided to remove the tonearm lift altogether. the sound is better i think. it sounds looser and more shaded dynamically.

i am quite sure this was mentioned by someone esle at some stage in this thread but at that time i didn't feel confident to operate without the lift.

has anyone else tried this out?

 

[jfrech]

... and 12-inch version is on the way!

I wonder if this will use a similar mount to the 4 point, off to the side and adjustable VTA?

 

[JiminGa]

Does anyone have an ETA on 12 inch Safir or any specifics?

 

[Birdwatcher]

How would an Audio Note Kondo IO-XP perform with the Safir? Anyone have heard this pairing?
Or a Dynavector XV-1t?

May I repeat this question regarding the combination SAFIR with Kondo IO-XP?

I actually use this cartridge (and the DV XV-1t) with Brinkmann 12.1 or Acoustical Systems 12“ Axiom.
What can I expect from a Kuzma SAFIR in comparison?

 

[Birdwatcher]

BTW: two days ago I had a short visit in Kuzma headquarter in Slovenia and a short trip through the manufacturing. Here are some pictures from the demo room, and some older pictures from the archives with Franc.
And, for me, the Stabi Reference (manufactured since 1992 nearly without any changes) with the Airline is still one of the aesthetically most beautiful audiophile products. I had and liked it nearly through 10 years.

 

[mtemur]

May I repeat this question regarding the combination SAFIR with Kondo IO-XP?

I actually use this cartridge (and the DV XV-1t) with Brinkmann 12.1 or Acoustical Systems 12“ Axiom.
What can I expect from a Kuzma SAFIR in comparison?

I’ve listened to the Kondo IO-XP on both the Safir and Axiom arms, and in my opinion, it performs better on the Axiom, which I find to be the superior arm overall. That’s just my take. Personally, I prefer the sound of the IO-M.

 

[Birdwatcher]

One more nice old picture:

 

[Balle Clorin]

Eccentric records are another issue but there is actually a way to correct for eccentricity. I'll do a video on it someday.

Did you post anything on this yet?

 

[Marcus]

Since this thread has gone a bit off-topic already, I’ll add one more thing that is only indirectly related to the Safir 9. I attended Kuzma Analog Academy 2024 a few days ago, with Michael Fremer among other speakers and workshops on how to set up turntables, tonearms and cartridges.





This event was organized for Kuzma distributors and dealers only (A few of my audio buddies and I were invited as guests), but I think such events would be very interesting if organized one day for the interested audiophile public too. Even though I know quite well how to set up a new cartridge, I learned a few new useful tricks. Also, I liked a very demonstrative showcase of improper balance of the turntable on antiskating. Will post a video when available.

 

[Lagonda]

I am sure Fremer will never write a bad Kuzma review.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Since this thread has gone a bit off-topic already, I’ll add one more thing that is only indirectly related to the Safir 9. I attended Kuzma Analog Academy 2024 a few days ago, with Michael Fremer among other speakers and workshops on how to set up turntables, tonearms and cartridges.

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This event was organized for Kuzma distributors and dealers only (A few of my audio buddies and I were invited as guests), but I think such events would be very interesting if organized one day for the interested audiophile public too. Even though I know quite well how to set up a new cartridge, I learned a few new useful tricks. Also, I liked a very demonstrative showcase of improper balance of the turntable on antiskating. Will post a video when available.

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Ideally J.R. Boisclair from Wally Tools should have been there and demonstrating the setting up of a Kuzma tonearm & cartridge etc. with the Wally Tools !

 

[Birdwatcher]

Marko, thanks a lot for the pictures and report.
Can you please tell us, which tools, Test LPs, maybe computer/software, etc. were used?
Will be maybe any public video available of the skills?