Kuzma


Stabi S \| Stabi \| Stabi Reference \| Stabi XL \| Stogi S \| Stogi \| Stogi Reference

Founded by Franc Kuzma, Kuzma Ltd. first started building turntables in 1982. Internationally both Stabi and Stogi appeared first in Germany and UK. The Stogi tonearm was tested by the British magazine Hi Fi News and RR and a very favourable review by Martin Coloms was published in 1985, bringing the names Kuzma and Stogi to the attention of audiophiles worldwide.

TURNTABLES
STABI S

The Stabi S is Kuzma's smallest turntable with a design approach normally found only in more expensive models. Its unique shape and construction of solid brass rods, provide an extremely rigid connection to platter, bearing and tonearm support. There is no flat plate to resonate and transmit vibrations, only solid brass rods 50mm in diameter. A second brass rod provides stability and the two are clamped together in a T shape. The motor is housed independently in its own tower which dampens vibration of the motor itself. A ground, flat belt provides drive from the motor pulley to the subplatter.

The bearing is of highly polished, fine grain carbon steel with a one point contact, while the bearing sleeve is of a resin/textile material which has excellent damping, non resonant properties. With a mat on top and rubber insert underneath, the platter provides a stable non-resonant platform for records which, in addition, can be clamped.

Technical Data:
Mass: 13 Kgs
Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 14 cm
Platter mass (total): 4 Kgs
Speed: 33,45 rpm
Motor: synchronous
Optional: clamp, supporting board
Reviews

The whole turntable is supported by an optional high density plywood plate. An acrylic cover protects platter and tonearm while reflecting the turntable s original shape. A 45 rpm adaptor is provided and is simply slipped over the 33 rpm pulley. The turntable can accommodate various tonearms by the use of different brass bases and it allows for VTA adjustment on any tonearm mounted.

STABI
A more traditional suspended turntable with silicone damped spring suspension the Insulation of the Stabi is so effective that even slamming the heavy wooden lid will not cause mistracking. The turntable base is of 50 mm thick, solid oak. It is supported by 3 unique spikes which are hidden in protective cups so as to remain effective without destroying any surface on which it is placed. In addition these spikes control horizontal adjustment of the turntable.

The lid is of solid oak and smoked glass controlled by heavy, custom made hinges, which allow for lid removal. This lid protects both record and tonearm from airborne vibration. There is, in addition, a clamp which screws onto the shaft to flatten the record and reduce vibration. The drive is the same as Stabi S, but the bearing uses a five point, zero play shaft. The material used is a plastic, filled with carbon particles for low friction and stability. The subchassis is 50 mm medite plate which carries the bearing and armboard. The latter is suitable for a variety of tonearms. The four point silicone damped spring suspension is easily adjustable from the turntable top.

Technical Data:
Mass: 21 Kg
External Dimension:
(Lid Closed) 510 mm x 411 mm x 200 mm
(Lid Open) 510 mm x 500 mm x 500 mm
Weight of platter and subplatter: 4 Kg
Resonance of subchassis: 3.5 Hz
Speeds: 33, 45 rpm
Mat: special rubber & textile compound
Motor: 24 pole synchronous 110 v, 50 Hz
Mains Supply: 110 V - 240 V, 50/60 Hz

recommended
components
Reviews

The turntable has its own electronic power supply in a separate box . Quartz generated signals are amplified by two power amplifiers, which power the motor with pure, sineous waves. The unit allows for speed changes of 33 and 45 rpm, as well as fine adjustments of speed.

STABI REFERENCE
The Stabi Reference turntable is constructed from two plates, each plate being made from a sandwich construction of two 10 mm aluminum plates, separated by an acrylic plate clamped together with pre-stressed, non-magnetic, stainless steel screws. The turntable chassis ( top plate) is suspended by large springs submerged in silicone oil, with a low resonance of 2.2 Hz, which dampens movements of the springs themselves. The main base (bottom plate) is supported by three aluminum and stainless steel spikes. The top plate is easily leveled by four knobs. When this plate is lifted (for transport) the silicone suspension reservoirs are automatically sealed.

Two motors in a diamond drive, power the subplatter, which has an inverted bearing with a ruby ball. Both ball and sliding ring have their own oil bath for lubrication and damping of any vibration within the bearing. The platter is also of a clamped sandwich construction, in order to combine the strength of aluminum (rigidity) and the damping properties of acrylic, which produces an exceptionally stable and non-resonant platter. The mat and special clamp are made in much the same way as the platter and further serve to control all vibration. The armboard also employs the sandwich construction design.

Technical Data:
mass : 40 kgs
external dimension: 500x400x200 mm
weight of platter: 8 kgs
resonance of subchassis: 2 Hz (damped)
speeds: 33,45 RPM
mat: textile & rubber
motor: 2 pieces 24 poles
mains supply (non selectable): 110 V - 240 V, 50/60 Hz
Reviews

The power supply is similar to that for Stabi but with still higher quality components to provide further precision in control and a faster, smoother transfer of energy.

STABI XL
Kuzma's new turntable, Stabi XL, is the latest offering in their bid to achieve the goal of perfect analogue sound. It represents the culmination of 20 years research, development and experience in the production of turntables and tonearms. Theoretically their aim was simple, ie. to spin the record in the nearest possible way to the master and to enable the tonearm to emulate the cutter head.

The fine quality sound of the turntable is due to its massive construction. The base is of solid brass which is clamped together from two pieces and has good damping properties. The main shaft, which is 28mm in diameter, is fixed into this base. The platter is a sandwich construction of aluminum and acrylic plates screwed together in pre-stressed form to damp all unwanted vibration. Hard non-metallic material is used for the bearing which, together with a ruby ball, is lubricated in an oil pool to provide one point contact with minimum vibration and noise.

Technical Data:
Mass (total w/o ps): 77 kg
Platter: 22 kg
Base: 27 kg
Motor Towers (two units): 14 kg
Tonearm Tower: 14 kg
Speeds: 33, 45 rpm
Dimension: 450 x 400 x 300mm
Power Supply: 110 V - 240 V, 50/60 Hz
Reviews

Two motors are mounted separately in their own heavy brass towers. Two pulleys via two belts give stable symmetrical drive to the platter. The electronic power supply generates controlled feed from a quartz to both motors in such a way that any vibration in the drive is minimized by the driving coils of each individual motor. A heavy brass and acrylic clamp provides additional damping of the vibration created by playback, as well as flattening curved records. The record is pressed securely to the platter- mat, which is a semi-hard combination of rubber and textile.

The tonearm tower is a massive brass unit and the armboard can be exchanged to accomodate various tonearms. The mass of the tower gives structural and damping rigidity to the tonearm. The unit allows for VTA adjustment during normal use without loss of rigidity or azimuth. The movable part is supported via a linear ball bearing 30mm in diameter and 100mm in length which gives firm support while allowing VTA to be changed. Adjustments can be made in a range of 80mm, each turn of the knob representing 0.1mm precisely. In order to simplify adjustment a micrometer gives a digital readout in the range of 12mm at an exactitude of 0.01mm. These adjustments are repeatable. Additionally, a lever on the side of the tower allows for three basic positions, normal, a setting for thin records and higher for thicker records of 180 grams.

TONEARMS

STOGI S
The Stogi S is of a "unipivot" design with a unique, rigid headshell made from a solid aluminum block and a base of solid brass which control all vibration and facilitate stability of the tonearm as a whole. All parts of the arm are machined from blocks of solid metal, in order to provide damping and minimize resonance. The polished pivot point is sited in an oil well, which provides extremely low friction and bearing vibration. The height is at record level for optimum tracking. The silicone damping, controls resonance of the cartridge and also gives stability in azimuth direction.

Two counterweights allow easy adjustments of tracking force and azimuth. Fine azimuth adjustment is achieved by rotation of a horizontal screw in the counterweight, which does not affect other tonearm parameters and which makes adjustment very simple.

Wires are in one uninterrupted piece from headshell to RCA phono connectors. By special order,wiring can also be fitted in for balanced connection.

STOGI
The Stogi is a very rigid medium mass tonearm with precision ball bearings which, while withstanding very heavy loads, displays extremely low starting and running friction and noise levels. The main frame and all other parts are machined from solid aluminum blocks. Some parts are anodized and some are not, in order to help control tonearm resonance. The headshell provides a stable cartridge mounting, while the internally damped tube connects this to the massive bearing parts where any vibration or noise is dispersed.

A decoupled brass counterweight controls balance and adjusts tracking force, while damping vibration in the tube. The massive arm base serves to clamp the tonearm rigidly to the armboard. All bearings are pre-loaded and glued into position which, while damping vibrations in them, also provides long lasting, zero play, low friction bearings. VTA adjustment is made by raising or lowering the tonearm in the arm base. Azimuth is adjusted by releasing a locking screw and manual rotation of tube.

Wires are in one length from cartridge pins to RCA connectors. High quality wires are incorporated into our own cable. It is also possible to use the tonearm in a balanced configuration.

STOGI REFERENCE
While similar in construction to the Stogi, this tonearm incorporates a conical tube and the vertical bearings have a highly damped brass housing.

The conical tube is internally damped and divided into two parts which, while further aiding damping, also allows for easy azimuth adjustment. A special mechanism, using a simple Allen key, allows the tube to be rotated back and forth in minimal increments with no air gap. This mechanism is submerged in silicone grease for further damping. A marker line clearly shows the azimuth position and facilitates use, while allowing for repeated adjustments.

Tonearm geometry, bearing, wires and other parts are the same as Stogi and effective mass differs only slightly.

Reviews

For more information: email: Vince Scalzitti