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Bardo and 10.5 vs Stabi S and 4point 9

What would you choose of these two combinations? Has anyone had experience listening to each? I’ve only found one post noting a comparison, with the poster preferring the Kuzma.

I have been wanting the Bardo + 10.5 but the price keeps it out of range, at the very least for another month or two, possibly more. At nearly half the price I could pick up the Kuzma now. Wonder which of these two powerhouses people would go with.
gmercer
gmercer OP
193 posts
 
Sksos1
At 13g the Kuzma 9 isn't really high mass at all, is it? The other arm I had my eye on is the Ikeda, at 35g, that's high mass... Right now I have a Benz cartridge that sits at 8.8g and 15 compliance, dropping that into the calculator results in 8.8hz. The footfall isn't great but hopefully not something mapleshade can't take care of.
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Wouldn't a Stabi REF 2 with a more entry level Kuzma arm,come in right around the same price as the BARDO/10.5? I would think with a fair discount, and one of Franc's Unipivot arms, you would be swinging in the same ballpark. I've heard the Bardo and Spyder, but with Reed arms. I liked the Spyder...very quiet, open, and organic sounding. I ended up going Kuzma, and have been quite happy. 
lewm
13,204 posts
 
 SKSOS. You owned a Bardo with speed stability issues? Surely that would’ve been an item you could send back to the manufacturer. That should never happen with any direct drive turntable. Some may be better than others, but none should have grossly audible speed issues or even easily measurable ones. Unless defective. 
gallus
45 posts
 
sksos1, I am also interested in knowing more about this speed issue with the Bardo, in case you don't mind sharing.
regards
dsholl1
99 posts
 
I have Kuzma Ref2 with 4 Point 9 (Cardas Clear wire). Using a Phasemation PP-1000 couldn’t be happier. 
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