The Popularity of the Kuzma 4P (11")


I was looking at my 2019 invoice of a Kuzma 4P and noticed that I had paid $6800 plus taxes (at full retail).  Today, that the price is at $10k - which is almost a 50% increase over a four-year period. Compared to my other two arms- Glanz MH124S and SME 3012 R, performance wise, the Glanz holds the top position with the 4P in close second. I do have to say that the queuing mechanism of the 4P is the best I’ve experienced – super smooth.  I have had no issues with the 4P, but I guess its popularity has increased the price point significantly. I'm also not aware of any improvements since the ruby sapphire cups which were rolled out in ~ 2018. So, is it because the arm is worth $10k or just the way things are going in today's economy or something else?

rdk777

Dear @mijostyn  :  " is a stable balance arm the 4Point is a neutral balance arm which is inherently more stable. "

 

That is what the theory says: so what? . I owned several tonearms with those both characteristics and others and what really makes the differences is the overall design, selection of build materials and quality level excecution to the tonearm design..

 

In the other side : " has lower friction bearings with no inherent chatter. " well the 4 point is a 4 unipivots and that's why has lower friction but the Glanz is not severly behind it because its friction level is lower than 10mg that still is a good one. In the side " no inherent chatter " not only you but even Kuzma can't ( till today ) show facts that at playback microscopic level where the tonearm is receiving " fenomenal " " forces " transmited by the stylus tip tracking there is NO chatter been unipivot and even that is founded at 4 points.

Yes, maybe the 4 Point is better damped ( Glanz design shows workind in damping too but I never had a Glanz listening session. ) and I don't know for sure and yse it's not a remobavle headshell as the Glanz but you already know that in the audio world and especially in analog always exist trade offs and nothing is perfect.

 

As you I don't look again to Glanz but only because I don't need it.  12-16 years ago I bought more than 25-30 tonearms and you can be sure that if Glanz were down there I just buy it.

 

Anyway, @rdk777  seems to me that the higher price tag in that mimal time has no justification at all but that always exist gentlemans that pay for it and Kuzma as any other audio manufacturer just take advantage of it.

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

 

 

@rauliruegas ,

The view I take is that everything is important. It is not rocket science to design an arm correctly in all respects. Looks is not ever a factor in my decision making. The arm I use is esthetically rather dull. It is also a brilliant arm in my estimation. Are you going to get a Sapphire? Everyone is raving about it. Theoretically it is way to heavy for most cartridges. That does not seem to matter to everyone except maybe bottom dwellers like me. 

@mijostyn : Sapphire? only ignorantas or extremely low knowledge " audiophiles " can go for it and the ones that already own are extremely happy with.

No, it's not yet  a perfect tonearm.

 

R.

@rauliruegas 

I have a friend with a Sapphire on a CS Port with a Signature Platinum mounted that I expect to hear shortly. I know this cartridge very well and I will play some very bass heavy records and see what happens.

M