Kuzma 4Point vs Airline - is it worth the upgrade?

The 4P is an excellent example for engineering which fails the sonic spot by a mile. Soft dynamics, soft soundstage, everything wrapped in clothes, a real sleeper, one of the biggest disappointments I ever listened to. But probably the right Arm for harsh, shrill reproduction Systems. It will compensate a lot.
The Airline has one big advantage: It shows the user that such a Design can work. It is better from dynamic response than the 4P (no big deal honestly), better soundstage but it won't tell you anything new when you have one of the better Arms. For that money my favorite was the DaVinci Arm.

One of my friends owns that XL Table with 2 motors, he loaned 2 more and gave them back. He said, it it not worth it (for him). He also owns a Airline.

Appreciate the replys.

l am running a ZYX 4D on the 4Point and do not find it soft in Dynamics but then its really the only high quality arm l have ever owned. l will not have the opportunity to listen to the Airline on a comparable deck prior to purchase but you both are in agreeance that the Airline is the better bet.

Syntax, great feedback on the 2 motors vs. 4. The motors would have to be imported so again, the first time l will hear them in my system is when they are mine :) Seems like the Airline is a better bet.

Cheers,
Simon

What kind of music do you listen to most? Be careful exciting an Airline too much. There is no place for vibrations to go but back into the cantilever if it gets over stimulated. Most definitely try before you buy.

No problem with vibrations in the Airline. I listen to Rock & Jazz Music. Currently I am driving a London Reference with it. Just a great combination!

In comparison to the ET 2.5 - which I regard as one of the really brilliant mostly underrated designs - the Airline is easy to adjust and maintain. Another story is theVacuum pump which you need using in a different room.

agree with Syntax, the 4Point is more on the soft side. If you decide going not for a linear tracker I would look for a Talea or Reed rather than deciding for a 4P. I have seen on the High End in Munich a new arm built by Frank Kuzma but so far I have no experience with it.

best & fun only - Thuchan

Music is rock and alternative (whatever that is these days!)- nothing too heavy or out of the norm. Setup and compressor noise are two concerns, l am pretty limited on compressor placement due to house layout and construction. Setting it up in a cupboard in the listening room with a wooden box over it might be easiest.

The arm has to be perfectly level and that worries me a little, my rack is very heavy and on 4 spikes, a real mongrel of a thing to get level, l understand the Airline is very sensitive so that could be tricky.

If the 4P is considered soft then the Airline might be a very worthwhile upgrade.

Cheers,
mondie