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

l have owned a Kuzma 4Point arm for a few years now mounted on a Kuzma Stabi XL2. l have the opportunity to change to a Kuzma Airline and was hoping to hear from members who have heard both and whether they think the switch is worthwhile. There is not much l can find on the net comparing the two.

For a similar cost l could add two motors to my XL2 converting it to an XL4, could the upgrade there be more significant than the Airline vs. 4Point?

Interested to hear fellow 'Goners opinions.

Cheers,
Simon
mondie
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
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
mondie OP
43 posts
 
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
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Thuchan, those were my thoughts. Cartridge matching would be very important. I see the FR-7f is 30grams and low compliance. Yeah, heavy cart would be my guess also. However, I might tend toward more compliance. Stone body Koetsu comes to mind.
mondie OP
43 posts
 
Since Kuzma sells (or used to)rebraded ZYX carts l reckon my 4D is a pretty safe bet on an Airline.
bpwalsh
1,207 posts
 
Syntax, the 4Point is not as you describe. Perhaps there was a gross mismatch with the cartridge, or maybe the cartridge was poorly set up or imcorrectly loaded. Big, bold, dynamic, tonally rich, low noise, and nuanced are what my customers and I hear. But don't take my word for it: certainly in this price range one should pursue an audition.

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