Kuzma 4Points and Lyra carts

FWIW "I think" the 11 will outperform the 9 and I hope the 14 will outperform the 11 because my 4 point 14 will be here next week and the difference in $$ is substantial. Everything you read says longer is better

Currently have a DP6 and a DP8 both with 12 " blue dot arm wands. so I'll report back whether the 14 outperforms the Morch. 

Agree with @artemus that there might be small differences

define "small".. ..are you speaking from experience or from what you’ve read?

seems to me if the goal is to be the best that it can be then you are potentially leaving something behind if you "settle" for the shorter arm. As I started down the path of higher end arms - tables - cartridges I found that there were huge differences as you get into the upper levels and you are well rewarded for taking the time to precisely align it all. Feel free to come back at me with... define "huge" :)

I agree if you don’t want to invest in the proper tools and spend the time to optimize the setup then stick with the easier path, but if your are "going for it" then go for it with the longer arm. Of course, I will be comparing a shorter Morch with a longer Kuzma so nothing definitive will come of that in regard to whether longer is better (or worse) or if it is Morch vs. Kuzma.

I went with single wire Silver/Gold conductor and deluxe Kuzma mounting collar and terminated with Furutech CR-126R, RCA because that's what Albert Porter recommended as best for the buck. From Albert... 

"Some of these are insane cost, for instance the Kondo “upgrade” on a 4 Point 14” is nearly $3000.00.   I made the decision to go SE,  knowing that the Kondo can be lean sounding and I don’t like any of the Cardas clear cables.  SE is a great balance and I liked it so much, I ordered a second Kuzma 14” with the same options."

we have to stay conscious of what really is happening down there.

to a point... , that is all well and good, the math is interesting, but as you know there is ultimately only one thing that matters... how does it sound?

No amount of theory and opinion and debate is going to tell me how it sounds in my system. I am fortunate enough that I can afford to just buy one and try it so that is what I'm doing

thanks for the input

I was having problems finding the compliance measurement for the SoundSmith Sussurro ES.

and even if you find it you are relying on somebody else measuring it accurately, along with the difference in how it is typically done in Japan vs. elsewhere if looking at a Japanese cartridge, along with somebody else effectively measuring the effective mass of the arm,, so a whole other can of worms. As Raul alluded to , you can’t be sure so just have to try it.

A great example of why I decided long ago to go only with arms with integral phono leads. Granted you probably can find some really good phono interconnects. But the first thing that IC has to do is overcome the distortion and losses of all the extra connections.

except the $3000 Kondo upgrade is a set of integral leads, so now you are stuck with them not knowing if the sound you are getting could be bettered by one of the other options. That said I am going with a different  integral set even though I’m not convinced that there are any significant loses or distortions in extra connections. I’ll never know though.

The 4 point 14 has been here for a few days. No regrets even though it is about $1000 an inch more than the 11. “ substantial and satisfying “ sums it up. The arm just seems to be in control. I know blacker background is a tired cliche but best I have at the moment… sound coming from silence, smooooth

and I’m still dialing it in

Next i plan to get another for my mono cartridge. I love this thing, I’ve bought dozens of items in the past few years and this is one of the few where you hear immediately how much better it is than what you have . Of course that does nothing to help the OP with his 9 versus 11 question except I don’t see what the caveats expressed about setting up longer arms are about

I do think a lot of it has to do with the 19 g effective mass of the Kuzma being a better match for the Miyajima Destiny than the 12 Gram of the Moerch

anybody want to buy a Moerch DP8 ?