Kuzma Stabi S and 4point? overkill?

To the person that claims that an LP 12 is the equal has no idea. The lp 12 sounds like an expensive rega. The kuzma gear is in a different league.

No such thing as a tonearm being overkill.

At the NAGRA factory, they use a Safir on a Stabi-S in their listening room.

I find that if you budget 40% on the cartridge, 40% on the arm and 20% on table, interesting things will happen. Each component will perform at 100% of its capability.

I heard the same Stabi S with both the 4Point9 and the Stogi Ref 313.

Same exact cartridge.

The 4Point9 is VERY detailed…to the point of being sterile.  It’s impressive at first…then it’s just exhausting.  It’s also lacking fullness 

The Ref 313 is fuller and more musical.  Less resolving but also more enjoyable and relaxing.  
 

That being said…the entire Kuzma sound is too sterile and dead for me.  I didn’t buy the Kuzma setup  

 I prefer musical with fullness and warmth. 

I won't refer to a particular Brands offerings and what I think, but will talk about experiences had and the impression made from hearing a Brands Model Range from the entry level to the upper in the range level used with the same Cart' on the same TT, unfortunately not always used in the same system.

When listening to the TT>TA>Cart', where the Tonearm was upgraded on a few occasions over short duration of time, (the owner was able to buy at trade and sell on reasonably speedily) Three TA models were acquired for the TT.

Using recollection only, it was without doubt that there was improvement in the impression being made being generated. I know the TT model extremely well and at one point, made it known the TT demo' on that day was the best I had ever heard the TT in approx' 25+ years of having a familiarity with it. 

Another Tonearm I have been very close to since its concept design and evolving development. Has over time, resulting from changes for the design where materials used have been exchanged for materials with more attractive properties for their role. Where the outcome has been better management of produced energy and  the enabling for improved tolerances for machining, has been easily discerned for their betterment of the performance. Later changes made where the focus has been on working with the Signal Path Wire, has produced a Tonearm that is that is extremely impressive. Comparisons made to earlier guise models, really do show how a focus on mechanical interfaces and material selection allowing for tighter tolerances for machining can change the presentation of sound. The changes are easily identified for being effective as a betterment and instrumental in improving the Tonearms overall performance. Couple these mechanical improvements to improving the Signal Path for Cartridge and the whole becomes something quite spectacular as a experience.

Having the Tonearm that interfaces best with the Cartridge will enable the Cartridge to do its job to a much improved performance. Not all Tonearms can get out the way to enable the Cartridge full freedom with its mechanical function. There are plenty of Tonearms that leave their influence on the Cartridge whilst the Cartridge is carryout out its most important function, being to send the least corrupted data from the Groove Modulation, Tonearm Influence will corrupt the data being extracted to be sent.  

It is assumed that similar practices for mechanical interfaces are to occur when a Brand is to upgrade the Tonearm in a Model Range, where a New Model Name is attributed and an increased asking price is attached to the New Model offered. It is also good to know that Signal Wire is also a consideration undertaken for a TOTR Tonearm offered by a Brand.