Kuzma Air Line
Kuzma Air Line
Tonearm
AIR LINE
Airline is Franc Kuzma's statement design of the analogue tonearm; a linear tangential arm incorporating an air bearing which ensures practically zero friction in movements, while still maintaining a rigid bearing. The cartridge is thus maintained in a position the same as the cutting head.
The Airline tonearm is the result of a combination of experience in making top class conventional pivoting tonearms and new research into air bearing technology. The air bearing used is the same type as those used in precision measuring and tool making machines which demand the highest accuracy possible in frictionless movement and positioning. The gap between the shaft and bearing is only 10 microns.
Airline differs from other air bearing linear tracking tonearms in one very significant way. The air is introduced into the bearing sleeve and not the supporting track that it travels along. Other designs that use a perforated track are limited in the amount of air pressure that they can generate because the majority of the air escapes to atmosphere. With Airline the air is contained within the bearing cavity and can operate at a much higher pressure. The rigidity of the bearing is therefore much greater allowing higher alignment accuracy. Both the soundstage and bass quality benefit significantly from this engineering approach.
Pressurised air is supplied by the quietest compressor available with an air-drying unit, however it is best positioned outside the listening room connected by only a thin plastic tube.
The Airline tonearm is supported by a rigid, minimally resonating aluminium structure and is easy to adjust, with repeatable VTA and azimuth adjustments.
We believe that using the Airline tonearm will be the single greatest leap you could make to improve the quality of sound reproduction in your analogue system.
Technical Data:
Linear tracking air bearing tonearm
Effective length: 184 mm
Fixing distance: 212 mm-Kuzma cutout
Effective mass: 13 g vertical
Recommended cartridge compliance: Below 25 cu
Minimum clearance below platter: 30 mm
Height adjustment: Yes
VTA fine adjustment: 10 mm
Azimuth fine adjustment: Yes
Air bearing: Diameter 20mm x 50 mm
Load axial or radial: 30 N (aprox 3 kg)
Air pressure: 4 bar ( 60 psi )
Air consumption: 4 L/min
Mass: 2 Kg
SME compatible arm mount available to fit Kuzma Airline tonearm to SME cutout.
Standard cable is 1.6m New Silver Wire with Eichmann Silver Bullet plugs.
Cartridge Compatibility: This tonearm is a medium mass tonearm and suits most phono cartridges. To find out if it is optimal for your cartridge you need to calculate the resonance frequency of the tonearm and cartridge combined. Check our Cartridge Selection webpage for information.