Kuzma Stabi S
Kuzma Stabi S
Turntable
“The innovative cylindrical plinthed Stabi S (Stereophile, Vol.22 No. 7), was among my favourite turntables regardless of price.
…..the sound of this little pipe bomb is spatially rock solid, and dynamically about the best under-USD$5000 ‘table I can think of.
”
Stabi S is a compact turntable with a design approach normally found only in much more expensive models. Its unique shape and construction of solid brass rods, provide an extremely rigid connection to platter, bearing and tonearm support. There is no flat plate to resonate and transmit vibrations, only solid brass rods 50mm in diameter. A second brass rod provides stability and the two are clamped together in a T shape. The motor is housed independently in its own tower which dampens vibration of the motor itself. The motor housing is machined from solid brass. A ground, flat belt provides drive from the motor pulley to the sub-platter.
The bearing is of highly polished, fine grain carbon steel with a one point contact, while the bearing sleeve is of a resin/textile material which has excellent damping, non resonant properties. With a mat on top and rubber insert underneath, the platter provides a stable non-resonant platform for records which, in addition, can be clamped.
A 45 rpm adapter is provided and is simply slipped over the 33 rpm pulley. The turntable can accommodate various tonearms by the use of different brass bases and it allows for VTA adjustment on any tonearm mounted.
An acrylic cover is included to protect the platter and tonearm while reflecting the turntable's original shape.
Upgrades:
Record Weights like the one shown above are available to couple the record more closely to the platter. This improves the image focus and solidity of the bass. We have various models to choose from.
Stabi S PS version can be ordered which has an outboard power supply improving the sound even further and allowing the speed to be changed to 45 rpm without the need for the adapter.
Stabi SD version can be ordered which accommodates two tonearms. You can upgrade from S to SD by simply ordering the upgrade part as a separate item.
Stabi S12 is a "stretch limo" version of Stabi S which accommodates 12" tonearms such as the Stogi Reference 313 (non VTA) tonearm. The price is the same as for the basic Stabi S however you do not get the acrylic cover that is included with the standard Stabi S. You can also combine Stabi S12 and Stabi SD so that you can run two tonearms, a 9" and a 12" at the same time.
All of the upgrades can be purchased separately as funds permit. This makes the Stabi S and extremely versatile and long lasting investment.
Technical Data:
13 Kgs
40 x 30 x 14 cm
4 Kgs
33,45 rpm
Synchronous
Clamp, PSU Upgrade, Dual Tonearm or 12" Tonearm mounts.
Mass:
Dimensions:
Platter mass (total):
Speed:
Motor:
Optional:
Why the big gap between Stabi S and Stabi Reference?
We have asked ourselves this question too! The answer becomes clear when you actually see and hear the Stabi S. Franc Kuzma has done such a brilliant job of engineering this turntable that it is extremely difficult to better it at any price up to the Stabi Reference. Hence your money is better spent in purchasing a state of the art cartridge or tonearm than spending more on the turntable. The competition at this price point uses inferior materials to keep the price down. Franc does not do this, the materials are top quality and so is the sound. We invite you to compare the Stabi S specified to an equivalent price level with any new turntable under $10k and be surprised at the result. You can start with a basic Stabi S with Stogi S tonearm and gradually upgrade it with a higher spec tonearm like Kuzma 313VTA or 4point. Then when you are ready for the next step we can transfer your tonearm to a Stabi Reference or Stabi XL turntable and trade back your Stabi S. Sonic Purity is always willing to trade back Kuzma products we have sold if you are upgrading. Your investment is protected well into the future.
Reviews and awards
The Absolute Sound Review - Stabi S and Stogi S
“Kuzma’s quiet, clear, and natural sound soon won me over, as did its ability to tap the enormous performance potential of top-tier phono cartridges— something not all ’table/arm combos in this price range can do. But maybe the most telling observation of all was that, when I started spinning LPs on the Kuzma, I never wanted my listening sessions to end, which is why I gave the Stabi S/Stogi S a TAS Golden Ear Award in this issue.”
ReMusic Review of Stabi S and Stogi S
“...think of this turntable as a partner for a long journey. Nothing is definitive in life but many thinks are Stabi is!”
6 moons Review - Stabi S and Stogi S
“The Kuzma Stabi S/Stogi S combination is a hands-down winner, and in my opinion, one of the world’s great turntable bargains. It played every piece of vinyl put to it with a welcome wink-wink nod-nod and proceeded to reveal its true nature, good, bad or glorious. It performed flawlessly, ran up to speed quickly and was relatively easy to set up.”