Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Kuzma Stogi Reference Tone Arms by Paddy

Model:	Stogi Reference
Category:	Tone Arms
Suggested Retail Price:	$1,900
Description:	medium mass tonearm
Manufacturer URL:	Kuzma
Model Picture:	View

Review by Paddy ( A ) on February 20, 2002 at 02:26:43
IP Address: 195.8.163.203

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for the Stogi Reference

Where to start?
The Stogi Reference is a well made but heavy tonearm and I have it in my RMS Genesis II, a three point suspended turntable designed and built here in the UK. I am using a Koetsu Rosewood and in due course will be purchasing a Shelter 901 to replace it.
All the parameters necessary for optimising a cartridgeâ€™s geometry are adjustable and in all cases it is easy to produce repeatable settings. This has made a real difference to the overall sound I have been able to achieve and facilitates more experimentation than I may previously have undertaken.
The arm is supplied with an alignment protractor and all the allen keys required to adjust it.
VTF. Gone is the irritation of being unable to easily adjust the VTF without the use of a tracking force gauge. The counterweight is threaded on to the stub and has five red dots screen-printed on it to indicate where you are in relative terms. Initial VTF is set as normal using a tracking force gauge, but subsequent adjustments can be made with reference to the dots. By rotating the counterweight through one entire revolution you vary the tracking force by 0.5g ie each dot corresponds to 0.1g
VTA. This is adjusted by use of an allen key to release the arm from the sleeve that secures it in the arm board, an arrangement that all Linn owners will be familiar with.
Azimuth. There are two hexagonal nuts located on the top of the arm-tube that are â€œunlockedâ€ to free up the mechanism which allows adjustment. A third hex nut, located on the side of the arm-tube, is then used to rotate the forward portion of the tube to achieve the desired orientation of the cartridge. The quality of machining is superb and it is difficult to see where the tube is divided, the only giveaway is the mark engraved across the division, it is this which allows repeatable settings
Anti-skate. Is the hanging weight variety and is simply adjusted by use of the supplied allen key (Frank Kuzma loves these things). The instructions contain a table, which correlate the distance the weight is positioned at to the anti-skate applied.
Sound Quality
I have always been able to discern the differences that VTF, VTA and anti-skate made when I was using my previous tone-arm, an OL250, however, differences in all of the above are much greater when using the Kuzma. I find the most useful analogy to be the fine focus of a camera, the Kuzma producing a far more focussed picture of the recording. It manages this without distracting from the overall musical performance, which it conveys with real authority.
The bass is much more solid sounding than the OL, the mid range less coloured and the treble brighter without being overly lit (this was one area of concern as I have read that it can sound a bit bright in some situations). The soundstage is more solid and larger than it was with the OL. In fact I would go as far as to say that every aspect of the musical performance is enhanced over that I was able to obtain using my previous arm. This is a view shared by all who were familiar with the old arm and have subsequently heard the Stogi Reference in my system.
I had been told by someone I trust, who has pretty broad experience of the world of vinyl and the various products out there that I would have to go a long way to get a significant improvement over the silver wired OL. He might be right but, if he is, then the Stogi Reference is a long way from an OL 250.
I am as you can no doubt tell extremely pleased with the arm and would recommend it highly to anyone with a deck that can support its weight and provide it with a quiet enough environment to allow its virtues to shine through. The arm is a significantly more expensive product than the OL 250 but the performance and convenience justifies the investment IME if you have the cash.

Product Weakness: Weight of arm will not suit all turntables
Product Strengths: Scale and authority of sound

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	110W Avondale V1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	T65 Phono stage, Avondale modified Naim 62
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	RMS Genesis II
Speakers:	RMS Revelation II
Cables/Interconnects:	Chord and DIY
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Blues, Jazz, Alt Country, Rock,
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 weeks so far
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	None
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Weight of arm will not suit all turntables
Product Strengths:	Scale and authority of sound