KUZMA Stabi R – Stability, Scale and Swing
We ordered our KUZMA Stabi R in a custom RAL finish: a tranquil moss green colour that also brings to mind the aesthetic of the legendary Japanese Shindo components. The result wonderfully suits what this turntable conveys. Our Stabi R was fitted with the KUZMA 4Point 11 tonearm, including the optional VTA Tower.
KUZMA: precision without compromise
KUZMA is the life's work of designer Frank Kuzma from Slovenia. His turntables and tonearms are precision instruments in which mechanical stability, low resonance and precise adjustment are central. This philosophy can be seen in the exceptionally substantial constructions, but also in the modularity of the system. The Stabi R is perhaps the finest example of this: a serious turntable that can grow alongside the ambitions of its owner. KUZMA offers the Stabi R in various configurations and with different finishes; RAL colours are officially among the available options.
The Stabi R: a platform that can grow with you
The Stabi R is built around a massive aluminium chassis and an inverted bearing with a ruby ball. The platter combines aluminium and acrylic and weighs 8 kg. It is driven by a DC motor and an internal electronic power supply, with 33 and 45 rpm as standard speeds. The entire concept is deliberately modular: the standard arm wing is removable, a second tonearm wing can be added, and KUZMA also offers various armboards, arm holders and balconies. In certain configurations, the Stabi R can accommodate up to four tonearms. A VTA Tower, clamp, wooden frame and various finishes are also officially available as options.
KUZMA Stabi R
Technical specifications
KUZMA Stabi RTechnical specifications
Chassis: Aluminium
Total weight: 36 kg
Platter: Aluminium & acrylic
Platter weight: 8 kg
Bearing: Inverted bearing with ruby ball
Spindle diameter: 16 mm
Motor: 1 × DC
Speeds: 33 / 45 rpm
Dimensions: 480 × 400 × 150 mm
Standard finish: Black or silver
Optional: RAL colours, additional arm wing, armboards, holders, balcony, VTA Tower, clamp, wooden frame
Maximum number of tonearms: Up to 4, depending on configuration
The 4Point 11: A reference tonearm
Our Stabi R is fitted with the 4Point 11, the 11-inch version of KUZMA's renowned 4Point tonearm. The name refers to its unique four-point bearing: two contact points guide vertical movement, while two others guide horizontal movement. KUZMA combines this with a zero-play construction and extremely low friction. The effective length is 280 mm, the effective mass is 18 g, and the tonearm uses a conical arm tube. Precise VTA adjustment is achieved via the optional VTA Tower; azimuth is adjusted by means of a worm drive. Options are also available for alternative wiring and connections, including XLR, RCA female box and bi-wiring.
KUZMA 4Point 11
Technical specifications
Effective length: 280 mm / 11 inches
Pivot-to-spindle distance: 264 mm
Effective mass: 18 g
Bearing: 4-point, zero-play
Arm tube: Conical
VTA: Optional VTA Tower
Azimuth: Worm drive
Standard wiring: Silver, RCA
Cartridge weight: Up to 35 g as standard
Extras: Removable headshell, light/heavy counterweights, various wiring options
We have already tested quite a number of cartridges on this fantastic turntable, ranging from the Dynavector DRT XV-1s and the Audio-Technica AT-ART9 to the DS Audio DS 003.
What strikes us time and again is the KUZMA's ultimate control, without the music ever becoming dull or clinical. Complex passages are reproduced with remarkable serenity: layers remain clearly separated, instruments retain their place, and even when the music becomes densely packed, the Stabi R never seems to lose its overview. At the same time, the reproduction remains fantastic in terms of timing and rhythm. There is a tremendous sense of drive and swing, a physical sense of ease that sometimes reminds us of a transcription turntable – but combined with the refinement and precision of a modern reference platform.
That is what makes this combination so special to us. The Stabi R offers the tranquillity, stability and scale of a true high-end instrument, while the 4Point 11 gives the cartridge the freedom to reveal what it is truly capable of. Add the modularity of arm wings, balconies, additional armboards and further expansion options, and you have a turntable that is not only impressive today, but can continue to grow with you for many years to come.