ZA 12 Tonearm
$2,500.00 *Price subject to changeThe NEW for 2018 ZA12 Transcription Arm takes the strengths of the Sorane SA1.2 tonearm (already recognized as a Class A component) and marry these strengths into a purist 'no compromise' purist tonearm, with a fair price.
No compromise meant giving up detachable headshells and lengthening the arm for lower tracking error. While the ZA12 is 3″ longer than the SA1.2, the total mass of the ZA12 is lower, guaranteeing that the new arm will be compatible with a broader range of high quality cartridges. And if you want more mass for very low compliance cartridges, you can easily add it.
There is an optional counter-weight accessory for balancing out very heavy cartridges.
DUAL PIVOT SUSPENSION FOR EXCEPTIONAL SOUND QUALITY!
The quality of a tone arm is measured by its sensitivity and stability in recovering delicate signals. The bearings play a crucial role in this. The ZA12 is equipped with a double-pivot suspension, which advantageously replaces two sets of thin radial bearings.
This ultra-fine and precise suspension allows extended sound reproduction up to high frequencies without limits, even for very low sounds. The sound is clear and detailed, for an unforgettable listening experience.
COUNTERBALANCE SHAFT DAMPING FOR VIBRATION-FREE LISTENING
To dampen tone arm movements, the counterbalance shaft consists of two tubes: a brass tube on the inside and a Delrin tube on the outside. The two are connected by an outer rubber ring, fixed with rubber adhesive.
The rectangular arm is machined from a solid block of aluminium for rich, tight bass reproduction. The ZA-12's low resonant frequency allows for excellent bass reproduction.
The tone arm wires are separated for maximum stereo separation. The geometry of the ZA12 has been chosen to give excellent sound for all types of music, from old classic recordings to new audiophile recordings.
This tone arm is specifically designed to deliver the best of all musical styles, from the oldest to the newest. Its shape allows it to find the right balance between the Stevenson geometry, perfect for classical music, and the Lofgren geometry, optimal for modern audiophile recordings. The SORANE ZA-12 is machined in one piece, which gives it an excellent stability and a good inertia. Its anodised aluminium arm guarantees optimal sound quality and excellent bass reproduction.
SPECS
| Whole Length | 380mm |
| Effective Length (Tonearm Pivot – Stylus) | 322mm |
| Practical Length (Tonearm Pivot – Spindle) | 310mm |
| Overhang | 12mm |
| Offset Angle | 16.5° |
| Height Adjustment (Plinth To Arm Wand Centerline) | 15 – 55mm |
| Vertical Bearing | Pivot Miniature Bearing (Not Pivot Contact) |
| Horizontal Bearing | Miniature Radial Bearing |
| Output Plug | RCA (XLR: Option) |
| Output Cable | Single Core Shielded Copper |
| Tonearm Audio Lead Wire | OFC 4N Copper |
Since company foundation in 1974, Katsuaki Ishiyama-san established and collected designing and development knowhow for various tonearms (And other analog equipment), manufactured by only handmade and assembled process, with his belief the fine tuning is only available by craftsmen’s precise and sensitive hand for variety of analog gears.
Even applying for modern technology of CNC milling machine at their own plant for basic parts production, their expertise are still there to rely on their craftsmen’s process, in particular, during assembling process for many parts to have idealized mechanical surface contact with each other, by hand-tuned and hand-adjusted.
