AV Lounge

High Fidelity Audio

CAR-40

KUZMA · CAR

CAR-40

A reference-class moving coil cartridge defined by exceptional resolution and transparency.

The Kuzma CAR-40 stands as a premier offering in the CAR range, engineered for those who demand the utmost clarity and truth from their vinyl records. By integrating a high-precision microridge stylus with an exceptionally rigid boron cantilever, the CAR-40 ensures that even the most delicate high-frequency information is retrieved with absolute fidelity. Positioned near the top of the line, this model benefits from a rigorous approach to mechanical construction. The body is machined from a solid block of aluminium, a choice that provides the mass and damping necessary to ground the generator and suppress unwanted resonance. This meticulous attention to structural integrity is key to the cartridge's ability to operate in a wide variety of high-performance tonearms. Sonically, the CAR-40 is celebrated for its sense of ease and effortless resolution. It presents a expansive soundstage with precise imaging, while maintaining a tonal balance that is both natural and authoritative. It is a cartridge that does not impose itself upon the music, but rather acts as a transparent conduit, revealing the subtle textures, timing, and dynamic nuances that define great recordings.

Key Features

01

Microridge stylus

Provides an ideal contact profile for accurate, high-frequency groove tracing and reduced wear.

02

Boron cantilever

Features a high stiffness-to-weight ratio to ensure lightning-fast transient response and reduced coloration.

03

Solid aluminium body

Provides a massive, non-resonant housing that grounds the generator for improved clarity and background silence.

04

Precision generator

Optimised magnetic circuit and coil design for exceptional channel separation and tonal purity.

Chapter 01

Design & Philosophy

The development of the CAR-40 is rooted in the pursuit of absolute signal purity. Kuzma’s design philosophy for this cartridge emphasises the management of mechanical energy; by ensuring the cartridge body remains an inert, stable platform, the generator can function without being influenced by the vibrations transmitted through the tonearm.

Chapter 02

Build & Materials

Constructed from a solid block of aluminium and using high-purity components for the generator, the CAR-40 is built to last. The alignment of the stylus and cantilever is performed to extremely tight tolerances, ensuring that every unit offers consistent performance and reliability in a high-end analogue system.

Chapter 03

Sonic Character

The sound of the CAR-40 is often described as 'truthful'. It avoids the common trap of adding warmth or clinical brightness, instead offering a highly detailed, open, and dynamic sound that allows the character of different recordings to shine through. It is a reliable, high-resolution tool for the dedicated music listener.

Specifications

TypeMoving Coil
Frequency response10 Hz – 40 kHz
Sensitivity0.3 mV (3.54 cm/s at 1 kHz)
Impedance6 Ω
Weight17 g
Coil wire4N Silver
Cantilever MaterialBoron
StylusMicroridge
Channel Balance (1 kHz) <1 db
Channel Separation (1 kHz) >28 db
Tracking Force 2.0 gr
Compliance 10 x 10-6 cm/dyne
Trackability >70 μm/2.0 gr
Load Impedance <100 Ω