Kuzma AIR LINE TONEARM User Manual

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KUZMA AIR LINE AIR BEARING TONEARM

Instruction manual

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KUZMA LTD

INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR AIR LINE tonearm

The Air line tonearm is a very precisely engineered piece of equipment. However the
construction is robust and requires minimal maintenance for optimal performance.

CONTENTS: Page

General 2
Unpacking 3
Basic Setup 4
Compressor 5
Dryers 7
Air connections 7
Setting up the tonearm 8
Adjustment of tracking force 8
Adjustment of tangential geometry 9
Adjustment of VTA 10
Adjustment of Azimuth 11
Adjustment of cueing device 11
Mainentance 12
Problems 14

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General description: The tonearm is packed in two boxes. One box contains the

compressor with oil and PVC drain bottle and the second box contains the tonearm with all
spare parts: allen keys, armbase, geometry protractor and PVC tubing.

Oil lubricated electric compressors, which are the quietest on the market supply the air. The
compressor has a cylinder (head) where air is compressed and then is stored in a reservoir.
On the outlet of the reservoir is an automatic sensor system which measures the pressure
inside the reservoir. When the air pressure drops below a certain level, the system
automatically starts the compressor head and fills the reservoir to a higher pressure, at which
point the system automatically switches off. On the outlet of the reservoir there is an air filter
and pressure regulator, which keep the air pressure on the chosen level of 4.5 bar (60 psi) .
Due to compression, moisture in the air is collected in the system. This is automatically
drained by an electronic device and mechanically with an automatic drain system. Water is
collected into a plastic bottle fro m the reservoir, filter and from the automatic sensor system
(three black tubes). Red filters stand separately and they dry the air further and remove any
oil mist from the compressed air. This is automatically drained into holder stands. The
compressor is equipped with a safety valve and switches off in case of overheating. The
whole system is easily maintained and simple to use.

KUZMA AIR LINE-Linear tracking air bearing tonearm:

Effective length 184 mm
Fixing distance 212 mm-Kuzma cutout
Effective mass 13 gr vertical
Recommended cartridge compliance Below 25 cu
Minimum clearance below platter 30 mm
Height adjustment Yes
VTA fine adjustment 10 mm
Azimuth fine adjustment Yes
Air bearing Diameter 20mm x 50 mm
Load axial or radial 30 N (aprox 3 kg)
Air pressure 4 bar ( 60 psi )
Air consumption 4 L/min
Mass 2 Kg

Saftey Precautions:

Electrical connection to the mains comes from the compressor via the cable. Please keep the
compressor away from moisture and be careful not to damage the mains cable.

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1. Unpacking:

Compressor with drain bottle

Compressor box:

Open the box and lift up the compressor by the handle. It is a heavy item. Remove the
plastic bag. Inside the box is the instruction manual for the compressor, bottle with oil,
and plastic drainage bottle. In a small bag inside the compressor housing are the air filter
and black PVC nozzle for filling oil into the compressor. Remove the two pieces of
cardboard wedged between compressor head and housing during transport. The
compressor should not be transported with oil inside unless you can guarantee that it will
be in a vertical position at all times. Position the compressor on a hard surface with
plenty of air for ventilation. Do not position it in the sun or in temperatures below
freezing. The compressor will be connected to the mains voltage.

Tonearm box:

On top of the box you will find this instruction manual. After lifting the top cover and
second layer of foam, remove the black armbase, two red filter items with supporting
stands, set of allen keys and PVC tubing. Lift filters out carefully because the filter stands
are not fixed onto the filters and they can slide down. Do not remove tonearm until you
have fixed the armbase onto the turntable.

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Basic setup:

Mount the armbase onto armboard. The dimension and position is the same as for Stogi

tonearms but the main cutout hole is bigger. Diameter is 40 mm. The Air line tonearm
also fits existing armbases for the Stogi tonearm. Three screws will fix the armbase from
the top through the armboard into the black metal ring.
With the allen key, firmly secure armbase. Position it in such way, that the hole for
fixing tonearm height is easily accessible during mounting .The usual direction is away
from the platter.

Do not slide the tonearm bearing unnecessarily without compressed air!

Do not tilt the compressor while it contains oil! For transport check page 15 !
Do not rotate VTA knob when the lever is in the lock position!

Lift the tonearm from box, taking care of wires and tube loop, as well a s tonearm cable.
Then fix the tonearm gently into the armbase with Allen key 2mm. The tonearm should
be rotated in such a position that the headshell is outside of the platter, i.e. as in the rest
position off the record. The height of the to nearm in the armbase should be such, that the
centre of the main stainless steel shaft is at the approximate height of an LP. Check that
the scale for VTA, in front of the main base, is in the middle position with the edge in
line with the thicker mark. This means that theactual VTA can be precisely adjusted
plus/minus 5 mm. If this is not the case, move the locking rod lever away from the lock
position, in a similar way to lowering a cueing device. Now by rotating the VTA knob
bring the position of the base to the middle part of the scale. Lock back gently .

Unscrew the small black ring under the tonearm. It will slide down to the armbase. Fix it
gently. If you now unlock the tonearm in the armbase, this ring will hold the tonearm at
the same height but it can still be rotated horizontally. This is important when adjusting
tonearm geometry.

Choose the shorter piece of PVC tube that runs from tonearm to red filters. Position red
filters on the floor or other suitable place near the tonearm. Check the arrows for air
flow; which should be from compressor to red filters and then to tonearm. Connect PVC
tube. All connections are 'quick fit'. Simply push in the tube at filter and at the tonearm.
It seals automatically. When removing the tube, you must first push in the blue (or black)
plastic collar and at the same time pull out the tube. This is much easier done when there
is no compressed air inside the tube. Using the bigger piece of tubing, fix it into filters at
input. It is a hard flexible tube and can be hidden behind your skirting board .
Permanent walking or placement of furniture on top of it, however, will break it. Plug it
into the 'quick fit' fitting on the compressor, at the filter output. If necessary the PVC
tube can be cut to length with a sharp knife. Position the tube on a hard surface and cut at
90 degrees down. The compressor is factory set for working pressure.