Sorane Tonearms “ZA”, “SA” and “TA” Series

NOTES:

  • The new name for the SA and TA tonearms is Sorane.  As The Abis brand name was changed to Sorane in 2017 summer, the products in this website/review are now called the Sorane tonearm series, with unchanged model number.
  • For more about the manufacturer, visit this link.
  • You can find Art Dudley’s review of the SA1.2 here.
  • I am looking for dealers.  Please use the contact form below.  I prefer working directly with plinth makers and those with the skill needed to install tonearms.  If that is you, please contact me.
  • I am offering special pricing on Yamamoto Sound Craft headshells to existing and future Abis owners.  The Yamamoto HS3, weighing a little over 8 grams, is a perfect headshell for the SA1.2, especially for medium compliance cartridges, like the Grados.

Reviews

 

USA

Germany

United Kingdom

France

Shared Features of Sorane Tonearms

  • Sorane tonearms use gimbal-bearings for excellent bass, dynamics and imaging, as well as unconditional geometric stability.
  • Antiskating
  • Detachable headshells (except for the new ZA12) to allow quick changes of cartridges, allowing various mass headshells (to help change the effective mass of the arms and cartridges), and the ability to mount cartridges in a well-lit area, in a safe and convenient manner.  For record collectors, and those looking to change cartridges quickly, Sorane tonearms offer benefits to certain users.  
  • CNC machined, then hand-assembled, by skilled Japanese craftsmen.  This highly skilled assembly differentiates Sorane tonearms from similar mass-produced Japanese tonearms.  Standard high-volume tonearms are produced by die-casting and semi-automatic assembly line processes.
  • Skilled hand assembly does not simply mean “combining the constituent parts by hand”.  Skilled hand assembly involves measurement, adjustment and hand-fitting to produce optimal interface between machined surfaces.  Once completed, the fit between every part is ideal, satisfying the necessary conditions for vibration-free and noise-free reproduction of analog sound.
  • Most importantly, the key to tonearm quality is low friction, for which the bearings are the determining factor.
  • Concerning the reproduced sound from these models:  The designer is confident you will get precise and clean sound, which can only be had from hand-made tonearms, but at a very reasonable price with these arms.
  • In particular, the SA-1.2 will produce rich and tight bass, coming from the extremely rigid rectangular shaped arm-wand.

 

High Precision Radial Bearings

In this SA-1.2 assembly photo, two sets of fine radial bearings are installed for both horizontal (set in the bearing stem column in this photo) and vertical (further small bearing at left side of tonearm wand).  This assures audiophiles of smooth tonearm function, greater longevity, better consistency, and enhanced ability to track warped vinyl. 

Pivot Bearing for the Abis TA-1 tonearm

The same type radial bearing used in the SA-1.2 for horizontal motion is also used for the TA-1 and TA-1L, while a delicate pivot bearing is employed for vertical movement (this is still a bearing but the bearing axis end is cone shaped, and requires careful assembly and adjustment). The right side cone in this photo is inserted into the miniature bearing inner race. 

Model SA-1 Tonearm

Please Click on the picture to be carried to the SA1 page

 

Model TA-1L Tonearm 

Please Click on the picture to be carried to the TA-1L page 

 

Model ZA12 Tonearm 

   

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