CNC, Machine-tooled and hand-assembled by skilled Japanese
craftsmen. This highly skilled and delicate hand-assembly differentiates Sorane tonearms from mass-produced Japanese tonearms. With standard quality goals, high-volume production tonearms are manufactured by die-casting and semi-automatic assembly line processes, to keep production costs low.
b 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.

In particular, the SA-1.2 and ZA-12 will produce rich and tight bass, coming from the extremely rigid rectangular shaped armwand. 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 fitment between every part is ideal, satisfying the necessary conditions for chatter-free reproduction of analog sound. Most importantly, the key to tonearm quality is highly sensitive and delicate motion, for which the bearings are the determining factor.

Gimbal-bearing designs for excellent bass, dynamic sound and imaging, as well as unconditional azimuth stability (Which is the biggest problem for conventional uni-pivots bearing).

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

(In Sorane SA-1.2BCS,negative-balance selection is to follow more precisely to warped vinyl) (More versatile bearing of “Double Bearing Pivot suspension” is applied to ZA-12, as mentioned after.) For TA-1 and TA-1L, the same type radial bearing, used in the SA-1.2 for horizontal motion is used, 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.

• Total Length ● 310mm
• Effective Length (Tonearm pivot to cartridge stylus) ● 239mm
• Practical Length (Tonearm pivot to spindle) ● 223mm
• Overhang ● 16mm
• Offset angle ● 22.25°
• Horizontal moving sensitivity ● 30mg
• Vertical moving sensitivity ● 20mg
• Vertical Tracking Force (VTF) range ● 0-4.5g (3+1.5g)
• Cartridge plus Headshell weight range ● 15-45g
• Anti-skating Adjustment ● 0-3g (Equivalent to Stylus VTF)
• Vertical Bearing ● Miniature Radial Bearing
• Horizontal Bearing ● Miniature Radial Bearing
• Height Adjustment (Plinth to arm-wand centerline) ● 15-55mm
• Output plug ● RCA (XLR as an Option)
• Output cable ● Shielded stranded copper wire
• Tonearm Audio Lead wire ● High Purity Silver (Internal Wiring)
• Headshell lead wire ● Silver with gold plated terminal
• Headshell ● Machine tooled Aluminum
• Tonearm Net Weight ● 755g
• Attached standard Headshell Net Weight ● 17g
  

What is “positive balance”? The position of the counterweight

shaft is below the centerline of the vertical bearing, moving the

center of mass below the fulcrum point.

What is the outstanding feature of “positive balance”?

Unconditional stability, with the tonearm, always returning to the

same resting location.

What is “negative balance”? The position of the counterweight

shaft is slightly above the centerline of the vertical bearing, moving

the centre of mass above the fulcrum point.

What is the outstanding feature of “negative balance”? The

tonearm automatically compensates for warps without the aid of

extraneous devices, such as springs, servos, etc..