Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Unique, highly engaging, and factual rendition of the music
- Design builds on the best aspects of the KV12 tonearms, and takes performance to an even higher level by reducing weight and increasing rigidity
- New, unique bearing is made of zirconium oxide, and improved damping guarantees maximum stabilization of the tonearm with unsurpassed tracking
- Most of the aluminum elements of the arm are replaced with bronze, contributing to an increase in stability and a further reduction of resonances to an exceptional level
- Ability of unique playful interaction with the cartridge and turntable opened up a deeper interaction with the music, that is normally associated with pricier tonearms
Product Considerations
- Significantly more expensive than other models in its category
- Returning the tonearm after testing it without the hope of purchasing it will be difficult
- Even poor releases are clearly shown for their weaknesses
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs KV12: KV9 Max offers even better resolution, even better differentiation, even better insight into the smallest details and subtleties of every recording, or into even the most delicate tonal shifts and texture changes
- Vs KV12: KV12 is the clear winner when it comes to macro-dynamics
- Vs KV12: On the Dead Can Dance's Spiritchaser, what the KV9 Max did with the powerful, deep, almost subsonic electronic bass was brilliant—truly impressive, but the KV12 added even more mass and powerful slam to these deepest, lowest sounds
Takeaway: The J. Sikora KV9 MAX Zirconium is a high-performing tonearm that delivers exceptional sound quality, with great detail and clarity. This tonearm could be a worthwhile investment for those seeking the best in analog audio reproduction.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
KV9 Max
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
technical specifications
Bearing type: unipivot
Material: Kevlar®, aluminium, bronze, brass, stainless steel
Oil damping: yes
Tube: conical (Kevlar®)
VTA adjustment: yes
Azimuth: yes
Mass: 245 g
VTA mass: 225 g
Effective lenght: 228,6 mm
Mounting distance: 212 mm
Effective mass: 10,7 g
Available colours: natural yellow / lacquered black mat
Wiring: 24K Gold plated 6N OCC Copper
Description
The KV9 Max Tonearm features a unipivot bearing design and uses a unique Kevlar tube construction, which provides lightness, stiffness, and internal damping capabilities that other materials cannot match. The tonearm incorporates oil damping, a proprietary VTA smooth adjustment mechanism, and uses a combination of premium materials including aluminum, bronze, brass, and stainless steel. The design allows for easy calibration and adjustment of attenuation, anti-skating, azimuth, and VTA which can be adjusted while listening to music.
The KV Max series represents an evolution from previous models, featuring a new, lighter and stiffer Kevlar tube, improved tube filling, and a new zirconia-based bearing. The design uses two types of bronze in place of aluminum elements, has improved VTA and azimuth adjustment accuracy, and features enhanced counterweight precision. The arm's wiring uses 24K Gold plated 6N OCC Copper.
The KV Max series represents an evolution from previous models, featuring a new, lighter and stiffer Kevlar tube, improved tube filling, and a new zirconia-based bearing. The design uses two types of bronze in place of aluminum elements, has improved VTA and azimuth adjustment accuracy, and features enhanced counterweight precision. The arm's wiring uses 24K Gold plated 6N OCC Copper.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- The brand uniquely leverages in-house metalworking expertise, ensuring unparalleled build quality, repeatable precision, and the ability to quickly iterate on designs.
- J.Sikora's turntables offer significant upgrade paths via mats, clamps, and power supplies, enabling users to incrementally improve performance over time.
- They emphasize high-torque DC motors and mass-loaded designs with constrained-layer damping using a variety of carefully chosen materials.
- They partner with Kuzma and other established brands to offer complete turntable solutions with excellent synergy, providing a trusted starting point for customers.
Select products
Select product comparisons
Initial Line
- Positioning: The entry-level offering in the J.Sikora lineup.
- Description: Features a single DC motor and simpler construction compared to the Max versions. Compared to the Initial Max, it lacks the additional isolation platform and glass platter mat, which are designed to enhance sound quality in more demanding listening environments.
Initial Max Line
- Positioning: An enhanced version of the Initial Line, offering improved features.
- Description: Features an additional isolation platform and glass platter mat. It is heavier and more robust than the standard Initial Line, making it suitable for users seeking better vibration control and sound clarity.
Standard Line
- Positioning: Positioned as a mid-tier option in the J.Sikora lineup.
- Description: Features a dual-motor system for improved speed stability. It provides a significant upgrade over the Initial Line with better materials and construction. Compared to the Standard Max, it lacks some of the advanced features like the upgraded power supply and additional motor.
Standard Max Line
- Positioning: An advanced version of the Standard Line, offering superior features.
- Description: Uses a dual-motor system and enhanced materials, including a heavier platter and improved isolation. Compared to the Standard Line, it includes additional features like a more sophisticated power supply and the ability to support multiple tonearms.
Standard Max Supreme
- Positioning: The top-tier model in the Standard series, offering the most advanced features.
- Description: Uses premium materials and advanced engineering, including a Kevlar tonearm and a high-mass design for exceptional vibration control. Compared to the Standard Max, it offers even greater refinement and sound precision.
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Avg. Product Price
$10,001-$20,000
Used For Sale
1
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
292
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
16
Founding Year
2007
Our take on the brand
J.Sikora stands out for being the only hifi brand to use Kevlar in their tonearm tubes, combining this unique material choice with a unipivot bearing design for optimal sound performance. Their tonearms feature a distinctive VTA adjustment mechanism modeled after a photographic lens, allowing precise adjustments during playback, while incorporating a mix of aluminum, bronze, and brass to enhance sound quality.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
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What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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From our interview with
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What if you spend more?
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What competes at this price?
Kronos
RS
14000
/
Released
2022
Kronos Audio's turntables feature a unique counter-rotating dual-platter system that cancels out rotational forces and minimizes vibrations, setting them apart in the industry. Their turntables also use supercapacitors to operate off-grid for reduced electrical noise, while their Discovery RS tonearm employs a proprietary bearing system for precise playback.
Expand Details
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Discovery RS brings a 'naturalness' and 'effortless' quality to the music, making it more 'soulful' and 'engaging'
- The Discovery RS opens up the soundstage, providing a broader and more expansive listening experience
- The Discovery RS delivers a significant reduction in 'groove rush,' resulting in nearly complete silence between cuts and in the lead-in groove
- The Discovery RS provides more refined and better-delineated bass extension with a more faithful sense of speed and texture
- The Discovery RS is designed with a unique resonance suppression system to minimize unwanted mechanical and acoustical contributions
Product Considerations
- One reviewer had trouble getting the right alignment, because the cartridge was too light for the tonearm
- The upgrade offer for existing Kronos owners won't be available much longer, so do not miss out
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Black Beauty tonearm, the Discovery RS brought a significant improvement to the entire sonic tapestry of the turntable
Takeaway: The Discovery RS is an exceptional tone arm with innovative technology that really gets the music out of your records. It provides a monumental improvement in LP playback.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Kronos Audio's turntables feature a unique counter-rotating dual-platter system that cancels out rotational forces and minimizes vibrations, setting them apart in the industry. Their turntables also use supercapacitors to operate off-grid for reduced electrical noise, while their Discovery RS tonearm employs a proprietary bearing system for precise playback.
Product Page
Product Page
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Graham Engineering
Phantom III
19250
/
Released
Phantom III is the same specification as the Phantom II, but has an updated arm wand, new internal wiring for arm wand and bearing housing. The Phantom III has exceeded our highest expectations, surpassing even the highly-rated Phantom II. And when compared to other tonearms on the market, tests and preliminary user comments have confirmed that the Phantom III is in another, altogether higher level of performance.
Graham Engineering is known for their tonearms that use magnetic stabilization to control wobble and allow users to adjust tracking angle while records are playing. Their flagship Phantom series features interchangeable armwands in different lengths and a unique unipivot design that minimizes resonance through its removable headshell.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- The Phantom III does not impose a consistent signature or coloration on the music, leaning towards an ideal of neutrality that allows cartridges to express their individual character more overtly
- Offers a proportionate blend of resolution, detail, bass response, soundstaging, and imaging—creating 'wholeness' in musical reproduction
- Provides stable and repeatable adjustments for fine-tuning tracking force, azimuth, overhang, zenith angle, and VTA/SRA
- Facilitates easy daily operation
Product Considerations
- The price point may be prohibitive for some
- Initial leveling may need to be checked and adjusted after a few weeks due to settling
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Graham Engineering Phantom II Supreme: The Phantom III's bass reproduction was far more robust and controlled
Takeaway: The Graham Engineering Phantom III is a high-quality tonearm that allows for precise adjustments and stable performance, letting the true character of cartridges shine through. Its ability to trace grooves accurately and portray subtle differences in recordings makes it a worthwhile investment for serious audiophiles.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Graham Engineering is known for their tonearms that use magnetic stabilization to control wobble and allow users to adjust tracking angle while records are playing. Their flagship Phantom series features interchangeable armwands in different lengths and a unique unipivot design that minimizes resonance through its removable headshell.
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