J.Sikora KV12 User manual

Uncompromising and Extreme Audio Solutions
Tonearm
Manual

J.Sikora –Standard MAX Turntable Manual
2 © 2021 Notable Audio Products | www.notableaudio.com
Dear Customer
Thank you very much for your trust and for your purchase of a J.Sikora tonearm. Please read this manual
carefully before assembly and first use. Please do not disassemble any of the electronic parts of the product;
this will invalidate the warranty. Only the manufacturer, their authorized service agents, or distributors are
authorized to open any electronic parts.
•Do not use your arm until its assembly is complete.
•When choosing a location for the turntable, choose a place out of direct sunlight. Avoid putting the
turntable next to devices emitting high levels of heat, such as Class A amplifiers, heaters, radiators,
or ovens. Excessive heat can damage or shorten the life of plastic elements, discolor materials, and
in extreme situations, can be a fire hazard.
•Avoid placing the turntable’s power supply next to your phono preamp. Some phono preamps can
generate hum when placed too close to a power supply.
•We suggest keeping the shipping box and packaging.
About this Manual
This manual contains instructions for setting up and using the J.Sikora KV12 and KV12-VTA tonearms. The
only difference between the two tonearms is that the KV12-VTA comes with a Collar that allows for easily
adjusting the height of the tonearm in order to adjust the VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle).
You can find additional information, including videos on how to set up the tonearm, on the J.Sikora USA
KV12 Tonearm page: https://notableaudio.com/j-sikora-kv12-kevlar-tonearm/.

J.Sikora –Standard MAX Turntable Manual
3 © 2021 Notable Audio Products | www.notableaudio.com
I. General Information
1. Box Contents:.............................................................................................................................................5
2. Unpacking..................................................................................................................................................5
II. Setting Up the Tonearm
1. Install the Tonearm Base ...........................................................................................................................7
1.1. Installing Tonearm Base with Screws.................................................................................................7
1.2. Installing Tonearm Base without Screws............................................................................................9
2. Placing the Sleeve....................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
3. Adding Damping Oil................................................................................................................................14
4. Mounting a Cartridge...............................................................................................................................15
5. Installing the Tonearm Head....................................................................................................................16
5.1. Adding the Tonearm Head................................................................................................................16
5.2. Positioning the Tonearm Wire Cable Block .....................................................................................17
6. Adjusting Tracking Force........................................................................................................................19
7. Adjusting VTA.........................................................................................................................................20
7.1. Adjusting VTA on the KV12.............................................................................................................20
7.2. Adjusting VTA on the KV12-VTA ....................................................................................................20
8. Adjusting Geometry.................................................................................................................................21
9. Adjusting Azimuth...................................................................................................................................21
10. Adjusting Anti-Skate (Bias).................................................................................................................21
11. Setting Tonearm Wire Loop ................................................................................................................23
III. Maintaining Your Tonearm
1. Cleaning Your Tonearm ..........................................................................................................................23
2. Maintaining Your Tonearm .....................................................................................................................23
IV. Warranty

J.Sikora –Standard MAX Turntable Manual
4 © 2021 Notable Audio Products | www.notableaudio.com
I. General Information
The J.Sikora tonearms are a unipivot design that is the first to use aramid fiber for the Arm Wand. Aramid is
very light, stiff, and resistant to resonances. This makes it an ideal material for the production of the Wand’s
conical tube. Using aramid fiber reflects J.Sikora’s overarching philosophy of combining unique properties of
various materials such as aluminum, bronze, cast iron, and steel to maximize vibration control and stability.

J.Sikora –Standard MAX Turntable Manual
5 © 2021 Notable Audio Products | www.notableaudio.com
1. Box Contents:
- 1 x Tonearm with integral Tonearm Wire
- 1 x Tonearm Base
- 1 x Collar (with VTA adjustment only for the KV12-VTA model)
- 1 x set of Wrenches
- 1 x jar of J.Sikora Damping Oil
- 2 x Counterweights
- 1 x set of 3 Mounting Screws
- 1 x Alignment Protractor
2. Unpacking
Your tonearm and accessories ship in one wooden box. You can order J.Sikora tonearms with the natural
yellow Arm Wand or a black painted Arm Wand.
KV12-VTA Tonearms in Natural and Black
Note. Like all tonearms, the KV12 is a delicate, high-precision instrument and should be handled with
care. In particular, the Tonearm Wires are very delicate, so please use caution.

J.Sikora –Standard MAX Turntable Manual
6 © 2021 Notable Audio Products | www.notableaudio.com
Carefully remove all of the contents of the box and place them in a safe and convenient location.
KV12 tonearm set
KV12-VTA tonearm set

J.Sikora –Standard MAX Turntable Manual
7 © 2021 Notable Audio Products | www.notableaudio.com
II. Setting Up the Tonearm
To mount the KV12 or KV-12-VTA on any J.Sikora turntable, you won’t need any additional accessories. For
the J.Sikora Initial, Initial MAX, Standard, and Standard MAX turntables, the Tonearm will fit in the Universal
Armboard without needing any adapters (see the manuals for those tables for more details). For the J.Sikora
Reference turntable, you will need to order an Arm Tower with a J.Sikora.
When mounting a J.Sikora Tonearm on another manufacturer’s turntable, you will need the Armboard cut
for a “Kuzma™” pattern. In terms of height, the clearance between the top edge of the platter and the
tonearm mounting base should be a minimum of 50mm.
1. Install the Tonearm Base
The first step in installing the Tonearm is to insall the Tone Arm Base.
1.1. Installing Tonearm Base with Screws
For all non-J.Sikora turntables, the
J.Sikora Reference turntable, and as an
optional method on the Initial and
Standard series turntables, you will use
the supplied Screws (3) and Wrench to
secure the Base to the turntable’s
Armboard (see your turntable
manufacturer’s manual for more
detailed instructions).
KV12 tonearm base
KV12-VTA tonearm base
Insert a KV12-VTA Base in a J.Sikora Universal Armboard

J.Sikora –Standard MAX Turntable Manual
8 © 2021 Notable Audio Products | www.notableaudio.com
Inserting Screws through KV12-VTA Base and into Arm Pod
J.Sikora Reference Arm Tower
Holes for KV12
Tonearm Base
Screws

J.Sikora –Standard MAX Turntable Manual
9 © 2021 Notable Audio Products | www.notableaudio.com
1.2. Installing Tonearm Base without Screws
For the J.Sikora Initial and Standard
series turntables only, you have the
option of using the set screw on the side
of the Arm Pod instead of the Tonearm
screws to secure the Tonearm.
While this method does not have same
security as using the three larger
Tonearm Screws, it does provide extra
flexibility in adjusting your Tonearm. By
slightly loosening the Set Screw, you can
rotate the Tonearm Base with the Arm
Pod. This can be very helpful when
setting the proper geometry.
Using Armpod’s Sets Screw to secure KV12-VTA Tonearm Base
Tonearm Rotates within Arm Pod
KV12-VTA Tonearm Base

J.Sikora –Standard MAX Turntable Manual
10 © 2021 Notable Audio Products | www.notableaudio.com
2. Placing the Sleeve
Place the Tonearm Sleeve into the hole of the Tonearm Base.
2.1. Identifying Parts
The images to the right identify the
parts of the KV12 and KV12-VTA Bases
and Sleeves.
KV12 Arm and Base
KV12-VTA Arm and Base
Set
Screw
Sleeve
Base
Set
Screw
Sleeve
Base
VTA
Knob