korf TA-SF9 User manual

Tonearm model TA-SF9
Owner’s manual
Copyright © 2022 Korf Audio GmbH EN EU K-TA 100103

Korf Audio TA-SF9
Welcome
Thank you for choosing Korf Audio. Your new advanced precision tonearm incorporates
many innovations for accurate distortion-free tracking of any record.
For example, a horizontal flexure pivot. Completely frictionless, yet locating the tonearm
with perfect precision, without slack or any other extraneous movement. Greater rigidity,
which is the single best prediction of outstanding audio performance in tonearms. Low
resonances, achieved without elastic damping. The Korf tonearm is maintenance free,
and very easy to use. It works optimally with virtually any cartridge, light or heavy, high
compliance or low.
Your Korf tonearm is hand built in Austria. It should provide you with many years of
superlative sound reproduction. To get the most out of your new tonearm and avoid
disappointment, please read the entire manual and follow its recommendations.
This manual is written with an experienced analogue audio enthusiast in mind. If this
is your first tonearm installation, kindly ask someone versed in installing and adjusting
tonearms for help. Please understand that Korf Audio cannot be held liable for damage
to the tonearm and your equipment that resulted from mishandling.
Enjoy your Korf tonearm, and thank you once again from everyone at Korf Audio.
Alex Korf

Save the packaging! You’ll need it if you would want to
return the Korf tonearm, sell it, store it or move it.
What’s in the box?
The tonearm box contains
1. The tonearm itself, with the red transport spacer fixing its upper part in place
2. Counterweight(s): the large main one and the optional additional one if ordered
3. One or more arm bases as ordered
4. Hex keys: 3, 2, 1.5 mm (may look different to illustration)
5. Stylus Gauge
Inspect the box for signs of damage which might have occured during transit. If heavily
damaged, do not accept! If you have mistakenly accepted a damaged shipment,
please notify us at [email protected]. We will explain the necessary steps of returning
the damaged box.

Korf Audio TA-SF9
Getting to know your Korf tonearm
Antiskating (bias)
adjustment wheel
Fixed ceramic headshell
VTA thumbwheel
Main counterweight
Azimuth lock screw
Azimuth indicator pin
Arm rest
Soft action
arm lift
Transport
spacer
Armtube
Counterweight
stub

Handling and Storage
Any quality tonearm is a delicate piece of equipment. Korf tonearms are not an
exception. Mishandling the tonearm ruins its precision bearings. A conventional tonearm
with broken bearings will still work after a fashion. The Korf tonearm with a broken
flexure bearing instantly becomes unusable.
To prevent damage to the fragile horizontal flexure bearing:
!Remove and handle the tonearm by its lower part
!Never push on the tonearm from the top
!Never pull the tonearm by its top part, its arm tube or the counterweight stub.
The plastic transport spacer protects the flexure bearing. Remove it only when the
tonearm is mounted on the turntable. Please understand that the spacer cannot
completely prevent damage from mishandling.
Avoid exposing the tonearm to
◊ Dust
◊ Particles (shavings, chips etc), especially magnetic
◊ Humidity
Do not disassemble. There are no user adjustable parts inside. In normal operation, the
tonearm does not need servicing through its entire life.

Korf Audio TA-SF9
Mounting
The center of the arm base can be positioned anywhere on the 214 mm arc centered
on the turntable spindle. Please mind the freedom of counterweight movement at all
playing angles. Within these constraints, select any easy to reach position that is visually
appealing to you. The next page has the cutout drawings for the two bases that can
be supplied with the Korf tonearm. Make a 1:1 copy of it to have a cutout and holes
template.
The tonearm has a dimple on top that marks its vertical pivot axis when the armtube is
locked in the arm rest.
Make sure your turntable is exactly horizontal. Otherwise the Korf
tonearm may operate incorrectly.
Jelco, Linn and SME are trademarks of the
respective companies. They are used to
reference industry standards, and do not
imply endorsement or relationship

Mounting Templates
JIS/Jelco/Linn mount
SME compatible mount

Korf Audio TA-SF9
Setting up your Korf tonearm
Cartridge Alignment
Please use the included clip-on gauge to set
the cartridge position in the headshell. Clip the
gauge to the armtube from below, and slide
towards the headshell until firmly adjoined.
Third party protractors may give an incorrect
alignment; when in doubt please refer to the
gauge.
Downforce
The vertical tracking force (downforce) is adjusted by rotating the counterweight. ¼ of a
turn corresponds to 0.5 gram change in downforce (when the additional counterweight
is not installed). If the mass of the cartridge exceeds 15 grams, please use an optional
additional counterweight.
Unlike conventional tonearms, the Korf tonearm can not be balanced in the “zero
downforce” position. This is by design. The center of gravity of the moving part of the
tonearm is above the pivot point, and even the slightest movement of the air registers
with the zero friction horizontal bearing. Thus, the vertical tracking force must be set with
a quality specialized downforce scale (not included with the tonearm).
Antiskating
To set antiskating (bias), start with rotating the antiskating wheel to show approximately
the same number as the set downforce. “Min“ on the wheel stands for “minimum” and
marks a zero position.
Refer to our website for more in-depth instructions.
Tonearm Height
Use the included 3 mm hex key to adjust tonearm height. Loosen the clamp bolt(s) on
the mounting base and then rotate the VTA thumbwheel to raise or lower the tonearm.
Then tighten the clamp bolt(s) back.

We strongly suggest not changing the factory set azimuth.
Only use this setting as a last resort to correct gross cartridge
assembly errors. Flexure bearing damage from attempted
azimuth adjustment is not covered by warranty.
Azimuth
The Korf tonearm has a limited possibility to adjust the cartridge’s azimuth. To adjust the
azimuth:
◊ Place the transport spacer back into the tonearm, fixing the arm’s upper part in
place
◊ Undo the azimuth lock screw using the included 2 mm hex key, taking care not to
press on the upper part of the tonearm
◊ Gently rotate the armtube, using the pin for visual reference
◊ When rotating the armtube, grip the upper part of the tonearm tightly and work
against it. Do not apply any force to the flexure bearing
◊ Once the desired setting is achieved, tighten the azimuth lock screw.

Korf Audio TA-SF9
Specifications
9” pivoting gimbal tonearm with removeable headshell
Effective length 229 mm
Pivot to spindle distance 214 mm
Offset angle 22°
Effective mass 19 g
Horizontal axis bearing Flexure pivot
Vertical axis bearings Ceramic hybrid
rolling bearings
Armtube material Stainless steel
Headshell material Alumina ceramic
Balance type Static
Minimum cartridge mass 5 g
Maximum cartridge mass 15 g
Maximum cartridge mass with an optional additional
counterweight 25 g
Cable connector 5 pin MDIN, male
Internal wiring OFC Litz
Available tonearm mounting bases JIS/Jelco/Linn
SME compatible
Mass without cartridge and mounting collar, max 350 g

Limited Warranty
We promise to replace or repair your Korf tonearm free of charge if it fails due to
manufacturing defects within 1 year from the date of delivery. If you are within the
EU, we will pay to have it shipped to us and then back to you.
If you do not reside in the EU, you will need to cover the shipping costs. We will
ship the repaired or replaced unit for free. You are responsible for customs fees or
any taxes levied in your country on the repaired/replacement unit.
This warranty does not affect any rights that you might have as a consumer in your
country.
For warranty repairs please write to [email protected], describing the nature of
the problem. Please mention the country you are in in your email.
The warranty does not cover:
◊ Mechanical damage resulting from mistreatment
◊ Water and moisture damage
◊ Damage that resulted from attempted disassembly of the tonearm, or from any
modifications to the tonearm
◊ Any consequential damage resulting from the use or misuse of the Korf
tonearm

Korf Audio GmbH
Urberweg 34
3400 Klosterneuburg Austria
For support, returns, warranty and general information
please write to:
[email protected]
Device serial number