Fortunate encounter with IT Industry
Youtek feels, from the bottom of the heart, it was fortunate to have encountered Katsuaki
Ishiyama-san, founder of IT Industry, almost 10 years ago. It is thankful to have him for
developing Sorane (Meaning Space Sound in Japanese language, “ 宙音 ”). Formerly known
as Abis, production started in late 2013, for Youtek worldwide sales. Abis was the initial
brand name, the name changed to Sorane in spring 2017. These tonearms are export only: no
sales are made in Japan. The goal was reasonable cost, with good quality.
All hand made and hand assembled by craftsmen
Since the organization of IT Industry in 1974, Katsuaki Ishiyama-san has amassed an
extensive technical knowhow for the design and development of various tonearms, along with
other analog equipment. IT Industry tonearms are manufactured and fitted together by hand,
with the belief that fine-tuning is only available by craftsmen’s precise and sensitive touch.
Even with the use of modern CNC milling machines, to produce basic parts, their expertise is
still hand assembly by craftsmen. During final assembly, parts must be precisely adjusted for
ideal mechanical surface contact. Even with the very precise nature of CNC machining, final
fitting requires precise grinding and honing, that removes only microns, but leads to much
better performance.
- Total Length: 310mm
- Spindle to pivot distance: 223mm
- Horizontal movement sensitivity: 30mg
- Vertical movement sensitivity: 20mg
- Overhang: 16mm
- Offset Angle: 22.25°
- Cartridge weight range: 15-45g with headshell
- Total net weight: 755g
- Antiskating: up to 3g
- Height adjustment range: 12-55mm (from armwand centerline)
- Internal lead wire: OFN 4N Copper
- Headshell lead wire: AWG30 Copper
1) 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.
2) 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.
3) In particular, the SA-1.2 and ZA-12 will produce rich and tight
bass, coming from the extremely rigid rectangular shaped armwand.
4) 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.
5) Most importantly, the key to tonearm quality is highly sensitive
and delicate motion, for which the bearings are the determining
factor.
6) 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).
SA-1.2 SA-1.2B SA-1.2BCS
7) 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 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.)
8) 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.
9) For the SA1.2 and ZA-12, lead wires run through separate
aluminum tubes inside the arm, maximizing stereo separation.
10) For the ZA-12, the tonearm collet is removed. The effective
length and geometry gives very low tracking error. The stylus tip
of the cartridge is maintained as closely to the centerline of the
tonearm as possible. The mass distribution is kept as close to
neutral as possible.
11) Comes with phono cable (RCA output plug, or optionally as
XLR), screws, washers, wrench and marking pin.
12) Antiskating mechanism works favorably, in proportion to
cartridge vertical stylus tracking force.
Based on the award winning SA1.2 tonearm, the SA1.2BCS adds
additional features for the vinyl enthusiast.
Silver internal wiring for superior signal to noise ratio.
Silver headshell cartridge leads.
The SA1.2BCS offers the choice of either positive or negative
balance (convertible center of gravity), via two alternate
counterweight stems (the first tonearm ever produced with this
feature in the world).
■ 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 center 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..