Durand Kairos

It is difficult/impossible at this point to find the actual retail price of this excellent tonearm, but last update several years ago was $7000 USD, and likely higher now (seen it advertised at $8500). 

This is my personal Durand Kairos tonearm, received new, which I've used mainly to test Ultimate Lencos, on which it mounts easily and sounds superb. I have mounted, used and listened to many of the world's best tonearms over the years as clients ether purchase them from me or send them to me for set-up on my 'tables: Kuzma 4P long and short (several), Ikeda 407 and 345s, SME Vs IVs and 309s, all flavours of Graham Phantoms (several) including the top, Dynavector DV-507 MKIIs, The Wand, Durand Taleas (several), Reeds (several), and many more. I prefer the Durand Kairos to both the Graham Phantoms (excepting the top 12" Elite) and even the Durand Talea, which while very detailed and refined, lacks the dynamics and life of the Kairos.

Last photos show it mounted to my new 80s Reference Lenco with oversized armboard to show how it mounts.

Though I have used it for years, it has seen relatively little use as I have a large collection of tonearms I enjoy setting up and listening to, and I am constantly setting up and listening to tonearms sent to me or purchased from me for mounting and for final testing of the whole.

Of all the tonearms I have mounted, this is one extracts the most from MMs I have ever heard (not a forte of Grahams), while at the same time extracting superb results from MCs, making it pretty well the most universal tonearm I have had the pleasure to use. Reason for sale, I have created an alternative better suited to my work.

It has very little signs of use beyond the predictable but few tiny scratches in the metal base which you have to examine from very close to see.

This one is only lacking one of three antiskate weights (the little rubber ring broke), which makes no real difference as the weights can be adjusted for. Otherwise it is complete with all parts and paperwork.

Shipping anywhere in the world, it will be double boxed to ensure safety, I am an old hand at this.