Yuan Series vs. Professional Series

Which Saraz Is Right for You?

Both the Yuan Series and Professional Series are built from the same high-quality stainless steel with the same note architecture and the same foundational commitment to quality that has defined Saraz since 2011. The difference between them is not about materials or basic construction — it is about the level of refinement, the time invested, and how important that final 5% of perfection is to you as a player.

If you are unsure which series is right for you, this guide will help you decide with confidence.  How much does it cost?

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The Yuan Series

The synthesis of proven design and accessible craftsmanship

The Yuan Series represents the marriage of our time-tested building experience with a refined design layout and a beautiful marble-like stainless steel finish. These instruments are built with the same steel, the same note architecture, and the same fundamental approach as our Professional Series — and they deliver the warm, resonant, dreamy, hypnotic tone that Saraz is known for worldwide.

Yuan Series instruments start with 9-10 notes and begin at $2,399, making them our most accessible path to a professional quality Saraz. They are often available in-stock and ready to ship, and are also available as custom orders for players who want a specific scale from our offered list.

The Yuan Series is the right choice if you are:

• A beginner discovering the handpan for the first time
• An enthusiast or hobby player
• A sound healer, meditation guide, or sound bath practitioner
• A player who wants a beautiful, resonant Saraz at the most accessible price point
• Someone who values excellent quality without requiring the absolute finest level of refinement

Yuan Series pricing:

• 9-10 notes starting at $2,399
• Additional notes at $239 each
• Free shipping up to $200 included
• Namana carrying case included

Browse Yuan Series Instruments

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The Professional Series

The apex of the Saraz craft — for the player who wants the best of the best

The Professional Series is what we build when nothing less than the finest possible result will do. It begins in exactly the same place as the Yuan Series — same steel, same note architecture, same foundational approach — and then goes significantly further in both refinement and time investment.

There are two defining differences that set the Professional Series apart.

Tuned shoulder tones. Every note on a handpan is surrounded by a border area called the shoulder. On the Professional Series, these shoulder tones are individually tuned on the center note, adding a harmonic percussive layer that can be integrated into compositions and playing. Tuning the shoulder tones of the center note alone can take as much time and effort as tuning every other note on the instrument combined. It is a fine detail that very few builders in the world are willing or able to execute at this level.

Obsessive refinement of every note. On the Professional Series, we invest considerably more time pursuing what we call the last 5% — the difference between an excellent note and a perfect one. This means chasing balanced vibration across all sides of the note membrane, the way a trampoline should be evenly tensioned across its entire surface. It means ensuring the harmonics and fundamental tone are balanced in amplitude. It means tuning stability of the highest possible standard. This level of refinement can represent 50% more effort per instrument compared to the Yuan Series.

The result is an instrument of extraordinary clarity, balance, and responsiveness — one that rewards the most discerning player and reveals new dimensions of tone the more deeply it is played.

The Professional Series starts at 8 notes at $2,399, with additional notes at $269 each. Because each instrument requires considerably more time to build, the Professional Series is priced per note — making it more expensive than the Yuan Series as note count increases.

The Professional Series is the right choice if you are:

• A performing or touring musician who demands the finest instrument available
• An experienced player who can hear and feel the difference in refinement
• A player who simply wants the best of the best and will not settle for less
• Someone commissioning a custom instrument as a long-term investment in craft

Professional Series pricing:

• 8 notes starting at $2,399
• Additional notes at $269 each
• Free shipping up to $200 included
• Namana carrying case included
• Custom orders available through our 4-step order form or Contact Us if you have something else in mind.

Order a Custom Professional Series

	Yuan Series	Professional Series
Starting notes	9-10	8
Starting price	$2,399	$2,399
Price per additional note	$239	$269
Steel	Stainless steel	Stainless steel
Note architecture	Same as Professional	Same as Yuan
Finish	Marble-like stainless	Marble-like stainless
Tuned shoulder tones	No	Yes — center note
Level of refinement	Excellent quality	Obsessively Professional— last 5%
Time investment	High	Up to 50% more than Yuan
In-stock availability	Often available	Made to order
Custom orders	Contact us	4-step order form or Contact Us
Free shipping up to $200	✓	✓
Case included	✓	✓
PayPal financing	✓	✓
Best for	Beginners, enthusiasts, sound healers, everyday players	Performing musicians, experienced players, perfectionists

Still Not Sure?

Both series will give you a beautiful, resonant, excellent-quality Saraz handcrafted in Asheville, North Carolina. The Yuan Series is not a compromise — it is simply the version where we stop at excellence rather than pushing all the way to perfection. For most players, it is more than enough instrument for a lifetime of music.

If you are drawn to the idea of owning the finest instrument we are capable of building — the one where no detail was left unrefined — the Professional Series is waiting for you.

For questions about which series is right for your playing style, scale preference, or budget, we are always happy to talk. Contact us

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What Every Saraz Includes

• ✓ Free shipping up to $200
• ✓ Namana carrying case
• ✓ Microfiber cloth
• ✓ Pure Sound Pan Wax
• ✓ PayPal financing available
• ✓ Completed in approximately 6–8 weeks
• ✓ A little piece of our heart and soul