12-1/2" arm. NewArtVinyl Black Bird. Yea or Nay?

used chrome ikeda 407, $3,750.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649591415-ikeda-it-407-cr1-tonearm-mint/

OMG,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/tonearm-tonarm-12-long-NewArtVinyl-BLACK-BIRD12-5-CARBON/233349199295?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I took the risk, bought it. Installed, wonderful. LONG, effective Length is 12-5", 317mm. BUT:

I prevailed with several issues most people could not deal with.
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The tonearm wires are the thinnest I have ever seen, and I had to strip them and solder them. VERY INTIMIDATING.

My notes to seller:

Our President Franklin Roosevelt said:

"So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."

1. made a notch (not hole) for wire entry below the top cover. allows the wires to be 'free' while soldering.

2. switched the rca jacks, YOU HAD THEM OPPOSITE. If someone soldered for me, using your diagram, channels would be reversed.

3. installed the MISSING internal ground jumper wire, to Philips head screw.

4. made/put colored tape tags on the wires further from the ends. If I had to cut off a bit of wire, you color paint mark would be gone. YOU SHOULD MARK THEM HIGHER.

5. light, magnifying glass, exact-o knife, new blade: amazingly got the cover off the ends of the wires. YOU SHOULD DO THIS!

6. silver solder. I got 5 small lumps of solder on a board, then held each wire to a solder lump and melted the lump onto the wire ends. I was afraid I would melt the copper wires. YOU SHOULD DO THIS!

7. melted the solder lumps onto the internal contact points. OK, if this system, buyer must do this. I HAVE AN IDEA.

8. reminder, I had to make a new 'riser' arm board, because my Victor Turntable surface is 42mm above the arm board. This is true for Denon's, other decks, like this. This long arm only fits on Victor Large Plinths. or custom arrangements. IF THE POST WAS 1/2" LONGER, no need to made a 'riser' board.

9. reminder, I had to cut a notch in my rare Large Plinth Dust Cover, for access to the RCA and Ground Terminal cable. IF the tonearm wires were 3" longer, I could have mounted the junction box on the rear edge of the deck, no notch needed.

I have experience and miniature tools. NORMAL PEOPLE COULD NEVER DO THIS.

YOU NEED A DIN CONNECTION, A BILLION EXIST, WITH EVERY KIND OF CARTRIDGE, WITHOUT HUM. You would sell more!

Cable arrives today, it better work!!!

Elliott

Worked, absolutely no hum!

It is stupendously amazing that the tiny groove, microscopic stylus, extremely thin wires, cable, preamp, amp can move 15" woofers and horns to great volumes.

Incredible.

I ordered a nice Ortofon Phono Cable (using temp now).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ortofon-6NX-TSW-1010R-Tonearm-Cable-RCA-RCA-Terminal-1-2m-Japan-NEW/123323699887?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I gave them holy hell, they need to pre-wire bottom of post for DIN cable.

Thanks for sharing the "cable experience".
What about arm performance? Does it stand to its pricepoint? Did you find any issue?
Thank you

This arm is wonderful, simply 'not there'.

12.5"/317mm effective arc, 'less error'.   (39% longer than a 9" arm).

I've only heard this AT33ptg/ii cartridge on this arm, so all I can say is they sound superb together. 

Cartridge pre-mount to brass plate and then just a single screw to attach plate/adjust cartridge overhang/null points is beyond easy. 

Easy to adjust tracking and anti-skate, holds it's settings, all gravity based.

It is simple parts/physics, not superb manufacturing, not concealing magic. They sell it for only $755. usd. which is very inexpensive IMO. 

http://newartvinyl.ru/board/detali_proigryvatelja/tonarm_black_bird12_5_carbon/7-1-0-41

+$70. for junction box if needed.

http://newartvinyl.ru/board/detali_proigryvatelja/konnektornaja_korobka_newartvinyl/7-1-0-44
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AFTER YOU INSTALL IT, NOT EASY (like an arm with a DIN fitting is).

You have to install or have it installed. I did it myself.

The arm comes with loose wires that you need to strip and solder.

I used their junction box for RCA cables. 

They are the tiniest silk covered litz wires in existence. After much hesitation, I found they strip easily, you just rub the tip of your x-acto knife along the length of the silk covering, it unravels. actually easier than stripping vinyl covered wires. Whew, who knew! 

My JVC TT81 sits high above the deck/armboard. I made a temporary sub-base, and they made me a nice permanent acrylic spacer for the extra height needed. It shows in one of the photos I added here:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133779585540

Rotating the arm in it's fitting for Azimuth is a royal PITA, the set screw is on the bottom of the fitting out of sight, but, you only do it once. It could have been at the top, simply unscrew the notched rod for the anti-skate line for access.

Adjusting VTA using the provided micrometer works, however, you cannot make adjustments while playing, so it is adjust a bit/tighten the set screw/listen/measure/loosen the set screw/adjust a bit/tighten the set screw/listen ... You only do it once for a particular cartridge so the pain fades soon enough because it sounds awesome.

The Acos Lustre GST 801 arm at the rear position has the most magnificently easy VTA while playing I ever saw! Elegant, superb engineering and manufacturing, and it's magnetics are unique, but I prefer the long carbon arm.