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Blackbird 12.5" Tonearm: revised with DIN Connector.

Blackbird 12.5" Tonearm: revised with DIN Connector

http://newartvinyl.ru/board/detali_proigryvatelja/tonarm_black_bird12_5_5pin/7-1-0-53

If tempted, write them, you will find them to be very enthusiastic. I recommend them without hesitation.

Elliott

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Manufacturing Blackbird Video

http://newartvinyl.ru/news/izgotovlenie_tonarma_newartvinyl_black_bird12_5_carbon_chjornyj_aist/2018...

COST: (not direct comparison, just to say you can get a very nice long arm for not too much money)

75,000 rubles is $1,025. USD.

Used 12" Clearaudio, $6,700.

https://tmraudio.com/shop-new/vinyl/tonearms/clearaudio-universal-12-tonearm-new-w-full-warranty/

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MY BLACKBIRD:

I bought an earlier Russian Blackbird 12.5" effective length Tonearm, for my Vintage TT, shown here:

https://systems.audiogon.com/users/elliottbnewcombjr

Against sensible advice, I risked it. As I hoped, they are really good people, I am glad I did. Excellent friendly communication; made me a custom spacer needed for the height of Vintage JVC TT81 above the plinth.

Installation of that early version (they still offer it) gave me lack of sleep. I had to strip and solder 5 of the most delicate litz wires I ever encountered into a junction box. And then transport from shop to Plinth and install without tearing the little litz wires apart. Not for the average handyman, I had to learn new tricks. Whew, did it!

I told them repeatedly: they were nuts, they would sell a lot more of these if they would make it with a DIN connection. They finally did.

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What I like (aside from true 12.5" length):

Now: locate and drill a small hole. Simple Linn/Jelco base surface mount. Plug in Din cable, above board, easy access!

Attach cartridge to the brass plate. The easiest mount/overhang/null alignment I ever did.

Micrometer for precise arm height: /VTA/SRA adjustment. Not while playing, but very precise incremental vertical movement. Leave Micrometer in the base, or remove after setup. (Adjust VTA while playing: the Acos Lustre GST 801 is superb).

Underslung Counterweight, Clearaudio says about theirs:

" The counter-weight is underslung providing an optimal center of gravity and allowing fine adjustment of the tracking force."

Anti-Skate: gravity: dangling weight.


elliottbnewcombjr
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Whether Russia or China I can no longer in good faith deal
with countries who's actions negatively affect so many others.


You have to divide PEOPLE from GOVERNMENT in totalitarian countries like Russia, because not everyone share the ideology of dictators, but they can't do nothing against force and violence, they can't even vote anymore.  
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,744 posts
 
kinda like Texas, Florida….

This tonearm company does not strike me as anything worthy of the gaze of an oligarch….

in a past life, i ……well, we shall leave it at that…
rdk777's avatar
rdk777
564 posts
 
Interesting arm and price as well.  Would be willing to try regardless of where it was made.  Not in the market for an arm right now, but will consider in the future.
schubert
7,386 posts
 
What is 2 choices ?
elliottbnewcombjr OP
5,111 posts
 
schubert

1. revised version has a din connector pre-wired on the base plate

2. early version (mine) has 5 miniature litz wires that need to be soldered to either rca or din or ....

Phono cables above the base are much easier to install/change, but dust covers often need a notch cut in them. 

I mounted their rca junction box using semi-permanent tape on the top of my plinth and cut a notch in my dust cover. I could have mounted it on the rear edge out of sight, but then the litz wires would be more vulnerable.


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