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.
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
......................................
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/
............................................................
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.
.................................
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.
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
......................................
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/
............................................................
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.
.................................
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.