Dr. Feickert Blackbird
I want to get some opinions. I am currently saving for my end-all analog source. I have been lusting after the Blackbird for a year now. I keep trying to talk myself out of it, but keep coming back. Love the classic turntable look, the reviews, and especially 2 arms. If I am only going to have one table, I want 2 arms. I still have time, as I'm not half way to my $$ goal for a the table and first arm.
Is there better or equal performer for at or under that price without losing that classic turntable look?
Have you picked your arms yet?
This Acos Lustre GST-801 is my rear 9" arm, extremely rare to find it in Mint Condition
I learned about it here, actually someone, wish I could remember whom, found it for me, I'm so thankful.
Unique Magnetic Forces used for tracking and anti-skateEasiest/smoothest VTA on the fly I have seen, removable headshell. If one has removable headshell, the other, presumably your long arm, can be fixed cartridge. I like that arm so much, I almost buy it every day. |
JVC Victor made 7 layer plinths, in 3 sizes, here’s the largest one https://www.topclassaudio.com/web/chi/photo_gallery_details.jsp?gid=1515
CL-P1 for single arm CL-P2 for two removable tonearm boards CL-P3 for three removable tonearm boards cutouts fit several models of their Direct Drive Spinners, TT61, 71, 81, 101 .............................. I have a CL-P2, with TT81, and I added a 3rd arm on the left side for Mono Cartridge ready to go. Compact Mission/Jelco arm ’just’ fits. see 8th photo here
Curious that my 12.5" long arm is called ’Blackbird’. I tried to forget about it, couldn’t get it out of my mind, finally risked it, glad I did. btw: the CL-P2 allows the longest arm, longer than the CL-P3 because in order to get an arm board on the left, they moved the right side armboard closer to the platter. I was going to buy a CL-P3, luckily seller had a photo with ruler, I realized my 12.5" arm would not fit. Surprise, sure glad I didn’t pay to have it shipped from Hong Kong and find out after. Whew! ............................... They come up frequently for sale, my friend and I got ours from Vlad in Canada. I don’t see any complete units listed now. I could not be happier, MC on the right; MM in the rear; Mono on the left, chage within seconds in a listening session. You need to solve how you switch, I found a vintage SUT with 3 inputs, various loads for MC, and PASS for MM. Fidelity Research FRT-4 Entre 100 has 3 inputs and PASS JVC TT81 spinner http://www.thevintageknob.org/jvc-TT-81.html
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If space is an issue, or equipment preference, some Tonearms allow very easy arm changes.
Technics B500 arm base, VTA on the Fly easily changes from straight fixed cartridge arm to S removable arm in seconds, here's one on a VPI
the same base with the curved removable headshell arm, changes in seconds
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mijostyn, Let's listen to some Oscar Peterson, a few stereo lps with your $10,000 stereo cartridge via stereo mode, wonderful. Now, this LP is Mono, play it how? Not like I used to, what you advocate, a stereo cartridge is OK, not best I don't care what it is. It was here I learned, and trust me it is true,Playing Mono with a true Mono cartridge is an improvement, The improved clarity, distinction of individual instruments, voices, and reduction of noise can be small, large, quite large , it varies, but it is definitely improved. Recording techniques were quite good, sometimes amazing, you deny yourself that level of enjoyment.GET THEE A MONO CARTRIDGE! $160. Next: does your preamp have a Mono mode? Next, can you send L+R to one side, listen to only one speaker? Next, enjoy the sound sitting anywhere in the room, When I was selling LP's, I only sold 'inaudible scuffs'. I discovered, some desirable LP's with audible scuffs: Mono, the noise was there, but below the volume of the music, listenable. Stereo the noise was much more pronounced, to an unlistenable degree. I asked my buyers if they had Mono Cartridge before I sold them those few LPs. |
OP wants two arms. WHY tell OP not needed? Find, love, settle on a preferred MC cartridge, forget further comparisons. OK. An MC fixed stylus cartridge is an excellent reason to have a second headshell (exchange/re-adjust height? tracking? anti-skate?), OR second arm ready to go with a MM cartridge with a replaceable stylus to play .... LP’s that don’t have content that benefits from the difference, IOW do not wear out your expensive non-replacable stylus for no good reason. That’s why I added my 3rd arm. 2nd arm is Mono always ready to go. I realized I was wearing out my stylus on fun but not acoustically special content. Especially playing ones I intended to give away or sell.
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You have space for 3 dedicated TT’s, wow! My friend has room for only 1, and many 78’s as well as mostly 33’s. for others: Single Table/Arm solutions I have had experience with are: My Thorens TD124 with 4 speeds, SME 3009II with changable headshells, each appropriate stylus type. Wonderful combo, but SME arm: no easy height adjustment if needed for cartridges with different heights. All could be ’shimmed’ to the same height I suppose. I was just single latest Shure MM in those days. The Thorens needs a very stable setup, it’s massive platter and bearing design are succeptible to vertical vibration, bad match for my flimsy wood floor this shows the SME 3009, custom plinth takes second arm https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649770090-thorens-td124-sme-3009/ this more compact for single arm, new blank armboard.
I wonder/suspect that Acos Lustre GST-801 would fit, an awesome removable headshell and VTA on the Fly setup. I want someone to have this baby! . My friends Technics SP-15 3 speeds, with BP-500 Base with VTA on the Fly, and either 1 curved arm with removable headshell and multiple headshells (his choice), or several easily exchangeable arms with pre-mounted cartridges, including the straight arm with fixed cartridge. The arm changes as easily or easier than a headshell. Changing height couldn’t be easier, and very precise mechanism. I just installed one for him. Arm Base and Two Arms (sold, good pics, none active on hifishark now)
SP-15 in Technics plinth, different tonearm. You simply change the round insert for your chosen arm (up to 10.5") |
"The turntable is a vibration measurement machine, any vibration. The world is polluted with noise, vibration. Hearing what is on the record means isolating the whole affair from other vibrations, ones that are not supposed to be there." EXACTLY why you want a TRUE MONO cartridge that will not generate noise from vertical movement of any kind. Far more than you realize. You cannot imagine the difference until you hear it for yourself. I am ever grateful I learned here and decided to try it. |
