It's really quite something. I've deliberately not put on any great pressings but it is phenomenal.
That's what I did Robert. Sold my Audiomods 6. No regrets. I played Cape Verdean Blues earlier. Van Gelder master.Holy shiteski, that arm looks awesome on that ‘table. I need to sell some stuff. I lust after a Blackbird now…
The Blackbird delivered phenomenal dynamics, thunderous drums with all the textures of cymbals, rim shots etc. Micro dynamics in a solo are clearer.
Great! With an XV15/625e.
Think of the future. After the great reset you're not going to face huge college fees. Gen X rules!
Just curious, have you sent out any review arms to the Hi-Fi press, or perhaps some of the more well known dealers such as Cymbiosis who are well versed in using different arms on the LP12?
Can't believe I've not looked at this thread before, assumed it was a discussion about buying an Ekos cheap!
Superb work and congratulations to sonddek on getting this out there in what 12 months?
Nice to see something different, and £1500 is perfectly reasonable for a quality arm. To those wanting it done on the cheap, this isn't the 1980s.
Ah, perfectly understood! It has been truly fascinating to watch the development and how the arm has come together, and hope the parts supplier help you manage the efficiencies of production, which I can imagine will be quite challenging. Look forward to more user experiences and of course, dealer feedback too.Not yet - I'm trying to get to the point where I'm confident about ramping up production before legacy press reviews. There's no point provoking burgeoning demand if you can't supply. I'm about to make a first order with a manufactured parts supplier because I can't keep up with current demand if I continue to make everything myself. Paying customers are waiting for their arms and I'm in the workshop non-stop.
I understand that a dealer is about to install a customer's Blackbird on his Sondek shortly, so more reports should be coming soon.
Like thisMany of the people ordering a Blackbird are requesting longer arms. I can cut the arm to any length. Don't forget serial number 1 was a 12.5 inch arm for the left mount on a SL-1000R.
If you supply your spindle-to-pivot distance I can supply the Blackbird in the optimal length/offset for your deck.
Can't believe I've not looked at this thread before, assumed it was a discussion about buying an Ekos cheap!
Superb work and congratulations to sonddek on getting this out there in what 12 months?
Nice to see something different, and £1500 is perfectly reasonable for a quality arm. To those wanting it done on the cheap, this isn't the 1980s.
A ridiculous post.May I respectfully suggest that to avoid any completely unintentional racial connections , it may be worth changing the name to say Songbird. Blackbirder and Blackbirding have undoubted slave trade connotations.
Quite right. In fact we should exterminate all species of Blackbirds and then never refer to them again.May I respectfully suggest that to avoid any completely unintentional racial connections , it may be worth changing the name to say Songbird. Blackbirder and Blackbirding have undoubted slave trade connotations.
...yesterday while listening to old favourite records with my SUPA-KLON on a 1960 Gates studio drive we came to a nice point. Firstly, it is absolutely amazing that no one has come up with your solution in 100 years of phono technology. Secondly, if tonearms had been tracking so perfectly for 50 years, the CD would never have won!
I'm in agreement Arndt. Precise, yes. I've had my Blackbird for almost 2 weeks.
Precise, solid, spacious, textural...
@sonddek , I'm intrigued that you seem to encourage copies of your design; have you made it to be open source?
What an absolute crock, please climb back under your bridge.May I respectfully suggest that to avoid any completely unintentional racial connections , it may be worth changing the name to say Songbird. Blackbirder and Blackbirding have undoubted slave trade connotations.
Since I decided to patent and sell the arm, I knew that the internet and patent publication would make the details of the unique bearing widely available, and that people would soon be able to make their own versions for personal use. The only way to control that would be to keep the design secret, which would be a pity. Given those facts, it makes sense to embrace the efforts of those who want to enjoy their records to the maximum like me, but can't afford to buy a SUPATRAC arm. IP law generally offers protection from commercial exploitation of an invention for a period - it doesn't stop others exploring the idea for personal use.
Since I decided to patent and sell the arm, I knew that the internet and patent publication would make the details of the unique bearing widely available, and that people would soon be able to make their own versions for personal use. The only way to control that would be to keep the design secret, which would be a pity. Given those facts, it makes sense to embrace the efforts of those who want to enjoy their records to the maximum like me, but can't afford to buy a SUPATRAC arm. IP law generally offers protection from commercial exploitation of an invention for a period - it doesn't stop others exploring the idea for personal use.