Information about the SUPATRAC Blackbird tone arm... http://www.supatrac.com/4arms.jpg http://www.supatrac.com/box.jpg http://www.supatrac.com/insidebox.jpg More info here: SUPATRAC Manual beta here: https://www.supatrac.com/manual.pdf Linn compatible version pictured. Rega and SME compatible turntable mounts under development.
This is a new kind of uni-pivot which has no freedom to roll or rub in the time axis since the pivot points away from the stylus and the suspension is laterally stable. The bearing has more in common with a 4point than an ARO. It is not a uni-pivot in the traditional sense. What is your objection to uni-pivots other than rub and roll?
Not very aesthetically appealing, kind of industrial with the twin channel construction, but I guess that could also be said for some other tonearms that have been successfully marketed in the high end. I do wonder how big the market is for unusual tonearm designs like this, with a price pushing $2000.
At an introductory price of £750, it's a tempting buy. There's no information on the product page about how the arm is wired or confirmation that it is supplied pre-wired, so that's a problem. Time for an email to them to find out.
The standard internal wiring is copper litz, and the arm cable is Mogami Neglex 2549 with a standard 5-pin DIN plug as with Linn and SME arms. This information has now been added to the web site.
Serial number 2 is now in use, and this is the recipient's assessment: His deck is a Sondek and he normally uses a Tiger Paw Javelin.
Adam of hifiaf.com has spent a couple of weeks with a Supatrac Blackbird and published the first vlog short review. He calls the Blackbird "revolutionary" and "mind-blowing":
I've uploaded an updated manual here: http://www.supasound.com/manual.pdf I've also started making a new style of thrust box designed to go well with a fluted Sondek. I'm calling it 'death star'.
You really threw away the rule book, didn't you? Your positioning of the unipivot-point could solve a lot of problems, it's certainly innovative — it's the only place nobody has ever put a bearing — and seems brilliant. I say "seems" because I'd have to use the arm to really judge, and I don't how that could happen — but congratulations anyway!
10.5 inch version is looking and sounding good on a Well Tempered... http://www.supasound.com/videos/wtasilent.mp4
The video isn't found, maybe misspelled, but you are gonna have to get one mounted on a Technics SL-1200G/GR to get interest up around here