The High output version replaced my Ortofon 2M bronze...and even before finessing the alignment, it brought a smile to my face, as it brought more life to the music. Following the detailed set-up instructions - which are very clear, made the adjustments simple to do. Your ears are used to judge the optimum set-up. Compared to the Ortofon, I found the Blackbird to be more alive, with more detail - as in being able to hear "deeper" into the music / soundstage. The quoted output of 2.5mV is lower than that quoted for the Ortofon, but to me, it's audibly the same (spec values are quoted at a lower velocity...) My Monitor Audio speakers have all but vanished and all I hear is the music. It's coherent and stable. Fabulous!!

I have nothing negative to say - but just be careful when installing this cartridge and do take the time to align it - it's worth it. Not a negative, but I purchased it with about 30 hours on it.

All the positive stuff that's written about this cart I find is true. The only thing that prevents me giving this 5 stars overall is mounting. Its threaded instead of drilled through for allen nut and bolt. Not a great setup for a Rega arm. This design doesn't allow more versatile cart alignments-only Stevenson. With supplied hardware, cart doesn't slide forward enough for Baerwald setup. Would have to tweak slots to make it happen. Otherwise, awesome cart for price. Maybe even more dynamic with other setups? Also, I see reviews are eons old and that list price has gone up a couple of bucks which I had to pay. Surprisingly, the needle that looks like a disaster
waiting to happen, is quite rugged. I've bumped it a few times and still straight and unfazed. Makes your blood pressure jump for a second before you see needle is okay.

Get absolutely everything out of your vinyl. Just want to go through all your vinyls and listen how every one of them sounds like.

Absolutely none. Just bare with it the first 20 hours.

Been a vinyl lover from my late schooldays in the 70's, I have not hear a cartridge track a record from start to finish so perfectly. I bought it new, and the first 20 hour run in was quite rough. Basically like driving a S-class Mercedes on a rough dirt road for the first 20 hours, and then suddendly hit a very smooth road. Unbelievable that the sound just opened up. Have heard from another guy that the run in on his Black Bird was not so hectic as mine. Getting better with the hour, with around 50 hours on the stylus, it is just one hell of a nice experience to sit down and listen to your vinyls. Surface noise is extremely soft, just the music taking over, with nice solid base and good soundstage. I'm using the Black Bird on a Linn LP12 with an early 80's Fidelity Research FR 66 tone arm. The FR 66 was well known for good tracking, and both it and the Black Bird compliment each other. Comparing recordings like 'Hell freezes over' by the Eagles on Vinyl, DVD and CD, the vinyl version came totally on tops!!

Customer Service

Well known to the guy from Croak Audio. Excellent service and advice

Similar Products Used:

Linn K9 Moving magnet.
Ortofon MC3 Turbo
Sumiko Special blue point EVO 3

Perfect highs, midrange and bass response. Price

NONE

I have owned many 2K to 3K cartridges over the years from Benz to Grado and neither can come close to this cartridge.This bird kicks them both in the coils. Oh did I mention that it's cost is only 799.00?