SUPATRAC Blackbird User manual

Instructions • Warranty
Blackbird
SUPATRAC
supatrac.com

1
SUPATRAC Blackbird
Thank you for choosing the SUPATRAC
Blackbird, a revolutionary tone arm for high-
performance turntables.
The Blackbird is the world’s first Sideways Uni-
Pivot Arm (SUPA) with a novel bearing design
(international patent pending) which directly
opposes the drag on the stylus so that energy
and time in musical recordings is reproduced
with exquisite accuracy.
This manual explains how to install, set up and
maintain your Blackbird Sideways Uni-Pivot
Arm for a lifetime of dependable performance.
INDEX
Diagrammes page 2
Box contents page 4
Carriage page 4
Installation page 5
Set-up page 11
Disassembly page 14
Maintenance page 15
Solving problems page 16
Further information page 16
Warranty page 17

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SUPATRAC Blackbird
Parts and Their Names
HAZARD WARNING:
SHARP EDGES - USE
GLOVES PROVIDED
TO AVOID INJURY
base
pillar
arm tube
headshell
counterweight
right hoist
post
thrust box
bias rig
finger lifter
pivot bolt
hoist pipe
hoist pipe eye
hoist pipe
lock screw
pivot bolt
pivot point
post
pillar
3
DANGER WARNING:
SMALL MAGNETS -
KEEP AWAY FROM
CHILDREN
base
pillar
arm tube
headshell
counterweight
right hoist
post
thrust box
bias rig
finger lifter
pivot bolt
rest magnets
spool
grip
hoist spools
pivot lock nut
pivot bolt
pivot magnets

BOX CONTENTS
Tone-arm
Arm support pillar
Mounting base
Counterweight
Inertia adjuster
Base bolts & washers
Alternative bias weight
Amplifier cable
Downforce scale
Rigid finger-lifter
Through cable clamp
Spare filament and toggles
Safety gloves
Allen keys
Spanner
Screwdriver
Tweezers
Protractor
Instructions & warranty
CARRIAGE
To transport a turntable short distances with
your Sideways Uni-Pivot Arm attached it is
recommended that you…
1. place a folded handkerchief or other
cushion between the pivot point and thrust
plate
2. stabilise the arm with a support or tape
3. attach a stylus guard
For longer journeys it is recommended that you
remove the arm from the post so that it can be
packed separately. See the section on
‘Disassembly’.
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INSTALLATION
Install Base
Attach the base to the arm board or plinth of
your turntable using M5 bolts (included).
Install Pillar
Insert the pillar into the base, taking care not to
drop it. The post or bias rig can safely be held up
with one hand while gently tightening the pillar
locking bolt with the other.
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pillar
pillar locking bolt
base
bias rig
post
base
base bolts

Orient the post so that the pivot points away
from the last track of a record and is level with
the platter surface. Do not over-tighten the
pillar-locking bolt.
Install Electrics
Place a handkerchief on the rear of the base as a
cushion for the thrust box. Sit the arm in
position and lift the headshell end to point
upwards so that arm wire plugs can be pushed
onto the connector pins inside the pillar using
tweezers. Take care not to strain or snag the
wires as they are necessarily light and fragile.
The positions of the pins are shown below:
Install Hoists
Insert the hoist toggles into the 4mm holes on
the thrust-box to the left and right of the pivot
point, and ensure that they are fully through
the holes and snagged. The left hoist toggle is
attached to the left hoist and the bias pulley
thread, which passes through the bias rig.
R- R+
L- L+
Red
Green
Yellow
Blue
White
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left hoist
toggle
left hoist hole
The right hoist toggle is attached only to the
right hoist. Allow the arm to rest gently against
the post, and tighten the spools so that the arm
is suspended level, and the pivot point makes
contact with the thrust box exactly on the
straight line between the hoist flex points.
A straight-edged slip of paper can help to
establish correct pivot height. Insert the paper
between the hoists and the thrust box and raise
the headshell so that the paper’s straight edge
sits on the hoist flex points. Pivot contact should
occur at or just below the paper’s edge.
Install Counterweight
The magnetic counterweight attaches under the
thrust box and can be slid forwards and
backwards to adjust the downforce at the stylus
end. Take care to restrict movement of the arm
while adjusting the counterweight. Use the
supplied scale to set the required downforce
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right hoist
toggle
right hoist hole
pivot bolt
straight edge
paper
hoists
thrust box

(see Set-up: Downforce). An inertia ('effective
mass') adjuster is also included, so be sure to set
downforce after placing the inertia adjuster on
the arm in the desired position.
Adjusting the inertia to suit the cartridge
suspension is important. Compliant cartridges
need a less inert arm, and stiffer cartridges, a
more inert. Good results can be achieved by trial
and error, or by calculation. A nine-inch
Blackbird has an effective mass of around 10g
without the inertia adjuster.
Install Pivot Magnets
Two cylindrical neodymium magnets may be
attached to the flat end of the pivot bolt in order
to maintain pivot contact magnetically.
Install Cartridge
Placing a folded handkerchief between the pivot
point and thrust box protects the pivot point so
it is not necessary to dismount the arm for
cartridge installation. For a three-bolt cartridge,
remove the finger-lifter before installing the
cartridge and use the finger-lifter hole to insert
an Allen key or screwdriver to tighten the third
cartridge bolt.
Remove String-lifter
You should be less likely to lose control of the
arm and damage your cartridge with the string-
lifter, so it is recommended. A firm grip on the
string can be gained without applying
significant sideways or downwards forces on
the cartridge suspension.
If you wish to replace the string-lifter with the
supplied rigid finger-lifter, use tweezers to pull
the knot at the base of the string out from inside
the arm tube, untie the knot, and pull through.
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Install Rigid Finger-lifter
To bolt the rigid finger-lifter in place, use a
sticky putty or a small loop of sticky tape on the
end of a screwdriver to hold the nut in position
inside the arm tube to receive the countersunk
M3 bolt. Once the nut and bolt have engaged,
insert a flat screwdriver end between the nut
and the inner wall of the arm tube to lock the
nut so that you can tighten the bolt. Do not over-
tighten as this could damage the fragile carbon-
fibre arm tube.
Set Bias
Bias (‘anti-skate’ force) is set in three ways.
First, the difference between applied bias at the
start and end of the record is adjusted by
shortening or lengthening the bias pulley. Bias
force varies more between the rotor’s 11 o'clock
and 12 o'clock positions than between 9 o'clock
and 10 o'clock. Shortening the pulley will
increase the range of applied bias. To shorten it,
pull at the loose end when the arm is at rest.
Lengthen it by cuing the arm beyond the last
track of the record or further.
Always lengthen the pulley enough to ensure
that the bias rotor does not reach the vertical
position before the end of playback. A figure-of-
eight pattern through the bias rotor’s three
holes, as illustrated, is normally enough to grip
the bias thread but allow it to slip when forced.
Add a loop if it slips too easily.
bias rotor
bias pulley
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Secondly, the overall bias is set by tightening or
loosing the grub screw inside the rotor. The
further the grub screw is from the rotor’s axle,
the more bias will be applied. Do not tighten as
far as the axle.
Finally, it is possible to adjust bias by rotating
the pillar in the base if you have difficulty
reaching correct bias by the above methods.
Arm-Rest Magnets
In the rest position the thrust box attaches to
one, two, or three magnets in the bias rig, which
can be advanced or withdrawn using a
screwdriver to achieve a stable arm-rest
position. One magnet in the outer position is
often adequate, but adding a second or third
magnet in the other holes can help to achieve a
stable rest position.
Alignment
SUPATRAC’s ‘SUPATRACTOR’ is included to
make it easy to establish optimal spindle-to-
pivot distance, cartridge overhang and null
point alignment.
If it is difficult to set these distances optimally
on your turntable, you can slightly adjust
spindle-to-pivot distance by withdrawing or
extending both the pivot bolt and hoist pipe in
equal measure. If this is done, the pillar will no
longer conserve geometry when it is rotated in
the base, and configurations involving large
rotations of the arm pillar will slightly alter the
spindle-to-pivot distance. Please refer to online
geometry calculators or your own calculations
as the broad subject of arm geometry
optimisation is capable of lengthy analysis.
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SET-UP & FINE-TUNING
As with other tone arms, inaccurate
configuration can produce poor results,
whereas precise tuning will enable you to get
the best from your records. Please ensure that
your turntable is level before fine-tuning.
As the suspension settles in, it is worth
regularly checking bias, suspension height, lean
(‘azimuth’) and adjusting the arm’s geometry to
ensure that all are optimal.
Downforce & Inertia
Set downforce and inertia using the
counterweight which attaches magnetically to
the underside of the thrust box, and the inertia
adjuster which sits across the arm like a saddle
between the cartridge and pivot. The further
both weights are from the pivot, the higher will
be the arm’s inertia (‘effective mass’). High
compliance cartridges work better with low
inertia, whereas low compliance cartridges
work better with higher inertia.
Downforce Scale Use
Place the supplied downforce scale on the
platter. The coin-sized rebates accommodate a
UK penny, a US cent or a Euro centime as the
balancing weight. The dimples represent 1/10
gram increments in the range 1.2g - 4g. Adjust
the counter-weight until the scale balances with
your stylus resting in the dimple corresponding
to your desired downforce.
Blackbird’s low pivot means that your stylus
should maintain contact with the record even at
minimum recommended downforce, or lower.
Consistent tracking with low downforce can
reduce wear on records and styluses.
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Bias Tuning
Bias is required to ensure that both sides of the
stylus have roughly equal contact pressure with
records even though they pull the arm at an
angle (‘offset’).
Ensure that the electric wiring is free and clear
and not constraining arm movement before
setting bias.
Bias is supplied by the bias rotor, which pulls a
polyester thread attached to the left hoist
toggle. The force is adjusted by screwing the
bias weight grub screw into the bias rotor. A
heavier grub screw (M6) is also supplied. The
difference (ratio) between the bias at the start
and end of a record can be changed by
shortening or lengthening the bias thread (see
installation). After adjusting the ratio it may be
necessary to adjust the bias weight again.
Repeat until bias across the record is roughly
appropriate.
Exact bias is dependent on signal strength,
record speed and many other factors, so aim for
a level of bias which roughly neutralises the net
sideways playback forces on the stylus.
Recommended ways of judging bias are:
1. looking at the cantilever exactly head-on
while music is playing
2. observing whether the arm moves
centripetally or centrifugally when the
stylus is lowered onto the flat surfaces
between the grooves
3. listening for balance across speakers with
passages which are difficult to track or with
a test/set-up record
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Vertical Tracking Angle
Vertical tracking angle can be set by raising or
lowering the pillar. Take care to support the
pillar while loosing the locking screw as there is
no brake. Slide the pillar up or down and gently
tighten the locking screw. The tightness of the
locking screw can affect the sound, so adjust it
to taste. Tighter is often not better.
Suspension Height and
Cartridge Lean
Lean, commonly called ‘azimuth’, is the extent
to which the cartridge leans towards the centre
of the record or away from it. Zero lean is
important for accurate playback and stylus/
record longevity. Lean can be adjusted by
shortening or loosing the left and right hoists
using the hoist spools.
IMPORTANT: when the arm is suspended at
the correct height, the pivot point must make
contact with the thrust box on the straight
line between the two points where the hoists
meet the thrust box.
The installation section explains how to use a
piece of paper to set pivot height.
Once the correct height is set, lean can be
adjusted by shortening and lengthening the two
hoists in equal and opposite measure so that the
pivot contact remains on the line between the
suspension points. Always check that the pivot
contact lies on this line after adjustments by
resettling the suspension and applying the
paper test again. A period of incremental
adjustments to suspension height may help to
establish optimal performance.
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DISASSEMBLY
To disassemble, reverse the installation.
1. Protect your stylus with a guard.
2. Gently lift the arm to raise it and use the
tweezers to feed the left and right hoist
toggles through the hoist holes in the thrust
box, being careful not to tug the electrical
connections destructively.
3. Use the tweezers to unplug the electrical
contacts by gripping the plugs with
tweezers, not the wires, and gently pull
them upwards until they detach.
4. The arm is now detached and can be stored
somewhere safe.
5. Unplug the amplifier cable from the pillar.
6. Loosen the pillar locking bolt, taking care
not to allow the pillar to drop, and remove
the pillar.
7. Unbolt the base.
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MAINTENANCE
ROUTINE CHECKS
Thrust Box Bolts
After long periods check that the bolts which
attach the arm to the thrust box are tight. Do
not overtighten as this could split the carbon-
fibre tubes.
Pivot point
A severely blunted pivot point might
compromise performance. However, it is easy to
replace the pivot bolt with a newly-sharpened
one. Contact Supatrac for more information.
Hoists
Look for fraying of the hoists at flexion points
like the hoist pipe eye, which can indicate that
they are ready for replacement. They should last
a long time with normal use, and if they look to
be in sound condition then there is no need to
change them.
When replacing hoists, use the bend of a slip
knot around the hoist toggles, and a boom hitch
around the spools.
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boom hitch

SOLVING PROBLEMS
Inconsistent Lean
When the arm is new, or when adjustments are
made, lean may vary slightly between the start
and end of a record. This will normally pass as
the hoists settle in.
If this persists, it may result from under-
extension of the hoist pipe eye relative to the
pivot point. To extend the hoist pipe, loosen the
hoist pipe locking screw and push the hoist pipe
further out so that its eye is directly above the
pivot point. The sideways uni-pivot bearing
works best if the eye is directly above the pivot
point. Do not over-extend the hoist pipe lest
contact at the pivot be lost.
Excess Bias
Excess bias may arise from the eye of the hoist
pipe being too near the post as compared to the
pivot. Extend the hoist pipe as described above.
FURTHER INFORMATION
SUPATRAC tone-arms are designed and made
by hand in Chelsea, London, England.
For further information, please visit
www.supatrac.com or email [e-mail]
© SUPATRAC 2021
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hoist pipe
hoist pipe eye
hoist pipe
lock screw
pivot bolt
pivot point
post
pillar
WARRANTY
Conditions of the Five Year Warranty
(For tone arms sold within the UK)
Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter,
your Supasound tone arm is automatically
covered by a 5 Year parts and labour Warranty
(except for those tone arms or components
specified in Clause 2). No registration is
required. Warranty start date will commence
from the initial date of purchase of the tone
arm and any tone arm greater than 5 years old
from Supasound Ltd shipment date will require
proof of purchase. This Warranty is transferable
from owner to owner and will apply and remain
with the tone arm from the initial date of
purchase for a 5 Year term in the UK. This
Warranty is not transferable outside the UK.
1. What is included in this Warranty?
If a Supasound tone arm is defective in normal
domestic use due to a fault in materials or
workmanship, Supasound Limited
(“Supasound”) will at its discretion either
regulate, adjust, repair or replace it free of
charge (subject to the following), within a
reasonable time after such tone arm is returned
to Supasound’s address at 109 Cheyne Walk,
London SW10 0DJ, United Kingdom. This
Warranty covers the cost of parts and
associated labour required to correct such
defects in materials or workmanship intimated
to your retailer or Supasound during a period of
5 years from the initial date of purchase.
2. What is excluded from this Warranty?
This Warranty does NOT cover:
A. damage to Supasound tone arms while in
possession of a shipper, retailer, or
consumer and not caused by defects in
materials or workmanship;
B. damage to Supasound tone arms arising due
to or from normal wear and tear;
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