Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird
High-end turntables · 2012–present In production
£8,499 UK RRP
A twin-tonearm reference belt-drive, popular with reviewers for comparing cartridges and arms on one platform.
Checked against the manufacturer’s site: 2026-07
Who it suits
Best suited to: an established system where the amp, speakers and room can resolve what this deck retrieves from the groove. Less ideal for: a first turntable — the same budget goes much further spent on mid-range separates first.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- Sold without a cartridge fitted — budget for a compatible cartridge and setup before first use.
- Professional setup of tracking force, alignment, azimuth and arm height is worth budgeting for at this level.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45/78 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | sold bare |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | POM/aluminium, heavy |
| Tonearm | sold bare (two arms) |
| Dimensions | 530 mm x 420 mm x 150 mm |
| Weight | 22 kg |
| Finishes | Black standard; Walnut and Macassar shown on manufacturer site; other finishes available on request from +£500 (per UK dealer) |
| Warranty | 2 years (chassis and electronics), 5 years (bearing) |
| Years | 2012–present |
How it sits in the catalogue
Its belt-drive mechanism is the majority choice in the database (130 of 159). On price it sits mid-pack of its category — 68% of priced high-end decks cost less.
Live merchant offers
Checking current in-stock offers for Dr. Feickert Analogue Blackbird…
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