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Jelco tonearms ??

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Posted on November 5, 2009 at 18:55:34
Mark W.
Audiophile

Posts: 725
Location: Oregon
Joined: March 13, 2006
I'm working on a project turntable and want an S curve tonearm with interchangable headshells. This will be a second arm for a table. someone recommended a Jelco so I went looking and found a number of models that looked to be in my price range (under $300.00 used) the look is similar to the original tonearm that is on the table.

It's job will be as a cartridge and LP tester to help save my main cart.

So any experiance with any of the Jelco or Jelco made OEM tonearms I should know or look for?



RE: Jelco tonearms ??, posted on November 7, 2009 at 12:38:06
philltubes
Audiophile

Posts: 164
Location: Atlanta
Joined: January 8, 2007
I bought a 250 straight arm direct from Japan recently and had a problem with it. I had to ship it back at my cost, in the end they sent me a new arm with a complimentary tone arm cable and several headshells (although the headshell on my arm is not removable).

They took care of the problem in a timely manner and supplied me with some, as they call it, gifts. Great customer service and the arm sounds wonderful on my ROK especially with their tone arm cable.

RE: Jelco tonearms ??, posted on November 6, 2009 at 07:03:55
Posts: 2881
Location: Powell, Wyoming
Joined: July 23, 2007
Hi Mark,

I've got one on my Technics SP-15 and I'm completely satisfied with its performance.




Better than an OL Silver?, posted on November 6, 2009 at 11:39:12
gortnipper
Audiophile

Posts: 502
Location: Seattle expat in Auckland
Joined: November 28, 2003
Or a modded RB300?

I have a mate who lives in Japan coming to visit me in a couple of months, and have been kicking around the idea of having him fetch me a 12" Jelco.

But, would it be a clear upgrade to an Origin Live Silver mk2?

RE: Better than an OL Silver?, posted on November 7, 2009 at 21:25:29
Posts: 2881
Location: Powell, Wyoming
Joined: July 23, 2007
gortnipper,

I've not had the opportunity to compare my Jelco tonearm to a RB300 or Origin Live. And it's not likely I ever will.

I bought the Jelco primarily because its length allows me to spin the occasional 16" disc. It also does a fine job with 78s, which is what I use the SP-15 for most of the time.

I'm using an SA-370H on my LP12......., posted on November 5, 2009 at 21:50:43
vinylkid58
Audiophile

Posts: 413
Location: West Coast
Joined: April 23, 2003
Light years better than the Akito I that was on it, and the convenience of a removable head-shell. Works very well with a Denon DL-103R.

Jeff

RE: Jelco tonearms ??, posted on November 5, 2009 at 21:33:50
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 1493
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
September 24, 2009

Jelco has a few "S" shaped tonearms. There is a 9", 10.5" and 12" in different price ranges and qualities. I have the 10.5 and simply love it.

RE: Jelco tonearms ??, posted on November 5, 2009 at 20:35:29
Iain42
Audiophile

Posts: 272
Location: Arcansaw
Joined: February 10, 2004

I picked the 12 inch Jelco and it seems very nice. I've almost finished the plinth. It has been sent off for finishing. The pic isn't the final layout but close. After looking at vintage arms I decided I wanted something new and reasonable. If the Jelco sounds as good as it looks we should all be happy.


High sensitivity, wide dynamic range, low distortion, and smooth frequency response. Pwk

Just bought one of those yesterday., posted on November 7, 2009 at 00:19:34
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 2826
Location: Yorkshire
Joined: April 4, 2000
And will be using it with my 401. My plinth is slate but CLD's were a choice for me. Dressed slightly differently, with an addition here or there, you might recognise the modern Ortofon arms and a rather different price...


big j

"...only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


Will be using a Jelco SA-370H on my Thorens TD-150., posted on November 5, 2009 at 20:03:53
Opus 104
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Posts: 2716
Location: Northern Virginia
Joined: June 13, 2008
Contributor
  Since:
July 20, 2008








Main cart will be a Dyna 20XL.


"It was a dark and stormy night. I had taken a creative writing course." – Crow T. Robot, MST 3000.


Is that not the same thing as the, posted on November 5, 2009 at 22:00:56
kavakidd
Audiophile

Posts: 14056
Location: Upstate NY
Joined: April 15, 2004
Contributor
  Since:
April 21, 2004
Sumiko Premier MMT?

"Man is the only animal that blushes - or needs to" Mark Twain

It is very similar alright., posted on November 6, 2009 at 02:36:00
B.K.
Audiophile

Posts: 569
Location: Ireland
Joined: February 18, 2007
Contributor
  Since:
March 12, 2007
Here is a link to a HiFi World review in which they reviewed the Jelco 750D and compared it with a Sumiko Premier MMT.

Best regards,

BK

RE: Will be using a Jelco SA-370H on my Thorens TD-150., posted on November 5, 2009 at 21:30:32
AudioSoul
Audiophile

Posts: 1493
Location: north central AZ
Joined: July 9, 2005
Contributor
  Since:
September 24, 2009


WOW Henry your TT looks great! Do you have an eta on when you will have it? I am curious how it sounds compared to your Scout......

Not sure. But soon. Awaiting results on the laquer and, posted on November 6, 2009 at 04:38:32
Opus 104
Audiophile

Posts: 2716
Location: Northern Virginia
Joined: June 13, 2008
Contributor
  Since:
July 20, 2008
fitting the cherry armboard.


"It was a dark and stormy night. I had taken a creative writing course." – Crow T. Robot, MST 3000.


RE: Jelco tonearms ??, posted on November 5, 2009 at 19:51:35
blake
Audiophile

Posts: 363
Joined: May 25, 2000
For a secondary system and for what you've described, I'd say this is what you want:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtnrm&1261091310&/Jelco-SA-250-S-Shape-japanese-

A very competent arm I'm sure, probably the equal of or better than the MMT which it seems to be modelled after.

I recently bought a 750D to replace a Sumiko Premiere FT3 (another Jelco arm) and have been extremely happy.

The Jelco stuff is a bargain IMO; I really doubt you can do better for the money, and that is at new prices, not used.

RE: Jelco tonearms ??, posted on November 5, 2009 at 19:40:14
hesson11
Audiophile

Posts: 623
Location: Florida
Joined: December 8, 2005
Sorry I have no firsthand knowledge, but have you searched the forum? There's been a good deal of talk about Jelco, and you may find the info you're looking for——or at least kill some time before folks chime in here.

-Bob

RE: Jelco tonearms ??, posted on November 5, 2009 at 19:58:02
Mark W.
Audiophile

Posts: 725
Location: Oregon
Joined: March 13, 2006
Thanks I'll do that I was mostly bored and wanted to start a conversation about these.

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