Best Phono Stage within 2000 $

I have absolutely no reason to believe that the "Feickert" is a different tonearm than the 10.5 S on the Pure Music Group site based on:

1) the description of the bearing(s) and the rest of the arm on the Feickert and Pure Music websites which are almost verbatim

2) the physical appearance of the arms on both websites and

3) inquiries I made with respect to the tonearm. If someone can't send an e-mail asking a few questions then they probably deserve to pay five or six hundred dollars more for what certainly appear to be the same product. Wouldn't be the first time it's happened in "high end" audio. In my experience, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's usually a duck.

What I'm trying to find out now is if the 9" Jelco 750D has the same bearings as the 10.5 S. If I can establish that it does, it might swing my tonearm decision in favor of the 750D as the cost differential between it and the SME 309 is substantial and the 750D appears to have much higher effective mass which would potentially be a better match with my cartridge.

FWIW, I have absolutely no affiliation with either Feickert or Pure Music Group. Just trying to put out a bit of info which may save someone some money on what certainly appear to be the same arm.

So if Christian Feickert says it different -then you're saying he is a liar... is that right? The whole 'duck' thing doesn't always apply in life. You can't judge a book by it's cover is more applicable - I find.

Hdm - I appreciate the information. It will be interesting to hear what Chris Feickert says.

Since you've done the research, who would be good resources for me to contact to confirm whether or not these arms are one and the same? Combined with the information to be provided by Robm1 I'll then draw my own conclusion.

I'd fully expect Christian Feickert to say it's different based on his selling price. As a consumer, would I believe it? Probably not based on what I posted above. I would believe it if I received 1) physical proof of the differences (ie. if the bearings are different, an example of the superior vs. the inferior bearing(s) or similar physical proof) or 2) confirmation from Jelco that there are indeed differences. Both of which will very likely never happen. An OEM manufacturer like Jelco will never disclose differences like this even if they are different, nor will they disclose that the product is identical.

As a consumer, you can draw your own conclusions just as I can draw mine. Historically, though, if what I'm suggesting is true it would not very likely be the first time it has happened with Jelco, which have always done a huge, under the radar OEM business, and in doing so have produced great value tonearms. I currently use one: a Sumiko Premiere FT3. That's not to say, however, that others have not tried to cash in selling them for much more money. Do some research on the Graham Robin or the Koetsu tonearm for example.

When it gets right down to it, without physical proof, it's simply hearsay from both sides. As I've made perfectly clear, there's nothing in it for me, so draw your own conclusions, believe who you want to believe and buy any arm you want to.

The Feickert looks black bronzed while the normal Jelco 10.5S is chrome finish
I guess the Feickert is sold with a better phono cables while the normal Jelco with the cheapo one
Probably these are the differences from the two arms

IMHO