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Jelco Tone Arms 9 and 12 inch

I would love to find out how many if any are using this tone arm. Let me know the following:

1. Which length arm you are using?
2. What turntable you use the arm on?
3. What cartridge are you using with the most success?
4. Have you noticed any bearing or other problems?
5. What about their tone arm cables, which to buy?

I understand this company has made tone arms for a number of other high end turntable manufacturers with great success. If there are no major or other problems the Jelco tone arms look like a great buy.

I would very much appreciate any and all information and suggestions from forum members. The motor burned out of my old Cranfield Rock Turntable. The motor that lifts and lowers the Excalibur tone arm also malfunctioned. By the way my Excalibur arm is a very old model and not worth trying to save. I had thought about getting it rewired but decided after speaking with a rewire expert that it would be best to purchase a newer tone arm. So rather than try to get all of this repaired I am going to use the platter and bearing and build a new heavier plinth. I have already ordered a stand-a-lone motor for this project. I was thinking about using a 12 inch tone arm. A friend told me about the Jelco's which I had never heard of. They look interesting and they look like a quality product. I look forward to all your comments and suggestions.
rbwinterlink
fleib
1,124 posts
 
Apparently the 9" Jelco arms have an effective mass of 18g. This cab be adjusted somewhat, by using a different headshell. The stock shell is said to be 12g. The damping of the arm will allow it to be used with a much wider range of cartridges then would normally be possible with a heavy arm.

I know this because I looked into it, and was considering buying one. I've owned a Jelco made arm in the past (Linn) and thought it was very good for the little amount I paid.
grimace
624 posts
 
I have an AudioQuest PT-6 on my Sota. Easy to use. Simple to adjust. Stays set up the way you set it up. VTA is a pain with just an allen screw but that's my only complaint. Sounds very nice with an Audio Technica OC-9.
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
I have a Audioquest PT-6 on a VPI HMW-19 jr with a Benz Micro Gold cartridge. It sounds great and it is getting better.
Can anyone tell me what the best method for azimuth adjustment is with this setup? Also, is there a VTA accessory like the Pete Riggles that will work with this arm?
Thanks in advance.

utahusker
44 posts
 
I'm using an 8 gr LP Gear headshell with my 750d which lowers the effective mass to 14gr. A Koetsu black is being used with it now, with good results.
willieaspen
20 posts
 
Hi,

Not using one, but have been looking at them.

There is also a 10 inch model:

http://www.puremusicgroup.com/cart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=53

I also found some new accessories, to include a heavier counterweight and an 8 gram spacer, here:

http://www.soundhifi.com/jelco.html

I would love to see a 10-inch version of the 750...the 750L is too long for my needs.

Although the 10.5 looks like the 250S, the text claims it is oil-damped?!?!?

On the minus side, you have to shell out for the cable and I would like to have the heavy counterweight. All the models seem to max out at 12g w/the standard counterweight, which can be limiting. Unfortunately, the extra heavy counterweight doesn't specify the cart weight range and is stupidly expensive at 72 english pounds!!!!

If you want to be innovative, like Utahusker, you can change the headshell for a lighter one, which will lower the effective mass and raise the cartridge weight range.

But, that has its drawbacks as well. This means you may lose the azimuth adjustment and change the resonance of the arm.

vr,
Jeff
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