Best Tonearms For Under $1K

I'm looking for the best sounding 10.5-inch tonearms for under $1,000.00 that I can use for my Technics SP-15.
Most of the tonearms that I like is in the $2K to 4K range.
There is a Japanese tonearm manufacturer that is selling for less than $1K and the name is Jelco. I found out that it is being partnered with Dr. Feickert Woodpecker turntable with Arche headshell.
Do you have any experience using Jelco tonearms? I prefer tonearms with detachable headshell so that I can use an Arche headshell that has adjustable stylus rake angle.

Thanks!

 

I have a Jelco 12" SA-750L on my PolyTable. I'm not real great at "audiosplaining" tonearm differences but it is definitely a resolving, stout tonearm that is easy to use and set up with intuitive anti-skate, VTA, and removeable headshells. Very glad I decided on this table with this arm, no complaints whatsoever. Jelco has a very good history in the tonearm game. Arguably the value leader out there.

 

Yes, Jelco is quite reputable. I once owned a Premier MMT tonearm manufactured by them and it performed well. Similar available on eBay for well under your budget:

JELCO SA-750E 10" Tonearm with Standard & Extra Heavier Counterweight, Japan | eBay

 

Dr. Feickert Analogue Woodpecker Turntable with 12" Jelco tonearm and Audio System Arche headshell

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arché - the true SRA-headshell






Arche headshell

 

To those who have used and heard this tonearm, did you notice anything that compromises the sound of your analog rig?

 

Surprised to hear that Jelco's are under $1,000. They're a very nice tonearm.

 

I'm lovin' my Jelco SA-750L 12"

 

Under $500 for the popular 750D

Edit: Oh, I see under $500 link already posted above for 750E, but yes, if you want a good adjustable S-shaped tonearm that anyone can easily buy, they are just about the only game now.

 

Jelcos easily compete with tonearms many times their cost.

 

Steampunk looking, I like it.

 

Audiomods tonearms and tonearm kits

 

Jelco tonearms are high quality and very difficult to beat at their price.

 

? Jelco arm is certainly more than enough for a technics SP-15. not sure what it would be a compromise in relation to.

 

jelco arms come in 9, 10, and 12" lengths. there is no 10.5.

They are well made and rather simple, but effective. That headshell on the other hand scares me...

 

That headshell interests me. Any good? or just cool looking?

 

According to Absolute Sound,

"The Arché headshell allows standard adjustments for overhang and azimuth, but also includes an adjustment for the stylus rake angle (SRA) at the headshell. This SRA feature allows for more flexibility with tonearms that don’t have adjustable VTA at or near the pivot point of the ’arm. Additionally, if the tonearm seems to function best when the ’arm is closer to level, the Arché allows you to level it while at the same time providing SRA adjustment at the headshell. This feature can come in handy when using different cartridge/Arché-headshell combinations."

Here is a review from Audio Asylum.
Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Acoustical Systems Arché - SRA Headshell Tone Arms by Stitch

 

And the Audiomods is good I'm told, but no 10.5". Do you have to have this length exactly?

 

I will measure my current tonearm when I get home tonight and will post it later tonight.
The tonearm I am replacing has mechanical problem. It was an old Technics tonearm EPA-100.

 

I am also looking for tonearm (ahead of time, I don't have the funds at the moment), and your budget is similar to mine. I think I will go with the Audiomods best model unless something changes. It gets a lot of good reviews from those that have bought it.

 

Rather than focusing on tonearm length shouldn't you seek out something with an equivalent spindle-to-pivot mounting distance? For example, the EPA-100 looks to require a 235mm s-p distance, while the Jelco 750e is 240mm. It may be difficult to find an exact match, and you may have to reconfigure the mounting hole.

John K.

 

I have a Jelco. No issues that I can discern. It was recommended by George Merrill, who built my AR.

 

The Jelco 750 series are very good tonearms (I've used a 750D for 7-8 years now) at around the $500 USD price pointand can be improved further without a huge outlay so that they are probably pretty competitive with arms costing 2-3 X as much IMO.

The biggest weakness with the Jelcos, particularly if you are using a cartridge with a sophisticated or exotic stylus profile (more extreme line contacts, microridge, Van den Hul, Fritz Geiger, etc.) is the mounting collar which is a bit sloppy and prevents you from achieving accurate azimuth across the full width of a record. Ammonite Acoustics in the UK manufacture a custom collar for about $60-$65 USD that offers superior mounting and eliminates this problem. I use it and would recommend it if you are going to use a high quality cartridge with a better stylus profile.

I'm sure the Arche headshell is very good but at $700 USD it is a bit rich for me. The Jelco arms are all fully adjustable (although not on the fly) for VTA/SRA; I'm a set and forget guy-adjusting SRA for individual records takes the hobby too far into audiophile nervosa for me.

While the stock Jelco headshell is quite good (and fully adjustable for azimuth), it can be bettered considerably in the sonics department by the Yamamoto HS4 carbon fiber headshell at around $115 U.S.

So $500 U.S. for arm + $65 U.S. for custom collar + $115 for Yamamoto HS4 = $680 USD. Very tough to beat at 2-3 X the price and extremely versatile with the fluid damping of the Jelco also. You could also pick up a couple of extra HS4's if you were running multiple cartridges that would make cartridge swapping very convenient. Not likely you'd think of doing that with the Arche unless you have very deep pockets haha!

 

Check out The Wand. Not visually to everyone's taste but then read the reviews.
Design Build Listen, home of The Wand Tonearm and DIY Hi Fi components

 

Look at the Acoustic Signature TA-500, 100% made in Germany. I replaced my Rega RB 202 with it and was a great upgrade.

 

That's a nine-inch arm with a much shorter mounting distance: 222mm (which is the same as the 202, which is why it was a drop-in replacement).

John K.