[Bob2]

I'm looking to upgrade my vinyl experience so I am starting with a new arm and cartridge. Somewhere around $1000 for the arm. Like amount for the cart. 9 inch arm..
Current arm is from a Thorens and using Denon 110. Most vinyl folks here are way ahead of me vinyl experience wise so I look to you.
Appreciate any thoughts..

[Minn Mark]

In the US, contact Jerry Raskin's The Needle Doctor. They have wide variety of arms and carts and their staff can help you find a complementary match for your needs and 'table. I have used them for years. Highly recommended.

http://www.needledoctor.com

Cheers,

Mark

[Blackmore]

I'd have to vote for something from Jelco.  There are some great tables using those arms.  I personally use the Ortofon TA 110 (looks a lot like a Jelco) but that's above your price point and the Jelco arms fit nicely.  Good luck with the hunt and hope you can find the perfect match. Needledoctor is a great resource.

[BigguyinATL]

I have a perfect (with two headshells) Grace 704 unipivot I'm thinking of selling for a good price ($750)?   It is on a Thorens TD125Mk11 and served me well - I'm doing a full restore on a Rabco that going to find its way back home as the original arm on the Thorens.

[Bob2]

Hey Mark, thanks for the info. Been looking at the arms @Needle Doctor. If I don't get some solid recommends here I'll give'em a call.

I'd have to vote for something from Jelco.  There are some great tables using those arms.  I personally use the Ortofon TA 110 (looks a lot like a Jelco) but that's above your price point and the Jelco arms fit nicely.  Good luck with the hunt and hope you can find the perfect match. Needledoctor is a great resource.

Thanks! I see some of the Jelco arms on ebay. Any particular version?

I have a perfect (with two headshells) Grace 704 unipivot I'm thinking of selling for a good price ($750)?   It is on a Thorens TD125Mk11 and served me well - I'm doing a full restore on a Rabco that going to find its way back home as the original arm on the Thorens.

Sounds interesting! Post a photo if you can. Meanwhile I'll do a bit of research on the Grace.

I'm also wondering if one of the linear setups would have an advantage..

Price wise I have some latitude but If I'm paying big bucks I want to get as close to "right" the first time...if that's even possible!

[TomS]

Slightly above your budget but IMHO worth every penny, I've had a the Trans-Fi Terminator T3Pro linear arm for several years. He's continued to incrementally improve it over time, at very reasonable cost, for the newest tweaks and arm wands.

http://www.trans-fi.com/terminatortonearm.htm

[Bob2]

Slightly above your budget but IMHO worth every penny, I've had a the Trans-Fi Terminator T3Pro linear arm for several years. He's continued to incrementally improve it over time, at very reasonable cost, for the newest tweaks and arm wands.

http://www.trans-fi.com/terminatortonearm.htm

Thanks for the link. I realize pricing on the Terminator ....Never mind, found it!

[advanced101]

For a sub $1000 tonearm, I would go Audiomods.

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/completearms.html


Jelco and Ortofon are solid recommendations too.

[sunnydaze]

For a sub $1000 tonearm, I would go Audiomods.

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/completearms.html

I just installed one of these (Classic II model) on my buddy's Townshend Rock 3 table -- it is an excellent arm.  And with the weak GBP, it's a great deal. I think he paid around $600 shipped.

I also recommend the Jelco mentioned earlier.  I have the 750E (10 inch model) paired with a Denon 103R (table is Eurolab / Scheu Premiere mk2) and it is fantastic.  Performs way beyond its price point and brand new the 9 inch version is only about 50% of OP's budget.

[Bob2]

For a sub $1000 tonearm, I would go Audiomods.

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/completearms.html


Jelco and Ortofon are solid recommendations too.

Thanks for the link advanced101!

Thanks sunnydaze, I just sent a message to Jeff. I see they offer the Series Five in kit form. Anyone assemble one? The price difference isn't a concern. I'm a gear head so I like putting things together....

[Photon46]

I'll also throw in a recommendation for the Audiomods. I've been using a Series Four on my Acoustic Signature Final Tool for a few years and couldn't be happier. An excellent arm for a modest price.

[WC]

Thanks for the link advanced101!

Thanks sunnydaze, I just sent a message to Jeff. I see they offer the Series Five in kit form. Anyone assemble one? The price difference isn't a concern. I'm a gear head so I like putting things together....

Their website only mentions the Classic II being able to be built in kit form. Did he mention that the series five could also?

[rif]

I can also recommend the Jelco 750db for under  $500

http://audiosensibility.com/Store/us_store.htm#!/Jelco-SA-750EB-10-Tonearm-Black/p/50727883/category=13766234

[sunnydaze]

That's the 10" version.  I believe the OP wants 9", like those shown here:

http://audiosensibility.com/Store/us_store.htm#!/Jelco-Tonearms/c/13766234/offset=0&sort=normal

[Bob2]

Their website only mentions the Classic II being able to be built in kit form. Did he mention that the series five could also?

That's what I found. I would go for the Micrometer version if I were to build the kit.

That's the 10" version.  I believe the OP wants 9", like those shown here:

http://audiosensibility.com/Store/us_store.htm#!/Jelco-Tonearms/c/13766234/offset=0&sort=normal

True, I did say 9 inch but I could use any arm up to 12 inch.
When I designed and built the table I wanted the ability to accommodate changes.
From what I understand the Audio Mods base can be machined to fit most anything. If I'm correct I can just send them a copy of the original cad drawing.


The Jelco arms should be an easy swap also.

Given that both arms are well under my preferred price point which would perform the best?

During my research I did find this Clearaudio TQ1Double what I mentioned but could this be worth the price? I'm just spitballin here but would like your thoughts..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clearaudio-TQ1-Tonearm-tangential-2-arm-1-glass-1-aluminum/122585462632?_trksid=p2481888.c100678.m3607&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908131621%26meid%3Deedfebb84c5a44fa9fc43bfe8698f386%26pid%3D100678%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D122585462632&_trkparms=pageci%253A924d44de-63e4-11e7-8b43-74dbd180804a%257Cparentrq%253A2278641015d0aa479d8daa52fff80ff9%257Ciid%253A1
It would need some work..

[sunnydaze]

For your $1k budget you can buy both....... compare......sell the loser.....and have some fun in the process!   
Hell, if you decided to shed the AM I'd likely buy it from you.

For example.....

I bought my Jelco 10" used for about $350.  Used 9" should be even cheaper?
My buddy just bought his AM Classic 2 new for about $600.
Even Jelco new puts you only a touch over your budget.

Of course, this assumes you are able to build you own arm boards as they have different mount patterns / distances. 

Maybe even keep both. I have rudimentary building skills and only basic tools so my DIY mount platform for the Jelco is crude,
but it's rock solid and works / sounds just fine.

[Bob2]

For your $1k budget you can buy both....... compare......sell the loser.....and have some fun in the process!   
Hell, if you decided to shed the AM I'd likely buy it from you.

You know you're right! The price of both arms is very good.
I like that you have both arms to use. Your arm mount looks great!
Nice table!

So this is what my tonearm mount looks like:



After I hear from Audio Mods I'll get the ball rolling. Looks like I could be using the Jelco while I wait for package from England.
Thanks for everything!

[sunnydaze]

Looks like you have the stand-alone very heavy metal pod style?  Did you make it?   How do you accommodate different arm mount schemes -- just cut a different top plate?  (I don't see how top plate attaches to pod)

My brother is a ME with a very nice machine shop, so he could make me basically anything I desired.  I considered this style but my main issue was it moving, and then losing my mount distance.

My Frankenstein was just quick n dirty to get Jelco up and running.  If I were to to have something professionally machined, I'd likely go for a cantilever plate anchored to a very heavy base via a single screw, with the base firmly attached to my top shelf (or whatever table sits on).  Open architecture so routeing of cable to arm base is simple. 

This way, once sited: (1)  it is stationary preserving mount distance, (2) it's very easy to rotate top plate during setup to obtain exact MD for the specific arm, and (3)  new top plates can be easily fabricated for different arms.

Something like this:



or this:

[sunnydaze]

Just something to keep in mind......

The Jelco is a "heavy-ish" arm.  As such it is best suited to heavier MC carts with low compliance.  It does have silicone dampening that can be used at the pivot, so it is possible that a suitable compliance match can be achieved with a lighter more compliant MM cart.

The mass can be adjusted somewhat by swapping in a lighter headshell.  But it will always be on the heavy side of the scale.

The AM is medium mass, in the 12-13g range, and is a much better "all-arounder" when it comes to cartridge matching.

[Bob2]

Yes the mount was made from 6061 bar stock. I made it to fit the Thorens arm. I measured the arm mount on the Thorens turntable I used as a donor with a CMM so I had all the info I needed.

When I originally built the table I planned on making some additional arm mounts. Along the same lines as those in your photos.
I just never got to it. That's the only thing about retiring, no access to machine tools.

I'll have to see what will be needed and have it machined.
Here is what the table looks like



Thanks for the info on Jelco being little more weighty.
According to the info at AM they seem to like the MC carts. I haven't much experience with MM carts.