Jelco tonearms closes

imhififan"Compare to other tonearms in the market, I think Jelco priced too low to survive."
It was priced about right and I am sorry to see Jelco go but let's be candid, honest, and straightfoward in evaluating, assessing, and qualifying Jelco's products they were "budget" products designed, marketed, and intended for "beginners" to vinyl playback and there are other alternatives priced in the similar budget category to replace them the Jelco arms were never anything special.

I'm not trying to pick a fight, or argue, but regarding the comment that Jelco arms "were never anything special"... Hmmm. That strikes me as a little bit overly simplistic. Perhaps I’m simply being overly sensitive, since I am getting ready to install a 750L on my Garrard 401 project table, and I’m delighted with the quality of the arm.

But the comment does make me want to ask which arms are, actually, something special? Rather than simply made from exotic materials or expensive? There are certainly many arms which could be classified as being "middling" but which, when partnered well with other equipment, provide superb value and can be satisfying over the long term. Actually, I think providing satisfying performance in the mid-level price range, is where the juice is. It's easy to find high performing arms that cost a lot of money. That's not a challenge. Finding something I can afford that will provide a "high enough" level of performance and not distract me with the feeling I need to upgrade something, that's the challenge.

I, for one, am sad to see them go.

The 850L is a substantial upgrade over the 750L. Grab a mk2 when you can. That said, the Groovemaster ll, Thomas Schick, Audiomods, Wand etc. all compete in the sub $2k ballpark. 

It's going to be interesting to see what Luxman will go to as their TT's use Jelco Tonearms. What other companies use the Jelco arms??

GEM-DANDY
http://www.hifigem.com/polytable.html