Thoughts on either Jelco TK-850L or 10.5" Audiomods VI for new build?

[JWeldon]

I'm looking for opinions on these two arms as I'm planning a build and have narrowed it down to these two.   

Some of my thoughts on the Jelco (TK-850L) are:
Longer 12" arm 
Detachable headshell is nice, but I don't think I'll use it, and it adds some connections to the wiring
I can get it relatively easily
Well known manufacturer if I decide to change it later will be easy sell
Would add the easy VTA to the arm

Thoughts on the Audiomods:
Possibly a better sounding arm (?)
No connectors in wiring from the cart to the preamp
Custom made
I might prefer the Azimuth adjustment and headshell on this arm

So if you have any thoughts or opinions on these two arms, I'd be happy to hear them.  It seems that I keep going back and forth on which one to get...probably can't go wrong with either, but would like to make as an informed decision as possible.  Oh, and cartridge will most likely be a DL-103R.  I have considered an AT-33PTG, Hana EL and Dynavector 10x5 also.

Thanks,

-Jeff

[be.audiophil]

The DL-103 for me is the most overrated pickup ever. Neither in terms of resolution nor in other aspects it is a good performer. However, in its original form (the first 103) it comes with a closed and harmonic sound, so that his limitations are not noticed by the majority. The R on the other hand played harsh and sharp and inharmonious in my setup.

So I would better not base a decision on tonearms on a 103R but also on quality pickups; especially not at the prices demanded today. When the 103 cost DM 150 it was certainly worth considering. With a durability of only 250 hours for the needle, as determined years ago, it is no longer worth it, so that the € 350 required today for the R can already be described as utopian. If it shall be necessarily a Denon, then I would rather take a DL-301 or 304 in the shortlist; and I would also include a Goldring MC to the list too.

The Jelco tonearm offers more flexibility only at first glance; the 12 "length are chic and make a lot of show, but restricts the choice of the drive already clearly. Although, the system knife edge is not necessarily the best in the market. If he behaves similar to the SME 3009/3012, then three-dimensionality will be different compared to others; means wider but less high than normal.

The Audiomods tonearm is very good. I was quite surprised how the rather inconspicuous RB-250 changed on Audiomods and Origin Live to really great up to outstanding performersdepending on the upgrade level you achieved.

So I would clearly prefer a Audiomods or Origin Live tonearm.

[JWeldon]

Thanks for your response Rolf.  That's good advice, and my plan is to pick the arm first, then the cart.  I actually haven't heard a DL-103, but know that its a popular cart in this group and that's why I was leaning towards it.  I did mention a few others, any opinions on those? or any other recommendations?

As of today I'm also thinking the Audiomods will be the direction I go for a tonearm.  Anyone else who has experience with either arm that is willing to share I'd appreciate it!

Cheers,

-Jeff

[mr havoc]

I have been using a Audiomods classic 2 for sometime, it replaced a rb300 and was a big improvement.

Being able to adjust the vta is a bonus, especially on modified turntables.

[Chris65]

The Audiomods tonearm is very good. I was quite surprised how the rather inconspicuous RB-250 changed on Audiomods....

The new Audiomods Series Six is not really Rega based, it is effectively a new tonearm. Given the previous models from Jeff were very well received, these would likely be a very good tonearm.

[scotty38]

I had this very same decision to make recently too and ended up choosing the 850L purely because I wanted to try an SPU and going with the Jelco allows me the option. I still lust after the VI though as it's a fine looking thing!

[JWeldon]

I had this very same decision to make recently too and ended up choosing the 850L purely because I wanted to try an SPU and going with the Jelco allows me the option. I still lust after the VI though as it's a fine looking thing!

How are you liking it? I doubt I'd ever go SPU, but who knows...may be down the road??  I'm also curious as to what your thoughts on the azimuth and vta are specifically.  Have you considered the Easy VTA adapter? The VI seems to have the advantage on these functions.

As a side note, I find the Jelco to be aesthetically more attractive, and the Audiomods more clinical in appearance.
 

Cheers!

[scotty38]

Unfortunately I haven't tried it yet as I'm still having a new plinth made for my G99. One of the things I found attractive on the VI was the VTA adjustment but it still didn't give me SPU use so it lost out.
I also wanted an option for mono so did consider two arms but couldn't get beyond it being too much of an extravagance for relatively few modern mono reissues. I think I have settled on SPUs for both mono and stereo in order to minimise the faff of swapping between them. The VTA of the VI would have been useful for swapping but that loses out when you consider what still needs doing on the other end of the arm even allowing for the mounting plate perhaps already being on the cartridge.
Of course the Jelco still allows me to use anything else mounted in a normal headshell with any adjustments required but given that will, hopefully, be a rare occurrence the need for manual VTA becomes less of a deal breaker.

Hope my ramble at least gives you a flavour of my thought process even if it makes no sense 

[be.audiophil]

How are you liking it? I doubt I'd ever go SPU, but who knows...may be down the road??

I had SPUs on different tonearms, including the SME 3012 or the 12" Schick; and I also know how they compare and on those old Ortofon RMG-309, SMG-212 or on a AS-212 with heavy counterweight. However, SPUs still work best on RMG-309, Fidelity Research FR-64s and SME-3012.

[niclaspa]

Rolf, how do you think that SPU performs in 12" Schick?

[be.audiophil]

Hi Niclas,

besides my FR-64s it are the 12" and 9" Schick that sounds really good with SPUs and are pleasing my preferences most. They sound as rocking and juicy as the old RMG-309 can be, giving a more realistic spatiality (in terms of how the room is pictured in aspects of width, depth and height) and tonality as a SME 3012 will provide - even when modified as mine.

I´ve re-shaped the knife bearing on my SME. In factory they missed to file off the casting fin in the V resulting in a knife that sits only partialy in the V (only on the fin and not over the entire length of the knife edge) with limiting the performance ot the tonearm. Now it´s performing as smooth and easy as those bearings in gold scales. Furthermore I´ve redone cabling, horizontal bearings and spend both Chinch and Bronce Base updates from Analog Tube Audio. All of this resulted in a 3012 with higher resolution, less limitation in the base and bottom range but could not cure the fancy three dimensionality issues as marked before.

The Sticks from Thomas will give you an outstanding well performing package even when price counts.

FR-64s goes of the limits and has a bit more glance at bottom ends paired with a fulminant bass performance and resolution that goes even more to details as all my other tonearms do. However the FR-64s may be playing a bit more on HiFi side with Thomas tonearms beeing a bit more intend to be musicians.

[niclaspa]

Rolf, that is good to hear!  I am using a bog standard SPU on a 12" Schick arm and to my ears it sounds great.  I used it on a Jelco 750L before, but the Schick is really something different.  No need to go chasing an FR-64 then.   

[kevinkr]

I recently purchased a TK-850L which I use with an SPU-A95 and a Windfeld on an HS-30. I also owned a 12" Schick for many years and sold it this spring to a friend. So I am not able to make a direct comparison.

I've only had it in use for a week and have managed maybe 25 hours or so of listening. (Something remarkable since before I grew tired of listening after a couple of sides.)

I bought the arm to replace a linear air bearing tonearm because I just wanted to listen without fuss. (No compressor, fiddly bits to deal with) It accomplishes that, and somewhat to my surprise sounds rather good.

I considered purchasing another Schick or an Audio Creative Groovemaster II and decided to go out on a limb on this one and grab the Jelco which has piqued my curiosity since it arrived on the scene late last year. I'm thrilled with it and had no such expectations.

The presentation is clean and not the least bit fatiguing in my system, arm resonances seem to be very well controlled. This is the first pivoted arm I have owned where I do not hear a significant increase in tracing distortion on the inner grooves.

[shortcuttomoncton]

You folks still happy with your Jelco TK-850L tonearms?

I considered the 10.5" Audiomods VI, and even tried to convince Jeff to make a 12" one--no dice. 

At the end of the day with Jelco recently going under, the price on these arms is fairly reasonable...pretty great compared to similar Origin Live, Schick or even the Audiomods arm. So I'm about to pick one up.

Any long-term reviews? 

[Lynnot]

Good evening,

I've recently bought a 12" TK-950L and an "Easy VTA". The result is positive and puzzzling, as this toneam seems (to pretend) to be high-end.
High-end, as it sounds surprisingly good for the money (approx. € 1.700,-), competing with the big classic tonearm names.

Starting with my Stanton CS-100, moving to my Ortofon MC-30 Super mk II (re-issued "Classic" version, with "Ortofon Replicant" needle profile) and from there to my vintage Kiseki Agaat Ruby (which is in a league of its own).

None of these cartridges sounds restrained, damped or what so ever - just better, one can follow each step/improvement of its own.

So, now I have some 1500 new records in my collection .

The audiomods may even be better, but a TK-850L will be very good for the money and easy to sell if you want to change again. Fully recommended.

Best regards, Tony