Custom Arm Mounting Collar for Jelco SA-750 - essential for setting correct azimuth

[gthang]

My collar is stuck at post office, i'll collect it tomorrow. (I won't need the longer grub screw)

[Marco]

Well, I've had a good listen now to some favourite albums with Hugo's collar in place, and there is a significant sonic improvement, which is nice, and goes with the undoubted aesthetic one!

With the collar in place, there is subjectively a lower noise floor and with it audibly less coloration in the reproduction of vocals, most likely as a result of the greater rigidity and structural/mechanical integrity of the new collar, which is engineered to a much higher standard than the stock Jelco item.

'Difficult', somewhat congested, recordings are now rendered with greater separation and clarity, no doubt as a result of lower distortion through the optimisation of azimuth, and all-in-all music is now presented with a greater sense of 'ease', dynamic authority and sense of 'rightness', making for a more accurate and convincing portrayal of musical information present on recordings.

This is a no-brainer upgrade for all Jelco tonearm users and should be considered as mandatory. For £35 it's an unbelievable bargain. Well done, Hugo!

Marco.

[Ammonite Audio]

Thanks Marco! I do think that any sonic improvement is going to be due to the greater ease and consistency of the arm's setup, rather than the collar as such. I'm pleased that it seems to be doing what I intended!

[gthang]

Collected my collar this morning, I'm very impressed, great looking piece of work! certainly dwarfs the standard jelco item. I'm waiting for a 30mm hole saw to be delivered and I'll be able to get it fitted to my TT. I'll report back once it's up and running.

Thanks again Hugo.

[colinB]

Got the collar this morning, thanks Hugo. Looks fantastic , the long allen key is a much appreciated plus.
Quick dumbo question. Do i have to take the techy apart to fit or can i do it the lazy way and fit the whole thing from the top?

[Marco]

Hi Colin,

Just turn the deck on its side, unplug the tonearm cable, put the deck flat, and then lift the arm out of the existing collar from the top - fit the new collar in its place, put the arm back, adjust VTA with the grub screw, plug the arm cable back in again, and Bob's yer auntie!

Marco.

[colinB]

Thanks marco. I hope i can unplug the cable without taking the rubber bottom of and all those endless screws.

[Marco]

No, you don't need to touch those screws... You access the arm cable through a hole directly underneath the arm board - just turn the deck on its side and you will see. It just pulls out (you will need to pull it quite tightly, though)

Marco.

[colinB]

Fitted the new collar tonight. What a brilliant piece of engineering.
I was disappointed with the previous one but this makes it is easy to set vta.
Might be a while before i can properly listen as im away this weekend.
Thanks to Hugo for taking time to provide this cracking solution for AOS Jelco owners

[worrasf]

My collar arrived yesterday - thank you Hugo - it looks very well engineered - a nice piece of kit - I will await the long grub screw before installing as I suspect I will need it as I do have a recessed TS arm board.

Steve