Drummerboy2
Well-Known Member
Looking for feedback on what cartridges others are using with the 370H tonearm. Also if there are any tweaks to make it better. I have read using a heavier headshell from Jelco and heavier counterweight to start with.
Anyone here using the Jelco 370H tonearm?
- Thread starter Drummerboy2
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vinylkid58
Super Member
I've used my Benz Glider, AT33PTG, and stock Denon DL-103/103R on the stock headshell and a Nagaoka headshell. There's no reason to add mass to the arm to run most cartridges IMHO. If you're going to experiment with wood or aluminum bodied Denons, you'll definitely need a heavier counterweight.
jeff
Drummerboy2
Well-Known Member
Hi Jeff, Ok that's good to know about these cartridges. I have used two of them on my ET-2 arm, the Glider and AT33PTGII. The AT was pretty heavy and worked well. So the stock headshell should good enough. I'm also thinking of getting the Easy VTA for it if it fits it. I will be using the Ortofon Super OM-40 cartridge or the AT15Sa on it.
Punk_oldie
Active Member
I have one of these - an SA-370H, and I've so far run a Grado Blue3, Garratt P77i and AT VM750SH and they've all been fine. I have added some oil to the damping well, which I think helps smooth out any potential mismatches. All I can really say is it seems to work perfectly well in my setup.
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
I took a peek at those Bases you mention a couple days ago for kicks.
To my eyes. they didn't look much different to me than a stock Jelco Arm Base.
I say this, because these Bases look to have the same "egg shaped hole" the Jelco's have.
With that said, then I don't see how there's a better mounting of the Mounting Shaft of the Arm? Might be some if the tolerances are better, but still.
About all I noted that you might call an upgrade, was a Nylon Tipped Locking Screw, which I'm sure one can source from a Screw Shop, or McMaster-Carr.
I went one better, had one custom made, and to my specs a 1/2" taller than stock due to Platter, no need for Donut spacers required. The hole for the Mounting Shaft is perfectly round with extremely tight tolerances, no egg shaped hole, absolutely no wobble or possible canting of the Arm. It also sports a Nylon Tipped Locking Allen screw
Nice that somebody readily makes spacers though, because originally I had to do such and have a donut spacer made, and had it black Anodized by a friend to match a older AQ PT-8 Arm (Jelco). Sold it then after the acquisition of the custom Arm Base.
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Drummerboy2
Well-Known Member
I went and ordered the Easy VTA for my Jelco 370H so I think the collar issue is now a non-issue. 
I will VTA adjustment on the fly, I like that alot. My ET-2 arm on my Teres 255 have VTA on the fly and is great. I don't have to recheck anything due to the way Bruce designed the ET-2, no matter what you do on the VTA it will always stay in alignment. With the Easy VTA I still may have to go back and double check the alignment but it should be an issue.
I will VTA adjustment on the fly, I like that alot. My ET-2 arm on my Teres 255 have VTA on the fly and is great. I don't have to recheck anything due to the way Bruce designed the ET-2, no matter what you do on the VTA it will always stay in alignment. With the Easy VTA I still may have to go back and double check the alignment but it should be an issue.Drummerboy2
Well-Known Member
How does the Jelco 370H compare to the other tonearm on your table. By the way, very nice table!
Drummerboy2
Well-Known Member
I saw that other Ammonite base collar and it look like the same issue but just thicker with a longer shaft on the underside of the arm.
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
Yamamoto headshells are a nice upgrade to a Jelco tonearm. Just bought a Jelco TS-550S MKII arm. Bought the Yamamoto Carbon Fiber headshell to go with it. Can't wait to mount my new Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge to the Jelco/Yamamoto!
Drummerboy2
Well-Known Member
I have the LP Gear Zupreme Headshell I bought a few years back and now I can use it on the Jelco 370H. It has for Azimuth adjustment.
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
The Yamamoto Carbon Fiber headshell has adjustable azimuth too! Most that I read, that have the Zupreme headshell like the Yamamoto Carbon Fiber headshell much better.
vinylkid58
Super Member
Yeah, I'm tempted to try the Yam. carbon headshell too. Be sure to post up your impressions.
jeff
Drummerboy2
Well-Known Member
Thank You for the info but I will be fine with the LP Gear Zupreme Headshell . That is better than the stock headshell that comes with the Jelco 370H tonearm.
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
I'll definitely do that along with the new Jelco TS-550S MKII arm and Nagaoka MP-200 cartridge too!
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
Yes, the 370H headshell is like the standard one on my new TS-550S MKII arm. Will putting a Grado Gold3 on that standard Jelco headshell.
Punk_oldie
Active Member
Cheers, it's a solid table, literally! I've always been in the 'mass is good' camp, especially when it comes to platters. WRT the other tonearm, it's a unipivot so very different to the Jelco, and it seems to work very well with the AT33PTGii, but I wouldn't say there's a massive difference in quality, to my ear the Jelco is a very competent performer, certainly with the carts I've tried on it so far.How does the Jelco 370H compare to the other tonearm on your table. By the way, very nice table!
Drummerboy2
Well-Known Member
The zupreme headshell is a Jelco HS-25 sold under the LP Gear name. It's magnesium with adjustable azimuth as well so they are very nice headshells (their top of the line). They also come with high purity copper wire encased in silk. I have several. I could see a preference over the cheaper Jelco HS-50 which is LP Gears ultimate headshell. What is it about the Yamamoto CF that people prefer over zupreme? Other than slightly lighter weight (which could be positive or negative depending on compliance of your cartridge) I can't see anything significant.
Ilikevinyl
Cool Breeze
With the Yamamoto carbon fiber headshell you get cleaner clearer sound along with deeper defined bass. That's what most say who hear a difference. My Yamamoto carbon fiber headshell arrived today! Has the azimuth adjustment like both the Zupreme and Jelco headshells. Going to mount the Nagaoka MP-200 to that headshell whenever it arrives.