Best Phono Stage within 2000 $

FWIW, the "Feickert" tonearm can be purchased here:

http://www.puremusicgroup.com/cart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=53

for around $400 U.S. I would think that would be a pretty good buy and would have sprung for one myself if my table could accomadate an arm of that length. Unfortunately it can't.

"The Jelco 10.5S also looks similar to the Artisan Audio Capriccio tonearm (scroll down the page) sold by Galibier Design for $750."

Actually the Artisan more closely resembles the Jelco 250S (a 9" arm) which is available here on Audiogon for $290. The other 9" Jelco that looks interesting (and that I'm still considering and investigating-there's a rave review apparently in one of the British rags that I'm trying to get my hands on) is the 750D, also for sale on Audiogon for $450.

I really wanted the 10.5 for extra the bit of added mass to work with my wooded Denon 103R but only 9" arms for the Gyrodec unfortunately. So I'm down to the 750D or an SME 309 and am leaning toward the SME but who knows.

I have absolutely no reason to believe that the "Feickert" is a different tonearm than the 10.5 S on the Pure Music Group site based on:

1) the description of the bearing(s) and the rest of the arm on the Feickert and Pure Music websites which are almost verbatim

2) the physical appearance of the arms on both websites and

3) inquiries I made with respect to the tonearm. If someone can't send an e-mail asking a few questions then they probably deserve to pay five or six hundred dollars more for what certainly appear to be the same product. Wouldn't be the first time it's happened in "high end" audio. In my experience, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it's usually a duck.

What I'm trying to find out now is if the 9" Jelco 750D has the same bearings as the 10.5 S. If I can establish that it does, it might swing my tonearm decision in favor of the 750D as the cost differential between it and the SME 309 is substantial and the 750D appears to have much higher effective mass which would potentially be a better match with my cartridge.

FWIW, I have absolutely no affiliation with either Feickert or Pure Music Group. Just trying to put out a bit of info which may save someone some money on what certainly appear to be the same arm.

I'd fully expect Christian Feickert to say it's different based on his selling price. As a consumer, would I believe it? Probably not based on what I posted above. I would believe it if I received 1) physical proof of the differences (ie. if the bearings are different, an example of the superior vs. the inferior bearing(s) or similar physical proof) or 2) confirmation from Jelco that there are indeed differences. Both of which will very likely never happen. An OEM manufacturer like Jelco will never disclose differences like this even if they are different, nor will they disclose that the product is identical.

As a consumer, you can draw your own conclusions just as I can draw mine. Historically, though, if what I'm suggesting is true it would not very likely be the first time it has happened with Jelco, which have always done a huge, under the radar OEM business, and in doing so have produced great value tonearms. I currently use one: a Sumiko Premiere FT3. That's not to say, however, that others have not tried to cash in selling them for much more money. Do some research on the Graham Robin or the Koetsu tonearm for example.

When it gets right down to it, without physical proof, it's simply hearsay from both sides. As I've made perfectly clear, there's nothing in it for me, so draw your own conclusions, believe who you want to believe and buy any arm you want to.

I have to admit I really have no experience with any of the phono stages mentioned here other than the Aqvox (I was an early adopter and own a Mk.1). That being said, I think that providing you are going to use it in balanced mode with a low output moving coil it offers up some very impressive performance and just sounds "right".

I'd agree, also, that it benefits from an upgraded power cord. The very inexpensive DH Labs cord (I did a DIY one with Marinco connectors for $70) works quite well and fleshes things out and warms things up a bit, which was just about Fremer's only criticism of the Aqvox in the rave review he wrote on it. I've heard it also benefits nicely with a fuse upgrade, which certainly won't break the bank.

But don't buy it unless you are prepared to run balanced with a low output coil. That's where the action is with the Aqvox.