Equal or better tonearm than Jelco for like amount of money

At $1000-1500 one of the best is Technics EPA-100 "10.5 tonearm (titanium tinride) with Ruby Ball Bearings and dynamic damping.

 A variable dynamic damping system which permits the user to tune the arm for compatibility with virtually any cartridge now available. An extremely stable 4-point Gimbal suspension employing ruby ball bearings which maintain static friction at 5mg or less for movement in any direction. A titanium nitride shaft which is light and also resistant to flexing and resonances. These elements all contribute to one end, keeping the stylus in optimum contact with the record grooves. Although this many seem elementary, the ability of the EPA-100 to perform this function in a high grade sound system can make a noticeable difference in the clarity and openness of the resulting sound.  

Any new or used SME 3009 (NON IMPROVED version) arm.  They should be anywhere from $300 - $1000 approximately.  I bought a brand new 3009R for my Linn Sondek and I am extremely happy with it ($1400 at ebay).

The original TK-850M is a very good tonearm, I purchased one last year and was in the process of picking up one of the new MkII arms a couple of days ago when Jelco decided to cease production.I am still trying to get another TK-850M MkII but since Jelco's shutdown news the prices have jumped up by about $200.00 from last week.

Yes, the upper end Jelco's are more expensive.
My TK-850L MKII was just north of $1000 with shipping, this was the best price I can find. The fit and finish on these new arms are excellent, I would think there is very limited number of MKII's available now that they are closing up shop.
https://www.jelco-ichikawa.co.jp/cn3/tk-850l_mk2.html

"such arms must be 5g mass. Jelco mass is much higher, it’s for mid compliance, with heavier headshell can be used for high-ish compliance cartridges." 

Isn't it the opposite, with lighter headshells it could be used with high compliance cartridges?

When i said about 5g tonearm mass i mean with headshell like Denon DA-401 tonearm or Infinity Black Widow (even lighter). 

When the mass of the tonearm is high you can't detract much using lighter headshell, it will be a problem to find a nice headshell lighter than 8g, and the Jelso stock shell is probably 10g ?

But it's easier to add mass with heavy headshell.

However, the problem often is counterweight own weight too. 

Chakster I do have 750EB and with heavy (not original) headshell it’s in the region of 20 with test disk.

Although Jelco abandoned old series and new series compliance is much higher. In 12 inch they do have only 13 grams.
https://www.jelco-ichikawa.co.jp/cn3/tk-850m.html
So IMO if someone likes high compliance it’s the last chance.

Thanks, i am not familiar with TK-850 model, i think 750 series is the most popular and i remember long discussion about it's mass, so i expected something like 15-21g. 

FR64S for similar price or LESS than Jelco? On what planet?

Planet Tokyo, Japan
Paid about $1200 for my FR-64s , as i said in my post FR will cost more. But i forgot the price for Jelco, i think not every Jelco was $500, some of them are more expensive (latest models) ? 

¨such arms must be 5g mass. Jelco mass is much higher, it’s for mid compliance, with heavier headshell can be used for high-ish compliance cartridges.¨ Isn,t it the opposite, with lighter headshells it could be used with high compliance cartridges?

lewm yes it my lapsus linguae.

I am not a fan of big "S" shaped arms with removable head shells. Many of them are too massive for some of the more compliant LOMC cartridges
and many MM cartridges. It is easy to add mass but very hard to take it away. So, it is better to er on the light side IMHO. 
The loss of the Jelco is however very unfortunate as they were very decent arms for the price. SOTA use to supply them with their tables. Now they are using Origin Live. I spoke to Donna recently and she lead me to believe that they are working on their own line of arms. Given the recent changes in the market it is a brilliant time to get going.

The Origin Live Alliance is a very decent low priced tonearm that can be adapted to most cartridges. It does not have  a removable head shell. I personally do not like contacts out there anyway. I think Frank Kuzma has the right method with his head shells. 
Tonearms can be very safely purchased used as long as you can evaluate them prior to purchase. If there is no external sign of damage and the bearings are smooth and tight you are in business.
Put the Syrinx PU3 on your wish list. If you can find one in good shape grab it. It is an amazing arm. You would have to spend $4k to beat it and many, more expensive arms can not keep up with it.

Bukanona, I assume you mean effective mass is much lower, not “compliance is much higher”.

Chakster I do have 750EB and with heavy (not original) headshell it’s in the region of 20 with test disk.

Although Jelco abandoned old series and new series compliance is much higher. In 12 inch they do have only 13 grams.
https://www.jelco-ichikawa.co.jp/cn3/tk-850m.html
So IMO if someone likes high compliance it’s the last chance.

FR64S for similar price or LESS than Jelco?  On what planet?

TS-350S MKll  effective mass is ~ 9 grams

Maybe i missed that model, classic Jelco 750D series are higher mass, but no one can recall exact mass (15-21g?) 

Chakster
TS-350S MKll  effective mass is ~ 9 grams

Jelco is definitelty NOT for high compliance cartridges, such arms must be 5g mass. Jelco mass is much higher, it’s for mid compliance, with heavier headshell can be used for high-ish compliance cartridges.

Thimas Schick tonearms available in "9 or "12 inch, removable headshells. Modest price. 

Groovemaster more less  targeted for low compliance designs

New Jelco series was more for modern medium or high compliance designs. Actually there is no substitution of current production with removable headshell. 

New, with removable heads hell, and in its price range Jelco was pretty much it

There are so many inexpensive vintage tonearm better than Jelco. 

Denon DA-401, Victor UA-7045, Sony PUA series 

for a bit more long Victor UA-7082
Fidelity Reseach FR-64s 

Victor 7045 and 7082 with VTA on the fly are great (if you can find a perfect sample). 

Nothing at that pricepoint. Groovemaster ll is worth a look, although, the Jelco 850 may win on detail where the GM has more authority.