Tonearm lift according to Jelco specifications
black

In 2020, Ichikawa Jewel Co., Ltd. closed its doors after nearly a century of operation — and with it, Jelco, one of the most influential names in high-quality tonearm design and accessories. For decades, the Japanese company had not only manufactured its own products but had also quietly supplied the JL-45 tonearm lift to OEM customers including Luxman and Linn. When president Takako Ichikawa announced the immediate shutdown — citing the COVID-19 pandemic and an ageing team of specialist engineers who could no longer maintain the precision tooling — the audiophile world was left without a direct replacement for one of its most trusted components.

DOS HiFi, Germany's specialist Jelco distributor with years of in-depth product knowledge, steps in with a focused answer: the DOS HiFi Tonearm Lift to Jelco Specifications. Manufactured to the technical parameters of the original JL-45 and available in two classic finishes — black and chrome — it slots seamlessly into any compatible tonearm. This is not a compromise but a considered tribute to an engineering benchmark that accompanied generations of vinyl enthusiasts.

Ichikawa Jewel Co., Ltd. was founded in 1920, initially specialising in the precision manufacture of jewel bearings for mechanical watches — a craft demanding the finest tolerances. That DNA from precision mechanics flowed directly into tonearm production: the JL-45 tonearm lift was for decades the heart of countless Jelco models in the SA-250 and SA-750 series, and was also built into OEM arms supplied to well-regarded turntable manufacturers worldwide.

When the closure was announced in May 2020, the loss was immediate and practical: no new orders, no repairs, no spare parts. Original JL-45 units became scarce on the second-hand market, and prices climbed accordingly. DOS HiFi, as a long-standing authorised Jelco distributor in Germany, knew the product inside out — and responded by developing this faithful replica.

The operating principle of the tonearm lift is as simple as it is effective: an oil-damped piston moves inside a precision-machined cylinder, lowering the lift arm — and with it the stylus — onto the record surface in a controlled, vibration-free motion. The viscosity of the silicone oil determines the descent speed: this DOS HiFi model is calibrated for 5,000 cSt silicone oil, which is widely available commercially. For a slower descent, 10,000 cSt can be used — the user has full control over this parameter.

A key practical feature: the piston can be removed without any tools. Re-oiling — using a small flat brush — takes minutes. The lift arm also incorporates a drop-guard in the raised position, preventing accidental arm falls. The 12.7 mm shaft is inserted into the tonearm's 12.8 mm bore and secured with a grub screw (3 mm Allen key). Mounting height is freely adjustable within the available shaft length — an important flexibility for different arm and plinth configurations.

The DOS HiFi tonearm lift is the ideal replacement part for all owners of Jelco tonearms in the SA-250 and SA-750 series, as well as their many OEM derivatives — including the Sumiko Premier MMT, early Rega variants, and arms from various Japanese turntable brands that used Jelco as a quiet OEM supplier. The essential prerequisite is a bore of ø12.8 mm and a grub screw for fixing the lift to the arm tube.

Installation note: the lift arm must be removed for mounting (3 mm Allen key). The shaft is inserted from the underside of the arm tube extension, set to the desired height, and secured with the grub screw — do not overtighten, as this can deform the shaft slightly and affect piston movement. Once mounted, refit the lift arm and the unit is immediately operational.