View Full Version : L-07D
I've just bought one!:eek:
It's in pretty good condition, but missing the original headshell. I'm likely to send it onto Richard at Vantage for a service (it hasn't been used for some years, but starts up incredibly quickly, keeps speed, completely silent, and arm bearings smooth as a very smooth thing).
Has anyone got one here? What cartridges tend to suit? Would an SPU be suitable? The phono stage is a Whest PS30R, and that won't change.
I currently have an Ortofon Cadenza Blue on my existing Eclipse t/t, both of which will stay intact - I'm looking forward to eventually comparing them :)
Dr Bunsen Honeydew
27-06-2011, 11:25
Well you have bought your last turntable (unless you find a Pioneer P3a), so enjoy.
I'm pretty sure it will be my last t/t: I can't imaging ever coming across a P3a at a price I could stomach. The whole irony for me is that the L-07D will finally cost, fully serviced plus cartridge, the price of a certain turntable manufacturer's aluminium sub-chassis...
topoxforddoc
27-06-2011, 11:39
I'm pretty sure it will be my last t/t: I can't imaging ever coming across a P3a at a price I could stomach. The whole irony for me is that the L-07D will finally cost, fully serviced plus cartridge, the price of a certain turntable manufacturer's aluminium sub-chassis...
Yup and to think in the early 80s the UK press were rubbishing the LO7D in favour of the original unmodified version of that TT
Charlie
Beobloke
27-06-2011, 11:43
What cartridges tend to suit? Would an SPU be suitable? The phono stage is a Whest PS30R, and that won't change.
Don't know. I think the best thing you can do is send the serviced deck straight to me and I'll spend a couple of years thoroughly researching the best arm, cartridge and phono stage combos for you.
No need to thank me - I do it out of the goodness of my heart! ;)
Dr Bunsen Honeydew
27-06-2011, 11:50
I'm pretty sure it will be my last t/t: I can't imaging ever coming across a P3a at a price I could stomach. The whole irony for me is that the L-07D will finally cost, fully serviced plus cartridge, the price of a certain turntable manufacturer's aluminium sub-chassis...
:)
Yup and to think in the early 80s the UK press were rubbishing the LO7D in favour of the original unmodified version of that TT
Charlie
LOL :lol: not sure if you're being cheeky or factual :)
I first heard one at the Chesterfield Hifi show in the early 80s: I thought it was stunning, both in looks and performance. The rest of the gear was Albarry amps and Allison speakers. It all sounded fantastic: I have such strong memories of that sound, and how I wanted it (but sadly couldn't afford it). In fact, I've just bought that very same demo t/t.
I've heard one few more times after that: I remember it absolutely knocking the spots of an LP12/Ittok/Karma, and me being hugely disappointed at the time cos I'd just upgraded to the LP12/Ittok/Asak. Live and learn :)
Don't know. I think the best thing you can do is send the serviced deck straight to me and I'll spend a couple of years thoroughly researching the best arm, cartridge and phono stage combos for you.
No need to thank me - I do it out of the goodness of my heart! ;)
Go on then Adam, you're on.
No, I lied about that :)
Nice one I yet to hear this TT but its been on my wish list for a long time
alfie2902
27-06-2011, 13:20
:worthless:
You're a lucky man Theo! One of the best DD's ever made :eyebrows:
Well, I would photograph it, but I haven't seen it since I brought it home on Friday afternoon - have been away so cannot play. Hopefully tomorrow...
I'll pop round for the Phono 1 on thursday Theo - will try not to drool all over the Trio. :stalks:
I too heard that fantastic system you mention - I think it was at Swiss Cottage if I remember rightly, around 81-82. That sound of that rig stuck in my mind for years, and on the day of the Show it was easily the best there, and by some margin. Magic. :)
Wonderful stuff, Theo, and well done for landing it! After a suitable fettling at Richard's, I think you'll have one of the best T/Ts you could ever hope to buy.
And yes, I can confirm that an SPU would work superbly on it, as I've heard a friend's L-07D, fitted with my SPU, and it was musical magic!! :)
Anyway, I look forward to seeing some piccies, and a write-up in Strokes of Genius (which is where it should go), in due course :cool:
Marco.
griffo104
27-06-2011, 15:55
:worthless:
You're a lucky man Theo! One of the best DD's ever made :eyebrows:
Wot he said. I want visual proof that you own it :eyebrows:
I went after one of these a couple of years back. About the only DD deck I've ever lusted after but the price was prohibitive at the time.
Enjoy it Theo, what are the prices of these nowadays:)
Theo
Congratulations and welcome to the club. There are a few of us out there with them
The Anchromat works well with them.
Arms I've played around with a lot on the second arm board (Richard will knock a few up for you) but the original arm is really not that bad. Don't believe everything you read. I think Jon Marks probably regrets his comment about the original arm now. An as for DPs bake off with his Michell IIRC one of the Tecno arms was faulty and the L-)&D played from cold on an Ikea table whilst the Michell had been warmed up etc.
Shelter 501 on a Jelco Headshell works really well, better than the others, other than the original. I have (and still have) the Oyaide, Phase-Tech etc. The AT 11g-13g headshells work well too. The head shell wants to be between 11g-14g no heavier really. The arm is quite a mass in its own right.
AT 33EV works really well on a AT MS11 (mag) headshell and OK with the AT-LS13 (Ali) Headshell
It is a phenomenal machine and probably the best complete TT made, with the ability to have secondary tonearms.
They all have subtle differences, but I do keep going back the the L-07D. It really is "plug n' play" if you want it to be.
If there is a weak point it is probably the arm cabling. There is better out there now. Certainly the guys a Hoveland who owned one and used it for demos at shows thought so. They even had adaptor machined up to allow normal SME type Cardas arm plus to replace the large locking Kenwood one, and rewired the arms.
Lucky, lucky man. That is a stunning deck and one of the very few that I look on with lust these days. Enjoy.
Oh yes, and pictures please! :)
Theo
Congratulations and welcome to the club. There are a few of us out there with them
The Anchromat works well with them.
Arms I've played around with a lot on the second arm board (Richard will knock a few up for you) but the original arm is really not that bad. Don't believe everything you read. I think Jon Marks probably regrets his comment about the original arm now. An as for DPs bake off with his Michell IIRC one of the Tecno arms was faulty and the L-)&D played from cold on an Ikea table whilst the Michell had been warmed up etc.
Shelter 501 on a Jelco Headshell works really well, better than the others, other than the original. I have (and still have) the Oyaide, Phase-Tech etc. The AT 11g-13g headshells work well too. The head shell wants to be between 11g-14g no heavier really. The arm is quite a mass in its own right.
AT 33EV works really well on a AT MS11 (mag) headshell and OK with the AT-LS13 (Ali) Headshell
It is a phenomenal machine and probably the best complete TT made, with the ability to have secondary tonearms.
They all have subtle differences, but I do keep going back the the L-07D. It really is "plug n' play" if you want it to be.
If there is a weak point it is probably the arm cabling. There is better out there now. Certainly the guys a Hoveland who owned one and used it for demos at shows thought so. They even had adaptor machined up to allow normal SME type Cardas arm plus to replace the large locking Kenwood one, and rewired the arms.
Hi Gerry
Thank you so much for the info - just what I was looking for :) Richard at Vantage did say that you were a very good source of L-07D info.
Still not home, still haven't seen it since last Friday. Roll on tomorrow...
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/TFP_2007/DSCF1884.jpg
More shots in the Gallery
Big Vern
29-06-2011, 20:56
Hi Theo,
Congratulations on a lovely purchase - you seem to have a very well preserved example of the breed. I regularly defer to Gerry's comprehensive knowledge of all things vinyl - he is indeed a very good source of information. Top bloke.
I've had my L-07D for a few years now and have enjoyed excellent results with an old EEI MC, a Grado Statement Reference, Lyra Delos and it really rocks with a good MM in harness. I think the service route with Richard is a must - if the bearing is untouched, then chances are it will be dry - a good service and you won't believe your ears. I'm also with Gerry on the tonearm - it is a superb piece of kit.
I believe that Shelter cartridges are a good match as well...I believe Gerry has one of these and could comment further.
Happy listening and well done on a stunning acquisition :)
Best Wishes
I believe that Shelter cartridges are a good match as well...
Try one of these :)
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12052
Try one of these :)
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12052
Yes a Shelter 5000 would be an excellent choice if within the budget ;)
The Benz ACE L which has been improved with the "S" version are also excellent; very vibrant, punchy sound.
I am very partial to the Shelter sound. Yasuo Ozawa came from Fidelity Research where he was involved with many of their iconic cartridges. They are a very good match to FR arm too (not too surprising!).
Try one of these :)
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12052
Would love to - a bit pricey at the mo, having just shelled out for the t/t. Perhaps one day...
Hi Theo,
Congratulations on a lovely purchase - you seem to have a very well preserved example of the breed. I regularly defer to Gerry's comprehensive knowledge of all things vinyl - he is indeed a very good source of information. Top bloke.
I've had my L-07D for a few years now and have enjoyed excellent results with an old EEI MC, a Grado Statement Reference, Lyra Delos and it really rocks with a good MM in harness. I think the service route with Richard is a must - if the bearing is untouched, then chances are it will be dry - a good service and you won't believe your ears. I'm also with Gerry on the tonearm - it is a superb piece of kit.
I believe that Shelter cartridges are a good match as well...I believe Gerry has one of these and could comment further.
Happy listening and well done on a stunning acquisition :)
Best Wishes
Many thanks :) Gerry has indeed been very helpful today, and has given me quite a few pointers. As suspected, I'm just starting on a journey of discovery, without the wallet to match :lol:
You guys really know your stuff :¬)
It's taken some time, but at long last the Trio has returned. The t/t has been completely stripped down to it's core components, cleaned, lubricated, items replaced, parts repaired, base filled & resprayed, and rebuilt. The pictures can be seen here:
http://vantageaudio.com/info/KL1518.htm
There is a thorough 4-page description of the works involved. Richard at Vantage Audio (top bloke) went into great detail over each of the individual repairs: suffice to say, even though that, cosmetically, the Trio looked in good nick, it had been badly bodged over the years in key areas, and it has taken a significant amount of expenditure to bring it up to as-new condition. But it was worth it, and it sounds absolutely wonderful!
I hadn't imagined that the impact would be so profound compared to my existing t/t, which is certainly no slouch. However this basically new L-07D is easily the best turntable I've come across. The Inspire Eclipse is a great t/t, but as much as I like it, I'm not sure that I can look it in the eye again :) I might just transfer that SME V as a 2nd arm though...
The cartridge is a Micro Benz Ace SL, low output MC. It's an absolute peach, but the newly stripped and rebuilt arm could take a far better cartridge. I also have a real lash-up to reach the phono stage (which involves phono extention plugs and split earth connections) but it STILL sounds brilliant.
I now have a chunk of the Bank Holiday weekend to finally play it - it's been a long road since I first attempted to buy this, but I'm now chuffed to bits to be a member of the L-07D club!
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s106/TFP_2007/DSCF2051.jpg
That is such a cool looking deck. I'm tempted to find myself one, but I love the sound my Techie makes too much.
Theo
Excellent! I really am so pleased for you. I know that awful feeling of getting one, only to have it whipped away from you for 3 months or so to get it sorted. But it really is worth the wait. Savour and enjoy!
The Benz will only get better....that I promise.
Theo
Excellent! I really am so pleased for you.
+1. Great news, Theo - and it sounds like it was well worth the wait! :)
Martin,
That is such a cool looking deck. I'm tempted to find myself one, but I love the sound my Techie makes too much.
The L-07D remains as my current T/T benchmark, based on what I heard the last time when I compared one with my modded Techy, fitted with my own SPU cartridge, where it sounded utterly stunning and level or two above what my Techy was then. However, that was before I had the SR5, and Mike New platter fitted....
Watch this space soon for the results of the return match! ;)
Theo, perhaps we could arrange a T/T bake-off sometime and add the findings we obtain into the mix? :cool:
Marco.
CableMaker1
29-08-2011, 03:15
I (as I am sure more than a few people on this forum) would love to know the results of the TT throwdown.
The high-end mods avaliable for the Technics SL-1200 TT (which you have Marco, and I am getting my Techs to join those ranks) should bring it to a reference level that should EASLY compete with the Kenwood, Onkyo, JVC, Sony, Nakamichi, and Denon Reference TTs that were once made.
If you guys were closer I bring the Salvation around to compare
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