View Full Version : For those who asked - a few more Lenco Pics
Idlewithnodrive
08-12-2012, 13:42
Just a few more piccies for those who asked.
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4190.jpg
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4191.jpg
http://i894.photobucket.com/albums/ac143/TheMJMan/CIMG4203.jpg
Sorry they're all pretty samey but hey, it's a turntable on a rack :)
JazzBones
08-12-2012, 14:20
Thats tasty looking machinery there Mike. I've never heard a Lenco deck either pre or post modification but drifting in and out of various forums relating to this deck it comes across with positive vibes. I really admire what can be done with this deck which I believe sold for £5.00 when it first came on the audio scene, I could be wrong on the pricing?
Can you give us non-Lenco owners attributes of your deck's performance and strengths please, ie: what is acoustic stand up jazz bass like for instance? Piano notes etc?
I believe our very own Marco had a chance to visit a fellow forum member sometime back and he was very impressed... maybe other Lenco users could give us their experiences but only if it does not hi-jack your thread?
Thanks :)
Has your memory failed you Ron mate? BIG driving bass, rock solid pitch stability, but not as quiet as a techie, not that it matters to vinyl lovers ;)
The original Lenco vertical drive decks first appeared in the late 40's I think and these earlier ones had a thicker top plate than the ubiquitous GL75's and 78's out there. One wouldn't butcher one of the old ones in all honesty, as the arms are really good with 3 - 4g trackers available on the DJ market, or better, one of the "Vari-luctance" cartridges which I guarantee Marco would adore - oh yes indeedy :)
Idlewithnodrive
08-12-2012, 16:43
Yep, BIG, rock solid bass, real driving power that throws the music out at you and awesome dynamics. Good pitch stability, great with rhythm and tempo, faultless timing and just seems to follow the music.
Notes can either start and stop on a sixpence or decay gracefully, echo or whatever, exactly as the musician intended.
Great at space, imaging and soundstage and unusually for DD's or idlers, timbre and micro / macro dynamics as well. Oh and they can do quiet as well.
Went from a Techy to this and really glad I did. It has all of the techy attributes plus that flowing with the music bit that I found the techy lacked.
Love it.
JazzBones
08-12-2012, 17:59
Yep, BIG, rock solid bass, real driving power that throws the music out at you and awesome dynamics. Good pitch stability, great with rhythm and tempo, faultless timing and just seems to follow the music.
Notes can either start and stop on a sixpence or decay gracefully, echo or whatever, exactly as the musician intended.
Great at space, imaging and soundstage and unusually for DD's or idlers, timbre and micro / macro dynamics as well. Oh and they can do quiet as well.
Went from a Techy to this and really glad I did. It has all of the techy attributes plus that flowing with the music bit that I found the techy lacked.
Love it.
Wish you hadn't said that Mike as my main deck is a tricked up 1210. Did you have any mods done to your Techy or was it plain vanilla?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave (DSJR) my memory is probably shot but I've really never heard a Lenco.
Saw Inspires beautiful working of a Lenco at the Whittlebury in September and drooled , why do they do that to me :) but unfortunately it wasn't fired up! How easy or hard is it to bring one up to top playing? As far as I know the Lenco was considered a poor fella's 301 or 401?
Idlewithnodrive
08-12-2012, 18:45
No major mods.
Just the usual simple mods (Superspike feet, Achromat, PSU out of deck, damped arm, AT440MLa). No upgraded bearings, Motor, Trough, PSU or ARM.
Big positive difference though between my Techy and this, though I loved the Techy at the time too.
Very nice Mike
Is there a preferred arm choice with a Lenco or is it just down to budget
Rare Bird
08-12-2012, 19:21
Mike:
Are those 'Tenderfeet' black or have you sprayed them that way? Never seen them that colour, mine are plain anodised!
Idlewithnodrive
08-12-2012, 19:33
Jonboy,
The arm choice is a bit of both really. I really like Jelco's and it is by far the best arm I have used at or anywhere near its price.
Given a bit bigger budget I would probably still have headed for a Jelco 750D and if budget were no option I would probably be using a Dynavector DV-507 MkII :drool:
Rarebird,
The feet are black, not sprayed, exactly as supplied. I just think they match the TT rather well.
Rare Bird
08-12-2012, 19:36
Didnt know Michell supplied black ones! intresting..Ive got a couple of Goldring/Lenco's presently working on a modified one
Idlewithnodrive
08-12-2012, 19:41
Didnt know Michell supplied black ones! intresting..Ive got a couple of Goldring/Lenco's presently working on a modified one
What are you currently working on RB ?
Idlewithnodrive
08-12-2012, 19:56
Wish you hadn't said that Mike as my main deck is a tricked up 1210. Did you have any mods done to your Techy or was it plain vanilla?
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dave (DSJR) my memory is probably shot but I've really never heard a Lenco.
Saw Inspires beautiful working of a Lenco at the Whittlebury in September and drooled , why do they do that to me :) but unfortunately it wasn't fired up! How easy or hard is it to bring one up to top playing? As far as I know the Lenco was considered a poor fella's 301 or 401?
Poor fella's 301 or 401 is probably a pretty good description as they share a lot of the same attributes, the 401 obviously being (a bit) better.
Quite easy to fettle. The motor is quite a beast and pretty indestructible really, just make sure it is well maintained and set up. Bearings and control gear is also very well made / tough. The arms and standard plinths are the real weak points but there are plenty of templates for plinths / armboards kicking around the net.
IMHO it is proper set up that pays dividends with the Lenco's. Make sure the idler wheel is a good'un, that motor and bearings are well lubed and set up and you can't go too far wrong.
Obviously, the heavy platter decks are favourite and still pretty cheap for what they are. I am really pleased that I took the chance and discovered them. No plans to move on here :)
Rare Bird
08-12-2012, 23:33
What are you currently working on RB ?
A brand new top plate :eyebrows:
Hi Mike,
Lovely looking deck. Is it a GL72 with heavy platter mod? I like the way you've recessed it in to the plinth. I wish I'd had that done.
How did you get the platter so shiny?:eek:
Cheers,
Steve
Idlewithnodrive
23-12-2012, 19:22
Thanks Steve.
Yes, that's exactly what it is. Has yours the heavy platter mod (can't see from your profile picture) ?
The platter bling is just Brasso and grunt, then very finely coated in 5-in-1 to stop it tarnishing too quickly.
Mike
DiveDeepDog
23-12-2012, 20:07
Nice deck, Infected is one of my favourited too ;-)
Idlewithnodrive
23-12-2012, 22:41
Thanks Mark.
One of my all time favourite albums also.
Hi Mike , that is one of the most desirable looking lencoversion's that I have seen. Exquisite and elegant , well done Sir!!
:clapclapclap:
Idlewithnodrive
24-12-2012, 15:54
Praise indeed.
Cheers Paul.
Poor fella's 301 or 401 is probably a pretty good description as they share a lot of the same attributes, the 401 obviously being (a bit) better.
Quite easy to fettle. The motor is quite a beast and pretty indestructible really, just make sure it is well maintained and set up. Bearings and control gear is also very well made / tough. The arms and standard plinths are the real weak points but there are plenty of templates for plinths / armboards kicking around the net.
IMHO it is proper set up that pays dividends with the Lenco's. Make sure the idler wheel is a good'un, that motor and bearings are well lubed and set up and you can't go too far wrong.
Obviously, the heavy platter decks are favourite and still pretty cheap for what they are. I am really pleased that I took the chance and discovered them. No plans to move on here :)
when I was sourcing info for my Lenco project i came across quite a few Lenco owners who admitted they preferred it to their 401/301.
My advice would be to find a minty L75 and add arm of choice, metal idler wheel is a must. servicing the motor and bearing is fairly straightforward. by far the most time consuming aspect is building a plinth and painting the top plate. I'd avoid painting the top plate, but if you must find a professional to do it. stay away from the older L70/GL59.
Thanks Steve.
Yes, that's exactly what it is. Has yours the heavy platter mod (can't see from your profile picture) ?
The platter bling is just Brasso and grunt, then very finely coated in 5-in-1 to stop it tarnishing too quickly.
Mike
Yes heavy platter and bearing. The old light platter used to magnetise my Ortofon Rondo bronze to it so I ended up using an MM before the conversion.
Idlewithnodrive
28-12-2012, 20:27
Amazing sounding things don't you think ?
The heavy platter / bearing mod and slate plinth really play to the decks natural strengths (dynamics, bass, timing) I think.
Amazing sounding things don't you think ?
The heavy platter / bearing mod and slate plinth really play to the decks natural strengths (dynamics, bass, timing) I think.
I think for the money they are embarassingly good. I said goodbye to my Linn LP12/Cirkus/Lingo/Trampolin 2 'cos this el cheapo turntable with stock platter and plinth sounded better.:stalks:
It hit home when Abbadon's Bolero by ELP sounded as if I'd never heard it before and this is an album I've had since I was 13! Yes there were dynamics but also subtlety and pinpoint placement. Tghose traits got better with the heavy platter mod.
We have a 72 fanclub membership of precisely two now!
Steve
Rare Bird
28-12-2012, 21:18
It hit home when Abbadon's Bolero by ELP sounded as if I'd never heard it before and this is an album I've had since I was 13! Yes there were dynamics but also subtlety and pinpoint placement.
:eyebrows:
Idlewithnodrive
01-01-2013, 01:38
Didnt know Michell supplied black ones! intresting..Ive got a couple of Goldring/Lenco's presently working on a modified one
I think for the money they are embarassingly good. I said goodbye to my Linn LP12/Cirkus/Lingo/Trampolin 2 'cos this el cheapo turntable with stock platter and plinth sounded better.:stalks:
It hit home when Abbadon's Bolero by ELP sounded as if I'd never heard it before and this is an album I've had since I was 13! Yes there were dynamics but also subtlety and pinpoint placement. Tghose traits got better with the heavy platter mod.
We have a 72 fanclub membership of precisely two now!
Steve
Yea, but once the secret gets out there'll be a lot more of us !
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