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Last Upgrade
07-02-2015, 12:27
Hi Guys,

Just saying hello having visited your site many times for great information thought I should make it official & to enable posts / questions. I have always sensed that this site is more down to earth & friendly, particularly with modding SL1200's etc.

Not keen on the king's new clothes & snake oil.

I'm a lifelong hi-fi obsessive having started as a kid working two paper rounds to fund first half decent system during the 1980's.
(Thorens TD160 MK2?, Hadcock 228, V15, Quad33/303 and Genesis +1) Mostly previously enjoyed.
Many mistakes made as per usual, how did we manage for info before the internet?

When younger I seemed to gravitate to older & experienced tech heads who I have to thank for sharing a small part of their knowledge. As I approach 50, they are sadly leaving this planet, so need to widen my horizons.

Admire old school engineering and keeping it simple. Prefer analogue but live in the "real world" and make good use of my HTPC.

Over the years ran pro audio companies, designing, manufacturing, installing and hiring high end systems to bars, super clubs, blue chip clients & government departments. Experienced the widest possible social spectrum from the sleaziest clubs to high security installations.

Have always taken the DIY approach where possible, modding & fixing kit up as enjoy the challenge & far more satisfying.

Suffer greatly from hi-fi hoarding and think its time for a clear out to fund some new projects.
Have LP12s, Techys & choice of different Rega variants which I'm now tired of as frustrated by lack of air.
Maybe its me remembering the Hadcock 228?
Also a complete 1/4 inch junkie with A77,B77s, Techy RS1500s , Telefunken M15A & a Studer A80.
Looking forward to moving out of London to somewhere bigger this year as somewhat lacking space.

know I'm now officially middle aged as recently got bitten by a Lenco 88, its put the Techy on the back burner for now. Have long been dissatisfied with LP12s bouncing all over the place.

For years have enjoyed Bryston pre & power amps, but am happy to alternate with all manner of alternatives.
Have Quad ESL63, Yamaha NS1000 but tend to listen to home brew 3-ways. For years was committed to 3/4 way active home brews but now settled with passives - can spend months tuning xovers, this could change back if I am able to move.

Like a wide choice of music except heavy metal and enjoying more classical, swing and mainstream jazz. Am known to like my guilty pleasures as like a bit of 60/70s cheese by James Last etc.
Am extremely lucky to own a wide mix of 1/4 inch 15 IPS master tapes, really puts everything into perspective as a reference.
Also enjoy having a session with my 12" singles as I'm still in love with disco and rave when the mood takes me.

Currently resurrecting the Lenco 88, looking at plinths, bearings and arms. Have scoured Lenco Heaven which is very good but know that I need more specific help with arms etc. Even in it's 1960s chipboard box, it shows great potential and sounds so musical. It came with Ortofon (SMG?) tonearm which is surprisingly good for its age, although designed for much heavier headshells/carts - not quite ready for an SPU yet - I hope!

Hope that's not too much info?
Look forward to asking some questions to pick your brains. Always eager to learn more.

Peter

walpurgis
07-02-2015, 13:11
Hello Peter. Welcome to AOS.

Yes, I think we are relaxed and friendly on AOS. Efforts are made to keep it that way.

Nice intro. Always good to meet a fellow hoarder. I'm a major culprit, but we have some real 'stars' here.

Lenco TTs are very popular and I love the G88 and G99 units. If you're embarking on an 88 project we'd appreciate a thread showing what you're doing. System and equipment photo are very welcome so bung a few in our Gallery section.



Enjoy the forum,
Geoff.

Eagle owl
07-02-2015, 13:13
Hello and welcome Peter.

Geoff. :wave:

struth
07-02-2015, 13:53
Welcome Peter. you will fit in nicely...lots of hoarders and diy ers here. hope to read some of you posts

regards g

Barry
07-02-2015, 16:31
Welcome to AoS Peter.

Great introduction - I'm most envious of your Telefunken M15A and Studer A80 machines. Know what you mean about 1/4" master tapes recorded at 15 ips - they put LPs into the shade!

Are you still using Bryston amplification? They get very good reviews and solidly built for reliability.

Good luck with the restoration of your G88 turntable. Regarding the Ortofon arm - it will do for now, and for if and when you get an SPU, but there are much better arms available now for the SPU.

James Last? I admire an honest man who admits his guilty secrets! :)

Enjoy the Forum

Regards
Barry

Last Upgrade
07-02-2015, 19:14
As first time don't know if I have just uploaded a pic, but aftertyping a page of text & loosing it, thought I would try & dump pic here first:doh:

13942

Thanks for such a warm welcome, glad to hear I'm not the only hoarder, at least we don't keep piles of trash like on the TV shows, at least I hope not.

For Geoff / Walpurgis: The pic I assume is above is pretty much how I found the Lenco 88, just at early stages of fixing it up. Don't think it has been used since early 1970s at least as the audio had two TV RF plugs.
I guess it would be better to start a new project thread, which i'll have a go with tonight.

Barry: Thanks for your comments; I adore the M15A & A80 machines, they are beutifully made and so easy to work on. M15A trickyest as only have German manual. The M15A is very accurate, clean & tight & tells no lies. The A80 is just a foot tapping silk charmer and delivers with such total authority.

Use the Bryston kit daily & never kept kit for so long, it sounds like it's not there, just how I like it. On the rare occasion it needs fixing I've driven to PMC in Luton & they have fixed it in front of me with a coffee under the 20-year transferable guarantee. I can not fault them & have no reservation in offering the highest recommendation. I have a BP25 pre, 10B-Sub active crossover, 4B power amp & pair of 7Bs power amps. The 10B-Sub & 7Bs are in storage until I can reinstall my active system into somewhere without neighbours. All acquired used at different times over ten years ago. No yearning to look for anything else.

Plan to sell off the Ortofon as agree its a little too vintage for me, looking at Jelco 750L or the Isokinetic Silver Melody version, can't make up my mind yet but was hoping to talk to Mains Cables R Us (Dave?)
My interest in this choice is due its value and from what I've heard people say, inspired by my nostalgic memory of a Hadcock 228 unipivot. Want the space/air/detail but with tight extended bass?
If I didn't like it on the Lenco 88, I gather it gels well on the Techy 1200.

My guilty pleasure.... ( oh that one!)
I have my grandfather to blame for James Last, he always had a new LP for Xmas & birthdays. Prefer the early 60s recordings, very well produced (some may say over) with tight & cheeky arrangements - you can tell they really enjoyed the sessions.

Regards Peter

walpurgis
07-02-2015, 19:37
Nice 88. You have a rusty mounting screw at the front. :)