Dodgem's Lenco 75: work in progress

[camtwister]

My Lenco project, in progress:

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Over 'n' Out...

[DSJR]

It's a good old deck. And I even prefer the arm to a Linn Basik - Ooops, I see you've chucked the arm too - shame ;) Never again will you be able to savour the delights of an M3D/N21 as it should be used, or an Ortofon OM Arkiv or Shure M75-EJ :lol:

The drive is good though...........................

[John]

Nice work on that plinth

[DSJR]

+1 without a doubt :)

[camtwister]

Thanks for the encouraging responses.
I'm looking forward to the weekend.
Job list: strip, clean and lubricate the motor assembly, platter bearing assembly, speed change mechanism.
Check and adjust the motor shaft/nose bearing endfloat.
Remove the brake.

All to be done in time for the arrival of my new pre/power combination in the next week or so.
ECC83, 12AU7, EL-34s.
Tease, tease!

[Rare Bird]

I have a Goldring 'GL75' somewhere, nothing realy convinces me it's worth bothering with, that arm is terrible..There was a Lenco lovers place on the net but all the links are dead, does it still exist as i'd love to be convinced theres life in the old dogs.

[Beechwoods]

Andr'e, it was reborn as Lenco Heaven: http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php

Excellent work on your GL-75, Johnny. I have one as well, though my plinth isn't half as nicely done as yours (there's a thread about it here somewhere from a year or so ago). I love the sound mine makes; stock arm and all. And they have a great look to them. Excellent Swiss engineering :)

[Rare Bird]

Ok Nick thanks i'll have a butchers. Last time i used it, it rumbled like mad! The Bass was a standout point all the same..

[camtwister]

Ain't no rumble in these parts, pardner...

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I'm in the process of aligning my Ortofon and listening through my new valve pre-power combo. I'll post jottings and opinions after some serious listening.

[Marco]

Any chance we could see the top two photos enlarged a little (or take others closer-up)? :)

Marco.

[John]

Andre I heard quite afew mod Lencos and if you get the plinth design right either layers of wood or use slate its a very capable machine
Some people like the arm but of course they are many better
Here is an interesting review
"Latest Update on My Current Plans

I've now had the Lenco/Graham Phantom II in my system for 3 weeks. Normally, I would have had enough (quality) listening hours to post something substantial, and maybe even definitive. Unfortunately, the (historically) poor weather I've experienced, and further problems optimizing the Graham tonearm (with the ZYX UNIverse), have caused a delay. However, I still feel I can post something important even at this time, though with some significant caveats.

I feel it is "highly probably" that the Lenco/Graham is the finest turntable/tonearm combination I've ever heard in my system (or anywhere else for the matter), and that includes my long time reference, the Forsell turntable/tonearm. I would be more direct and definitive with this evaluation, which my readers now expect from me, but the above mentioned "caveats" will not allow this (without recklessly speculating).

Here are my present "issues" with the Lenco/Graham, which I believe can not be ignored or finessed:

1. The phono cable, while being completely broken-in (with a special device), is a complete unknown to me. (It is the TCI Viper, which comes with the Moerch tonearm.) Worse, it is 1.2 meters long. In contrast, the Forsell had NO tonearm cable (the internal tonearm wire was direct coupled to the step-up transformers). Since I strongly believe (through several direct experiences) that the phono cable is the most critical of ALL the connecting cables, this present situation forces me to be cautious at this time, even though I don't hear any obvious problems with the TCI. (I plan to resolve this issue by, once again, using an ultra-short phono cable, but only after both the choice, and the final location, of my phono preamplifier is resolved, probably in late April.)

2. I have discovered, again through direct experience, that the amount of damping fluid is the critical factor when it comes to optimizing the Graham Phantom tonearm. First, I used too much, which sounded pure, but also "dead", and the bass was noticeably loose, instead of "solid" and "firm". Then I reduced the amount in steps, until it sounded ultra-immediate, intensely dynamic and with extraordinary bass, but then the highs were hard, wiry and dirty (similar to mistracking), especially at louder volumes. I've now increased the amount of fluid, and I think I have it (or pretty close to being) optimized, but I'm not certain.

Further, it may also be true that the damping fluid is effected by the room temperature, which means any serious fluctuations will drive the tonearm (and you) crazy (since the optimum VTF will also change at the same time).

3. Along with the amount of damping fluid, every other tonearm adjustment was also set up incorrectly at the beginning (VTA, VTF, Azimuth and anti-skating), despite closely following the instructions, and even considering my past experiences. I've now made improvements in every area, but I still feel there is some room for improvement, since changing one parameter may mean changing another.

4. Because of the poor weather (I assume), we have also experienced unusual AC voltage fluctuations (for this time of the year), which have adversely effected the Lenco's motor and (day to day) speed. I still haven't learned the best method of bringing the Lenco to the exact and proper speed(s) and, more importantly, keeping it there. I'll be visited by the Lenco "rebuilder" in early April, and we should then come up with a final strategy to solve this issue (which can also drive me crazy).
The Bottom Line

The results of all of the above is this: At any one time, I have heard the Lenco/Graham Phantom II outperform, or at least equal, every other turntable/tonearm combination in my experience, at any price, and in every single sonic parameter. In fact, there is not one area where I can criticize it, when I have heard it at its best (with maybe the possible exception of lateral width, but only "maybe"). I find this state of affairs both amazing and inspiring.

However, it is also important to state this contrasting fact: I have still yet to hear this combination do everything, at its best, all at the same time. This is why I am so frustrated, and also hesitant to make a definitive declaration. Still, I am confident that I can, eventually, and with some help, achieve this complete optimization. When I do, the critical details will be revealed and the highly deserved celebrations can begin, because it will indeed be an audio achievement to celebrate.

http://www.high-endaudio.com/RECENT.html#Mar

[John]

On a personal while I think the Lenco is good I do not think it is quite that good but capable of beatng most tt up to £2000

[camtwister]

Glad to oblige, Marco.

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[Marco]

Absolutely fantastic! That's got to be one of the nicest Lencos I've seen - what a top job, mate :)

Based on what I've heard of Lencos, I can imagine that the synergy with the LVX/Ortofon is rather good - you've obviously got good ears and a nicely set up system!

I do love Lencos (especially their low-end wallop), and when correctly fettled with a quality tonearm, consider them to be up there with the Garrards and TD-124s of this world, and hence amongst the finest T/Ts one can buy.

They definitely don't get the recognition amongst 'audiophiles' that they deserve. I certainly don't consider them a poor relation to the Garrards or TD124 in terms of sonic performance.

Congrats, you've got a lovely beastie there, so enjoy it! :cool:

Marco.

[camtwister]

Thanks for the kind comments.
This is my first Lenco project. The previous turntable I resurrected was a Garrard AT6 mark one in a 1960 Pye BlackBox stereogram. A different emphasis! Another idler drive, though.
I'm going to enjoy listening to this GL75 but I would consider embarking on a second Lenco project, learning from the mistakes I've made.
I highly recommend visiting Lenco Heaven. Many of the contributors have completed several Lenco projects and most are stunning. The best examples really are the art of sound.