Turntable - novice intro/info

[Wakefield Turntables]

There are only three bits which you need to make are working properly on the Lenco, the motor, the idler wheel and the bearing. All very very very easy to fettle.

[philv]

When buying a lenco, would it be appropriate to change the stylus ?
Which would be a good chouce/cost?

[Phil Bishop]

I'll jump in here again as I think there's a danger of comparing apples with pears and it very much depends on what philv is looking for. I used to own 20 or more Lencos (GL75's, 78's, 70's, 59's and even a 60) and have owned plenty of Regas too.

I have never owned a Rega below a Planar 3 but they are pretty much plug and play - the entry level models are designed this way. They will give decent sound and allow a bit of fun to be had with vinyl.

Lencos are great but they demand time and skill to set up. If you are lucky and get a decent 75 or 78 it will almost certainly need the arm v-blocks replacing - fiddly, but with practice it can be done. The idler wheels generally need degreasing and the motor needs lubing. The bearings are often worn - again, kits are available to refurbish. There may be soldering required to get the arm wires and phono connections sorted. The stylus will need changing - most are fitted with old Goldring or Shure cartridges and aftermarket styli are generally available.

All this is a day's work for someone who knows what they are doing - I had to learn from others. However, a well-fetted GL75 will then sound wonderful - a drive and verve you don't get from belt drives. But not for the faint hearted :-)

From the sort of questions Phil is asking, I'm thinking he should stick to a Rega or Pro-Ject? All IMHO of course :-)

Cheers

Phil

[Bigman80]

When buying a lenco, would it be appropriate to change the stylus ?
Which would be a good chouce/cost?

Did Jimbo sell his Lenco?

That's one was perfect for this scenario, needed nothing doing and I'm sure there was a cartridge available too.

No fettling. No messing, simple setup.

Sent from my VKY-L09 using Tapatalk

[wee tee cee]

I'll jump in here again as I think there's a danger of comparing apples with pears and it very much depends on what philv is looking for. I used to own 20 or more Lencos (GL75's, 78's, 70's, 59's and even a 60) and have owned plenty of Regas too.

I have never owned a Rega below a Planar 3 but they are pretty much plug and play - the entry level models are designed this way. They will give decent sound and allow a bit of fun to be had with vinyl.

Lencos are great but they demand time and skill to set up. If you are lucky and get a decent 75 or 78 it will almost certainly need the arm v-blocks replacing - fiddly, but with practice it can be done. The idler wheels generally need degreasing and the motor needs lubing. The bearings are often worn - again, kits are available to refurbish. There may be soldering required to get the arm wires and phono connections sorted. The stylus will need changing - most are fitted with old Goldring or Shure cartridges and aftermarket styli are generally available.

All this is a day's work for someone who knows what they are doing - I had to learn from others. However, a well-fetted GL75 will then sound wonderful - a drive and verve you don't get from belt drives. But not for the faint hearted :-)

From the sort of questions Phil is asking, I'm thinking he should stick to a Rega or Pro-Ject? All IMHO of course :-)

Cheers

Phil

My experience exactly...

[hifi_dave]

I'll jump in here again as I think there's a danger of comparing apples with pears and it very much depends on what philv is looking for. I used to own 20 or more Lencos (GL75's, 78's, 70's, 59's and even a 60) and have owned plenty of Regas too.

I have never owned a Rega below a Planar 3 but they are pretty much plug and play - the entry level models are designed this way. They will give decent sound and allow a bit of fun to be had with vinyl.

Lencos are great but they demand time and skill to set up. If you are lucky and get a decent 75 or 78 it will almost certainly need the arm v-blocks replacing - fiddly, but with practice it can be done. The idler wheels generally need degreasing and the motor needs lubing. The bearings are often worn - again, kits are available to refurbish. There may be soldering required to get the arm wires and phono connections sorted. The stylus will need changing - most are fitted with old Goldring or Shure cartridges and aftermarket styli are generally available.

All this is a day's work for someone who knows what they are doing - I had to learn from others. However, a well-fetted GL75 will then sound wonderful - a drive and verve you don't get from belt drives. But not for the faint hearted :-)

From the sort of questions Phil is asking, I'm thinking he should stick to a Rega or Pro-Ject? All IMHO of course :-)

Cheers

Phil

Exactly.

As much as I enjoy a well maintained Goldring, they are not for the novice.

[philv]

It seems a Lenco GL75 goes on ebay for around £100 (exclusing the for collection only cheapies).

£180 buys one that has been serviced/v blocks changed etc).

I it has already een sorted, is that a reasonable price?

A refurbed GL75 with modded carbon arms in a new plinth went for £280 yesterday.
Unfortunately i didn`t like the plinth.

Although the newer option of rega etc is the sensible option.
unless it is a cracking deal, I much prefer vintage.

[walpurgis]

An early Rega Planar 3 is vintage.

The Lenco is not tricky to work on for somebody who is familiar with their traits, but I'd not recommend one to anybody who is not confident in taking on mechanical issues. I wouldn't buy one that has had radical arm modifications either, as there's no telling how sound or even accurate the work might have been.

Have you looked on 'Lenco Heaven'? https://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php You'll see plenty of first time buyers on there and their questions will give you an idea of what you may face.

[philv]

Right...on a complete tangent...ish.
A lynn lp12?
How good and how much for a reasonable one?
Good option?

[walpurgis]

Oh, an LP12? Another deck that requires specialist or knowledgeable setting up.



Have you considered a Technics SL1200 or SL-1210. They are just plug and play and work beautifully. Not even a belt to wear out. Look great too.