Beechwoods' Goldring Lenco GL-75

[Cotlake]

Hi Nigel,

Hmmm, in my view mostly what you have written, complete with illogical and irrelevant analogies on this is I'm afraid rubbish!

By way of example, compare the failed performance of lightweight TT supports from Lorricraft for Garrard decks with the success of high mass and also CLD (Constrained Layer Dampening) plinths. Remember we are only talking idler drive and direct drive TT's here. The proof of the pudding (as you say) is all the significant numbers of people who have re-discovered these old decks by using these high mass mounting methods. The old method was exactly the light support option that failed to sink energy and so ID and DD TT's gained the reputation of being rumble noisey, became unpopular in the market, followed by the rise of belt drive options culminating in the Linn LP bullshit 12.

ID and DD TT's can work if mounted correctly. There is good evidence that Slate out performs the high mass wood options even with the CLD. This is about the re-discovery of old equipment which, when mounted properly (not as they were originally marketed) can challenge in performance many expensive modern TT products. Take a Goldring Lenco which can be bought secondhand for about three and sixpence and slot it into a DIY high mass plinth that costs a similar amount to make. Hook up a reasonable arm and cartridge and for less than £450 you can have a TT that out performs a current £3000 (maybe more) deck. Now it may not have the modern visual design aesthetic but can be attractive nevertheless in a retro kind of way.

I've played with Lenco's and Garrard 401. I currently use my Garrard in Slate. It well out performs my previous Michell GyrOrbe (upgraded Gyro) with HR PSU by a significant margin. That actually is a bargain in comparison with the price of the Michell kit. Slate might appear expensive when you consider you are buying just a cut piece of stone, but when you think of it as a component part of a TT, it actually is bloody cheap.

Realise this is all about getting the ID and DD TT to work properly. Most modern TT's on the market are flawed because they are external motor rubber band driven. That makes design and production nice and cheap but compromises sound performance. Rubber bands stretch so you don't have the speed precission that makes the music live and acute, not to mention the subtleties on attack on notes or decay on notes.

If you want to explore a reasonably priced approach to good analogue sound reproduction and don't mind being a bit retro, this is the way to go. If you want the equivalent performance from a new production, be prepared to dig very deep into your wallet.

Best wishes,

Greg