Beechwoods' Goldring Lenco GL-75

[Beechwoods]

I grew up with a Garrard 301 as the family turntable, and my dad only parted with it last year. He went through his stuff recently and pulled out a few things he thought I might find useful. Today he gave me a box of a few bits and bobs. A few old Shure cartridges, spare stylii, and this, a lovely Garrard Stylus Gauge. I think it's older than I am. Thanks dad.

[Primalsea]

Thats a lovely plinth Nick, I wish I had one of those, hang on err!! To be honest the slate plinth is good but the difference between it and the wooden one is too close to tell. In hindsight if I knew then what I knew now I would not have changed plinths. If your lenco works anything like my 401 in the plinth you will be hard pushed to find something better.

The Garrard gauges, I have heard, are supposed to be quite good. They any have one issue that I know off which is they read differently depending on room temperature. However I think thay come with calibration weights that you use before you set the downforce.

[Beechwoods]

I'm glad you like the plinth! I ripped off the idea from another member of this fine forum!

Regarding the gauge, it's a cinch to use, and yes, it does come with a test weight. I was pleased to find that my setting of the stylus weight and counterbalance by eye, was verified as bang on when I tried the gauge out. Quite gratifying!

[John]

Nice work Nick
When funds allow try changing that arm it is really holding it back in performance terms

[Primalsea]

I've never heard the Lenco arm so can't comment on how good or poor it is compared to other arms. However if you're not adverse to DIY you can make a basic arm very good. It won't make it into an SME V or anything but you can get something that you will like just as much.

Many people rashly assume that lightness and stiffness are most important. Actually its control of resonances that is key. Also I have found that adding weight to the area around the bearings can make huge differences.

[John]

Agree the control of resonance makes a huge difference and they are a few mods on the net that they reckon can help the arm so might be worth trying. The arm biggest issue is the V blocks

[Primalsea]

What are the V blocks?? Are they some form of Pivot??

[Mike]

Yep...

They're the virtical pivot point at the arm base, rather like SME3009.

[Beechwoods]

The arm biggest issue is the V blocks

I've changed the v-blocks on mine for some aftermarket 'precision' replacements. Are you saying that the v-blocks are a problem from a design perspective?

The arm is probably the next thing that will be reviewed, but for the moment I'm going to stick with it for simplicities sake. Right now I'm just enjoying having my vinyl out again. Next year will see more work

[Prince of Darkness]

I've changed the v-blocks on mine for some aftermarket 'precision' replacements. Are you saying that the v-blocks are a problem from a design perspective?

There is no problem with the design of the V-blocks, only with their condition deteriorating due to age.