Choosing the 'best' turntable and ignoring 'flavours'

[NRG]

I personally feel people make too much of the neutral or faithful to the original angle. If a deck or other component adds something that makes the enjoyment of your system and music better then more power to it. I'm no fan of the LP12, I lived with a top spec one for 15years and was shocked when I heard a Gyrodeck for the first time, but many people like that presentation even if they have grown up with it and if it gives them enjoyment so be it.

I went from the LP12 to the Gyrodeck and even throughout upgrades to motors, power supplies and platters etc it was still too far the 'other way'...It was not until I bought a 45year old Lenco of Ebay did I realise the direction I wanted to go, the presentation suited me and my taste so I stuck with it....some foods still need a little seasoning to bring out the best in them!

Although I'm currently running an SP10 in a Slatedeck plinth I don't seem to get the same pleasure from it as I did the Lenco....so the Lenco may make a re-appearance later this year....we'll see...I still have to get the Kontra B re-tipped though.

[Beechwoods]

Thanks Neil (is it Neil, I have trouble sometimes trying to remember everyone's names!), for mentioning the Lenco. You posted in the time it took me to read the prior posts and I think you made the first mention of it...

I have a GL75, unmodified, but in nice condition. Prior to that I had a Mk1 ProJect Debut. The ProJect was a depressing experience. Completely put me off vinyl. For a long while I just didn't think that vinyl could be any good without spending a fortune... thanks to people like Mike and Prince Of Darkness on here I hunted down a Lenco that was in bits, built a basic plinth (with help from Primalsea) and was thoroughly blown away.

My system comprises Quad amplification, and the Lenco works well with it. To my ears in unscientific listening tests my Lenco sounds just as good, if not slightly better, than my CDP through the Quad 33 and into the 303. It cost me about £100 total, excluding the NOS cartridge my dad had stashed away in 1973.

At it's price I would say that the Lenco is the best turntable you can get, without question. It is also extremely tweakable. I know some people swear by 45kg plinths and the like, mine is a lot lighter than that, though still reasonably weighty. It does not need a fortune spending in modifications. But if you want to spend a fortune, you can.

For that reason it has a niche. My motivations are to be honest broader than just great sound (which I think is Marco's singular motivation). Low price is a real motivation / necessity. 'Vintage' kit is also a motivation. And I'm also motivated by a desire to fish out of the mainstream as well (perhaps even be a bit contrary ) The Lenco ticks all those boxes.

If I had all the money in the world I'd keep my Lenco, and get a Garrard 301, and an EMT 948. But then I'd have to buy a new house to keep them in, so it would get very expensive.

Great thread by the way!

[NRG]

Yeah it's Neal, should add that to my sig!

I have the GL99, it's still boxed in it's 1970's plywood plinth. I re-furbished it... replaced the idler wheel and bearing (then upgraded the bearing with a kit from the old Lenco Lovers forum) and also dismantled, cleaned and lubed the motor, it's absolutely fine. A 301 would be nice but I don't have any urge to go and seek one out! Especially at the prices they command nowadays.

[Haselsh1]

Now look, I could be wrong here but my opinion of the LP12 from what I have heard from others, friends included, is that it is a heavy, ploddy jazz kind of deck with a completely overblown fat and slow sound. Now this may be well out of the truth but it's my impression. By the way, I have heard an LP12 only three times at Hi-Fi shows and my long lasting memory of it was when someone tapped the table it was on and the arm did the skaters waltz.

There must be so much more out there at a reasonable price but I just think these things are so grossly overpriced. Given the profit margin on Hi-Fi there's no way I'm ever gonna buy brand new so I guess I'll just have to keep checking out ebay. Like I said before, I have ages yet.

[Beechwoods]

I have the GL99, it's still boxed in it's 1970's plywood plinth.

Ooh... a GL99. Very nice. Prices rapidly ascending hot on the heels of the 301 and 401... It'd be an 88 for me if I were to go for an 'armless' Lenco. I prefer the look The integrated strobe on the 99 is nice though.

I'm just waiting for the great unwashed to catch on to the 75 and see their prices go through the roof (£200 is through the roof for me )

[Mike]

I'm just waiting for the great unwashed to catch on to the 75 and see their prices go through the roof (£200 is through the roof for me )

People have been waiting for this for ages... Doesn't seem to be happening though.

[Spectral Morn]

Neil,
Is that a Parnassus on the end of your SME ?

David

Hi Dave

No its a Clavis. I was unable to afford the Parnassus when I worked in the trade back then about 1993. I bought the Oracle S/H from a colleague who upgraded to a Basis Ovation (he thought it was an upgrade I thought he had ruined the sound of his system) the Oracle was more musical and delicate. I once ran an Eminent Technology ET2 air bearing arm on it(made my own arm board, which I still have). Alas I lost my job back in 1995 just a week after I got back from my honey moon (during the last major recession). So I had to sell the ET2 Big mistake.



Thanks Shaun its a lovely TT but even S/H they are still selling for about £1000 without arm (mk1,2,3 less but I don't rate them as much. The mk4 was amazing in its day and for me it was love at first sight and then luckily also at first listen) I feel its still the most beautiful TT to my eyes.


Regards D S D L

[NRG]

Now look, I could be wrong here but my opinion of the LP12 from what I have heard from others, friends included, is that it is a heavy, ploddy jazz kind of deck with a completely overblown fat and slow sound. Now this may be well out of the truth but it's my impression. By the way, I have heard an LP12 only three times at Hi-Fi shows and my long lasting memory of it was when someone tapped the table it was on and the arm did the skaters waltz.

There must be so much more out there at a reasonable price but I just think these things are so grossly overpriced. Given the profit margin on Hi-Fi there's no way I'm ever gonna buy brand new so I guess I'll just have to keep checking out ebay. Like I said before, I have ages yet.

It was the continued upgrade path of the LP12 that finally made me look around, I couldn't justify anymore expenditure when the last upgrade was supposedly the 'ultimate'... the Lingo MKII was the last straw.

I have a very good friend with a top spec LP12, keel the lot and it's a very very nice deck, he loves it and I can't argue with that, its not at all ploddy in the bass or coloured as far as I can tell but....whoa...the price! Eye watering.

[Spectral Morn]

Now look, I could be wrong here but my opinion of the LP12 from what I have heard from others, friends included, is that it is a heavy, ploddy jazz kind of deck with a completely overblown fat and slow sound. Now this may be well out of the truth but it's my impression. By the way, I have heard an LP12 only three times at Hi-Fi shows and my long lasting memory of it was when someone tapped the table it was on and the arm did the skaters waltz.

There must be so much more out there at a reasonable price but I just think these things are so grossly overpriced. Given the profit margin on Hi-Fi there's no way I'm ever gonna buy brand new so I guess I'll just have to keep checking out ebay. Like I said before, I have ages yet.

Hi Shaun

Only if you let a Linn dealer set one up. I have done one (Lp12) in the last few weeks before I lost my job and I broke all the stupid Linn rules-tightening everything up until its crazy like its super glued together. I loosened everything. Just tightening enough...so I added a degree of compliance. My boss said it was the best sounding Linn he had ever heard...he hates Linn Lp12's...almost to wanting to destroy ever Linn in the world. Crazy but there you have it.


Regards D S D L

[Spectral Morn]

It was the continued upgrade path of the LP12 that finally made me look around, I couldn't justify anymore expenditure when the last upgrade was supposedly the 'ultimate'... the Lingo MKII was the last straw.

I have a very good friend with a top spec LP12, keel the lot and it's a very very nice deck, he loves it and I can't argue with that, its not at all ploddy in the bass or coloured as far as I can tell but....whoa...the price! Eye watering.

Hi Neal

Yes trying to fix what was perfect....everyone else was wrong The cost though is madness IMHO. To fix perfection


Regards D S D L