This is just to document rebuilding the inexpensive Lenco 75 turntable.
I became interested in this due to Jeans thread at Audiogon. Worst case it goes to college with my son.
The first image is the restored Lenco with Decca, sitting on the refinished (original) plinth. The three images with blue backdrop are what was completed last night (Aug 8, '04). This is a solid sandwich of materials, topped with Western Red Oak finished with black lacquer.
The base surrounding the sandwich is solid Maple lumber finished with water based crystal clear (satin) poly.
Decca arm is fitted with Shure V15VxMR cartridge, stepped up by my EAR 834P phono.
As noted in another post, Albert Porter raved about the sound of his replinthed Lenco and Decca arm (a real budget item but reportedly very musical) compared to his 50 times more expensive Walker turntable/arm and high end cartridge. Because of that comment, I'm posting on my dormant (but not dead) Lenco project thread so members can find it.
As stated in earlier posts, the Lenco/Decca is an amazing rig for NO money, a joy for analog lovers everywhere. This little Swiss beauty should remove that old objection of too much money to spin LP's.
Platter and top plate restored with a polish from Germany called Polier. It is manufactured by the same people as Semichrome. Unfortunately it has been discontinued.
The Maple base was inspired by my viewing various DIY projects for Gerrard 301 rim drive tables. Some of those guys in Europe take this very seriously, applying craftsmanship and loving care beyond the norm.
The Decca arm would not be possible if not for your famous thread. I contacted the fellow in Holland that had NOS Decca's and bought two. One is installed on this Lenco and one as a spare, should the bug bite again.
The Shure is very nice. Lively, detailed and very high output. This is the first moving magnet cartridge I have owned in more than twenty years. Nice that I can power a low gain phono and get all the volume I need.
Thanks for instilling the desire in myself and others to experiment and have fun with low cost, great performance product.
Unless we continue to draw in new young people with fun projects like this, we may look up one day and find we are alone. I hope with Audiogon's help that will never happen.
System edited: Final images of my completed Lenco. Shown is details of black lacquer finished Western Red Oak top, crystal clear water based poly finish over hard rock Maple plinth.
System edited: Worked all day with a small wood craftsman to complete this long overdue plinth for my Lenco. As I add finishing touches I will document with photo's and add to this thread.
Be sure to click on the new items and then click again to see them in full size. There are details of the multilayer construction, the IEC connector, Western Red Oak top and the solid Maple lumber wrap.
If this improves the sound more than I have already experienced, this will be an amazing turntable.
Thank you Gary. I can't afford the Great Northern mod and mine has no volume control. I'll check out caps in position C1 and C7 and price subs in Hovland and maybe TRT Infinicaps. I plan on waiting until my new Soundlab cores arrive and they and the table, cables and EAR break in before I change anything.
I have Mullard, Telefunken and others (would have to look at my supply). I'm sure one of them will be vastly superior to the original tubes.
I wonder about coupling caps. Several people here at Audiogon have mentioned replacing them in the EAR and getting superior performance. I looked inside and see several caps but not sure which ones are eligible for upgrade and what to replace them with.
My EAR 834 P phono arrived and I plugged it into my Aesthetix Callisto and put on Mark Knopfler. The music is a bit muted and lacking due to new phono, new wire, new tonearm and 25 year old ACD XLM ;^). BUT the sound did pour fourth with a solid PRaT (as everyone likes to say) and the rumble was non existent. I consider that a small miracle since I have no damping and the stock original plinth and playing into Soundlab Ultimates that are capable of going down to 24 HZ.
As this breaks in and I tube roll the EAR, replace the cartridge and tweak VTA and tracking I will report further. So far I must say that for my $200.00 this is a tremendous bargain and a lot of fun.
Gregm, looks like a cool project, lots of adjustment for various years of LP's and 78' releases. Considering the range of part brands and types that would work in that circuit, it would be a lot to think about. I will ask this one guy in my group about this and consider building it.
I am ordering a EAR 834P Deluxe and expect it within two weeks. After break in will try various NOS tubes.
For now my Lenco will have to get by with an ADC XLM that was given to me by a friend in my music group. It was new in the box, unused. the sound of this cartridge is unknown to me, I have never owned one.
As of today I am seriously considering the Goldring 1042 as the front runner cartridge choice. One of the guys in my audio group just bought the new Shure V15. That would be a nice test, putting those two against each other. Each are well regarded and economically priced.
Still no decision on phono stage, but as of tonight I'm leaning heavily toward the Seduction kit with upgrades. Still looking for a used EAR deluxe to show here at Audiogon as another possibility.
Exhibited at the US Mint long ago, there was a stack of gold bullion for tourists to view.
Everyone would ask if they can have some and one guard always amused himself by saying: "Sure, if you can lift the whole stack by yourself you can have it." On one occasion a large man took the guard at his word, lifting the stack and was actually moving it. After that, the offer was no longer made.
With that in mind, I decided not to make you the same offer of "pick up the complete Walker and you can have it." With my luck you would be on your way out the door before I could stop you. I estimate over 350 pounds, but who wants to take chances?
Gunbei, no harm in us trying these old pieces, particularly with so little investment in them.
Speaking of old pieces, I would love to restore a 1955 Chevy. New cars are smoother, quieter and more sophisticated, but boy would that old dog be fun to work on. Old pieces and old memories have great value and are particularly fun since we have our modern vehicles and stereos to return to.
Thanks everyone for the kind words. Being an old car racer in my youth and enjoying projects, this was a challenge to test my restoration skills as much as actually owning the product. My son has been asking about a turntable for about a year and this is a great place to start.
TWL, thanks for the compliment. Cosmetically this looks great but I imagine no contest for your rig.
Creeper. No, not 78's only. I want to test the ability of this against my big rig and see where it stands. Jean loves these old Lenco's (you've all see his thread by now) and this was a good excuse to join in the fun. If it sounds really nice, I may buy another one so my son can have one and a keeper for me for 78's.
Ewha, see you Tuesday night. Glad the surgery I did on the Linn-Naim Aro is working so well. I must say we pulled that off with perfection.
Fatparrot. Lighting of the Lenco was with a Broncolor Hazy Light. It's a high dollar Swiss lighting firm that supplies pro photographers like myself. Here is their web site:
I have completed a good many ads for the high end audio industry. Current and previous clients include. Graham, Basis, Benz, Audioquest, Purist Audio, Music Meter, McCormack Audio, PSE, Atma-Sphere, Aria Audio, Counterpoint, White (Llano) Audio, Aesthetix, Sound Anchor, Vintage Tube Services and Soundlab to name a few.
Thanks for asking, you never know when another manufacturer is looking at threads and may consider me for a project. Nice to do pretty images and get to listen to the product before sending it back!
albertporter on Budget Minded