My Lenco Turntable Project

2

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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,223
    edited December 2011
    Fantastic work!!! Not sure how I missed this thread before..
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited December 2011
    Lookin good Rich,with the precision machining involved I bet that new bearing /spindle assembly was'nt cheap
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited December 2011
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    Fantastic work!!! Not sure how I missed this thread before..

    Same here.

    Fantastic project !

    Thanks for sharing
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited December 2011
    Man your wood case turned out great. Nice work.
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited December 2011
    Rich is a Master Craftsman and a great guy to boot. I'm coming back to Plainfield when that Lenco is completed. Good tunes, good times and good friends!!
    Carl

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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited December 2011
    Man that is a TON of work!
    AWSOME!:eek:
    IEC input is a nice touch.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited December 2011
    Thanks you, thank you all for the kind words. It has been challenging.

    Carl, another visit would be great! I had hoped to have it ready for your last visit. I am getting real close to completion. This weekend I hope to run the air line from the basement into the wall and out a nearby existing wall plate with video/lan/phone jacks. (I can't wait for Jasper to discover that air line!) The compressor is just too noisy in the same room with the gear and I don't have a nearby room or closet to hide it in.

    The existing hole in the floor the wires/cables are run through to that wall plate is plenty large enough to poke the air line through. Future project, if I keep it:cheesygrin:, I want to rig up a low voltage toggle switch on that wall plate to control an AC relay in the basement that powers the compressor. Otherwise it's run downstairs to turn it on and off. I already have a reservoir tank/air filter that will be placed next to the rack. This time I'll try the Dynavector 17D3 on it too.

    Fred, IIRC he gets ~$300 for the larger bearing and spindle. I originally ordered his Stainless bearing housing with new bushings for ~$165; you reuse your OEM spindle. I got a great upgrade/package deal due to him moving which resulted in a major delay in shipping my order. However, I am still waiting for the idler wheel/arm. He also offers a 16 pound Stainless platter for $850 (8 pounds heavier than the Lenco heavy platter), or $1K with the improved larger bearing/spindle assembly.

    Pepster, yes, you are correct, it is an IEC. Like all old gear, it only had a two prong plug. The pan and motor are now grounded. You probably noticed the picture of when I had it cobbled together to test. I had to connect a ground wire to the stamped pan by the speed control to get rid of a hum. I really detest hum and noise!
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited December 2011
    Almost there! Still needs a wet sand/buff, and get rid of some small scratches I put in it.:redface: Polish the platter is on the list, or at least remove the black marker off the edge.

    finished_1.jpg

    finished_2.jpg

    finished_3.jpg
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited December 2011
    A work of art that doubles as a turntable. NICE WORK
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited December 2011
    Thanks chumlie!

    I got the compressor shelf mounted in the basement and the air line run into the wall for the MG-1 air bearing arm. A push-lock bulkhead fitting makes for a clean install in this application.

    Up and running, time for tweaking and analysis. Better yet, let's listen to George Winston play the piano.

    and some Falco for fun...cranked...love that crazy horn....
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited December 2011
    Kind of a relaxing day, except for setting up cartridges. My eyes need much help to see them little stylus thingies.

    The MG-1 arm is pretty kewl, you can do an arm swap in 30 seconds. Just unscrew the slide arm stopper, unplug the S-Video connector, slide off the arm and reverse the process. I installed my Karat 17D3 on the Ultra arm today. While the Acutex M310 IIE MM cartridge was good, the 17D3 is much, much better. Of course it retails for a bunch more and ought to. While the MG-1 arm is crude compared with $3K to $12K linear air bearing arms, it performs very well.

    For the hawk eyes...yes, the AT cart has no cantilever. That came like that with a table I bought a couple years back. It was just mounted on an arm for initial arm alignment. The arm tube must be level to the table and parallel with the centerline of spindle. I had taped a pointy thing to the AT cartridge body while aligning it. I did not want to risk damaging a good cartridge during initial setup.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited December 2011
    Remotely mounted compressor,gotta love it.Like the look of the natural wood on black.


    I still have GW's December on vinyl ,played it a lot back when black disc's were my source of choice.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited December 2011
    Thanks Fred. A couple guys at the Lenco forum think the arm boards should be Black. I like it the way it is. The pic tends to make the wood really stand out. It is more subdued in person.

    That compressor noise would drive you crazy! The combination expansion tank/air filter is upstairs by the rack. The tank filters and helps smooth the pump pulsations so you get a steady state smooth airflow into the arm. The air noise from the tonearm isn't too bad. Like a whisper when you get close to the table. A hiss with your ear right by the tonearm. I don't need a dust bug with this table. The air escaping from the smaller than human hair laser cut holes in the arm tube creates a positive pressure wave that keeps dust from settling on the record.:cheesygrin:

    GW is a fav piano player of mine and Autumn is one of my fav albums.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • dudeinaroom
    dudeinaroom Posts: 3,609
    edited December 2011
    Just awesome great work.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited April 2012
    I finally got around to polishing my Lenco platter. Had to add some bling to it. It spins faster now, had to cut the speed back. :cheesygrin: Also some shots of the coax IC's I had to replace in the MG-1 tonearm. Some mods were done to it prior to me buying it.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited April 2012
    Beautiful Rich!
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited April 2012
    Thanks Mike. Funny, I was up North swapping a cartridge out at Rob's place today. Brock and his brother Blake were there. I'm adjusting the cartridge and mention I polished my platter last night. Everyone got quiet for a moment....I would have said spank my monkey if I were describing what they were thinking I did....:cheesygrin:
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited April 2012
    Sweet.How does one ummmm ahhhh polish his platter?


    Whats Jaspers take on the extra glare coming from below his bed?
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited April 2012
    Well:cheesygrin:, first I used some thinner and scuff pad to get the old clear lacquer off. Mother?s Mag & Aluminum Polish along with a buffer pad on a 5" angle grinder made the shine.

    Jasper doesn't get on the new cover as much. The Gingko cover that fit on the isolation base had rounded corners. The new cover has squared edges. Must not be as comfortable when he hangs off the side of it.

    He gets on my stuff mostly while I am at work hoping I will appear to get him off and play with him. He is one kewl cat. A PIA at times, but kewl.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • analog97
    analog97 Posts: 328
    edited April 2012
    Jeepers Creepers!!! Is that a gem or what? Rich, you are one master builder. That piano black "spit shine" you gave it, and yes, I can imagine the pictures do NOT do it justice, is just flat-out awesome. Kudos to you and your apparently infinite patience and skill. I just love it.......
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited April 2012
    The pics DON'T do it justice. It is one very nice piece of audio ****. I haven't seen it since he polished the platter, but I hope to soon.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited April 2012
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Mother?s Mag & Aluminum Polish along with a buffer pad on a 5" angle grinder made the shine.
    It brought it up nice.
    He gets on my stuff mostly while I am at work hoping I will appear to get him off and play with him. He is one kewl cat. A PIA at times, but kewl.
    Are you sure he's not a dog?
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited April 2012
    FTGV wrote: »
    Are you sure he's not a dog?

    He is mostly cat. When he isn't sleeping, he does follow us around and gets involved with what we are doing. Both good and bad with that. Try connecting a short piece of wire, tie a shoe, he will grab the other end and won't let go. A real fstick sometimes.:cheesygrin:

    Thanks again for the kind words!

    Larry, I finally got a Denon 103R to mod. Gonna put some hours on it before attempting to nude it.:eek: It sounds pretty good out of the box. Have you and Carl ever tried the wood bodies or just use the aluminum ones?
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited April 2012
    Looking good Rich.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited April 2012
    Beautiful, there are no other words for that labor of love.
    integrated w/DAC module Gryphon Diablo 300
    server Wolf Alpha 3SX
    phono pre Dynamic Sounds Associates Phono II
    turntable/tonearms Origin Live Sovereign Mk3 dual arm, Origin Live Enterprise Mk4, Origin Live Illustrious Mk3c
    cartridges Miyajima Madake, Ortofon Windfeld Ti, Ortofon
    speakers Rockport Mira II
    cables Synergistic Research Cables, Gryphon VPI XLR, Sablon 2020 USB
    rack Adona Eris 6dw
    ultrasonic cleaner Degritter
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  • analog97
    analog97 Posts: 328
    edited April 2012
    Larry, I finally got a Denon 103R to mod. Gonna put some hours on it before attempting to nude it. It sounds pretty good out of the box. Have you and Carl ever tried the wood bodies or just use the aluminum ones?


    Rich, no have not tried the wooden body. Be careful nuding the Denon. Watch the on-line video first and do NOT touch where they warn you. Get a magnifying glass and find the smaller-than-human-hair wires!!! I did 2 successfully, so I know you can do better!! I practiced on a warn out 103 first, but broke it removing it from the Isokinetik body. Did Carl's 103-R with success and it sounds superb. Let us know what you think of the 103-R relative to the upper Dynavector you use.

    Back to the thread.......Super Build!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited April 2012
    Larry has the 103 nuding down perfectly. It's a delicate process but I know Rich will make child's play of it.

    I am anxious to see and hear that Lenco in person.
    Carl

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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited April 2012
    Thanks again for the kind words! You should see some of the builds at the Lenco Heaven forum. There are builds using the standard Lenco top plate (cut and uncut) and the custom stainless steel top plate. Lots of talent and imagination using exotic woods and slate. They range from modest to extreme builds using some of the most expensive arms and cartridges out there.

    analog97 wrote: »
    Be careful nuding the Denon.

    Oh, I do intend to be careful!:eek:

    Let us know what you think of the 103-R relative to the upper Dynavector you use.

    Will do. There is a thread devoted to the 103's at Lenco Heaven. Some of them that have tell me the cantilever must be upgraded to take the 103/103R to the next level, regardless of body used. That is a $250 to $350 option at Soundsmith, with the highest cost for the ruby cantilever and ruby stylus.

    Carl, we anxiously await your next visit! The wife snapped this with her cell phone camera when I was running the air line through the wall. My little helper, front and center.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • analog97
    analog97 Posts: 328
    edited April 2012
    Some of them that have tell me the cantilever must be upgraded to take the 103/103R to the next level, regardless of body used.

    We tend to split finer and finer hairs for incremental improvement. It's a "hairy asymptote"......:razz:
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited April 2012
    analog97 wrote: »
    We tend to split finer and finer hairs for incremental improvement. It's a "hairy asymptote"......:razz:

    LOL Like I have said a time or two, upgrading in audio is like making love in the sand; you don't want to stop but you have to.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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