My Lenco Turntable Project

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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited April 2012
    I like to split the hairs, sand and all! Surf's up!!:twisted:
    Carl

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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited April 2012
    Hey Carl! On the way for my next Lenco project, a stealth PTP5 top plate.:cheesygrin: These require less material be cut out of the plinth compared to the OEM stamped pan.

    ptp5-1.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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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited May 2012
    So where to go from here....
    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 May 2012
    Maybe a PTP5 top plate Lenco on Maple.... Less material is cut out of the plinth with the PTP5 compared to the OEM stamped steel pan.
    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 May 2012
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    So where to go from here....
    Very nice 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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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited May 2012
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    So where to go from here....
    If it ain't broke don't fix it.

    That slab of maple looks nice but that pic of the table in black looks outstanding.
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  • analog97
    analog97 Posts: 328
    edited May 2012
    Rich, I'm with FGTV....not only are you a master builder, your photography skills ain't too shabby. You framed a deep gloss shiny and reflective surface on that plinth that makes one drool. I hope the Lenco sounds as deep as the piano black is. How does it compare to the Nottingham in terms of space and time?

    Sincerely,

    James T. Kirk
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited May 2012
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Maybe a PTP5 top plate Lenco on Maple.... Less material is cut out of the plinth with the PTP5 compared to the OEM stamped steel pan.

    You get that from Musky?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited May 2012
    EndersShadow wrote: »
    You get that from Musky?

    Yes. It may be too small though. I have to get the blueprints printed and lay it out. I want to mount two arms.
    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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  • doctorcilantro
    doctorcilantro Posts: 2,028
    edited May 2012
    Dang I miss that arm, and table, and my system ; )

    Awesome work bud!
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    Thanks very much for the kind words.....



    Carl, most likely no on the RCA box. Most Lenco builds have holes drilled/cut beneath the arm board through all the layers of the plinth to route the tonearm wiring out.

    86d0ff5647d6e0b1161dba61e54086a6.jpg

    Now The MG-1 air bearing arm I acquired from doc does have two short runs of 1/8" coax to an external RCA box. If I chose to use it, I could run the tonearm wires external along the top of plinth and attach the box to the rear of plinth. Or I could desolder the box, run the wiring through drilled passages and resolder it. I may just run from the cartridge/tonearm straight to the ModWright phono stage. That will eliminate the S video connector the tone arm wiring plugs into and another set of IC's from the RCA box to the phono pre.


    lenco_test.jpg

    Here is where I am at. I just have the plinth layers screwed together for now. They will be glued and screwed after the armboard/cutouts are made. I used my drill press to accurately drill mounting holes for the pan. Blind nuts are installed in the third layer of the plinth for machine screw threaded fasteners so there will be no wood screws to strip when tightening the pan down. I'll also use blind nuts for the arm board and the adjustable feet.

    I hadn't designed the plinth for the linear tracking arm, so I have some things to work out. Like the on/off switch idler wheel disconnect lever will hit the bottom of the linear tracking tonearm. I may have to go with the 16 speed position on/off idler wheel disconnect mod, or make a shorter switch lever. If I had known I was getting a linear tracking arm, I would have moved the pan 1/2" toward the front and would have been able to mount the MG-1 at the left rear of plinth.
    For Sale 2019:
    Tortuga Audio LDR passive preamp
    Decware EL34 amp
    Allnic H-1201 phono
    Zu Union Cubes
    iFi iDSD DAC, .5m UBS, iFI Gemini cable, Oyaide Tunami XLR 1.3M, Oyaide Tunami Speaker wire 1.5M, Beyerdynamic DT1990 headphones, PS Audio P3 power center

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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited May 2012
    doctorcilantro wrote: »
    Dang I miss that arm, and table, and my system ; )

    Awesome work bud!

    Thanks Jon! It is a fantastic tonearm! This table is so dynamic and detailed, it shocked me when I first heard it. Talk about PRaT....And that is just with a Karat 17D3. Even new the MG-1 tonearm price is insanely low for the performance it gives. The $4K -$10K air bearing arms it competes with are better machined and nicer looking, but I can't afford them. daiwok at Lenco Heaven has some very pricey linear and pivoted tonearms in his collection yet he has two of the MG-1's and uses them. I hope to get a better cartridge this year. Wish I would have had the coin for your Soundsmith at the time.
    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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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited May 2012
    Unbelievable! It's a piece of art!
    Carl

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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited May 2012
    Thanks Carl! It is functional art too!:cheesygrin:

    Finally got my Midas aluminum body for the Denon 103R! (Only one!, this is a group picture). Came on a slow boat from Hong Kong from one of the Lenco Heaven members. You and Larry wish me luck getting the plastic body off!

    d439ba4b.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 May 2012
    SComp, maybe i'm wrong here but it looks to me like a block of aluminum with a couple of tapped holes. Why wait for a slow boat ? Just wondering what special about those blocks.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited May 2012
    Chumlie, you are correct, thats all it is. The threaded body means not having to use the small nuts to hold the cartridge to the arm; just short screws. This is one of them improvement tweaks, provided you don?t harm the cartridge while removing the glued on plastic body. It takes a great performing, inexpensive cartridge to a higher level.

    The aluminum body is heavier and adds mass. The added mass is said to improve broad-band resonance suppression compared to the light plastic body it is supplied in thus enhancing the sound. It also slightly improves (raises) cartridge compliance to the tonearm. Wood bodies in various hardwoods are also available, heavier than the plastic body but lighter than the aluminum one. It took a month for it to get here from the guy who makes these in Hong Kong hence the slow boat comment. There are other suppliers of aluminum bodies.

    Carl and Larry have modded their Denon cartridges and urged me to go for it. They used ISOkinetik bodies IIRC.

    http://www.cabezon.eu/index.php?cPath=38


    The process: You can just use a press fit or 'pot' them with some epoxy.

    5627990366_f8cdf80a9d_z.jpg

    He offers the body with square or rounded corners. I liked the rounded corners.

    5627406339_5154630cf5_z.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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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited June 2012
    I like the look Rich! I'm sure you'll come through the cartridge surgery just fine:cheesygrin: I am anxious to hear what you impressions are of the changes the aluminum body does for the Denon. No two ears are alike!
    Carl

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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited June 2012
    Mr. Rich, you are taking this audio thing seriously :smile: Can't wait to hear it.
    "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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  • doctor r
    doctor r Posts: 837
    edited June 2012
    I agree the round corners give it a more refined look. A steady hand and excellent light will lead to a successful "plastic shellectomy" and transplant. Look forward to the review.
    Rick
    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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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited June 2012
    Maileq l'ordure thai escroc a ?t? rapport
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited June 2012
    Я надеюсь, что означает кое-что хорошее.... (I hope that means something nice...)

    I must have the Midas touch! Stylus still on, cantilever straight and both channels play! Will do some listening tamale, it is movie time.
    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 June 2012
    Carl, until I get a heavier counterweight made for my MG-1 tonearm to compensate for the Midas aluminum body, this works. A roll of putty with one link from a small chain.:cheesygrin:

    midas_2.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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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,427
    edited June 2012
    One demerit for that kludge of a fix. Unless it's a 24K gold chain link, in which case you get one bonus point. :razz:

    Got a measurement of the weight of the new cartridge assembly?
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited June 2012
    agfrost wrote: »
    One demerit for that kludge of a fix. Unless it's a 24K gold chain link, in which case you get one bonus point. :razz:

    Got a measurement of the weight of the new cartridge assembly?

    Kludge...is actually a kind word for that fix.:cheesygrin: The weight of the weight requires math, not my best subject.
    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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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    edited July 2012
    Looks like Mr. Bill got tangled up in the gears of that contraption.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited June 2013
    I got tired of the large black plinth on my Lenco turntable so I decided to add a maple wrap to match the arm boards. Thanks to Aaron (ALL212) and his brother Craig with a well equipped wood shop for making and supplying the strips and walnut accents. This maple started out as a tree on one of the family members property, was cut down, aged and cut into boards. Kewl! Wood finish is clear satin poly over the bare maple.

    Thanks again Aaron and Craig!

    Lenco_skirt_2.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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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited June 2013
    Rich, looks awesome as always. Where did you get the plexi cover for your TT from?
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,493
    edited June 2013
    Thanks Dan! The one in the basement picture was supplied with my Gingko isolation stand. It sits on a 45 degree bevel on the isolation base. It is designed for a pivoted arm with cutout at right rear. I didn't want to cut it up to clear the linear arm. The larger one upstairs that fits around the isolation base I had made by a local acrylic shop. I just did some internet searches for acrylic shops in the Chicago area and found one 30 minutes away. I supplied them with a simple Paint drawing with dimensions. IIRC it cost me $150. Very reasonable compared to online suppliers and shipping expense. Had estimates from $250 on up plus shipping.

    I did cut some extra clearance on the new cover using a fluted acrylic bit in a router. Does a nice job but you gotta ensure the work is clamped down with a secure straight edge to run the router against. Otherwise you get a freestyle art cut....lol
    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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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited June 2013
    Well, it sounded good and looked good before and now it looks even better!

    Can't wait to get my ears on it again!
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