What have I got myself into.
- Thread starter airdronian
- Start date
Beautiful Lenco @airdronian
Sweet! Didn't realize you had a thread on this already! Will be following along...
Unnecessary picture of my Lenco just so I can feel like part of the club.
Unnecessary picture of my Lenco just so I can feel like part of the club.
I've been poking around the Lenco, getting familiar. I ended up having to replace the headshell leads, they were pretty corroded. And removed the wood (?) that was glued inside the headshell. The slider in this is bent, making for difficult alignment. The replacement headshell should be here this week. (Just like Herb's) I may get an aftermarket slider for the original headshell as it's in good shape otherwise.
The new leads made a positive difference. I ditched the AT cart and installed the Stanton 681 w/Tonar stylus. The idler wheel wasn't restored, and had been slipping during startup. A new idler wheel came in, and this is a really nice addition. Startup is prompt !
The plan is to keep running MM carts in this until it's finished with a new plinth and 12" tonearm. (whenever that is.). I've always wanted to try a Nagaoka, so I found a good price on an MP-110. That should be here sometime in the next couple of weeks.
NB. I was getting annoyed with my budget soldering iron while working on the headshell, so have picked up a Hakko FX888D. OMG I should have done this years ago.
The new leads made a positive difference. I ditched the AT cart and installed the Stanton 681 w/Tonar stylus. The idler wheel wasn't restored, and had been slipping during startup. A new idler wheel came in, and this is a really nice addition. Startup is prompt !
The plan is to keep running MM carts in this until it's finished with a new plinth and 12" tonearm. (whenever that is.). I've always wanted to try a Nagaoka, so I found a good price on an MP-110. That should be here sometime in the next couple of weeks.
NB. I was getting annoyed with my budget soldering iron while working on the headshell, so have picked up a Hakko FX888D. OMG I should have done this years ago.
Oh, I did mention earlier that I've been having lots of squirrel moments, while looking at all the cool accessories.
I haven't ordered this, but ya never know. This stuff never ends.
I haven't ordered this, but ya never know. This stuff never ends.
That's eye candy for sure, makes me want one 🙂Oh, I did mention earlier that I've been having lots of squirrel moments, while looking at all the cool accessories.
I haven't ordered this, but ya never know. This stuff never ends.
View attachment 72451
I intended to get your thrust pad out in the mail today but failed. 😏
It's been a whole month of Living with Lenco.
To be honest, I was just happy that this thing works ok. Changes have been underway, first the headshell leads, then the Audio Silente idler wheel, and adding a Nagaoka MP-110. Nagaoka knows how to package cartridges, nicely done, unlike my last couple of Ortofons. Also brought in a JN-P100 conical stylus which is what I'm currently running.
More parts arrived from eBay, new v-blocks and a bearing kit. The vendor I learned of through Lenco Heaven.
The v-blocks had already been done, but with a soft silicone material. I thought this was an odd material for something that makes up the pivot points for the vertical movement of the tonearm. I didn't go for brass, which would have been nice (but $) instead I chose the resin v-blocks from the above vendor. These do the trick.
It took me a while today to install the bearing kit. The instructions at Lenco Heaven are great, but it's my first time doing mods like this and I was always looking for that extra tool I didn't have handy. Lots of cursing at times, mostly because of something that I did wrong.
The bearing mod is a significant improvement ! Everything is clearer, more intelligible. Well worth it. Here's an example of one installed (not mine):
I took some readings with a phone app, starting a few weeks ago. It didn't measure too bad to start with, but today's result is better still. Not bad for 50+ years old.
Just one or two more things to do, then I'll need some warmer weather to start messing around with a plinth experiment.
If you're a newbie like me and interested in a Lenco, here is an excellent video series that shows a resto-mod that retains the original plinth.
To be honest, I was just happy that this thing works ok. Changes have been underway, first the headshell leads, then the Audio Silente idler wheel, and adding a Nagaoka MP-110. Nagaoka knows how to package cartridges, nicely done, unlike my last couple of Ortofons. Also brought in a JN-P100 conical stylus which is what I'm currently running.
More parts arrived from eBay, new v-blocks and a bearing kit. The vendor I learned of through Lenco Heaven.
Main Bearing Mod Kit for the Goldring Lenco GL75 etc single platter bearing V2.1 | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Main Bearing Mod Kit for the Goldring Lenco GL75 etc single platter bearing V2.1 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.ca
The v-blocks had already been done, but with a soft silicone material. I thought this was an odd material for something that makes up the pivot points for the vertical movement of the tonearm. I didn't go for brass, which would have been nice (but $) instead I chose the resin v-blocks from the above vendor. These do the trick.
It took me a while today to install the bearing kit. The instructions at Lenco Heaven are great, but it's my first time doing mods like this and I was always looking for that extra tool I didn't have handy. Lots of cursing at times, mostly because of something that I did wrong.
The bearing mod is a significant improvement ! Everything is clearer, more intelligible. Well worth it. Here's an example of one installed (not mine):
I took some readings with a phone app, starting a few weeks ago. It didn't measure too bad to start with, but today's result is better still. Not bad for 50+ years old.
Just one or two more things to do, then I'll need some warmer weather to start messing around with a plinth experiment.
If you're a newbie like me and interested in a Lenco, here is an excellent video series that shows a resto-mod that retains the original plinth.
There's no LP on any of the measurements, it didn't occur to me. First time using one of these fancy apps too.
Nice thing about the bearing mod is that it's reversible, if that was needed.
adnick
Site Supporter
Yeah, not sure many think about playing a record, and It really only makes a difference on tables that don’t have an auto speed control system. It can also make W&F numbers slightly different but when they are low to begin with it’s not really a concern…There's no LP on any of the measurements, it didn't occur to me. First time using one of these fancy apps too.
Nice thing about the bearing mod is that it's reversible, if that was needed.
VR
Andy
So I never did order a mahogany body for the MP-110.
But I did order another for the AT-VM95c. In cocobolo.
Before:
After:
It's not playable yet, the height isn't enough for it to clear the rear of the headshell. I'll come up with a shim and give it another try tomorrow. At least it looks cool.
But I did order another for the AT-VM95c. In cocobolo.
Before:
After:
It's not playable yet, the height isn't enough for it to clear the rear of the headshell. I'll come up with a shim and give it another try tomorrow. At least it looks cool.
I missed your initial post but it's never too late to say congrats and welcome to the idler world!👏 👍
This thread reminded me to revisit my Bogen B62/Lenco L70 after I finish my Japanese idler series.
Thanks - I'll be looking forward to another instalment of that series.
The VM95c-Wood at speed. I ended up putting this on the VPI since that's where I trialled the stock AT cart. There's some pretty glowing comments on the interwebs for the cartridge in stock form. I suppose that's influenced by the price; I found it somewhat bland and easily overshadowed by the Nagaoka MP-100 at my place.
Anyway, I bought the AT cart specifically for this mod. It now presents with more nuance, and is quite pleasant to listen to. ("No Bass Hit", Dave McKenna/Scott Hamilton/Jake Hanna, 1979 Concord Jazz). Definitely an improvement over stock IMO. And this AT gives the option of elliptical, shibata, or microlinear stylus if desired. Good fun.
Anyway, I bought the AT cart specifically for this mod. It now presents with more nuance, and is quite pleasant to listen to. ("No Bass Hit", Dave McKenna/Scott Hamilton/Jake Hanna, 1979 Concord Jazz). Definitely an improvement over stock IMO. And this AT gives the option of elliptical, shibata, or microlinear stylus if desired. Good fun.
I'm not sure what Clearaudio uses. The AT95 motor was used in a lot of cartridges, IIRC. The Virtuoso was an ebony body, according to the ad I just checked.
