Lenco L-75 modified takes pole position

[kuruvilajacob]

I have just acquired a heavily moded Lenco L-75 with PTP template with Denon DL 103 R cart with Midas Body on a Thomas Schick 12" tone arm owned by Peter Reinder of PTP fame himself. I have decided to sell few of my biggies to accommodate this monster. It's plinth is the heaviest I have to date. It needs a little tuning and alignment and I must get a better phono stage. I do have one specially made by Sachu and I am thinking of modifiying it further for present listening and acquire a Denon step up transformer in future. Initial listening of Leonard Cohen's "Songs from the road" double album is very encouraging. My phono stage needs improvement but despite that, I was wonder stuck by the clarity and the clean imaging. I am sure this deck can be a Reference Deck in my collection. I always wanted to convert a Lenco L 75 to that level because it has the potential to be one. I really want to be in "Lenco Heaven". Now for some pictures. sorry for poor image. I will try to post better pics later on.

 

[Record Player]

I have just acquired a heavily moded Lenco L-75 with PTP template with Denon DL 103 R cart with Midas Body on a Thomas Schick 12" tone arm owned by Peter Reinder of PTP fame himself. I have decided to sell few of my biggies to accommodate this monster. It's plinth is the heaviest I have to date. It needs a little tuning and alignment and I must get a better phono stage. I do have one specially made by Sachu and I am thinking of modifiying it further for present listening and acquire a Denon step up transformer in future. Initial listening of Leonard Cohen's "Songs from the road" double album is very encouraging. My phono stage needs improvement but despite that, I was wonder stuck by the clarity and the clean imaging. I am sure this deck can be a Reference Deck in my collection. I always wanted to convert a Lenco L 75 to that level because it has the potential to be one. I really want to be in "Lenco Heaven". Now for some pictures. sorry for poor image. I will try to post better pics later on.

Congratulations Sir on this. Lady Lenco looks lovely. Particularly like the Thomas Schick 12 incher. What are the other mods done on this? I've read that the 103R is a fantastic performer. One of the most used carts in MCs.

BTW, which are the biggies you have let go of?

Cheers...

 

[reubensm]

Fantastic to see the Lenco up there with the best. Cant wait for my L75 (in a more humble avataar) to sing.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Fantastic to see the Lenco up there with the best. Cant wait for my L75 (in a more humble avataar) to sing.

Reuben,
Why not try to build a Reference Deck with your Lenco ?

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Sohil,
I am going to do some serious reading on how to go about for some mods to make it sound like one which can be reviewed by some one. Just my wishful thinking. It's already well modded. All i want is to see how I can make it sound like one of those decks people write in sixmoon audio and similar sites. This is only deck which has mods already done by the best professionals in the world including the PTP supplied by Pete and arm by Thomas Schick and cart moded by Midas. It is build like a tank . I can't ask for better . It's most difficult to squeeze out the last drop of water. That's the same for decks like these.

 

[reubensm]

Reuben,
Why not try to build a Reference Deck with your Lenco ?

I have some plans but I'd like to hear the Lenco sing in its present avataar. I was very impressed by the Lenco which I heard at your place. Honestly I thought that it sounded better than the 301. Another issue is the budget. Wify is keeping a close watch on my audio expenditure hyeah:

 

[reubensm]

Does the idler disengage? Just out of curiosity. I've heard of Pete's PTPs to come with engaged idlers.

 

[shafic]

Very nice!!:clapping:

 

[jls001]

Many congratulations on the acquisition of a truly world-class modified Lenco L75. This has some very critical ingredients to make its performance top notch - Peter's Top Plate, heavy multi-layered plinth, the famed Thomas Schick tonearm, and the Denon DL103R with the daiwok's aluminium Midas body.

I am going to do some serious reading on how to go about for some mods to make it sound like one which can be reviewed by some one. Just my wishful thinking.

Need not remain wishful thinking. Lenco mods are numerous and their effect on the sonics vary. Here's the bucket list of the mods generally considered essential for achieving "Reference" grade.


My personal list of "bare minimum" mods to achieve very respectable performance is:

1) multi-layered heavy wood/plywood/MDF based plinth, or use of non-resonant stone (like slate or sandstone) plinths.
2) dismantling, cleaning and re-oiling/greasing of motor assembly
3) dismantling, cleaning and re-oiling/greasing of bearing assembly
4) fitting a better tonearm
5) fitting good cartridge
and of course doing proper tonearm balancing and alignment for optimal sound.

 

[soulforged]

Congrats! Looks great... :clapping::clapping::clapping:

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Does the idler disengage? Just out of curiosity. I've heard of Pete's PTPs to come with engaged idlers.

Yes. It appears to get engaged. i want my mechanic to come and do some tests to see if anything needs to be straightened out

 

[sachu888]

Congratulations sir. It looks beautiful. Why not try Ad797 HQmc. It is especially made for lomc .Joshua is using for his Dl103. Here is the latest build http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=9021.165
Read more here http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=501186

Regards
Sachin

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Congratulations Sir on this. Lady Lenco looks lovely. Particularly like the Thomas Schick 12 incher. What are the other mods done on this? I've read that the 103R is a fantastic performer. One of the most used carts in MCs.

BTW, which are the biggies you have let go of?

Cheers...

I got overwhelming response for the biggies. My much loved Lenco with Ortofon professional arm is sold. I do have a few more . I am mentally preparing to sell them. I have looked after them just like my own babies . So they are difficult to part with. Still, I feel I am not doing justice by keeping some of them as I hardly get a chance to play them.

 

[arj]

great going. I think we have discusssed this on the forum before
The biggest benefit for a Lenco is changing its tonearm followed by a a really really heavy plinth ! And you already have it

What you could see now is
1. the idler arm engaging is by a spring, you can replace the spring with a pulley arrangement. Pics Here
2. Damp the arm engaging the idler with Plumbers tape

other than that you are done with a reference

YOu should try this combo with a Decca Cartridge (MM, High output). its a very different sound and i suspect you will like it more than the DL103R

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Congratulations sir. It looks beautiful. Why not try Ad797 HQmc. It is especially made for lomc .Joshua is using for his Dl103. Here is the latest build http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=9021.165
Read more here AD797 Phono Stage Build and Help Desk Thread - AudioKarma.org Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums

Regards
Sachin

Sachin,
I had earlier got one for the DL 103 from you. How is this different from the earlier one? Can the earlier one be modified?

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Arj,
Can you suggest any other MM cart which could go well with this ? I am a big fan of MM carts.

 

[sachu888]

Earlier one was aldo good, but this is completely different design. FM Joshua has used both for his Demon Dl 103. He can tell you the difference.
The current one is optimised for lomc. It is based on very low noise AD797 op amps in input and LME49990 for output.

Regards
Sachin

 

[kuruvilajacob]

My friend lend me his iphono and when I connected the same to my Lenco and the reproduction was amazing with clean mid and detailed sound stage.

 

[jls001]

Earlier one was aldo good, but this is completely different design. FM Joshua has used both for his Demon Dl 103. He can tell you the difference.
The current one is optimised for lomc. It is based on very low noise AD797 op amps in input and LME49990 for output.

Regards
Sachin

The Hypnotoad AD797 low output MC phono preamp is one hell of a preamp. Very much recommended if you can DIY it!

 

[Record Player]

Congratulations sir. It looks beautiful. Why not try Ad797 HQmc. It is especially made for lomc .Joshua is using for his Dl103. Here is the latest build http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=9021.165
Read more here http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=501186

Regards
Sachin

I think it's about time for Sachin's CNC phono. With me 401 up and running soon, it will be interesting to run the CNC phono stage.

Sachin's is truly a diamond in the rough in this forum. Joshua is another hidden gem to this forum.

Cheers...