steve
Rank: Trio
Posts: 206
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Post by steve on Jun 7, 2016 14:30:41 GMT
Here's a couple of pics of my new turntable, built out of an old Lenco GL75 idler motor unit by my son. He replinthed it in a heavy layered MDF structure, then oak veneered it all. The TT is lashed up at the moment until I decide on a permanent home for it, nevertheless if sounds really rather fab. I have just fitted a brand new Shure M97eX cart to it. (stop laughing) The arm is a Rega RB250 but that is going soon, to be replaced by a Mayware Formula IV a friend has donated. It sounds great and has taken me right back to when I actually enjoyed vinyl, before I got suckered in by the Flat Earth bullshit and came to despise the medium with a vengeance. It's years since I had anything analogue in my system and TBH it's nice.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 7, 2016 14:34:26 GMT
Looks great. The Mayware is rather a nice arm, too.
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steve
Rank: Trio
Posts: 206
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Post by steve on Jun 7, 2016 14:37:21 GMT
Aye looking fwd to getting the Mayware sorted. The Shure gives the real sound of the 70s and to this listener, that's no bad thing.
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Post by MartinT on Jun 7, 2016 15:00:57 GMT
How is the motor powered? I can't think whether it's a mains or low power motor.
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steve
Rank: Trio
Posts: 206
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Post by steve on Jun 7, 2016 15:16:18 GMT
How is the motor powered? I can't think whether it's a mains or low power motor. The motor is powered off the mains. My son brought the thing up to modern electrical standards and fitted a fused IEC socket around the back All that's then needed is a common or garden IEC "kettle lead" for power.
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Post by Firebottle on Jun 7, 2016 15:21:00 GMT
Nice one Steve with the finished amps in the background. We are just listening to some vinyl at the moment, also from a GL75.
The Lenco motor is mains powered Martin.
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Post by ChrisB on Jun 7, 2016 17:44:31 GMT
......The Lenco motor is mains powered Martin. .....and it's a chunky sod too!
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Post by John on Jun 7, 2016 17:51:21 GMT
Nice job on the Lenco Steve
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Post by ChrisB on Jun 7, 2016 17:54:28 GMT
What is the dark coloured upper part to the plinth/chassis Steve? It doesn't look like it has been made from the GL75 top plate. Is it an extra layer of the mdf, but painted differently?
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steve
Rank: Trio
Posts: 206
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Post by steve on Jun 7, 2016 19:18:51 GMT
What is the dark coloured upper part to the plinth/chassis Steve? It doesn't look like it has been made from the GL75 top plate. Is it an extra layer of the mdf, but painted differently? Yes, it's MDF. My son routed it from a solid sheet. The original chassis was all removed apart from the part at the bottom of the platter recess that holds all the linkages and the motor.
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Post by ChrisB on Jun 7, 2016 19:44:09 GMT
Oh, OK I see now, thanks. The pan is still being used to hold the various bits of ironmongery together then. It's done so well that it looks like all of the chassis has been replaced. I'm rather in two minds about the whole hacking them up thing - I can see both sides of the argument but if you're going to hack one up, that's a very nice way to do it!
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Post by MartinT on Jun 7, 2016 20:14:27 GMT
The motor is powered off the mains. Thanks. Scope for electronic speed control in the future, possibly.
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Post by daytona600 on Jun 10, 2016 8:31:27 GMT
electronic speed control for lencos brings them into the 21st century mechanically they are excellent
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steve
Rank: Trio
Posts: 206
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Post by steve on Jul 15, 2016 18:41:06 GMT
My new customised Lenco now has a Mayware Formula 4 mk III fitted. I built it up from a box of bits, rewiring it with Cardas wire. It's low mass means that it's a perfect match for my highly compliant Shure M97eX, which tracks (at 1.2g) anything I care to throw at it. Beautiful mids and a big soundstage. Overall, a secure, solid, smooth, detailed and extended sound from my vinyl.
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Post by MartinT on Jul 15, 2016 19:28:44 GMT
Lovely deck and arm!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2016 19:28:53 GMT
I used a Mayware 'F4' For years, still dunno why i sold it & got my SME '3009' out of storage. One of the Mayware's biggest traits is the superb mid range presentation.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2016 20:36:39 GMT
Had a Mayware years ago. Also regret selling it.
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steve
Rank: Trio
Posts: 206
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Post by steve on Jul 16, 2016 10:36:49 GMT
Yep, the Mayware arm seems to be a great addition to the Lenco. This combination has restored my faith in a medium I had consigned, long ago, to the dustbin of history. It was only sentimentality that made it difficult to part with my old records, otherwise the lot would have gone years ago.
I find it amusing and somewhat ironic, that a customised early 70s, idler drive turntable, fitted with a hopelessly out of fashion, low mass 70s unipivot tonearm and an equally out of fashion, high compliance 70s type, moving magnet cartridge can still cut it and give pleasure from vinyl; Something that a highly expensive, suspended sub-chassis, turntable with equally expensive arm and cartridge spectacularly failed to do. Overpriced BS marketed, Flat Earth pile of crap it was.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2016 15:06:59 GMT
Like i always say never follow fashion
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Post by Paul Barker on Jul 17, 2016 8:34:52 GMT
I went over to listen to this. I can say that after Steve put in the Mayware there was a dramatic improvement. As far as I can tell, without having my turntable with me to be sure, the work on the lenco Anth has done puts it in the same ball park as my Garrad 301 in Slatedeck plinth when it had a Mayware arm. Some years back I had a lenco 99 (which Anth now owns, it will be interesting to see what Anth does with that) and was in a position to ab check it against my Garrard 301. My view then was that the Garrard is in a league of it's own. In my view the 401 is not as good either, but better than a Lenco. That is not to say a Lenco is not very good, it is not up to the standard of the 301. Which puts my original impression of the lenco which Anth modified in perspective. It's very very good.
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