Lenco L75/S
My Lenco L75/S, this is the build-in version, that came without plint. I have built mine into a L75 plinth. I removed the bottom plate of the plinth, don't need the spring system.
The L75/S comes with springs itself, noticable better than the system used in the original L75. These springs also carry the chassis, instead of the plinth. Photo's of the springs will follow later.
Speed Selector
The speed selector of the L75/S doesn't feature the 16 RPM option no more. But when turned to slowest, the idler wheel goes just behind the extra small part of the motor cone. This means that you still can enjoy extra slow speed if wished so.
As you see, the L75/S is in black style, the L75 has the metalic plate. I like the metal of the original L75 more.
Tonearm
As the name implies, the Lenco L75/S has an S-shaped tonearm.
The headshell has an SME-fit. Makes things easier if you're looking for headshells for multiple cartridge use.
I like this arm, it does it's job well, with my Pickering V15 cartridge.
My arm is somewhat branded for life by dust. I obtained this L75/S together with another one. They came from a discobar. These Lenco's are the grandmothers of the now widely used Technics SL1200 MKII DJ-turntables.
They must have stood still for years, time enough for the dust to eat itself in the metal of the tonearm. But no problem, I wiped the dust that was on it, and the traces it wears now definitly won't make the sound worse (maybe even better:)
As you can see, this tonearm weight balance hangs on a piece separated from the arm itself, with a damping rubber in between.
The small weight, although adjustable, is factory adjusted, as stated in the manual, and should not be changed. Anyone knows what it adjusts? Mail me: aszazin@gmail.com.
The tonearm is hold tight in the horizontal plane by 2 screws. Vertically, it is hold by a small pin on the bottom of the arm.
Antiskating Mechanism
On the right, you can see the antiskating mechanism. Seems much more practical than the weight-on-a-string-approach. Although there is no scale on the antiskating, I don't miss it.
Here you see the antiskating mechanism. The yellow thing is a little screwdriver. This is used to adjust the antiskating weight. Moving it forward or backward puts more or less pressure on the tonearm.
This is a 1,7 gram weight, there is also a 1 gram weight suplied.
The white ugly 45rpm adaptor is the one that is delivered with the Lenco.
Tonearm Mounting
The tonearm needs a much smaller hole in the plinth than the one from the original L75.
I don't know the effective length or the tonearm mass. It works well with an Audio Technica AT95E and an Pickering V15. A Dual/Ortofon ULM 65E was too light for the tonearm. I could just adjust it to zero grams.
I guess the arm mass is rather on the heavy side. If anyone can tell me more about this arm, don't hesitate to mail aszazin@gmail.com.
Cartridge
My Lenco L75/S was originally equiped with a Lenco M100 cartridge. I replaced this immediatly, there is only a spherical stylus available for this one, and the one on it was defintly worn out. That's not worth investing in.
I equiped mine with a Pickering PC/AT cartridge (V15 model). The Stylus is an elliptical model made by Ed W. Saunders. Very fine stylus for a very fine price, including a 78 rpm stylus. He also has his own updated V15 cartridge, but I use the one I already owned.
For info on this, visit: http://www.ewsaunders.com.
As second cartridge I have a Audio Technica AT3401. This one is equiped with a non-genuine ATN3401 stylus. The original 3401 is an elliptical version of the 3400, but some replacements are spherical.
The cartridge sounds very fine though, I have readied two ATN95E styli, for when this one is worn.
The AT3401 is pictured more below, inside another headshell.
l'm waiting to receive two Linn K5 cartridges on the moment. they have the some build as the AT95E or the AT3401. They probably gonna replace the AT3401.
The stylus body sticks out of the Linn K5, but this is the same with the Audio Technica cartridges. only they have some ornamental cap above the part of the stylus body that sticks out. But the cap actually doesn't touch the stylus body.
Headshell
The headshell has a standard SME fixing. There is a rubber damping ring between the shell and the arm.
When fixed, the headshell feels very tight. The overall feeling of the whole arm is rather tight. Knowing it's discobar-history and it's age.
Here you see the inside of a detached headshell. This is the Audio Technica AT3401. The stylus is made by Emji, it's not a genuine Audio Technica.
Inside you see a weight. It's a rather thick and heavy one. This is also needed with this arm, as I noticed when I tried to attach a Dual ULM 65E on a Technics headshell. This shell was lighter, and the weight it had was much thinner. Together with the ultralight cartridge (Ortofon OM model), the arm could only go up.
Arm Qualities
When I put the arm in zero tracking force balance, and disabled the antiskating mechanism, I could freely let the arm float gently from one side to another.
The movements are slow, I suppose this is because it's a rather heavy arm. I light construction would respond much more sensitive to the finger-collissions.
There is no friction I can notice. This arm has stability in it's veins.
Although I haven't tried it so far, it seems azimuth correction is also possible.
What I miss is VTA adjustment. Although it may be possible that upon closer inspection, there could be a way...
Rubber Mat
The rubber mat of the L75/S is different as the original L75. This is the L78-style mat.
The back of the speed calibration ring is plain metal, my L75 came with black backside. (This one is in fact the black one)
Platter
Yes, it's a heavy weight platter! The L75/S platter is almost identical to the one from the L75.
It has been improved however. The bearing has been made smaller. This way a smaller contact between the platter and the chassis is obtained. This means: less noise.
Also, the bronze (or I think it is bronze) bearing element is longer. This way the softer metal can practice it's damping properties more efficient.
The heavy platter is one of the reasons I went looking for a Lenco bargain in first place.
Lenco must have known that it's qualities relied for a big part on their platter design. They proudly put their name on it in clear relief.
Simple, solid and effective, I wonder if anybody would be interested in Lenco by now, if they didn't have these heavy-weight platters.
Here's an image of the complete platter, for those who have never seen it before.
As I said, simple and solid, but effective as hell. Typical Swiss made quality.
Under the hood
Here you see the mechanism that hides under the platter. Identical to the L75, except for two holes where the springs should be mounted.
I use no springs. This L75/S rests in the plint of a L75. Just loose on little rubber feet in the corners. Turn it upside down and the chassis just falls out.
I knocked out the two wooden blocks in the plinth that were used to screw the L75 tight to the plinth. I just rely on the platter weight.
More photographs and comments will come of the Lenco mechanism and springs. Also from the underside and the old L75.
The Sound
My Lenco L75/S setup as it is now, gives a very rich and bright sound. It also has something sturdy in it's character.
Playing poorly preserved records can sometimes become frustrating, as you notice the difference in sound quality very hard. But upon laying a nice, well kept LP in it, dynamics can be surprising.
I need to change my idler wheel. One of the three I have is a bit warped, and ofcourse I installed that one in this Lenco.
Most of the time, it isn't noticable. But sometimes, depending on where the arm is playing there is some flutter. Absolutely no wow in the perceptible range.
Next big change I want is another, homebrew plinth, with a second (and maybe later, a third) tonearm, but a lightweight, preferably straight.
Any suggestions? Mail me: aszazin@gmail.com