Newbie Question - Lenco L65

[hallcon83]

Hi - I am a newbie and am really wanting to get into Vinyl - but not much money - a friend knows where I can maybe buy a Lenco L65 turntable - is this a very good one - and is it worth refurbishing . . . . . . THANKS for any help ! dean

[Nanook]

The "desired" Lencos are the idler drive, heavy platter types. But, and a big one, to get started you could do a lot worse than the L65. A new belt is probably required, and the bearings on the tonearm should be checked, but generally it should be an easy buy, and relatively easy to fix if required. If the price is right for you, just buy it and learn with it.

[hallcon83]

Hi - Thank you for the help - sorry I took so long to reply - had a very busy weekend. If you were to choose beteen the bottom Rega and the L65 which one would you recomend ? KR dean

[Nanook]

price dependant. If the Lenco is $50 or less, buy. If it is "being offered" at a price near a P1, then the P1 is a no brainer.

There are other tables out there that are very good and quite inexpensive. It depends if you want to make a significant jump in quality to start, or just start, then consider upgrades.

[hallcon83]

wellll - I have about three to five hundred to spend , I can rebuild, modify , etc. - I want to get the best that i can . . . . I just am very low on initial investment, originally I was thinking of a thorens 124 or similar platform to rebuild and mod, but I can't come close to what I found the prices to be for most used models I was interested in. I think that some of the same audio magazine articles I have read - motivated many others to find the same models of used turntables, Garards, Lencos, thorens . . . . .- so price has been driven up. what I need to find is something that has great potential , but is a wreck cosmetically ! Thanks for your time and advice ! - dean

[Nanook]

with 300-500 to spend, there are some very interesting buys out there. If you want an idler, they are out there. Be patient. Good tables to consider as well are Micro-Seiki (excellent direct drive turntables), Kenwood (DD as well), Thorens (idler and belt drives), Rega (belts), AR, Linn, Ariston, Heybrook (all very similar tt's and belt driven), Dual (belt and dd types)

New Regas are available in that price range as well. Other interesting belt drives can be had for that kind of money. Music Hall and Pro-ject are also available new for that kind of money.

However, if you think you'll end up going to an idler, wait until you can find one.

[Nanook]

consider the Lab series from Garrard. good bearing, great motor. If you must just remove all the mechanical bits of the changer....

and lots of cash left over to play.....and buy records

[hallcon83]

I have been interested in Art Dudly"s "Thorens journey", - before having to sign on at Stereophile he published and wrote for listener magazine - one of the few magazines and people in that field that I trusted most of what they had to say . . . . he owned a Linn and loved it for many years , modding and trying different combos of arms, motors,and cartriges, then a couple of years ago, he heard a thorens 124, spent some time with one that he reconditioned, then sold his Linn - and has never looked back ........... When I checked out the thorens 124 the used prices were 999.00 - 1295.00 - I was pretty disapointed - to much for me - at least for the foreseable future. One thing that Art has noted is that most of the favorite very high end Turntables seem to have high torque motors - one of the things he thought his TD 124 had in common with them - I know that thier are exceptions .... but it is a theory I like - what do you think about that theory? - - One of the other reasons I'm in a hurry to get a Very Good sounding player sooner then later- ( and not concerned about the looks) - is that my significant other would like me to put much of our music on computer for ease of access, and I am thinking that I only want to do that once - if possible, so I need to do it right the first time. - - - - I am confused by the multitude of models in each turntable line - If you were in my position, what specific models would be on your short list?

[woodturner-fran]

The L75 is what you are after. They used to go for about 200-300 on ebay. Join up to the lenco lovers forum for all the info you will ever need! Beware that the 60Hz motor and 50Hz motors are physically different, so make sure you buy one from the same power supply as you. Some rate the tuned up arm, but personally, I think its OK to get you going, but build yourself a linear air bearing arm or a schroeder clone etc to get real top quality sound.

I haver a modded L75 and its a great deck. Well up there with the best of them, rock solid bass, no rumble etc etc.

There is a bit of work in getting them going really nicely, but its well within the DIY capabilities of most.

I'd say sit it out for a L75 or 76. See example:

L75 ebay 1

L75 ebay 2

Lenco B55 ebay

The one shown below is my table


Fran

[Nanook]

is tirnahifi.org your site? I did a review of the HD681 and HD668 headphones for Affordable$$Audio a little while back. They are verging on "giant killers.

I suggested an old Garrard Lab80, as it is idler driven, has a similar bearing to the 301 and 401 tables, a great platter, and a great motor. Then hallcon could spend a little time and money having some fun.

I continue to be perturbed by the cost of some "classic" tables, given the state they are often in, to the point that I have designed a couple, re-plinthed a couple and am contemplating an all new idler construction turntable as a commercially viable product.
Attached is a picture of a re-plinthed Sugden Connoisseur, and an arm of my own design and construction, proof that one need not spend a load of $$$ to get something that sounds very good. Arm is comparable to my SME 309 (magnesium version)... table is comparable to my old Oracle...