High Desert Goldring Lenco GL75 project

[kenwood61]

Hi George and thanks. I'm still enjoying this GL75 and my AR XA that I did a little more work on. And ... I am working on a restoration of a B50-16 right now. The big challenge on that is parts 

I got part way through recapping the Sansui CA-3000, then got side tracked with other projects. Another AR XA for my brother in law for one. My Sansui CA-2000 sounds great and it's stock, so I have no doubt the CA-3000 will be nice. How much nicer will be what I look forward to. Unfortunately, it's going to get bumped until I can finish this B50-16. As you may know, there is a point in big projects where it's helpful to have enough space to keep various parts organized and not lost, or mixed up.

[kenwood61]

I can't believe that it's been about 3-1/2 years since I technically completed this project. I thought it might be worth an update.

When I completed this turntable, I had a Dynavector 10x5 high output moving coil. My preamp was/is a Sansui CA-2000 with pretty good phono section. My secondary table was/is a AR XA highly modified, also with a Rega arm rewired by Johnnie Nilsen at Audio Origami. That arm is a RB250 with modifications. It is the table I use most of the time due to not wanting to prematurely wear out the 10x5 on used vinyl that I bring in. Since that is an unknown quantity, in terms of quality, I would rather wear out a cheaper cartridge. So over the last few years, I have had several cartridges from a rebuilt hot-rodded Mission 773MM, then Empire P50NS also hot rodded with better cantilever and stylus, and now an Audio Technica VM95SH. All of these sounded so good that I didn't mind NOT spinning my Lenco. That shouldn't be, right?

Here are the changes I made in the last month that have me singing a different tune.

I have a customer that wanted to try out the Herbie's Audio Lab Way Excellent II platter mat. I decided to give it a try in comparison with two cork/rubber blend mats I have had for years. One is from PatheWings and the other is a Hudson Hi-Fi. They both looked cool to me and I seemed to enjoy them just fine. But a few seconds into play with the Way Excellent II mat made me a believer. I bought one for each of my two main tables, and have no regrets. The big change for me was better dynamics, tighter bass, and a touch better detail in the higher frequencies. This got me thinking a little more about how I might start using the Lenco more.

A series of events led to me getting a Rega Fono MC MK4 and Ania Pro. As some of you know, Rega has a 3 point mounting system for their headshell and cartridge. The idea being that if your tonearm is mounted the correct distance from the center spindle, all you need to do is mount the cartridge to the headshell, and you are done. I thought it would be interesting to see how this works. Since I don't have a Rega table with factory mounting hole, I was forced to go back and double check how my tonearm is mounted on my custom arm board, with a JA Michell adjustable VTA ring. After a couple of hours, I had made some minor adjustments — that should have been done years ago — and got the stylus dialed in by finding dead center from the top of the arm tube. It just illustrates how important this aspect is when dialing in a custom setup. I am a perfect example of how someone can think they have the arm centered, and later find out it was off just enough to matter. Fortunately, I have gained a lot of experience over the last few years, which really helped. Moral ... don't ever shy away from rechecking your tonearm and cartridge setup.

In case you didn't know, Rega uses a modified Stevenson geometry, which is what is printed on the card (user manual) that comes with any Rega tonearm. You can also download from their website. I have a Dr. Feickert Analogue Protractor NG that can't really be used with the 3 point system. The "modified" aspect of the Rega modified geometry results with the stylus shy of the center point on the protractor.

Other changes to my setup focused on adding a phono stage — more cables. The arm is connected via Cardas Clear Phono to the Rega Fono MC MK4, and then to the preamp via Cardas Clear Reflection.

What I can say is that these changes have transformed my enjoyment of vinyl, and how I view the tables in my mind. I get excited to use the Lenco now. I just enjoy using the AR XA. There are merits to the design of each, and the cost of the Lenco build was much higher, and the modifications required much more time. But I also think the Lenco platform, on this 43 lb turntable, is way more responsive to the addition of this moving coil cartridge, phono stage, and cables. Of all my other sources: CD, cassette tape, open reel ... quality vinyl on this new setup is superior in every way. Finally, I can honestly say that I really LOVE my Lenco  





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Here are a couple of videos for fun. The song is off John Hiatt's new album with the Jerry Douglas Band.

Album title: "Leftover Feelings"

Long Black Electric Cadillac

https://youtube.com/shorts/bqViH2Dqt2I?feature=share

The Music is Hot

https://youtube.com/shorts/34yOq2nPDnI?feature=share

[kenwood61]

After about five months, I became a dealer for Audio-Technica. I am a big fan of AT carts, which is one reason I added this brand. When I decided to get a Rega P6, it made sense (to me) to move the Ania Pro over to it. I have the Rega torque wrench for recommended tightness, so it is basically "plug and play". The only adjustment is getting the VTA setup, which with the RB330 arm, is easier than most. This opened up the need for a moving coil from Audio-Technica and due to higher output of the AT ART9XI over the ART9XA, I opted for the "XI" version.

Let me say this from the onset. I had never heard a low output moving coil cartridge until the Ania Pro. All I can say is my eyes were opened (more) by the detail, dynamics and soundstage with the Ania Pro + Rega FONO MC ... so following the same idea, but using a MoFi StudioPhono MM/MC phono stage, I now have the Lenco singing nicely.

I have a few albums in duplicate and when going back and forth between these two options, I can't really hear a difference. I'm sure they may be something different, in some way, but frankly, it's beyond my hearing.

Here's a pic of the ART9XI on the custom Lenco, which I still love — by the way — followed by a video.



Video: https://youtube.com/shorts/FKuDw8WRkNk

[kenwood61]

Another update ... January 13, 2024 and this Lenco is still sounding lovely. I really like the Audio-Technica cartridge.

There is ONE thing that has cropped up. I can hear the idler tension spring in the motor assembly sometimes when I start up the deck and music isn't playing. I haven't pulled the platters to look, but I'm guessing it is simply the old spring needs replacing. The sound to my ear leads me to think it's a short stretch on it as it is pulling and maintaining tension with the idler wheel. Easy to swap. So if I do swap this spring out, can you guys confirm that this place is the best option for what I need? I can't think of anything else to add at this point.

https://audio-creativeshop.nl/product/tension-spring/

[wer]

Pull a woollen knitting thread through the spring.

[kenwood61]

Funny you mention that. I was thinking about foam or something of insignificant weight that would dampen. I like your idea better.

[kenwood61]

I just wanted to mention the spring sound has gone away … I suppose because I’m spinning more vinyl.

It’s all good. Still enjoying this turntable in the main system with the Audio-Technica ART9xi still on the Rega RB220 tonearm and a Rega Fono MC.

[rfgumby]

Pull a woollen knitting thread through the spring.

That's my favorite trick for those.   Foam eventually degenerates, ruining the repair and leaving crud in the deck.  Someday, someone will come across our turntable builds, find the yarn in the springs and wonder why on earth we would do such a thing.   

[kenwood61]

Funny. To the untrained eye, maybe it will look like a mouse lived in there.