Lenco GL75 first time project

[Pkay]

Hi all,

I have finally got some time and started my build.  At this stage it is very early stage and I don't have a clear plan regarding plinths.  The idea is to see whether I can get some sort of reasonable sound from the TT before looking at plinths.  So far I have found the Lenco guides incredibly helpful and reasonably easy for a novice to follow (especially one who isn't particularly skillful at mechanical build stuff).

Being a very new person I bought the TT based off a photo which needless to say was very flattering to the deck.  On arrival it was obvious that the arm was wrecked and the TT needs a bit more work to look good again.  Luckily I have an Alphason HR-100S which should fit very nicely.

So far I have cleaned and oiled the bearing and the motor as well as changing over the plastic idler wheel (which was very noisy) to an Audiosilente idler wheel.  I have a new ball bearing and thrust pad which will go in.

The very old electrical cord has been replaced with a newer cord and appropriate earthing following the Lenco guide.  Having used it a few times so far and no electrocution yet 

My next problem to solve seems to be the alignment of the motor which with the new idler wheel seems to position the idler wheel up against the top plate.

The other issue looks like pivot to spindle is out by a bit over 1mm which means a bit more fiddling unless my Dr Feickert protractor is out by a bit.  According to the manual on vinyl engine the pivot to spindle mounting distance is 211mm which I thought was the same for the Lenco arm.

[Pkay]

Here are a few more photos. Everything looks fine with the transit screws engaged.

[analogadikt]

My next problem to solve seems to be the alignment of the motor which with the new idler wheel seems to position the idler wheel up against the top plate.

There is no problem with the Motor alignment. The idler won't touch the top plate with the platter in position. If you are feeling anal about it, replace the idler arm guide with the hook type version.




Regards,

Anwesh

[Pkay]

Thanks Anwesh. I’m trying to keep relatively relaxed. There is still some noise which I thought was the idler wheel possibly rubbing against the top plate.

[Fergus]

Nice tone arm. You should have a fine sounding deck once you get it’s setup sorted.

[analogadikt]

There is still some noise which I thought was the idler wheel possibly rubbing against the top plate.

Check the idler alignment. It has to be exactly perpendicular. You can keep the tt on four supports on a glass table top and watch it in action from bellow to confirm if the idler is rubbing or there is something else.

Regards,

Anwesh

[Fergus]

I had a closer look at your photographs and wondered if you might achieve setup with the arm by using the original Lenco arm mounting collar and a “shim”. It’s a common workaround with Linn geometry tone arms.

[Pkay]

Hi Fergus,

The diameter of the opening in the Lenco arm mounting collar is too small for the Alphason.  I'm trying to find a mounting template so I can drill some holes for the Alphason tonearm.

Cheers,
Peter

[Pkay]

I had a closer look at your photographs and wondered if you might achieve setup with the arm by using the original Lenco arm mounting collar and a “shim”. It’s a common workaround with Linn geometry tone arms.

I'm new to the forum and should have quoted to answer your suggestion.  Thanks for taking the time.

[Pkay]

Check the idler alignment. It has to be exactly perpendicular. You can keep the tt on four supports on a glass table top and watch it in action from bellow to confirm if the idler is rubbing or there is something else.

Regards,

Anwesh

Thanks Anwesh, I have the TT on 4 cans and you're correct the weight of the platter pushes the wheel from the cutout edge.  Even better still, I loosened the nose spring setting screw a little and there is no noise that I can hear with my  ear up against the TT

There is also virtually no vibration coming through the top plate when the TT is on 4 cans which is great.

Now the dreaded job which requires precision and skills possibly beyond mine. Aligning and fixing the Alphason arm.

[Pkay]

Here is what it looks like with the arm resting in place.

[Tomcat1969]

If you set up your Dr F jig to match the pivot to spindle distance you actually have or can acheive and then align to the two null points you will get a useable alignment.

[Fergus]

Hi Peter, I’m not the skilful type and my brother in law has done all my modifications and setup. From what I can remember to fit the collar for my Linn Akito he had to “round out” the flat on the Lenco top plate that stops the collar rotating. That gave enough adjustment to the Linn arm column to accurately locate its collar and drill the fixing holes. Once fitted the collar marginally overhangs the top plate but only as far as the radiused edge. These photos kinda show how it looks.





Your arm will look much better. Always liked the Alphason.

[Pkay]

Thanks Fergus you are lucky to have a handy brother in law.  Someone in Sydney on the Stereonet forum who has done a few Lenco builds will help me with the Alphason fixing holes.  I have used a file to slightly enlarge the current collar hole and the Alphason fits.

Your set up looks excellent.  I'm very impressed with the Lenco something that was built in the 50s still works well today with a little TLC.

[Pkay]

Some further progress has been made with the Alphason HRS being mounted to 210.5mm so very slightly out.  I think I will make the final adjustment after I get the plinth sorted and I work out how much effort I will put in the top plate finish.

I have tried some Herbies Footers and Sorbothane between the top plate and the chipboard plinth with not much difference in sound that I can hear.

The current cart is a Stanton 881s and I must say the sound is something special.  I can see why so many people fall in love with these turntables.  The speed at 33rpm is very stable but 45 rpm needs some adjustment of the guides.