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Lenco B50 with mono cart. Is it worth it just for playing mono records?

Jasperv

Jasperv

New Member
I have quite some tt’s in my possession. Some Dual 1019’s, a Dual 1229, a Lenco B55, a Lenco L78SE.. Now I’m considering getting myself a Lenco B50 for playing mono jazz records. It comes with a Sonotone 9TA mono cart. The TT I have my eyes on comes without a plinth, but seems to work pretty well. What I read about the Lenco B50 is that it comes with a much lighter platter than the later models like the L70/75/78. Nevertheless it seems to be a very good tt and for sure a real eyecatcher. I wonder if it makes sense to buy a separate tt for playing mono records. Or would it make more sense to look for a Lenco L70 and get a mono cart for it? (or even using a mono cart on my L78SE?).

Apart from that I wonder if its easy to find a nice plinth for it. I guess its not the same measurements as my B55? If that’s the case I can donor my B55 plinth to it. Thanx for any advice, tips and sharing your experience.
 
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If I were going to dedicate a whole table to just mono I would probably shoot for a nicer cartridge -- GEVRII, GERPX, Stanton 500, Shure M44, or Denon 102. You could drop huge bucks on a mono cartridge do some research you might be surprised! No need to spend big bucks though. The old stuff was great.

Do you have a dedicated mono phono preamp in mind? There are some really cool old units kicking around out there that would benefit from restoration. If not, why not just mount up a mono cartridge on one of the other tables assuming you have interchangeable headshells?

All that to say this.... old mono jazz records played with old mono cartridges/tonearms/preamps has been a winning combination for me : )

I have a dedicated tube mono phono preamp, Clarkstan mono tonearm, and a variety of mono cartridges that I can swap out as needed. It's been a fun rabbit hole to be down!
 
Panamafred said:
If I were going to dedicate a whole table to just mono I would probably shoot for a nicer cartridge -- GEVRII, GERPX, Stanton 500, Shure M44, or Denon 102. You could drop huge bucks on a mono cartridge do some research you might be surprised! No need to spend big bucks though. The old stuff was great.

Do you have a dedicated mono phono preamp in mind? There are some really cool old units kicking around out there that would benefit from restoration. If not, why not just mount up a mono cartridge on one of the other tables assuming you have interchangeable headshells?

All that to say this.... old mono jazz records played with old mono cartridges/tonearms/preamps has been a winning combination for me : )

I have a dedicated tube mono phono preamp, Clarkstan mono tonearm, and a variety of mono cartridges that I can swap out as needed. It's been a fun rabbit hole to be down!
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Thanx for your reply Panamafred. I was indeed looking for and reading about the GEVRII and Denon dl-102. I already have a few Shure M44’s (and M55), but these are stereo carts. Can you get mono styli for it and does this turn out just as well as getting a dedicated mono cart?

I haven’t thought of getting myself a dedicated mono phono pre-amp. This makes a big difference? Im currently using a dynavox tpr-2 phono pre-amp. I like it but its nothing vintage or high end. I can also use the mono switch on my integrated Yamaha ca-600 amp. What makes a mono phono pre-amp better suited? I thought the pre-amp just amplifies the already mono signal from your cart, so why does the pre-amp needs to be mono as well?

Indeed I could just go for a mono cart and use it on my lenco L78 SE. I wonder if that’s a good combination with my s shaped Jelco tonearm. Would a heavier tonearm like the Lenco B55 be better suited for playing mono records?
 
analogadict said:
It is a very nice tt to play 78s and early mono LPs . Paired with a dedicated vintage mono tube amp and period correct 12" or 15," speaker it shall be a very nice set up. Please note that there are some projects on Lencoheaven and the manual is also in the library there.


Regards,View attachment 3288771
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Thanx for your reply Analogadict,

The speakers I use are kef concerto sp1004 produced between 1969 – 1975. I haven’t thought about getting a dedicated mono phono pre-amp. Maybe something for later. You think this Lenco B50 would be better suited for playing old mono records than for example my Lenco L78, due to the much heavier tonearm?
 
Thanx for your reply Panamafred. I was indeed looking for and reading about the GEVRII and Denon dl-102. I already have a few Shure M44’s (and M55), but these are stereo carts. Can you get mono styli for it and does this turn out just as well as getting a dedicated mono cart?
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The reason I suggest those stereo carts is because 1 mil. styli are readily available. I like those on my mono records. Is it really a mono styli ? Not really but you will find pages of debate on whether that matters. Engage the mono switch and enjoy!

Jasperv said:
I haven’t thought of getting myself a dedicated mono phono pre-amp. This makes a big difference? Im currently using a dynavox tpr-2 phono pre-amp. I like it but its nothing vintage or high end. I can also use the mono switch on my integrated Yamaha ca-600 amp. What makes a mono phono pre-amp better suited? I thought the pre-amp just amplifies the already mono signal from your cart, so why does the pre-amp needs to be mono as well?
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Not really necessary! I have one with variable EQ curves for the variety of 78s. The reason I asked was why go to the trouble of getting a new table/preamp to play mono when you could just use the interchangeable headshell on the tables you already have.

Jasperv said:
Indeed I could just go for a mono cart and use it on my lenco L78 SE. I wonder if that’s a good combination with my s shaped Jelco tonearm. Would a heavier tonearm like the Lenco B55 be better suited for playing mono records?
Click to expand...
Now that's a good question! Check around and do some research... the GE's certainly prefer more mass.
 
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