• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Lenco L82 – Repair/upgrades

Raphaz

Raphaz

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hi all,
Just got a Lenco L82 (grey version) in decent shape for a good price, even the belt may still be ok.
But the hinges are missing and on e one side part of where the hinge was fixed to the dustcover is broken off – see attached pics.

Where can I find the hinges and/or how can I fix this?
In case I need to replace the dust cover where would I find one that fits (ideally an original)?

What upgrades are worth for this TT?
I know it's not exactly on the audiophile high-end of things, and it's belt-driven, but I was hoping with some minor tweaks it may become a good option for my secondary system. The whole thing seems to be built simple and solid(-ish), feels less plasticky than I remember the otherwise decent Thorens TD 115 MK II I owned years ago. The platter is heavier than I expected and the S-shaped tonearm seems ok.
The weight/counterweight/balance for the tonearm seems a bit loose/finicky, not sure if it's the way it should be?
Still has the original cartridge/needle I think.

I should probably mention: I'm not an expert or a technician by any means.

Any opinion and tips are welcome and appreciated!
Thank you!

Lenco_L82_fixxer_m.jpg

2nd system (so far):
NAD 7100
NAD T 562
KEF Cresta 2 (not bi-wired yet, but may try it)
 
Register to hide this ad
Hi!
Not that familiar with the L82 model. Have fiddled only with som of the idlers. But that 82 can be a quite good performer i believe.
Hard to tell about the dustcover from the pics, sorry. Broken plastic can be hard to fix but not impossible. Maybe there´s a dustcovers for other models that will fit?

When it comes to upgrades I would suggest first doing basic maintenance like cleaning and relubrication. Maybe you can find a service manual on vinylengine or lencoheaven?
Also check basics like tracking force and antiskate. And if possible also cartridge alignment. Previous owners doesn´t always get that right :-).

A new stylus is almost always a good idea when buying used turntables. Question is if you should just replace the stylus or the whole cartridge... Lenco was affiliated with Goldring that made / makes good cartridges so that Lenco-branded cartidge may be a goldring in disguise which is interesting. If you can post more closeup of the cartridge it would be easier to tell.

Good luck fixing it up!
 
I agree that it's important to replace the stylus of a used turntable and maybe the cartridge, if it's a basic stock cartridge. From what I can tell, it looks to be a Lenco M100 cartridge, which is apparently also an Excel S70SR. It has a spherical stylus, so is going to be fairly basic. You'll probably need to get an aftermarket stylus, as genuine styli may be hard to find - just make sure you get a good-quality one. You could upgrade the cartridge to one with an elliptical stylus, in which case the AT95E and AT-VM95E would be good starting points, especially if you want to keep the cost down.
 
A lot of knowledgeable Lenco enthusiasts hang out over at the lenco heaven forum, even if they are members here, too. Should be easy to find with a web search.
 
Thank you guys!
As per request here are some better pictures.
Crab33: You're right, it's an M-100.
T68: I guess if it's a Goldring (let me know) it's a keeper. Question then is if I can fit a good elliptical stylus on that cartridge.

Another issue I have is that I can't seem to find an adapter to bridge the original 5-pole DIN on the Lenco to to the RCA/Cinch inputs on the receiver. Ideally the adapter is good quality and has a mass. I'd prefer a good adapter over changing the original wiring to Cinch.
I ordered one online just to find out there's none in stock. I went to a handful second-hand stereo and repair shops (not many survived here) and some other electronics and HiFi shops here in Genève (Switzerland) – no success. Salvation Army shops and the like – so far no luck. Craigslist equivalents here in Switzerland – none with mass. I wonder if I need to find someone who can make such an adapter for me?
I'm not good at soldering and since it needs to be good quality (no hum)...

Photos:
LencoL82_CartridgeStylus1.jpg

LencoL82_Headshell.jpg

lencoL82_CoverHinges_Left1.jpg

LencoL82_CoverHinges_Left2.jpg

LencoL82_CoverHinges_Right1.jpg

LencoL82_CoverHinges_Right2.jpg

LencoL82_Weights1.jpg

LencoL82_Weights2.jpg

LencoL82_Weights3.jpg

LencoL82_DIN1.jpg

LneoL82_DIN2.jpg

LencoL82_Open1.jpg
 
https://www.dropbox.com/s/rwmbtlkilgwfv08/LencoL82_CartridgeStylus1.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/illr6coflprtb10/LencoL82_Headshell.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i8zutaeabv05ysz/lencoL82_CoverHinges_Left1.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/75l4v84xwy8ha15/LencoL82_CoverHinges_Left2.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/37u1juixgo4tc3q/LencoL82_CoverHinges_Right1.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fxwdth4v7r49v9d/LencoL82_CoverHinges_Right2.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ft63l0di0fuzolb/LencoL82_Weights1.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1sdl769cy8fntkt/LencoL82_Weights2.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/aibpufsvl5ccvt6/LencoL82_Weights3.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/cu2nir0prw4dnwm/LencoL82_DIN1.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gq7b01wx1cz7rgo/LneoL82_DIN2.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yd13uijhuu7o7to/LencoL82_Open1.jpg?dl=0
 
Thanks for better pics!

I was wrong about the cartridge. Its not a Goldring but a Lenco labelled Excel ES70 cartridge as stated above. While the original stylus is nothing special some currebt aftermarket options get good reviews, for example Thakkers:
https://www.thakker.eu/en/needles/s-70-ex-stylus-for-excel-es-70-ex-generic-stylus/a-5378/

Regarding dustcover: thats a hard fix. Maybe replace the stock ones with regular hinges that screws onto the cover and plinth and just a supporting pin to keep it up?
Or maybe find a hard plastic tube to replace the broken one with good glue on the cover. Maybe reinforce with a metal bracing screwed onto te cover... Hard one.

The din contact: I don´t quite understand what you mean with "mass"? Do you mean ground connector? There are quite a few options on the auction site if you search "Din phono rca adapter".
Anyhow the contact pins look a bit black on the connector so you may want to try clean those with contact cleaner, isopranol or similar to ensure good connection.
 
Last edited:
DIN/Cinch:
I took a chance and sacrificed the original DIN out and managed to DIY-craft a connection by cutting the DIN-end of the LENCO cable and connect that to a cut-off Cinch cable. Was a bit of trial and error.
Clean connection and proper isolation/insulation was key - these left/right wires seem generally thin and flimsy. And to my surprise the ground only works hum-free when all of the grounds are connected into one and then terminated/insulated, and not in any way connected to the receiver's ground. I'm happy to report that I now get a clean signal!
The TT seems to run well.

Next:
Cartridge/stylus:
I now need to decide if I want to order a Thakker S70 EX (bonded elliptical) or upgrade the cartridge to an AT-VMN95E.
I heard good things about the Thakker stylus, and I'm sure the AT cartridge would be a nice upgrade – price-wise they're not too different.

Question to all you experts: is it easy and worth to replace/upgrade the cartridge (can I just swap it and screw it into the original headshell?) or should I go with what seems to be the easier route (is it really?) and just replace the stylus with the S70 EX?
 
  • Like
Reactions: T68
The AT-VM95E is certainly a nice cartridge and it's part of a range that allows you to later upgrade by just replacing the stylus with a fancier one.

If you buy a new cartridge, there are a few stages to the installation... you have to wire it to the headshell, screw it to the headshell, rebalance the arm and set the correct tracking force, and finally align the cartridge in the headshell for optimum tracking.
 
There is a lot of hullabaloo about modifying Lencos, but it is about the heavier idler drives. Your Lenco is a perfectly nice belt drive, and there probably aren't too many things that can be done to them that would be worth the bother. So enjoy it as it is - carefree mode - with a good stylus.
 
Many thanks to all of you for your advice!

I'll use the dustcover as is for now.

I went with the bonded, elliptical Thakker S70 EX for now. Installed it yesterday.
I couldn't find much information on recommended tracking force and anti-skate settings for the S70 EX. I ended up setting it to about 1.6. Is that about right? Any suggestions?

Overall it sounds nice, smooth and balanced, and very quiet.
But I feel like it could be a tiny bit more bright and forward. I'm not a pro in describing stereo sound characteristics, but to me it feels slightly damped or compressed. It's minor but if there is a way to get a tiny bit more detail I'd be super happy.
Of course it's always subjective and a question of personal preferences and habits. I do like it crisp and detailed with a bit of punch, I prefer dialing back over artificially adding/pushing.

Hard to say if it has to do with the stylus itself, the tracking force or/and anti-skating settings or even with the combination of components (I run it through a NAD 7100 to a pair of KEF Cresta 2s).

I wonder if the 7100's phono stage has a bit of a vintage tube-like personality, or the receiver in general (when playing CDs it's a bit less obvious)?
I should mention that it's the first NAD I own (and the first belt and Lenco TT).

Or could it be that the Crestas have a bit of a compressed/restricted personality? Is that a KEF thing? I sometimes feel like the Q500s I run in my main system could be a bit more crisp and forward, but I guess there the R-2000 (powerful and unforgivingly forward, clear, detailed and crisp) is pushing them enough and the added, modified KEF sub gives the low frequencies the necessary punch...? And, well, the space and placement of the speakers may play a role (I'll investigate more on the latter, further from the wall, on stands maybe...).

Any ideas on what's happening here? Thanks!
 
Before starting to tear stuff apart you may want to try/check:
- Is the cartridge aligned ok according to the specs for the turntable? When I got my L75 I replaced the cartridge at once but did not check the alignment until maybe a month later. Thinking it was properly setup by previous owner. It was way not. Way off. Setting it properly improved the sound quality noticeably. Not saying this is your issue but an easy one to check. I found an easy-to-use template over at Lencoheaven. Dunno if there's any for the L82. If not there are protractors over att vinyleengine too.

- some new styluses need time to break in to deliver their full potential. How much varies. But you should let it run for atleast 10 or so albums before passing final judgement.

-Try increasing /decreasing tracking force. Do it carefully in both directions. I would try at least up to 2 g:s.
 
Thanks, T68!
I replaced just the stylus, not the whole cartridge.
I couldn't find a template for the L82 – not sure if there's another Lenco model with similar specs I could search for instead. Any idea?
Also, I can't find my own protractor right now but according to a simple, printed-out version the alignment looks pretty good.
I'll play a litte more with the tracking force as you suggested. And I'll observe if breaking it in a bit more will improve things.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom