Lenco plinth project

[Rob042]

Thought as much, but thanks for that.
Rob

[Johnnantais]

Hi Simon, still here but very busy preparing for my trip!! So, to answer your question, you got it, dimensions are not important, just overall mass, so reduce lateral size and increase thickness, mine come to roughly 75 pounds including Lenco. Still can't get over the sheer PHYSICALITY of the result, never heard anything like it.

To update what I wrote earlier, I was afraid that the tonal thinness/brightness of the OC9 somewhow worked synergistically to create a one-off effect, that only the OC9 would sound as it did on the Giant Direct-Coupled Lenco/Rega RB-300, but lately I have had the opportunity to borrow a Denon DL-103 and am happy to report that the Denon also undergoes the transformation and produces incredibly palpable slamming ultra-focused sound, which is to say an incredibly real PHYSICAL sound, to the point where with any cartridge mounted I find myself actually looking for what hit the floor or the shelves, tricked into believing a real physical object is there. Furthermore, it holds its lead in the bass over the OC9 which is simply destructive it is so deep, powerful, fast and ultra-focused. But more than that, it becomes a high-frequency detail champion: I heard things I have never heard before from anything I've owned which includes the legendary Kiseki Purpleheart Sapphire on smaller Lencos, which ordinarily is leagues ahead of the Denon (not to mention the OC9), on the smaller Lencos. But on the Giant the Denon leaps ahead to produce stunning fine filigree detail. Of course, the Kiseki will also undergo the same transformation, and in fact became much more dynamic and exciting than normally when I tried it...the Giant Lenco seems to address the weaknesses of every cartridge, like the Wizard of Oz!! The OC9 gets low-frequency balls, the Denon gets high-frequency mastery, the Kiseki becomes more energetic and exciting; and each gets an across-the-board improvement and sense of PHYSICALITY. When I get back I'll be ordering a new Denon-DL-103, as it's still my favourite overall!

[Richard Higgins]

Below is a photo of my attempt at a Lenco plinth and homemade arm.

So far I have prefered a medium mass plinth. I have tried filling up the inside with layers of birch ply and hardwood, tried using points and compliant mounts (squash balls) under the multi-layer and the frame, and so far, prefer points under the frame.
Initial trials were with a Decca International and 103. I am now trying a 12 inch wooden arm with an 8 year old Arkiv. Its pulling more info off the record than an Ekos did.

The arm is only a temp lashup to trial various bearings, you were right Max, the 3/16 ball bearing had too much friction. Currently the point is aturned down cap screw and the thimble , the arm bearing is made of stainless and is quite heavy. trials will continue with aluminium and wooden versions.
I'm also going to convert the Decca arm to a 12 inch with wood instead of steel tube.

Regards Richard Higgins

[Max N]

Lovely bit of work Richard, especially the arm. Keep us posted

[James D]

Richard, Wow! Lovely looking contraption! I really the arm design!.

I wonder if replacing the metal counterweight stub and weight intself with wooden ones would sound better? I don't know that it would but the wood to metal interface has the potential to reflect energy back up the arm to interfere with the cartridge... This is the sort of thing that does make a difference to the sound.

I find the softer the bearing point the better providing it doesn't wear too quickly - and a slightly rounded point is the best size.

James

[The Shadow]

That is one cool looking piece of kit Richard!

Steve

[Richard Higgins]

Hi Max, James and Steve
Thanks for encouragement and comments.
The arm support is not fixed to the base, gravity plus “stiction” to the vanish stop it moving (as 47 Labs arm) but that still leaves bluetak, 3 points, armboard + + + to try.

The counterweight stub is a piece of brass tube over wood, it got stuck on when I was attempting a trial fit.

I’ll try putting a slight radius on the point of the unipivot tonight, the location it goes into probably has a radius anyway, the drill I resharpened to remove the chisel edge was not perfect. I’ve also got a ball-point tip to try.

I’ll also try an arm without any offset.

Does any one know the max load for an Audiotech wall shelf, and what the shelf is made from? The shelf seems strong enough for the deck without added mass, but questionable for a high mass.

Regards Richard Higgins

[Black Stuart]

I thought I might as well tag this onto an idler thread.

There's just over an hour left on the Sugden idler deck with a unipivot arm, surely someone from here is going to bid.

Black Stuart

[Allen]

I notice that Unibond now sell "no more nails" on a roll. Anyone tried it?

It might be just the thing for layering up plinths, consistent thickness and less likelyhood of getting covered in goo, which I always do when I attempt anything like this.

[Johnnantais]

Hi Richard, just popping in in a rare moment of quiet: that is one great-looking plinth, and I love that tonearm (it suits the plinth perfectly)!! Some day I will find the time to make an attempt myself at a DIY tonearm (I like to tell myself ). Hope you are enjoying the results.