MKII Modifications and Work

PLINTH

The first element in the Classic Lenco MKII over the Classic Lenco (Plain & Simple) is the introductions of new materials into the plinth, both at the critical layer to which the chassis is Direct Coupled, and the following layers in which higher-density layers are introduced both to improve the sound and to center the mass (which improves the sound).  In tests this new plinth (which led later to the Reference plinth) was clearly superior to the plinth for the Classic Lenco (Plain & Simple).  In addition to this the exterior woodwork improves, with solid wood side panels matched to a contrasting veneer for the main body, and my signature dolphin is secretly machined into the rear panel, the dolphin symbolizing freedom, my Lenco rebuilds being the best at freeing the music from the grooves.  Buyer chooses which two woods, and what colour and finish for the chassis and platter, which tonearm, or tonearms, to design for.

To take further advantage of Direct Coupling to the plinth, the Classic Lenco MKII has features it shares with the Reference Lenco MKII, starting with replacement of the original slider on which the idler wheel travels with a much more massive slider machined out of solid aircraft-grade aluminum.  It ensures the perfect operation of the TJN mod, improves speed stability (and so sonics)  and takes advantage of the principle of Direct Coupling – which can only be effectively achieved with a wooden plinth– to act as a siphon for motor vibration and so noise, thus improving silence (already inaudible until compared to the new slider) and naturalness and effecting the usual improvements in detail-retrieval, dynamics, and so on.  It makes the range of speed adjustment universal anywhere in the world (i.e. you can move from a 60 Hz zone to a 50 Hz zone and achieve the correct range of speed from above, without dismantling the record player, simply swap motors; or if you have a voltage drop problem you can again make adjustments from above).

The principle is this: the new slider is much wider than the original, thus providing a much more stable platform (like a wrestler with his feet spread wide) for the post on which the idler-wheel arm hangs, so eliminating “drift” of the wheel along the motor shaft.  Furthermore, the entire upper half of the slider mechanism (there is a lower half below the chassis), including the post, is machined from a solid block, so that the post is not simply bolted to the slider, but is actually part of the slider, thus effecting a perfect transference of motor vibration via the wheel, to the post into the slider and, thanks to Direct Coupling, back into the plinth to be “eaten”.  The lower half of the slider is so designed to ensure an easy and extremely accurate sliding motion from 33 to 45.  The original Lenco chassis sounds better, for a variety of reasons, than after-market alternatives, and this slider realizes its potential.  The slider lowers the noise floor, so exposing more subtle fine detail and refinement, and also dynamic contrasts; also by improving actual speed stability/accuracy, it also again improves detail, dynamic contrasts, bass tightness and so on.  Each slider is hand-tuned to allow for easy speed change and to maintain an accurate range of speeds. Finally, the new slider improves torque, as it allows the post to be bent backwards, which is an issue as there is no perfect standard on the Lenco idler-wheel arms as to angle, so raising the wheel if it hangs too low for full contact with the motor spindle.  This must be done incrementally, as it is possible to have too much contact, which causes increase of transmitted motor noise directly to the platter.

There is a third improvement now for all my MKII machines, a reinforcement ring for the main bearing made of a metal chosen for its sonic properties (as all my materials are), which required, in tandem with the TJN Mod and the new slider, a re-working of the way in which I assemble the machines (the extreme increase in information-retrieval meant a VERY careful re-working of the whole to ensure no added brightness, grain, or glare).  The reinforcement ring is placed above the bearing, when the bolts fastening the bearing to the chassis are tightened through this ring it effectively sandwiches the chassis between the ring and the bearing flange to both eliminate ringing and to greatly increase the strength of the interface. This also taps into the Direct Coupling to more effectively drain noise away from the LP.When done correctly, all three modifications raise my work much higher still.

Then there is the TJN Mod, which replaces the spring which holds the wheel against the shaft, providing the motive power. This mod, a weight on a string instead of a spring, permanently and absolutely provides rock-solid, unvarying contact pressure at all speeds and positions, both increasing speed stability and torque stability, it makes an improvement out of all relation with its simplicity (and simplicity is the key: this is immune to further improvement, and in fact, other higher-tech approaches such as magnets reintroduces the weaknesses of a spring (i.e. variable torque according to position loss of strength with time tec.).

It also includes an effectively new main bearing: the original bushings are hammered out and new undersized ones put in, then remachined for extreme accuracy not possible in castings.  the bottom is machined out to accept a beefier thrust plate of brass, which is the perfect metal for use in the Classic Lenco MKII plinth.  This produces a significant improvement over the original stock bearing in terms of detail-retrieval, bass, clarity, speed and high-frequency extension, while improving actual musicality: timing, rhythm, coherence.

The provided carriage bolt footers, which are solid and have rounded heads, can be replaced with heavy brass Bearpaw footers, which make a very large improvement to the sound.  These are lacquered to prevent oxidation, are tapped and have stainless steel threaded rod permanently bonded in and matching stainless steel hardware for secure coupling (important in a high-mass plinth) and good looks; $250.  Metacrylate mat, which makes a very large imrpovement to the sound, bonded permanently to the platter for maximum effectiveness (CLD), $250. Ultra high-accuracy idler wheel, $350, makes a large improvement to speed stability and accuracy, which is reflected in much great retrieval of fine detail, purity, tightness of bass, rhythm, dynamics.

100-pound (roughly) version, $5100 including Lenco. The extra mass is easily audible as increased black backgrounds/reduction of noise, clearer transients, better retrieval of fine detail, deeper bass and clearer highs. It is 24 1/2″ x 20 1/2″ x 7 1/4″. This includes veneering with a choice of maple, walnut, cherry, birch, oak, jatoba (Brazilian cherry).

Add $500 for exotic solid woods, plus the cost of said wood. Exotic veneers are available, contact me to see what is available or what can be special-ordered.

For a two-tonearm plinth instead of one-tonearm plinth, add $300.