Reference Lenco MKIII, compared with slate idler-wheel drives,
Ivar L. Norway,
August, 2014
Jean, I have now started to use and I am getting to know the Reference Lenco MKIII.
I am no reviewer, but the Ref III is clearly the best turntable I have ever owned and ever heard! Nothing less!
I have had high end, high mass belt-driven tables, Forsell airborne table and big direct-driven Japanese turntable. Lately I have experience with idler-wheel drives; Thorens 124, Lenco L75 and Garrard 401, both in original, wood and slate plinths. In my opinion, the Ref III beats them all.
The dynamic of the music is startling, the timbre seem perfect, not too much and not too dry. The details and the air around instruments is also fantastic on good recordings. The resoIution is extremely good over the entire frequency range, also in the bass. The noise floor is very low and music seem to be presented on a velvety black background.
I have so far tried several combinations of arm and cartridge, from high compliant mm in light arms via modern high resolved mc in medium arms to classic mc in heavy arms. The Ref III seems to bring out the best qualities in all of them.
I go to a lot of concerts with acoustic instruments. The way the Ref III conveys the timbre, the flow, the life and the soul of the music reminds me a lot of what I experience at a concert. That is, to me, the highest praise I can give to any hi-fi component. I think it is the best I have heard on reproduction of recorded music.
In addition to it’s superb musical conveying qualities, the Ref III is also a very beautiful piece of furniture. The woodwork is top class, absolutely beautiful. I like the design. The contrast between the side panels and the main body is fine and the selection of wood with a beautiful structure in the front and top is excellent. My only, tiny, criticism of the visual impression is that the dolphin logo should be more visible, not hidden on the back side.
Congratulation to you for making such a fantastic turntable, I am very happy to own one! 🙂
Ivar L