FOUND: Tonearm (to suit Lenco / Linn)

[manchu]

EDIT:   All sorted.  cheers.   

 

 

I'm after a tonearm that will fit a Lenco 75,   with out too much hassle.  It's to replace the stock Lenco tonearm in original plinth.

 

Some I've seen suggested as good fits, that I could maybe or maybe not afford are 

 -Linn (Basik, Akito) 

 -Jelco SA-250 ST

 -others that are easy fits for Linn tt's

 

Apparently it needs to be about:

 

effective length     229mm

pivot to spindle    211mm

 

Budget is pretty tight.  I'd prefer to spend around $200ish  but would consider a fair bit more . . or less.

 

Edit: I'm also keen to hear suggestions for arms to consider...not just offers to sell. 

 

 

cheers

chris

Edited April 6, 2014 by manchu

[shaky]

Chris,

As I understand it an Ortofon AS 212 is a drop in replacement on the Lemco plinth. Also the Rega arms are quite close, and length can be matched by where the cart is positioned in the headshell.

Good lunch with the search.

Tim

[Guest Mr Thorens]

Just to note the Rega arm requires a 25mm hole to mount, requiring larger hole diameter to be drilled. It's pivot to spindle is 222mm which is pushing it a bit.

[shaky]

@Mr Thorens, thanks, I forgot you do need the larger hole for the Regas so not necessarily a straight 'drop in' replacement. Usually the hole is slotted from original arm hole. I'm sure I read somewhere though (possibly Lencoheaven) that you can get 219mm P to S length with the Rega, by mounting it at factory location and positioning cart appropriately, which some believe is a better suited to the Lenco rather than the factory 222 and a poofteenth. Curious if you have thoughts on this as I am far from an expert on these matters.

Sorry Chris for the deviation.

[Guest Mr Thorens]

It's probably not harmful to drill the arm hole larger and gives you some more arm options because you can then mount a new arm +/- 5mm as needed. Most arms come with a mount that has a ring cover that will cover the later hole you've created. To do a bigger hole you can use a stepper drill bit, it looks like a small Christmas tree and enables you to drill different size holes from the one bit. I made mine 26mm which fits the Rega arm. One issue you may have also is that the Lenco platter is sunk into the plinth, it's quite low. So when you put another arm like a Rega the VTA won't be right. I had to use a thicker mat to raise the level of the vinyl record so that the arm tracking angle was correct. IMHO the Rega arm, as stock, is decent but a bit ordinary. It's a good budget arm but really needed a rewire with proper wire internally, and a better counterweight. Otherwise there are limitations that mean you're not extracting all the resolution out of the Lenco. If the spend on a Rega arm is $250 and you have to spend another $150-$200 to rewire and CW upgrade, it is marginal value. Of course, this is all part of the journey, and upgrades can be done but by bit. Rest assured, the Lenco is up to it and each tweak yields further improvement.

[manchu]

cheers guys.   I'm very happy to get suggestions of what to look for and related deviations,  as well as with any offers if someone has something to sell. 

 

At the moment i'm leaning towards the Linn Akito 1.   Reasonable price, and looks good on the Lenco IMO 

 

I had come across the Ortofon AS 212,  but seems like it would be out of my price range. 

[Grumpy]

Linn Basik LVX Tonearm EXCELLENT £124.99  24-Apr-14 12:16:23 BST See other items in this category:

 

 

This was sent to my email this morning from a ebayer that I have bought from before  (UK seller)

Edited March 26, 2014 by Grumpy

[manchu]

It's probably not harmful to drill the arm hole larger and gives you some more arm options because you can then mount a new arm +/- 5mm as needed.

.

.

when you put another arm like a Rega the VTA won't be right. I had to use a thicker mat to raise the level of the vinyl record so that the arm tracking angle was correct.

 

I'd be happy enough to make the hole larger if necessary.         

 

Understood about VTA.  I'm sure it won't be too tough to overcome.    We get a lot of carbon steel and stainless steel laser cutting done for work so I could probably get another thin platter made up quite cheaply to stack. 

[manchu]

Linn Basik LVX Tonearm EXCELLENT £124.99  24-Apr-14 12:16:23 BST See other items in this category:

 

cheers.   Price seems a little on the high side for this one especially without the cable.   

 

Am I right in believing the Akito is the next step up from the Basik LVX??    

[shaky]

.......We get a lot of carbon steel and stainless steel laser cutting done for work so I could probably get another thin platter made up quite cheaply to stack.

You taking orders?

[manchu]

You taking orders?

Maybe. Let me know dimensions and material and I'll check price.

[manchu]

All sorted for an arm now.  Thanks all for the suggestions.   

 

I picked up a Linn Akito.