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Post by rexton on May 23, 2020 15:35:29 GMT
Do you think the knackered V blocks caused the problems that we talked about with the cartridge alignment?
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Post by jimbo on May 23, 2020 15:56:38 GMT
Do you think the knackered V blocks caused the problems that we talked about with the cartridge alignment? Totally, they caused all manner of issues which have now been sorted! Now I can start playing some music!  |
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Post by brian2957 on May 23, 2020 17:35:30 GMT
Result then James ...excellent Aye mine's has Made in USA on the back in tiny writing |
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Post by jimbo on May 23, 2020 18:03:39 GMT
Result then James ...excellent Aye mine's has Made in USA on the back in tiny writing Yes, very small writing. I had a job to read it even with glasses on. Listening to some jazz and now Agnes new album with the AT95ex. Its a superb cartridge mate. I will be using this for a few days now and then switch to the M55e with the new Jico stylus. Looking forward to comparing them.
The Lenco now sounds superb after being able to set up the tonearm with the new V blocks. The old ones were like pieces of cheese! They were actually soft and gooey, the knife edge bearings had cut through them and they had collapsed. The whole deck will benefit a good running in now I have sorted everything. It runs smoother and quieter than my old one so it may well sound good in my other system but at the moment it sounds very good through the lovely Pioneer SX590 and Oli's excellent DL6 speakers.
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Post by brian2957 on May 23, 2020 18:58:27 GMT
Fantastic news James . Enjoy I'm using the AT95ex on the aftermarket headshell . First impressions I don't think I'm losing anything compared to the original headshell . I will listen more , however , I've been roped into decorating as I can't get my usual decorator ( my nephew ) into the house at the moment so I'm a bit busy  Hah ! ...I had to get the magnifying glass out to read the writing on my M55e . |
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Post by jimbo on May 23, 2020 19:08:17 GMT
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Post by brian2957 on May 23, 2020 20:16:20 GMT
Excellent James , been a little while coming together . Looks great |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 23, 2020 20:33:27 GMT
Very tasty
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Post by jimbo on May 23, 2020 20:42:55 GMT
Excellent James , been a little while coming together . Looks great Yes took longer than expected but worth it now the whole rig is hooked up. Quite enjoyed sourcing all the parts to make it happen. Can't wait to hook the Lenco up to the Croft amps and SP2's sometime soon hopefully.
The big surprise is the Pioneer receiver, it certainly does not lack any power, only barely ticking over!
The At95ex is very capable at digging out the detail and presents a very good broad picture with excellent tonality in vocals. I was astonished at its bass performance earlier when playing some Count Basie. Mind you the old Lenco digs up some superb bass, probably more so than the VPI. I can hear the Pioneer is holding back the soundstage a little and although resolution is good it only gets you so far. Not surprising for a 40 year old receiver but it is making a good job at conveying the overall picture. Very easy to listen too and an excellent one box amplifier solution.
Strangely I am getting a very clean black background from all the vinyl I am playing, you would not know you have a record spinning and the music just appears from the black space. I think the Lenco now fettled and super quiet is doing a superb job. I mention this as being strange because even though I had a quiet black backround with the VPI, the Lenco is doing a better job!
I will carry on spinning some more tunes.
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Post by jimbo on May 23, 2020 20:43:49 GMT
Thanks Oli, I am loving it. |
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Post by brian2957 on May 23, 2020 21:35:21 GMT
Excellent James , been a little while coming together . Looks great Yes took longer than expected but worth it now the whole rig is hooked up. Quite enjoyed sourcing all the parts to make it happen. Can't wait to hook the Lenco up to the Croft amps and SP2's sometime soon hopefully.
The big surprise is the Pioneer receiver, it certainly does not lack any power, only barely ticking over!
The At95ex is very capable at digging out the detail and presents a very good broad picture with excellent tonality in vocals. I was astonished at its bass performance earlier when playing some Count Basie. Mind you the old Lenco digs up some superb bass, probably more so than the VPI. I can hear the Pioneer is holding back the soundstage a little and although resolution is good it only gets you so far. Not surprising for a 40 year old receiver but it is making a good job at conveying the overall picture. Very easy to listen too and an excellent one box amplifier solution.
Strangely I am getting a very clean black background from all the vinyl I am playing, you would not know you have a record spinning and the music just appears from the black space. I think the Lenco now fettled and super quiet is doing a superb job. I mention this as being strange because even though I had a quiet black backround with the VPI, the Lenco is doing a better job!
I will carry on spinning some more tunes.
Aye , I'm getting a feeling this old Sony is only taking me so far . I think I need a decent MM phono stage . Wish I could afford one of Oli's  Any suggestions for something around the £100 mark ? |
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Post by gninnam on May 23, 2020 22:00:25 GMT
Great end result and glad you are happy with the end result |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 23, 2020 23:27:44 GMT
Yes took longer than expected but worth it now the whole rig is hooked up. Quite enjoyed sourcing all the parts to make it happen. Can't wait to hook the Lenco up to the Croft amps and SP2's sometime soon hopefully.
The big surprise is the Pioneer receiver, it certainly does not lack any power, only barely ticking over!
The At95ex is very capable at digging out the detail and presents a very good broad picture with excellent tonality in vocals. I was astonished at its bass performance earlier when playing some Count Basie. Mind you the old Lenco digs up some superb bass, probably more so than the VPI. I can hear the Pioneer is holding back the soundstage a little and although resolution is good it only gets you so far. Not surprising for a 40 year old receiver but it is making a good job at conveying the overall picture. Very easy to listen too and an excellent one box amplifier solution.
Strangely I am getting a very clean black background from all the vinyl I am playing, you would not know you have a record spinning and the music just appears from the black space. I think the Lenco now fettled and super quiet is doing a superb job. I mention this as being strange because even though I had a quiet black backround with the VPI, the Lenco is doing a better job!
I will carry on spinning some more tunes.
Aye , I'm getting a feeling this old Sony is only taking me so far . I think I need a decent MM phono stage . Wish I could afford one of Oli's Any suggestions for something around the £100 mark ? You could knock one of these up with your eyes close mate. Seriously, you are more than capable |
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Post by antonio on May 24, 2020 5:33:19 GMT
Great news you're liking the Lenco, I'm loving mine, the PT won't be getting back in my system. Seriously I would try and save for a better phono stage, I was surprised at the difference they made.
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Post by jimbo on May 24, 2020 7:06:39 GMT
Great news you're liking the Lenco, I'm loving mine, the PT won't be getting back in my system. Seriously I would try and save for a better phono stage, I was surprised at the difference they made. Yes the Lenco is a great turntable, I am very pleased with the end result.
I do have something better but I can't be bothered to get it out at the moment but it will happen.
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Post by brian2957 on May 24, 2020 8:59:38 GMT
You could knock one of these up with your eyes close mate. Seriously, you are more than capable Can you give me a rough list ( prices etc ) of parts required Oli . 300 mile trip(s) down to Alan's place might be expensive though . Oh...and you might receive more than one phone call for guidance  |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 24, 2020 9:19:15 GMT
You could knock one of these up with your eyes close mate. Seriously, you are more than capable Can you give me a rough list ( prices etc ) of parts required Oli . 300 mile trip(s) down to Alan's place might be expensive though . Oh...and you might receive more than one phone call for guidance lol...seriously, if you can solder and do jigsaw puzzles, you will fly through a build...no problem. The whole build....in a single box with modest valves like 1x 6N2P and 2x PCC88's can be done for under £350. The PCB is £30 delivered in the UK. Which is stupid cheap. Some guys bit a bit per month, and as RS components stock most of what you need, if you register with them, you can buy really small quantities of stuff with free delivery. It can be done as an ongoing project and don't worry, ATM most of my mornings are spent replying to emails or PM's about the phonostage build so another one wont hurt lol |
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Post by brian2957 on May 24, 2020 11:15:00 GMT
Thanks buddy , I'll have a think about it .
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 26, 2020 8:51:21 GMT
Thats a system that wouldnt look out of place in any 70's household. Well done Jim.
It's surprising how much fun can be had when listening to a lesser system. As long as you know you are building a system with limits before hand lol
£400 for a system that looks good, sounds acceptable and provides many hours of enjoyment, is money well spent. I often think i should do something similar but i know the lack of resolution or transparency will ultimately frustrate me.
Anyway, glad to have helped get it up and running, i hope you both enjoy it!
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Post by jimbo on May 26, 2020 9:07:00 GMT
It was our conversation late one evening that started me down this path and it has been a most enjoyable project. It has been great fun and the finished result is beyond expectation. I was not particularly aiming high as it was cobbled together with what was easily available. I am sure a much better system could be put together for around the same money with other more carefully chosen components.
Overall though I am more than happy as it is now Helen's main system as she also heard the uplift in SQ from her beloved 1970s music centre and she could not go back.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 26, 2020 11:00:43 GMT
It was our conversation late one evening that started me down this path and it has been a most enjoyable project. It has been great fun and the finished result is beyond expectation. I was not particularly aiming high as it was cobbled together with what was easily available. I am sure a much better system could be put together for around the same money with other more carefully chosen components.
Overall though I am more than happy as it is now Helen's main system as she also heard the uplift in SQ from her beloved 1970s music centre and she could not go back.
Yes, I remember that late night, panic stricken call when the Music Center threw a wobbly and the possibility of a temporary life with no vinyl hung in the air. It was a good move to remove the unreliable and probably quite dreadful sounding thing and replace it with something more adequate, whilst carefully considering and respecting Helen's taste in the aesthetic of her system. I applaud the consideration. |
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Post by brian2957 on May 26, 2020 11:26:44 GMT
Hah! you should write a few paragraphs of advice on how to manage your partner with regards to acceptance of your hifi system James |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 26, 2020 11:59:29 GMT
Hah! you should write a few paragraphs of advice on how to manage your partner with regards to acceptance of your hifi system James Lol.....brilliant. |
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Post by jimbo on May 26, 2020 13:02:48 GMT
Hah! you should write a few paragraphs of advice on how to manage your partner with regards to acceptance of your hifi system James You know how hard it is to sneak anything into the house, never mind a whole system! |
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Post by antonio on May 26, 2020 13:17:28 GMT
The Lenco and Pioneer really look the part, pleased you're enjoying them.
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Post by brian2957 on May 26, 2020 13:33:47 GMT
Hah! you should write a few paragraphs of advice on how to manage your partner with regards to acceptance of your hifi system James You know how hard it is to sneak anything into the house, never mind a whole system! Yup , you did it though . Very impressive feat if I must say ...right under her nose too  |
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Post by macca on May 26, 2020 13:53:32 GMT
Just one thing - The Pioneer is from a time when speakers in general were much easier loads and going from memory the Celestions, although small, were not so easy to drive. You might get better results vis transparency by substituting a speaker that is more 'period correct'. Or you might not but could be worth a try if you come across something suitable.
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Post by jimbo on May 26, 2020 14:05:10 GMT
The Lenco and Pioneer really look the part, pleased you're enjoying them. Cheers Antonio, they are a great little system. |
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Post by jimbo on May 26, 2020 14:07:42 GMT
Just one thing - The Pioneer is from a time when speakers in general were much easier loads and going from memory the Celestions, although small, were not so easy to drive. You might get better results vis transparency by substituting a speaker that is more 'period correct'. Or you might not but could be worth a try if you come across something suitable. Good point there Martin. I think in Helens small room there is not much of an issue but I think they could be bettered. I may hook up my SP2s but last time they dominated the room a bit too much.
A pair of LS3/5a would do the trick or KEF LS50s?
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on May 26, 2020 14:12:25 GMT
Not sure I'd say they are a hard load at 8ohms an 89db sensitivity, but there are 'easier' Those pioneers I had would have been magic on the end of that system  Pick is from the MK2.... Cant find a mk1 |
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