What turntables do you use? Pictures would be nice as well :-)

[AMR / iFi audio]

Agree! Theres something about that underestimated lenco beat.

Using denon 103 and shure m3d and sc35c/n35x on my lencos. I also like the L70 tonearm.

I also heard good things about the Lenco tonearm, hence my previous question

 

[jespera]

I also heard good things about the Lenco tonearm, hence my previous question

The most common lenco turntable is the L75. They were sold in crazy numbers. The tonearm that it comes with is generally not considered something special and most people replace them. If you replace the v-blocks in the bearing I think its quite ok, though. Some people pimp them quite extensively.

The earlier, and somewhat rarer, spring suspended L70 arm is quite a different animal though. Bbc used to use it with the garrard 301. Thats the one I like. Particularly good with the denon 103 and robust mm’s. Some people also use them with spu’s.

I also own one of the very rare and technically sophisticated P77 tonearms. It is dynamically balanced in all dimensions and it was quite expensive from new. Some hardcore lencoholics rave about it. Personally, im a bit underwhelmed.

Picture from my lenco stash. P77 tonearm in the foreground. L75 and L70 in the background.

 

[Fishfood]

Well Tempered Simplex 2. Temporary table... just arrived because I hate digital. Sounds pretty dang good for $1000 used. 4-5 more weeks until my 401/Schroeder CB gets here. The waiting is really hard but this is a fun listen.

 

[McDee275]

Well Tempered Simplex 2. Temporary table... just arrived because I hate digital. Sounds pretty dang good for $1000 used. 4-5 more weeks until my 401/Schroeder CB gets here. The waiting is really hard but this is a fun listen.

View attachment 98191

Excellent player/tonearm for a Decca/London cartridge .

 

[Fishfood]

Interesting! I wish I still had my Super Gold. Maybe I'll pick up something used... that could be a satisfying setup while I wait.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Well Tempered Simplex 2. Temporary table... just arrived because I hate digital. Sounds pretty dang good for $1000 used. 4-5 more weeks until my 401/Schroeder CB gets here. The waiting is really hard but this is a fun listen.

View attachment 98191

That's one loooong record spindle you have there lol

 

[Fishfood]

That's one loooong record spindle you have there lol

I know! I couldn't tell which side was the bearing side at first. Weird little table. Also better sounding than a bunch of other tables I have owned that cost a hell of a lot more...

 

[Walter66]

I'd vote for idler's.

 

[MRJAZZ]

My current Stable Mates....
Cheers.....

 

[wbass]

My current Stable Mates....
Cheers.....

Huh. That's the Amari Micro-Seiki tribute, isn't it? Is yours modded? How do you like it?

 

[MRJAZZ]

Huh. That's the Amari Micro-Seiki tribute, isn't it? Is yours modded? How do you like it?

Yes, it’s a Micro Seiki 8000 clone. After some initial problems , due to some quality control issues, that Peter Noerbaek of PBN AUDIO, helped me sort out, it’s definitely a Huge Bang for the buck ( approximately 5500.00 delivered to US for the “Blue” version). The standard silver is less expensive.
The only mods are some custom footers, and Walker Lead pucks, along with a solid 2 inch thick acrylic sub base for the motor to sit on. Definitely changed the sound in a direction that I found to be beneficial.
Cheers....

 

[tom539]

My current Stable Mates....
Cheers.....

The BL-91 is such a Beauty

Lot´s of fun with your Micros @MRJAZZ

atb, Tom

 

[wbass]

Yes, it’s a Micro Seiki 8000 clone. After some initial problems , due to some quality control issues, that Peter Noerbaek of PBN AUDIO, helped me sort out, it’s definitely a Huge Bang for the buck ( approximately 5500.00 delivered to US for the “Blue” version). The standard silver is less expensive.
The only mods are some custom footers, and Walker Lead pucks, along with a solid 2 inch thick acrylic sub base for the motor to sit on. Definitely changed the sound in a direction that I found to be beneficial.
Cheers....

Very interesting. Apparently Acoustical Systems does (or did) a series of mods to the Amari:

Acoustical Systems Amari Turntable Sold

We are the exclusive Canadian dealer for this fabulous table. This is an Amari LP82s table modified by the German high end manufacturer, Acoustical Systems. This is a Micro-Seiki RX-5000 clone, using an 18mm ceramic-shaf...

corbysaudio.com

What were the QC issues you encountered? Is there space to add a second tonearm on the top left? Looks like there is, but that armboard/wing, which makes sense for arm stability, also seems to take up a lot of real estate.

Speed control is solid?

 

[MRJAZZ]

Very interesting. Apparently Acoustical Systems does (or did) a series of mods to the Amari:

Acoustical Systems Amari Turntable Sold

We are the exclusive Canadian dealer for this fabulous table. This is an Amari LP82s table modified by the German high end manufacturer, Acoustical Systems. This is a Micro-Seiki RX-5000 clone, using an 18mm ceramic-shaf...

corbysaudio.com

What were the QC issues you encountered? Is there space to add a second tonearm on the top left? Looks like there is, but that armboard/wing, which makes sense for arm stability, also seems to take up a lot of real estate.

Speed control is solid?

The motor died on me after 2 days . Apparently something went out on the Control Circuit Board.
Fortunately I had another, older less expensive Amari table that uses the exact internal Circuit board, ( with a few minor lay out differences).

Peter at PBN AUDIO was able to swap it out. Unfortunately when you buy from China, you are taking a gamble. I have been in correspondence with the exporter and have yet to hear when they will have Amari send me a replacement Circuit board.
The table runs quietly and maintains very stable speed. Usually runs at 33.333, up to 33.355
There are two other available possible arm posts.
There are after market arm boards available, and some even from Micro Seiki ( original metal arm platforms).
Cheers...

 

[Fishfood]

The motor died on me after 2 days . Apparently something went out on the Control Circuit Board.
Fortunately I had another, older less expensive Amari table that uses the exact internal Circuit board, ( with a few minor lay out differences).

Peter at PBN AUDIO was able to swap it out. Unfortunately when you buy from China, you are taking a gamble. I have been in correspondence with the exporter and have yet to hear when they will have Amari send me a replacement Circuit board.
The table runs quietly and maintains very stable speed. Usually runs at 33.333, up to 33.355
There are two other available possible arm posts.
There are after View attachment 98250 market arm boards available, and some even from Micro Seiki ( original metal arm platforms).
Cheers... View attachment 98251

I've been looking at the Amari too but couldn't pull the trigger because I've heard about some issues but maybe I should have. That's a gorgeous table.

 

[Direct Drive]

Very interesting. Apparently Acoustical Systems does (or did) a series of mods to the Amari:

Acoustical Systems Amari Turntable Sold

We are the exclusive Canadian dealer for this fabulous table. This is an Amari LP82s table modified by the German high end manufacturer, Acoustical Systems. This is a Micro-Seiki RX-5000 clone, using an 18mm ceramic-shaf...

corbysaudio.com

What were the QC issues you encountered? Is there space to add a second tonearm on the top left? Looks like there is, but that armboard/wing, which makes sense for arm stability, also seems to take up a lot of real estate.

Speed control is solid?

I was going to buy one of the Acoustical Systems ones in Dec 2020. Arranged top go to London to pick up (during Covid so had to be careful etc) but the day before they cancelled as the speed had gone wrong on it. They emailed a week or 2 later to say it started working properly...I decided to give it a miss.

I suspect the controller needs some work on it. I was surprised as I understood Acoustical Systems had done work on the PSU/controller, so expected it to be above the usual Chinese work.
Anyway, no regrets on my part as I suspect once a problem, always a problem. My Japanese DD's which are 40plus years old seem to carry on.

 

[wbass]

I was going to buy one of the Acoustical Systems ones in Dec 2020. Arranged top go to London to pick up (during Covid so had to be careful etc) but the day before they cancelled as the speed had gone wrong on it. They emailed a week or 2 later to say it started working properly...I decided to give it a miss.

I suspect the controller needs some work on it. I was surprised as I understood Acoustical Systems had done work on the PSU/controller, so expected it to be above the usual Chinese work.
Anyway, no regrets on my part as I suspect once a problem, always a problem. My Japanese DD's which are 40plus years old seem to carry on.

Who was the dealer you were working with in London, out of curiosity?

 

[Direct Drive]

Who was the dealer you were working with in London, out of curiosity?

HMF Solutions. I got the impression they didn't really know much about it. I asked questions about arm mounting, belts, arm boards and compatibly with MS ones. I suspect they just imported them on the basis of Acoustical Systems name.
The concern I had was to do with serviceability and who would do it, Amari, Acoustical Systems (as it was a unit they had tweaked) or just a regular audio service company.
Not like buying SME, Technics etc where you know there is support.

 

[108CY]

HMF Solutions. I got the impression they didn't really know much about it. I asked questions about arm mounting, belts, arm boards and compatibly with MS ones. I suspect they just imported them on the basis of Acoustical Systems name.
The concern I had was to do with serviceability and who would do it, Amari, Acoustical Systems (as it was a unit they had tweaked) or just a regular audio service company.
Not like buying SME, Technics etc where you know there is support.

Derek who is the man behind HMF is true a vetren of the uk audio game one of the first to work very closely with Ricardo and highly knowledgable so am truly supprised. Derek was one of the first truly high end dealers back in the day the first to purchase the likes of counterpoint air tangent krill apogee goldmund etc. I know it all seems normal now but not at that Time when a goldmund reference was the same price of a house in north London lol. Together with the with me he was thehan first to invest in a rockport turntable which was more than a house in London nw2 in 1995.

At least they did the correct thing and tested it prior to you purchasing it and sorted it out, how many times in my 35 years have I seen good just sent out.

 

[MaccaAu]

Technics SL-5210 (quartz lock) MP110
Technics SL-D2 (rough looking but works perfectly) MP110
Technics SL-D212 ( did its tone arm wiring) - Empire 2000E cart
HMV (based on old BSR) record player (was my Grandmas so sentimental value) - did its internal wiring

(have to amend my post later with images)