BTE Designs type 3 Lenco conversions
Lenco. The gift that keeps on giving.
The versatility of these decks is unrivalled.
I now offer three versions of the Lenco platform, the type one restoration, the type 2 complete remodel, and now a version half way between the two.
Enter the type 3.
The type 3 stemmed from my work converting the L70 mentioned on another page into a motor unit. It was surprisingly popular with people, so I looked at further refining the idea.
The first one became the template for the further refinements, which build upon the strengths the lenco already has.
The versatility of these decks is unrivalled.
I now offer three versions of the Lenco platform, the type one restoration, the type 2 complete remodel, and now a version half way between the two.
Enter the type 3.
The type 3 stemmed from my work converting the L70 mentioned on another page into a motor unit. It was surprisingly popular with people, so I looked at further refining the idea.
The first one became the template for the further refinements, which build upon the strengths the lenco already has.
This is the first one. The rest follow the same basic pattern, but refined in terms of the final spec
The next iteration motor unit was built to exactly the same spec, again using an L70 as a base, but the plinth was built to the specifics of the owner
The next iteration motor unit was built to exactly the same spec, again using an L70 as a base, but the plinth was built to the specifics of the owner
The plinth was built to accommodate a Jelco SA750d 12" arm and an Ortofon spu, and a second arm, an Audio Technica ATp12T broadcast arm with a Denon dl103 installed. Tis deck was nicknamed 'the grand lady' by its owner.
The plinth can be built to accommodate your specific requirements.
Number 3 was built specifically for my dad, he liked it so much that he actually plays his 'bloody vinyl'. Vinyl replay has been his biggest bugbear for the last 20 odd years, he, until I built him this, had a love hate relationship with his records, mostly on the side of hate. With end of side distortion and various artefacts that he couldn't stand, he would often get a bee in his bonnet about 'bloody vinyl'...........
The plinth can be built to accommodate your specific requirements.
Number 3 was built specifically for my dad, he liked it so much that he actually plays his 'bloody vinyl'. Vinyl replay has been his biggest bugbear for the last 20 odd years, he, until I built him this, had a love hate relationship with his records, mostly on the side of hate. With end of side distortion and various artefacts that he couldn't stand, he would often get a bee in his bonnet about 'bloody vinyl'...........
As you can see, this one follows the original very closely, the dimensions were spot on for his needs. This one was built from a GL75 base. The SME 3009 was an arm he had been hankering after for a long time, and I happened to have one. Aesthetically, I was going for a late 60s early 70s vibe to match his retro styled system, his valve amplifier and speakers (his own work, circuit and speaker design) have a late 60s radiogram-esque aesthetic to them. It gained the nickname 'the little lady"
Number 4 was built for my own amusement during lockdown, as something to stop me going completely stir crazy
Number 4 was built for my own amusement during lockdown, as something to stop me going completely stir crazy
It is the size it is for no particular reason, other than that I wanted something big, and mass in the plinth helps the Lenco. Again the arm board is decoupled from the main plinth, this time the arm board had to be milled out to accommodate the Acos Lustre GST-1. Its base height is quite high, and the Lenco is quite low.
This time however, I decided to make the rear of the motor unit rounded as I thought it would look nicer. I think it does. It follows the aesthetic of the G88 more closely.
I designated this particular one the type 3a.
I had to move the toggle switch to the front given the lack of rear corners.
because it is half way between number 2 and number 3 in terms of size, it gained the nickname 'the lady'
Number 5 was commissioned following the lending out of number 4 so that the customer could try it in his own system.
This time however, I decided to make the rear of the motor unit rounded as I thought it would look nicer. I think it does. It follows the aesthetic of the G88 more closely.
I designated this particular one the type 3a.
I had to move the toggle switch to the front given the lack of rear corners.
because it is half way between number 2 and number 3 in terms of size, it gained the nickname 'the lady'
Number 5 was commissioned following the lending out of number 4 so that the customer could try it in his own system.
This one was built a little slimmer than the original, again to the specs of the customer, and again from a GL75.
The round arm board was also specced, as was the motor unit colour, which is ivory.
The arm is an Audiomods series 5.
Ive designated this motor unit spec as Type 3b, as it is again a refinement of the original. The rear curve is now closer in, it follows the centrepoint dimension of the straight sides, so its curve follows that of the platter and makes it a little more compact.
the switch was also specced by the customer as a replacement for the toggle switch.
I had to use capped screws to fix the deck down in this case as the switch position and size meant it was too close to the threaded bush that the mounting stud locates into, but it does look nice.
Number 6 was built to scratch an itch to try another linear tracking arm
The round arm board was also specced, as was the motor unit colour, which is ivory.
The arm is an Audiomods series 5.
Ive designated this motor unit spec as Type 3b, as it is again a refinement of the original. The rear curve is now closer in, it follows the centrepoint dimension of the straight sides, so its curve follows that of the platter and makes it a little more compact.
the switch was also specced by the customer as a replacement for the toggle switch.
I had to use capped screws to fix the deck down in this case as the switch position and size meant it was too close to the threaded bush that the mounting stud locates into, but it does look nice.
Number 6 was built to scratch an itch to try another linear tracking arm
This one is mine. I built it smaller this time as I had a severe lack of space with number 4. The arm is an Airprodigy linear tracker, and is my favourite arm. Look at the Airprodigy site for more details, I think its an absolute cracker, and is now my reference that all others must be judged against......
The base deck is a GL78 in this case, and I decided to screw the deck down in the same manner as number 5 because I liked the little silver buttons and the way they complemented the black chassis. This one is also type 3b spec.
The base deck is a GL78 in this case, and I decided to screw the deck down in the same manner as number 5 because I liked the little silver buttons and the way they complemented the black chassis. This one is also type 3b spec.
This is number 7. Another spec build, it has a full baltic birch ply plinth, and a top layer of bright red veneer called 'sanguine ash'. Basically a red stained ash veneer.
This is also type 3b spec, although this one was a little different. The base deck had had the chassis filled with epoxy so there was no need to add any damping to the chassis.
The paint is Jaguar indigo blue, which has a lovely purply tone as it is the base colour, so the purple pops out in the light.
The arm is an Alphason HR100 MCS, and the cartridge is an SAE1000 LT.
I had my doubts on how this one would look when the customer gave me the spec, but it turned out rather nice in the end.
So. What is type 3b spec, and what do you get?
The type 3 comprises of a motor unit built on a Lenco base deck. The deck is completely stripped, and the chassis plate is stripped back to bare metal.
The chassis plate is the cut so that the rear curve is formed and then a strip is welded in to re form the edge. The deck, now a motor unit, is then painted in a colour you choose.
The chassis plate is damped on the underside using bitumen pads and a power switch added.
The bearing and motor are stripped and rebuilt, then the motor tuned via the nose bearing until it is as quiet as possible, and all wiring replaced, along with the spark suppression cap. The chassis plate is also earthed.
The platter is polished or painted as you require
The plinth is built to your spec, whatever works for you, and veneered. It is also built to accommodate your specific arm, or arms if you want to run two.
If you require any particular information on anything regarding the type 3, please drop me an email @
[email protected]
Thanks Anthony
This is also type 3b spec, although this one was a little different. The base deck had had the chassis filled with epoxy so there was no need to add any damping to the chassis.
The paint is Jaguar indigo blue, which has a lovely purply tone as it is the base colour, so the purple pops out in the light.
The arm is an Alphason HR100 MCS, and the cartridge is an SAE1000 LT.
I had my doubts on how this one would look when the customer gave me the spec, but it turned out rather nice in the end.
So. What is type 3b spec, and what do you get?
The type 3 comprises of a motor unit built on a Lenco base deck. The deck is completely stripped, and the chassis plate is stripped back to bare metal.
The chassis plate is the cut so that the rear curve is formed and then a strip is welded in to re form the edge. The deck, now a motor unit, is then painted in a colour you choose.
The chassis plate is damped on the underside using bitumen pads and a power switch added.
The bearing and motor are stripped and rebuilt, then the motor tuned via the nose bearing until it is as quiet as possible, and all wiring replaced, along with the spark suppression cap. The chassis plate is also earthed.
The platter is polished or painted as you require
The plinth is built to your spec, whatever works for you, and veneered. It is also built to accommodate your specific arm, or arms if you want to run two.
If you require any particular information on anything regarding the type 3, please drop me an email @
[email protected]
Thanks Anthony