OLLY Posted January 9, 2018 Posted January 9, 2018 (edited) I have a Goldring G99 turntable which is the UK made Lenco and I am wondering if anyone here has one and what their thoughts are about these turntables. I have had it for about 10 years and thought about building a plinth for it as I am told that in a proper setup they are comparable to the Garrard 301/401's which I have. For the past 18 years I have been using a Commonwealth Electronics 12D/3. What I am interested to find out does the Goldring G99 have the capabilities to match it with these other idlers or am I better of parting ways with it. OLLY Edited January 9, 2018 by OLLY
Graceman Posted January 9, 2018 Posted January 9, 2018 A quick google will find a specialist Lenco forum which you might like to browse, but there are also users here.
soundfan Posted January 9, 2018 Posted January 9, 2018 IIRC the 99 differed from the Lenco 75 And 78 in that it was released without a tonearm. I’ve a heavily modded 75 and IMHO they compete very favourably against the Garrard 301/401. Opinions of course will differ in which is better. Thing I love about the Lencos is their simplicity, and the motor fitted is a workhorse that keeps on keeping on. That said, you have a Commonwealth? A very well regarded table, not sure a modded Lenco would compete. Lenco Heaven is a great site for all things Lenco. 2
mloutfie Posted January 9, 2018 Posted January 9, 2018 Yeah I was about to say the same thing why would you go to a lenco if you have a commonwealth 12
OLLY Posted January 9, 2018 Author Posted January 9, 2018 Maybe that is why the Goldring has been sitting in a cupboard for just over 10 years. Maybe time to move it on and get onto some other project. OLLY
awty Posted January 9, 2018 Posted January 9, 2018 The only major difference between a G99 and a l75/78 is that it can be set up easier to use a different tone arm. The motor, bearing, idler wheel and platter are the same. The biggest advantage of the Lenco is its ability to be modded compared to the other record players you have. The only components of the original you need is the motor and platter, rest can be substituted and you can end up with quite a descent record player if you know what you are doing. Even standard with a good plinth should give the Garrard's a run for there money. 3
Wimbo Posted January 9, 2018 Posted January 9, 2018 13 hours ago, awty said: The only major difference between a G99 and a l75/78 is that it can be set up easier to use a different tone arm. The motor, bearing, idler wheel and platter are the same. The biggest advantage of the Lenco is its ability to be modded compared to the other record players you have. The only components of the original you need is the motor and platter, rest can be substituted and you can end up with quite a descent record player if you know what you are doing. Even standard with a good plinth should give the Garrard's a run for there money. Awty has one of the most amazing modified Lenco's I've ever seen. Photos on Lenco Heaven. 1
OLLY Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 No matter how good the Lencos can be I doubt whether they would ever stack up against a well set up Commonwealth Electronics or Garrard 301. I have always been interested in plinth design and have 3 other CE's that one day I hope I will get the opportunity to test on different plinth designs. I have a huge chunk of corian I would love to try but hard to work with. 2
Wimbo Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 10 minutes ago, OLLY said: No matter how good the Lencos can be I doubt whether they would ever stack up against a well set up Commonwealth Electronics or Garrard 301. I have always been interested in plinth design and have 3 other CE's that one day I hope I will get the opportunity to test on different plinth designs. I have a huge chunk of corian I would love to try but hard to work with. Awty's.
soundfan Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 2 hours ago, OLLY said: No matter how good the Lencos can be I doubt whether they would ever stack up against a well set up Commonwealth Electronics or Garrard 301. I have always been interested in plinth design and have 3 other CE's that one day I hope I will get the opportunity to test on different plinth designs. I have a huge chunk of corian I would love to try but hard to work with. I've heard a couple of well set up Garrard 301 tables, and a few Lenco's. I still maintain that at minimum, the Lenco is as good as the Garrard when given the same treatment. But of course, my opinion based on real life experience. Heck....I sold a Technics SP10 MK II in a slate plinth because I preferred the Lenco. Maybe my bias is showing.
OLLY Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 I also have a Technics SP10 and in my opinion it does not come anywhere near the Commonwealth Elecronics table and all I use it for is for some 78 playback in my spare bedroom. No disrespect to the Lencos but when I first saw the Goldring G99 all I could see was a radiogram deck. I picked mine up in a nearby suburb when it was thrown out for a local council kerbside pickup. I see nothing but good reviews about them so they must have something going for them but I doubt I will ever get to hear one in my system. One turntable I have collecting dust is a Rola Professional and I think this table is a real "sleeper" as it is so well put together and offers some real potential as an alternative to the CE. Maybe one day I will find out and post my view of them.
Wimbo Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 3 hours ago, OLLY said: have 3 other CE's Wow, bit of money there,thats for sure. From what I've heard, they are very desirable.
soundfan Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) 39 minutes ago, OLLY said: I also have a Technics SP10 and in my opinion it does not come anywhere near the Commonwealth Elecronics table and all I use it for is for some 78 playback in my spare bedroom. No disrespect to the Lencos but when I first saw the Goldring G99 all I could see was a radiogram deck. I picked mine up in a nearby suburb when it was thrown out for a local council kerbside pickup. I see nothing but good reviews about them so they must have something going for them but I doubt I will ever get to hear one in my system. One turntable I have collecting dust is a Rola Professional and I think this table is a real "sleeper" as it is so well put together and offers some real potential as an alternative to the CE. Maybe one day I will find out and post my view of them. Read my posts again. I didn't compare a Technics to a Commonwealth. A Technics SP10 II is a very well regarded deck, but I gave my experience of it compared to a Lenco. And have you even heard a well set up Lenco? Before you doubt their ability I would try to hear a decently set up example. I don't play in hearsay. I imigine no idler will compare to the Commonwealth, so guess you should sell the 99. Edited January 10, 2018 by soundfan
Ian McP Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 http://www.oneillassociates.com.au/~poneill/Rola_Professional_12.shtml http://www.oneillassociates.com.au/~poneill/CE_History.shtml http://www.goldenageaudio.com.au/ 1
OLLY Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) Soundfan, only needed to read it once. I was agreeing with you in regards to the Technics SP10 and that is why it is used for 78 playback. Haven't got around to selling mine yet. Not interested in hearing a well set up Lenco for the reason you say "I imagine no idler will compare to the Commonwealth" so no need to waste money building a plinth or driving around looking for one to listen to as I suspect there wouldn't be too many here in WA. I believe you have heard a well modded Lenco and for you come to the conclusion you have is good enough for me. Thanks for putting my mind at ease so now parting with the G99 will be a lot easier. Edited January 10, 2018 by OLLY 1
OLLY Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 (edited) Wimbo I would say that the CE is possibly the best idler that is available in Australia. I got my 2nd for parts if I ever need any and I doubt I ever will. After almost 20 years mine has never missed a beat. I have two arms set up in my plinth and play the majority of my 78's on it as well as the other speeds available. Great turntable and highly sought after over here. If you ever get the opportunity to grab one don't let it go as you will regret it. Edited January 10, 2018 by OLLY
awty Posted January 10, 2018 Posted January 10, 2018 Is there any way of fine tuning the speeds on the commonwealth?....or are they always spot on.
OLLY Posted January 10, 2018 Author Posted January 10, 2018 Only need to have adjustments like on the Lenco if there is a speed issue but in almost 20 years mine has not wavered. Spot on so no need for adjustment on the ( my ) Commonwealth. Not saying that they are all so reliable but I am yet to come across a faulty one in the ones I have seen here.
expat Posted January 11, 2018 Posted January 11, 2018 @OLLY FYI https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/16-COMMONWEALTH-TRANSCRIPTION-TURNTABLE/192346051092?hash=item2cc8b7d214:g:rvsAAOSwNrBZ8xUr Bit pricey though
OLLY Posted January 11, 2018 Author Posted January 11, 2018 Over the top. Last 12D/3 I sold locally it went for $2,500.00. Sitting on the 3 spares for the time being 2
Plattermatter08 Posted February 17, 2019 Posted February 17, 2019 I've owned two lenco's. The 1st one i used as original and found it lacked bass and dynamics. I obtained the second one cheap as the arm was shot..I mounted it in a aerated concrete plinth and also mounted a 12" arm on the concrete.The result.Lacked bass and dynamics. Ive seen companies selling modded lenco's that mount the platter and drive system on thick steel plate doing away with the tin work completely. Perhaps thats the answer,or just use the Commonwealth
awty Posted February 23, 2019 Posted February 23, 2019 On 17/02/2019 at 11:11 AM, Plattermatter08 said: I've owned two lenco's. The 1st one i used as original and found it lacked bass and dynamics. I obtained the second one cheap as the arm was shot..I mounted it in a aerated concrete plinth and also mounted a 12" arm on the concrete.The result.Lacked bass and dynamics. Ive seen companies selling modded lenco's that mount the platter and drive system on thick steel plate doing away with the tin work completely. Perhaps thats the answer,or just use the Commonwealth I couldn't imagine a aerated concrete plinth being at all good. The best part about Lenco's is that the only part from the original you need is the motor (perhaps the platter, but I think someone is looking into making an after market one), the rest of the parts can be bought as after market options at affordable prices. The only original parts on mine is the motor, platter and idler wheel. Also use a designed for Lenco speed controller, to keep the motor running at a nice stable 220 vlts and change speed at a flick of a switch instead of mechanically. The dynamics and bass is awesome and its still cheaper than a big clunky old Commonwealth.
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