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Post by Ant. on Oct 22, 2017 9:13:29 GMT 12
Hi All, New member, I recently had the pleasure of meeting Graham D and acquired a lovely TD-160 via him, he has put me onto this forum. I currently live in Botany Downs, although likely not for much longer. My system currently consists of Thorens TD-160 with Denon DL-103r - I also have 2 x Lenco L75 (projects), Garrard AP-76 that I've overhauled and a Denon DL-103 Auditorium 23 Step-Up Moon 310LP with 320S power supply Marantz SA11-S3 - Also doubles as my DAC as I have a simple PC music server also Line Magnetic 219 - Raytheon Long black plate 12AX7s, Psvane WE310A replica, Vaic 300B, Psvane 845B Dynaudio Audience 82 - Long term I hope to replace these with DeVore o96's Auditorium 23 speaker cables and a mixture of Nordost and custom made Belden interconnects My room is an acoustic nightmare and space has to be shared with wifey and 3 kids so the system isn't ideally placed but we are moving soon and the next house MUST have a dedicated room for music. Can't wait!!!!!!! I had a lovely RP6 for years but in the last 4 weeks I've gone completely mental and ended up with 4 vintage turntables, it started with the AP-76 I picked up not running for $30 and after a lube and service I was astounded with the amount of 'foot tapping' this cheap idler drive table inflicted on me with a decent cart. Hoping to get one of the Lenco's running within the next week. Cheers!! Ant (magnetic845)              pictures hoster
Valve & Idler nut!
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Post by deano1974 on Oct 22, 2017 9:23:46 GMT 12
Welcome aboard, wow line magnetic amplifier how does she sound and how long have you had her, very nice setup by the way 😉
Manager & Product specialist at Rapallo AV & HI-FI
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Member
Post by Ant. on Oct 22, 2017 9:51:44 GMT 12
I've had this particular LM for about 12 weeks, prior I had the LM 218 for 3 years. It also had 845's but used KT66 or similar driver tubes. I really enjoy the 219, it's an exceptional amp. I'm still trying to find a nice balance tube wise, it's very close. Cheers Ant
Valve & Idler nut!
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Post by michaelw on Oct 22, 2017 10:29:54 GMT 12
welcome and thanks for the photos. a nice collection of classic and modern pieces. 
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Post by Owen Y on Oct 22, 2017 10:39:00 GMT 12
VERY interesting, thanks Antony. A lot of the Line Magnetics appear to be based on old vintage designs, Western Electric in particular. The WE310A is a WE pentode, famously used as a driver in the legendary WE91A amplifier circuit. Love top cap tubes. And the 845, often driven by another power tube, 300B in this case. It's contagious, if you lurk around Onehunga 
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Post by Citroen on Oct 22, 2017 15:01:41 GMT 12
So you're the culprit that just bought MY Lenco L75 plinth off TradeMe! www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1436416833&archive=1I can forgive you for being a BMW aficionado (sort of, rather than those Peugeot nutters) but stealing my plinth... Welcome aboard, and let me know if you ever want to part with that SUT.
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Member
Post by Ant. on Oct 22, 2017 16:42:02 GMT 12
Ahh yes that Lenco, do you want to take it off my hands?? It's not in the condition it was advertised in. I have another that is basically new and never used that I'm going to keep but the one you speak off I regret purchasing and will be selling. Let me know if you are interested. I've been with BMW for 14 years, I'm pretty conditioned to the product now and fairly passionate about it. In saying that, I'm also a Subaru fanatic (runs for cover).
Valve & Idler nut!
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Post by Citroen on Oct 22, 2017 17:05:35 GMT 12
Well since you sold it so well, I think I may as well pass and thank my lucky stars! Thanks for taking one for the team Antony! PS I bet its some sort of Impreza too... dear me.
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Member
Post by Ant. on Oct 22, 2017 17:08:35 GMT 12
My pleasure!!! I've got new V-Blocks etc, it'll be good once I've been over it.
Valve & Idler nut!
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Post by foveaux on Oct 23, 2017 14:30:41 GMT 12
kia ora Antony welcome to DL. With your LM (now thats a 'real' toob amp!), you're amongst friends here... congrats, a lovely system. cheers, f
"I see music as a lifetime affair." [Rory Gallagher]
"Free - I miss that band, but when I look back, we were very young" [Paul Rodgers]
863 posts
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Member
Post by Ant. on Oct 25, 2017 19:12:16 GMT 12
Thanks foveaux!!
Valve & Idler nut!
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Post by michaelw on Oct 29, 2017 12:28:09 GMT 12
Well since you sold it so well, I think I may as well pass and thank my lucky stars! Thanks for taking one for the team Antony! PS I bet its some sort of Impreza too... dear me. the artful dodger dodges another bullet !  antony - please feel free to post in the auto section of this forum
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Post by Citroen on Oct 29, 2017 17:15:07 GMT 12
I've made a bid Ant.
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Post by Citroen on Nov 1, 2017 16:49:15 GMT 12
Tell us more about the NOS attic L75 find.
I would've thought that now-a-days this is about as rare as Trump making a half sensible tweet!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2017 15:34:38 GMT 12
Kia or a, Kia ora... The L75 with the 'all thumbs' plinth sold for HOW much?? Gadzooks man! Other than that, hello and welcome...
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Post by Graham on Nov 4, 2017 14:20:44 GMT 12
I've made a bid Ant. Come on man ! Put up a real bid 
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Member
Post by Ant. on Nov 4, 2017 15:14:44 GMT 12
Tell us more about the NOS attic L75 find. I would've thought that now-a-days this is about as rare as Trump making a half sensible tweet! I originally went to pick-up an old Garrard AP-76 that I won off TradeMe, my hands were bored and needed something to pull apart. Lovely chap said "Pop upstairs, I have some more stuff that may interest you" Some NAD amps, NAD tapedeck, Technics 120V amp etc... Sitting in the corner under the Technics was a box with "Lenco" written on it.... original box Trying to contain my excitement I casually asked "Is that another old TT ?" and walked away with a Lenco L75 in original box for $60. It was complete minus a headshell. I'm waiting on another set of replacement V-Blocks as I used the set intended for this L75 on the Kauri one that is now on TM. On a side note, the old AP-76 actually sounded really good after a good lube and service, a few mates have heard it and were all very surprised! The Kauri one sells on Monday night!!!!
Valve & Idler nut!
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Post by Citroen on Nov 4, 2017 16:55:34 GMT 12
$60! I'm crying in envy.
Where'd you get your V blocks from? Mine are Ok but its just a matter of time...
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Post by Citroen on Nov 4, 2017 16:57:28 GMT 12
I've made a bid Ant. Come on man ! Put up a real bid Well, so far it hasn't been beaten! So there
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Member
Post by Ant. on Nov 4, 2017 18:34:49 GMT 12
$60! I'm crying in envy. Where'd you get your V blocks from? Mine are Ok but its just a matter of time... Yes, it was a very lucky once in a lifetime type score. With the Kauri unit I fitted a pair of Desmo V Blocks www.desmovblocks.co.uk/ I don't have anything to compare them to as that is the first and only time so far I've heard a working L75 but the tonearm had lovely up and down movement. I've ordered another pair for the attic find as they seemed good to me and the seller is easy to deal with. The seller stated the second set that are currently in the post are an updated / modified design. Looking forward to their arrival. I see some people fit metal items, be interesting to hear from someone who has tried both. I intend to keep the L75 and tinker with it overtime, lots of things to try on it I really enjoyed the Kauri one with my Denon DL-103 hanging off the end into the A23, sounded sweet.
Valve & Idler nut!
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Member
Post by Ant. on Aug 1, 2018 21:24:35 GMT 12
Well since I started this post a few things have changed including a move to the Waikato and the recent acquisition of a Garrard 301. It came in a box that looks fairly old and appears to have had little use as even the brake pad looked new, I was very hesitant to work on it to begin with as it cost a little more to purchase than my Lenco and AP76 but eventually due to lack of spare funds I decided I had to try. Very nice unit to work on, simple and logical like I found the Lenco to be, total opposite of a Dual! I stripped down the spindle, cleaned and lubricated and fitted a new thrust pad courtesy of SMD acoustics. Pulled down the motor, cleaned and lubricated the bushes and fitted a new spark suppressor. My woodwork skills are non existent so the plinth is courtesy of 301oil along with the tonearm, I am still waiting on a slightly smaller pulley that is coming from the UK as it is running a fraction to quick. Overall for me this experience has been a long term dream come true, it sounds great with a Denon DL-103 and over time I will develop a plinth and upgrade the tonearm to a 12 inch. I just think these 301's are such a great looking unit and a real pleasure to use.      
Valve & Idler nut!
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Post by Owen Y on Aug 1, 2018 21:54:35 GMT 12
Looks in excellent nick. Open frame plinth is a smart modern look. Line Magnetic is some of the nicest looking stuff IMHO & circuits with more than a nod to legacy Western Electric designs. Arguably the best looking amps out of China (or from anywhere).
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Post by deano1974 on Aug 2, 2018 6:42:31 GMT 12
Wow she looks amazing and what an excellent find, excellent condition for her age, enjoy Well since I started this post a few things have changed including a move to the Waikato and the recent acquisition of a Garrard 301. It came in a box that looks fairly old and appears to have had little use as even the brake pad looked new, I was very hesitant to work on it to begin with as it cost a little more to purchase than my Lenco and AP71 but eventually due to lack of spare funds I decided I had to try. Very nice unit to work on, simple and logical like I found the Lenco to be, total opposite of a Dual! I stripped down the spindle, cleaned and lubricated and fitted a new thrust pad courtesy of SMD acoustics. Pulled down the motor, cleaned and lubricated the bushes and fitted a new spark suppressor. My woodwork skills are non existent so the plinth is courtesy of 301oil along with the tonearm, I am still waiting on a slightly smaller pulley that is coming from the UK as it is running a fraction to quick. Overall for me this experience has been a long term dream coming true, it sounds great with a Denon DL-103 and over time I will develop a plinth and upgrade the tonearm to a 12 inch. I just think these 301's are such a great looking unit and a real pleasure to use. Manager & Product specialist at Rapallo AV & HI-FI
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Pundit
Post by SL1210 on Aug 2, 2018 23:35:47 GMT 12
I've gone completely mental and ended up with 4 vintage turntables, Hi from Hawkes Bay. Let me assure you that while your mental state is a sorry one you are NOT alone! (While I am not against sanity per se I think anyone fully sane should not be allowed to join).
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Post by jon on Aug 3, 2018 19:58:26 GMT 12
Welcome. Great to see another Lenco fan on the forum. For those looking for spare parts, after market upgrades and all things Lenco go to www.lencoheaven.net/You will have to join to see the Trader section
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Post by jon on Aug 3, 2018 19:59:29 GMT 12
I have 4 Lenco decks and a Garrard 401, you could say I'm an idler nut
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Member
Post by Ant. on Aug 5, 2018 16:04:13 GMT 12
I have 4 Lenco decks and a Garrard 401, you could say I'm an idler nut That definitely qualifies you as an Idler Nut!! What Lenco decks do you have? Cheers Ant
Valve & Idler nut!
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Post by jon on Aug 6, 2018 13:21:59 GMT 12
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Pundit
Post by raveydave on Apr 18, 2020 21:04:18 GMT 12
Antony, it’s been a while since you last posted. Hope the Waikato is treating you well.
Did you stick with the LM 219 - and any long term impressions compared to the 218?
Also, interested where has your idler journey taken you to date?
Since I may soon find myself on the same well-worn path...
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Member
Post by Ant. on Apr 21, 2020 20:34:22 GMT 12
Hello raveydave! The Waikato has been a great change, we are very happy here. Looking forward to the final section of the motorway being finished, Cambridge has seen some serious growth and the roads are much busier than when we were here in 2007-2010. A few little system changes since the last post but nothing substantial. The LM 219 is still here and performing well, some tube changes since I last posted. I have tried three different types of 845's now (excluding the factory supplied items). The Psvane 845T, Psvane 845B and sometime last year I acquired a pair of Psvane WE845. The WE845's have bought more of everything to the table top to bottom, they have also had a pleasant impact on the sound stage depth, subtle but well worth it.
Due to this fetish for buying tubes that has lead to a small stash being accumulated, some rolling of the 12AX7s has taken place, my ears just love a particular Sylvania tube in this amp. They are a unique looking 12AX7, they have an unusual semi box plate design. A good friend of mine who has the same amp in a completely different setup swears by them. Fortunately for us, they are obtainable and you don't have to pay Mullard or TFK money. Compared to the 218 (which I totally loved) the 219 is a big step up, well worth putting your back out lugging it into the house. I must say, initially with the stock tubes it wasn't what I had hoped for after hearing my mates. The Electro Harmonix 300B that were fitted on delivery really limited it's performance, it is less forgiving than the 218 and really requires the tube assortment to be spot on. It also feels more powerful but I think this is could be in my head? The Idler journey has been a slow one, I changed the Idler wheel recently for a Audiosilente item and have ordered replacement bushes for the Idler housing as I neglected to change them at the last service. A new plinth is on the cards, hoping to get that underway middle of May all going well. I have added a pair of A23 interconnects between the A23 SUT and the phono stage. I still have my Lenco L75. Having all this extra time as of late I stumbled across an additional collar I had ordered to support the top plate where the spindle bolts in. I had totally forgotten about this as it arrived just before we moved, I fitted it last week and gave it a good once over. The top plate on the L75 is very thin and it genuinely does seem to offer additional support. What changes are you contemplating for yourself? Cheers & Thank you. Ant
Valve & Idler nut!
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