Well, at this end I've been bootin' it to get that Lenco vs SME 30 showdown set-up, which apparently happens this week. It'll be set up over a week and played before a line-up of various excited witnesses. So, to recap, it'll be the Mighty Lenco - excepting for proper restoration, and some tweaks, "Au Naturel", but Direct Coupled to a Giant Russian birch-ply/MDF plinth - with a variety of tonearm/cartridge combos, vs the SME 30 set up with a Graham Phantom/Benz LP combo. We'll also likely simply move the RS-A1/Monster Cable Sigma Genesis 2000 from one turntable to the other, as the RS-A1 makes this easy.
In other news, I finally received the rebuilt Leak Stereo Twenty, which turned out to be astonishingly detailed and fast. I've now got it set-up with the Mighty Electro-Voice three-way speakers of mine, which belong to the Patrician era. The combo, with my ultra-quiet Pioneer C-91 preamp, is incredibly dynamic, quiet and detailed, with amazing bass, PRaT and gestalt, even with only the "humble" replinthed Technics SP-25 in heavy plinth, with Sumiko FT-3 matched to a cheapie - and not very good - Supex MM!! I cannot wait to hear it with a Giant Lenco tonight, don't even know what to expect given the irresistable results I already have as-is! Holy Crap! I'm also installing a beer fridge, and will be inviting the interested to come and hear what vintage items (mixed in with some modern) can REALLY do! Being in a garage/workshop out in the country, there's no limit on SPLs too ;-).
Too bad what should have been great news is severely mitigated by petty politics, axe-grinding, and the need to create neurosis as to a certain Mighty record player ;-). Nevertheless, cause to celebrate the Ongoing Idler-Wheel Revolution, let's hear it: Vive la Lenco, Vive la Idler Wheel!!!
