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Modular Lenco-MD turntable can be 3D-printed and assembled at home

Modular Lenco-MD turntable can be 3D-printed and assembled at home
The Lenco-MD can come as a complete unit, a self-assembly kit or a build kit that includes all hardware and electronics, together with STL files for 3D printing components at home
The Lenco-MD can come as a complete unit, a self-assembly kit or a build kit that includes all hardware and electronics, together with STL files for 3D printing components at home
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3D-printed components provided by the Lenco-MD project will be fashioned using eco-friendly PLA
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3D-printed components provided by the Lenco-MD project will be fashioned using eco-friendly PLA
Two of the three legs of the Lenco-MD Kickstarter unit have been designed to accept modular swapouts
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Two of the three legs of the Lenco-MD Kickstarter unit have been designed to accept modular swapouts
the striking tonearm of the Lenco-MD has been developed so that no adjustments are necessary
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the striking tonearm of the Lenco-MD has been developed so that no adjustments are necessary
Buyers will be able to choose to purchase a ready-made Lenco-MD or 3D-print their own at home and kit it out with supplied components
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Buyers will be able to choose to purchase a ready-made Lenco-MD or 3D-print their own at home and kit it out with supplied components
The Lenco-MD hardware and electronics kit requires the user to 3D print components at home
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The Lenco-MD hardware and electronics kit requires the user to 3D print components at home
The Lenco-MD can come as a kit that users assemble themselves
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The Lenco-MD can come as a kit that users assemble themselves
The Lenco-MD can come as a complete unit, a self-assembly kit or a build kit that includes all hardware and electronics, together with STL files for 3D printing components at home
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The Lenco-MD can come as a complete unit, a self-assembly kit or a build kit that includes all hardware and electronics, together with STL files for 3D printing components at home
Examples of Lenco-MD modules include a solar/battery power unit, a loudspeaker and a Bluetooth wireless module
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Examples of Lenco-MD modules include a solar/battery power unit, a loudspeaker and a Bluetooth wireless module
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After a few bumps in the road – caused mainly by CDs and digital media – vinyl records have been making something of a comeback over the last few years, which means turntables are in general circulation again. For the most part though, choosing a new one might mean accepting a model that doesn't quite fit or doesn't do exactly what you want it to. A collaboration between Swiss hi-fi house Lenco, Dutch RepRap Universe and the Qeske community has created the Lenco-MD in the belief that today's record player should just be a general starting point, and that vinyl lovers should be able to enhance, customize and upgrade that basic template to reflect their personal tastes or needs.

The Lenco-MD concept was first introduced at IFA 2018, the idea being that buyers can choose to purchase a ready-made unit or 3D-print their own at home and kit it out with supplied components. Either way, the design caters for modular additions to enhance or upgrade functionality. Inspired by classic Lenco turntables, this modern take on the vinyl spinner has now launched on Kickstarter.

Two of the three legs of the Lenco-MD Kickstarter unit have been designed to accept modular swapouts
Two of the three legs of the Lenco-MD Kickstarter unit have been designed to accept modular swapouts

Examples of modular expansion possibilities include a solar/battery power pack, a loudspeaker unit and a Bluetooth module. Two of the three vibration-damped legs of the Lenco-MD turntable will include empty slots for modules. The project team is still working on available modules for the system, but enthusiasts will also be able to create their own from preset designs.

The top plate of a leg can be unscrewed and replaced by an expansion module, which is wired up to the turntable's stereo pre-amp. The system can then be cabled up to the living room hi-fi separates and should be ready to rock.

Backers can plump for a finished model that will be available in various colors or can opt to print components at home and assemble the belt-drive MD like a kit. For the latter, makers will need a Fused Filament Fabrication 3D printer with at least 330 x 330 x 100 mm (13 x 13 x 4 in) build volume.

Folks with smaller 3D printers can still get in on the fun, with the project supplying the bigger parts such as the platter and tonearm. That striking tonearm has been developed so that no adjustments are necessary, and the MD should be ready to play as soon as it's assembled. The turntable will ship with an AT3600 cartridge as standard, but listeners can opt to upgrade to an AT95E or use a cartridge of their own choosing.

3D-printed components provided by the Lenco-MD project will be fashioned using eco-friendly PLA
3D-printed components provided by the Lenco-MD project will be fashioned using eco-friendly PLA

A self-assembly kit is also available for those without a 3D printer, but who still want to get hands on. All 3D-printed components provided by the project will be fashioned from eco-friendly PLA.

Kickstarter pledges for a hardware and electronics kit start at €99 (US$110), which comes with a USB thumbdrive containing STL files for printing components at home. A fully assembled MD comes in at €199. If all goes to plan, shipping is expected to start in March 2019. The video below has more.

Sources: Lenco, RepRap Universe, Qekse, Kickstarter

Lenco-MD: World's first 3D Printed, modular record player

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1 comment
1 comment
Grunchy
If you watched "techmoan" on youtube to any extent you wouldn't bother with any of this low-end junk. No mention of the weight on the stylus, no mention of wow & flutter. Belt drive isn't necessarily the definition of junk but it would be safe to assume, yeah this kit is junk. Record destroyer.