To celebrate Lenco’s 75th year, the Dutch hi-fi brand has released the L-3809BK, an affordable direct drive turntable for budding record enthusiasts. A belt-driven counterpart, the L-92WA, has also been released as part of the celebration.
It’s an all-in-one choice that gets you playing records with minimal setup. The tonearm balance and anti-skate tracking need to be set (simple instructions are included), and the pitching (via the stroboscope) corrected to suit your record. The L-3809BK has a pre-amplifier, which can be switched on or off, so after setup, it’s just a matter of attaching to an amplifier or powered speakers and hitting play.
So long as you’ve set everything up correctly, it delivers on the joys of vinyl right away. The tone is warm and welcoming, with no noticeable vibration from the motor and enough detail to highlight the benefits of music pressed into vinyl. Those who have spent many years with record players might indeed note some of the shortcomings, for an entry-level unit it delivers very, very well.
It’s not bad to look at, either - it’s certainly derivative of the iconic Technics SL1200 from the 1970s, delivering a classic aesthetic without breaking the bank. There are some components, like the feet and pitch slider, made of cheap plastic. But for this price, it's to be expected.
Also available from: Gear4Music | HMV
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| • Affordable | • Stylus/cartridge will need upgrading to maximise performance over time |
| • Good quality with little fuss | • Occasional use of cheap plastic |
| • Ideal starter record player |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| RPM: | 35, 45 |
| Sound signal: | 2.0 stereo |
| Drive: | Direct drive |
| Pre-amp: | Yes |
| Output: | RCA, USB-A |
| Bluetooth: | No |
| MP3 recording: | Yes, via PC |
| Other: | Pitch control, anti-skate |
What’s to love?
The sound - I tested the turntable through my Edifier R1280T, an affordable pairing that works well. With a few tweaks of the speaker EQ, I was able to get a rich sound with a tight bass response and balanced mids and highs. While there were a few finer details missing and very occasional sibilance at higher volumes (a slightly distorted "_sss" s_ound that can occur on higher frequencies), it provides a thoroughly enjoyable listening experience. The sibilance can disappear with a more detailed tracking setup than the one described in the provided instructions, though some newcomers may find this process a little daunting. (Although, if you'd like to give it a crack, you'll find one of the most relaxed cartridge aligning tutorials ever on YouTube.)
The look will please many, especially those who prefer the more electronic, DJ-like look of the classic Technics SL1200 and mid-range Audio-Technica copies of the classic DJ deck.
What’s okay?
The cartridge and stylus are perfectly serviceable for a new turntable at this price point. It’s at the higher end of the scale, but this is still an entry-level setup. The stylus is an Audio Technica ATN3600L, and it does a good job as an all-rounder. However, in time an upgrade will be in order - switching the cartridge out for something like the Audio Technica AT-VM95E/H, with its elliptical stylus that can easily clean up some of the music’s less refined edges and occasional sibilance. Not only will this be preferable for when you’re listening to your favourite pressings, but also when recording via the USB.
The pitch control and direct drive have allowed given Lenco the freedom to advertise the L-3809 as “particularly suited to DJs”. This is true, but only to a point. If you are a prospective DJ, then two L-3809s could work together to back-to-back single tracks, and crossfade with a mixer console. However, those looking to be a record scratching turntablist will want to look elsewhere - technically you can scratch on any direct drive turntable, but the motor just doesn’t pick back up quickly enough on the L-3809BK. In such a case, you’re better off looking for a dedicated DJ setup.
Any negatives?
Not really. Throughout my testing, I’ve tried several times to trip the L-3809 up. While it’s true that the motor isn’t ideal for scratching, and that the basic stylus benefits from a more detailed setup and a potential upgrade in the future, these are by no means terminal failures. It’s just the nature of buying a turntable for such a reasonable price.