Introduction
The Lenco L-3808 is a high-quality direct drive turntable designed for both professional DJ use and home audio enthusiasts. It features a direct drive motor for quick start-up, an integrated stereo pre-amplifier, and a USB output for digitizing your vinyl collection. This manual provides detailed instructions for setting up, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting your Lenco L-3808 turntable to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Figure 1: The Lenco L-3808 turntable from the front, highlighting its sleek black design, platter, tonearm, and control buttons.
1. Setup
Carefully unpack all components and ensure all parts are present before beginning assembly. Place the turntable on a stable, level surface away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and excessive vibration.
1.1 Component Identification
- Turntable Unit
- Platter
- Slipmat
- Dust Cover
- Counterweight
- Cartridge with Headshell (pre-mounted)
- 45 RPM Adapter
- USB Cable
- RCA Cable
- Power Cable
- Audacity Software CD (for PC digitization)
1.2 Assembly Instructions
- Install the Platter: Carefully place the platter onto the center spindle of the turntable unit. Ensure it sits securely.
- Place the Slipmat: Lay the felt slipmat on top of the platter.
- Attach the Dust Cover: Insert the hinges of the dust cover into the slots at the rear of the turntable. The dust cover protects the unit when not in use.
- Balance the Tonearm:
- Remove the stylus protector.
- Gently hold the tonearm and release the clamp.
- Rotate the counterweight onto the rear of the tonearm until the tonearm is perfectly balanced horizontally, floating freely.
- Once balanced, hold the counterweight steady and rotate only the numbered ring to '0'.
- Rotate the entire counterweight counter-clockwise to set the recommended tracking force (typically 2.5-3.5 grams for the included cartridge). Refer to your cartridge's specifications for the exact recommended force.
- Set Anti-Skate: Adjust the anti-skate dial to the same value as your tracking force. This prevents the stylus from skipping towards the center of the record.
Figure 2: The Lenco L-3808 turntable shown with its transparent, removable dust cover in place.
Figure 3: A hand adjusting the counterweight on the tonearm, a crucial step for proper tracking force.
Figure 4: A close-up of the tonearm's counterweight and the anti-skate adjustment dial.
1.3 Connections
- Audio Output (RCA): Connect the supplied RCA cable from the turntable's RCA output jacks to an available input on your mixer or stereo system. Since the L-3808 has a built-in pre-amplifier, you can connect it directly to a line-level input (e.g., AUX, CD, LINE) without needing a separate phono pre-amp.
- USB Output: Connect the supplied USB cable from the turntable's USB port to a USB port on your computer for digitizing vinyl records.
- Power Connection: Connect the power cable to the turntable and then to a suitable wall outlet.
2. Operating Instructions
2.1 Basic Playback
- Place a vinyl record on the platter. For 7-inch singles, use the 45 RPM adapter if the record has a large center hole.
- Select the correct speed (33 or 45 RPM) using the speed selector buttons.
- Press the START/STOP button to begin platter rotation.
- Lift the tonearm using the cueing lever.
- Carefully position the tonearm over the desired track on the record.
- Lower the cueing lever to gently drop the stylus onto the record.
- To stop playback, lift the tonearm using the cueing lever, return it to the tonearm rest, and press the START/STOP button.
Figure 5: A side angle view of the Lenco L-3808 turntable, illustrating the speed selection buttons (33/45 RPM) and the pitch adjustment slider.
Figure 6: An image depicting the stylus resting on a vinyl record, demonstrating the turntable in operation.
2.2 Pitch Adjustment
The L-3808 features a pitch adjustment slider, allowing you to fine-tune the playback speed by up to ±10%. Move the slider up or down to increase or decrease the platter speed. This is particularly useful for beatmatching when DJing or correcting minor speed variations in records.
Figure 7: A closer look at the pitch adjustment slider, allowing fine-tuning of playback speed.
2.3 USB Digitization (Recording to PC)
The Lenco L-3808 allows you to convert your vinyl records into digital audio files on your computer using the included USB cable and Audacity software (or other compatible recording software).
- Connect the turntable to your computer via the USB cable.
- Install the Audacity software from the provided CD or download the latest version online.
- Open Audacity and configure the input device to recognize the turntable (usually listed as "USB Audio CODEC" or similar).
- Start playback on the turntable and click the record button in Audacity to begin recording.
- After recording, you can edit, normalize, and export your audio files in various formats (e.g., MP3, WAV).
3. Maintenance
Regular maintenance will help preserve the sound quality and extend the life of your turntable.
- Cleaning the Dust Cover and Cabinet: Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the dust cover and the turntable cabinet. For stubborn marks, a slightly damp cloth can be used, followed by a dry one. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents.
- Cleaning the Stylus: The stylus should be cleaned periodically to remove dust and debris. Use a soft brush designed for stylus cleaning, brushing gently from back to front. Never brush from side to side.
- Cleaning Records: Keep your records clean to prevent dust buildup on the stylus and improve sound quality. Use a dedicated record cleaning brush before each play.
- Stylus Replacement: The stylus is a consumable part and will wear out over time (typically after 500-1000 hours of playback). A worn stylus can damage your records and degrade sound quality. Replace it with a compatible stylus when necessary.
4. Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with your Lenco L-3808, refer to the following common problems and solutions:
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No power | Power cable not connected; Power outlet faulty | Ensure power cable is securely connected. Try a different power outlet. |
| No sound or low volume | RCA cables not connected correctly; Amplifier input incorrect; Stylus protector still on; Stylus damaged | Check RCA cable connections. Ensure amplifier is set to the correct input (e.g., AUX, LINE). Remove stylus protector. Inspect stylus for damage and replace if necessary. |
| Skipping or distorted sound | Improper tracking force; Anti-skate not set; Dirty stylus/record; Turntable not level; Damaged record | Re-balance tonearm and set tracking force. Adjust anti-skate. Clean stylus and record. Ensure turntable is on a level surface. Try a different record. |
| Platter not spinning | START/STOP button not pressed; Motor issue | Press the START/STOP button. If still not spinning, contact customer support. |
| Humming noise | Grounding issue; Interference | Ensure proper grounding. Move turntable away from other electronic devices that may cause interference. |
5. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Lenco |
| Model Name | L-3808 black |
| Color | Black |
| Connections | USB, RCA Line-Out |
| Special Features | Direct Drive, USB Encoding, Built-in Stereo Pre-amplifier, 33/45 RPM Speeds, Moving Magnet Cartridge (MMC), Removable Dust Cover, Pitch Control (±10%) |
| Compatible Devices | Personal Computer |
| Turntable Speeds | 33, 45 RPM |
| Platter Material | Aluminum |
| Housing Material | Aluminum, Metal, Plastic |
| Included Components | Slipmat, USB Cable, RCA Cable, 45 RPM Adapter, Counterweight, Cartridge with Head shell, Dust Cover, Audacity CD, User Manual |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 450 mm x 365 mm x 151 mm (approx. 17.7 x 14.4 x 5.9 inches) |
| Weight | 4.84 kg (approx. 10.67 lbs) |
| Power Supply | AC 230V, 50Hz |
6. Warranty and Support
Warranty Information: This product is sold as new from a specialized dealer. Specific warranty terms and conditions are subject to the retailer's policy at the time of purchase. Please refer to your purchase documentation or contact your retailer for detailed warranty information.
Customer Support: For technical assistance, troubleshooting beyond this manual, or inquiries regarding parts and service, please contact Lenco customer support or your authorized dealer. Contact information can typically be found on the Lenco official website or your purchase receipt.
