Achates

About the Achates

The Artisan Fidelity Achates is a precision-engineered idler drive turntable designed as a significant upgrade for vintage Lenco L75/L78 models. It features an aerospace-grade, aged, heat-treated, stabilized, and tempered magnesium aluminum alloy platter combined with pure copper and multilayered polymer for internal damping. The platter weighs approximately 8.2 kilograms (18 lbs), nearly double the original zinc platter, providing improved flywheel effect, reduced noise floor, and enhanced musical clarity and resolution. The bearing assembly is a CNC-machined, ground bore stainless steel housing with custom-made, low viscosity oil impregnated bronze sleeve bushings and a laboratory-grade synthetic sapphire ball bearing with a sphericity tolerance of less than one micron. An advanced low-friction thermoplastic thrust pad and austenitic stainless steel thrust cap with military-grade polymer ensure superior dimensional stability and minimal friction. This turntable is a retrofit installation suited for modified aftermarket Lenco L75/L78 chassis and motor mounts. It is made entirely in the USA and is known for its exceptional speed stability, silence between notes, and increased resolution without sacrificing the original energy and musical characteristics of the Lenco design. The Achates is often paired with high-quality tonearms such as the Graham B44 and includes an external power supply for fine voltage and frequency tuning.