Michell - discussion thread

[tmahmood]

Hi guys,
Having used the Michell Gyro SE for 12 years, am now ready for an upgrade. Most obvious choice is to upgrade to the Orbe platter, technoarm and a power supply. Problem is I can't seem to find a local dealer in michell products. Anyone out there know of any?
Thanks.
Sorry, this thread should not have been in the equipments for sale section. My mistake.

[cmboy]

There was one long time ago, disappeared from the dealer scene.

Do own research, be DIY handy and acquire whatever parts you see fit from Evilbay or reputed online dealers in UK. I suppose you could deal with Michell direct and they'd probably advise or suggest doable improvements for you. Michell ain't no rocket science TT, one of my very friendly buddy, never owned a LP12 before (with internet guidance and thorough research) went through all sorts and brought up his Linn from scratch to what it is now, it sings!

[tmahmood]

Cmboy,
Thanks for your input. I did contact JE Michell in UK but never got a reply from them. You are right, the TT is easy to set up and don't need to be Einstein to do it. But am not a very DIY person and don't have hands of a surgeon. That's why I never even contemplate owning a LP12. C

[cmboy]

Well, not everyone is gifted with DIY skills, but can be learned, developed and refined in this case. Worth a try and have fun with it. I'm sure you could find all sorts of resources to guide you through the upgrades one at a time or all of it. I'm quite sure many people having got the TT bug recently, being quite adventurous and doing wonderful things never done or achieved before, then gloat like they have experience TT's for 3-4 decades.

[samazzah]

Hi tmahmood,

I hope the years you have had with the Michell gave you much pleasure. There is a semi active dealer here in M'sia - Millennium Audio run by Simon (012 7118171) based from Ulu Tiram in Johor. He had an office in KL at Plaza Damas. I was one of those who purchased a Gyro SE from him and I am glad I bought a Michell. I was a Linn owner myself in my (poor) student days using up my scholarship money (!). But I am glad I got rid of the Linn - keeping it in tune was hard. Even harder for a poor (little money, not below average student mind you) was drooling at the expensive upgrades for the Linn. As the saying goes, you never know what you got until you get rid of it, the Michell Gyro is a very good t/table and the upgrades are reasonable though the acrylic parts are a little expensive. Mind you it won HiFi choice and What Hifi awards lately and that's saying something. We should contact each other, can discuss further - my number is 012 214 0151

[tmahmood]

Samazzah,
Thank you. Yes, I remember Simon from Johor. Contacted him a a few years ago for my TT belt. I "returned" to vinyl in 1999 when still in UK, with the Project Debut. 6 months of maggi mee and sandwiches later, I purchased the Michell SE Gyro. Been spinning the black circle ever since and couldn't be happier with it. Glad to hear from a fellow Michell lover. Will keep in touch.

[JediSavant]

Steve Jobs had a Michell....

[tmahmood]

Yes Jedi. Saw it in the background of his living room in pic posted here previously. The Michell is really a no frills set up. Never needed to service it either. Just keep the rig properly suspended on a firm level surface and that's it. Guess the late Mr Jobs chose it cos he knew he wouldn't have much time to spare with his work commitments..

[JediSavant]

The Gyro is on my current shortlist of possible turntable acquisitions... A frustrating yet strangely pleasurable state to be in. It's frustrating because it's so difficult to source, let alone audition many of the products.

Does anyone know if the chap in Johor still sells Michell turntables?

[tmahmood]

The thing about the gyro is that the price has pretty much remained the same as it was when first introduced more than a decade ago. So taking into account the laws of economics, it is even better value for money then it was before.
Jedi, if you want to audition the gyro at my home pm me when you are free.

[adrian4454]

then gloat like they have experience TT's for 3-4 decades.

Haha. I like this sentence! Normally, this is how we guys pride ourselves..haha.

[JediSavant]

tmahmood: thanks for the very kind offer, I just might take you up on it!!

As for the price, it seems pretty consistent across all overseas vendors to be around USD2400-2500.00.

I take it you have a Linn tone arm on your Gyro?

[tmahmood]

Jedi,
By all means, take up the offer. Am still using the RB250 arm bought with the TT years ago. Only thing that's changed are the carts. Hence the itch to perhaps try the technoarm or some other worthy upgrade. On the other hand, a cart upgrade could suffice for the moment.

[JediSavant]

What cart are you using now?

Could be a good idea to go change belts, tighten things up a bit. I did all that recently with my Planar 3 and it really freshened things up... along with a cart change!

But the Gyrodec does look oh so appealing!!!

[JediSavant]

What would you describe as being the key elements of the Gyrodec sound?... a very important question!!

[tmahmood]

It's quite a piece of engineering marvel IMO. At the moment am using the Goldring Elektra MM. Meant to be a temporary measure after my maid's overzealous attempt at getting rid of dust on the then uncovered TT resulted in my much loved CA Maestro being literally wiped off the system we both learned our lessons since. She doesn't get within 10 feet of my hifi rack, and I wouldn't whinge about dust near or around the same.
Yeah, had it's belt changed too a year or so ago.

[zeebee]

I dropped by Absolute Sound 2 weeks ago and, if not mistaken, listened to a Gyrodec sent in for cart/arm set up. Looks very appealing and sounds good too.. Really sent those toes tapping and starting to have itchy backside..

[mugenfoo]

is the Gryodec for sale, or one of those "just parked there" units ?

[mugenfoo]

Meant to be a temporary measure after my maid's overzealous attempt at getting rid of dust on the then uncovered TT resulted in my much loved CA Maestro being literally wiped off the system we both learned our lessons since.

OUCH !

If you still got the broken parts, you can do a repair/trade-up program with Clearaudio. Can check with the CMY guys re this program.

[tmahmood]

Jedi,
Am not very good at technical reviews etc. But I chose the Gyro over a few others auditioned because IMO, and to my ears, the music came out more enjoyable and with good detail and soundstage(that, I'm afraid sums up my audiophile lingo capabilities). And it adapts well to moskittle of music that I listen to, rock,blues,acoustic, pop...and, as I only recently discovered, partnered with Naim amplification, it can really rock. Too bad my partying days are over or else I might have MPPJ officials coming over complaints of noise pollution.

[JediSavant]

Oh... so that means the Gyro/Naim combo is sweet, lush, driving and rockin'... Alright! Will book in some tune time soon man!

[tmahmood]

MF,
The affable SC of CMY OU did mention to me about that. I had however handed the remains to a friend for a pretty tidy sum......

[tmahmood]

Jedi,
Sure. Just tell me when......

[zeebee]

is the Gryodec for sale, or one of those "just parked there" units ?

I believe parked for service.. and was toe tapping via Naim amps, I'm sure u know the familiar ones at AS.

[tmahmood]

This is a clip taken from Michell Engineering link on the 2011 awards.

Gyro SE Wins UK's HiFi Choice Top Award
We are delighted to announce that the Gyro SE with Techno Arm A has won the Best Turntable Over £1,000 in this years HiFi Choice Awards.  The UK publicatication recognised the Gyro SE’s continued development over the original model yet still proclaimed that it is ‘still the turntable to beat.’

Commenting on the Gyro SE’s award, HiFi Choice said ‘The evergreen Gyrodec saw off all-comers in our Blind Listening Group Test (HFC 345).  Although the Michell has been around for decades, the soundness of the design and continuous small improvements mean this is still the turntable to beat.  We love the sheer musicality of the Michell, the tuneful and textured bass and the sense of entertainment it brings to all forms of music.  We also love the looks and rock solid build quality.  The Gyrodec proves that age is no impediment to being an award winner.’

This is yet another fantastic award for the Gyro SE and we are particularly pleased that this ground-breaking product is still making waves over 25 years since it’s launch.

[cmboy]

Allow me to suggest the Tecnoarm is a very fine mate or upgrade component for the Michell TT. Of course there's always better made tonearms out there depending on how much you like to spend. Synergy between tonearm, TT and cartridge is most important. Technoarm is a seriously souped up Rega arm and does justice at its price. I've always desired to own one for the fun. Sticking with a stock or bog standard Rega 250/300 tonearm will only limit a TT's greater potential.

The thing is, I suspect the Tecnoarm is tuned or voiced for a wider range of MM cartridges than MC. Nothing wrong with that.

[tmahmood]

Thanks cmboy. In fact the technoarm A is hi up on my list of upgrades. And as I prefer MM to MC (I'd opt for a hi end mm rather than an entry level mc), your observation about it's suitability for mm is indeed a valuable factor to consider.

[cmboy]

Well, do note that I said there's lots of better arms to choose, not neccessarily the Tecnoarm is naturally the best or most logical choice.

Along similar lines to Tecnoarm, there's Jeff Spall's Audiomods souped up Rega arms also to consider. Even better, tell him what you like and use with, he can custom tune the arm for you. I don't think thats all possible with Michell.

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