Michell Turntables

        The British firm of J.A. Michell, has been producing turntables for over 30 years, making them one of the most experienced manufacturers in the industry. The company offers a range of sexy looking, great sounding turntables that get consistently good reviews. If you are not mesmerized by their stylish appeal, you'll soon be smitten with the fast, rhythmic sound once stylus touches groove.
       It may be over sating the issue to characterize the sound of the Michell 'tables as typically British, but they do indeed impart the positive attributes of pace and timing.
        So, there you have it - a really good sounding turntable with a unique appearance and good build quality, at a surprisingly reasonable price.
 

TecnoDec - Michell’s entry-level turntable borrows much of technology found in the more expensive turntables, and wraps it up in a more cost effective package. You’ll find the same low-noise DC motor and impedance-matched platter of the GyroDec, along with an advanced bearing, mounted on a simple solid-plinth. Beautifully simple, the TecnoDec requires no user-setup or maintenance.

The July 2005 issue of Hi-Fi Choice Magazine ran a blind listening test on six turntables. Compared to the Clearaudio Champion, Project RPM 9X, Rega P5, Marantz TT 15, and Roksan Radius, the Michell TecnoDec scored highest overall and was the conclusive winner of the lot. Best part is that the TecnoDec was the cheapest deck too! Interestingly, it was the only deck with a DC motor. The magazine gave the Michell TecnoDec a Best Buy rating.

“The star though is Michell’s TecnoDec. The cheapest of the group, it’s one of the best sounding, and it’s as smart as any. Michell’s reputation for lasting quality can’t hurt either, but its crisp, precise and extended sound is the clincher.” Hi-Fi Choice

• Fitted with the excellent Michell with Michell modified Rega RB-250 (upgraded with the Michell TecnoWeight and TecnoVTA adjuster). $1695.

• Upgrade to the phenomenal TecnoArm

• You can purchase the TecnoWeight and TecnoVTA separately. See below. These are the best of the Rega upgrade parts we've seen.

Gyro SE - This is the 'table that really fired the interest of American buyers. Price, performance and looks, this model has it all. Great with the Michell TecnoArm or other good quality tonearm.

• Spider chassis, suspended stable sub-chassis (pendulum)
• 25 mm thick 4.5 kg massive black acrylic/vinyl platter of high inertia, with gold-plated brass weights
• Inverted bearing
• Custom armboards available for any tonearm
• Manual speed change
• High-quality DC motor
• Stand-alone motor housing
• Effective mechanical record clamp
• Optional HR power supply
• Many optional upgrades - can be made into a full GyroDec
• Beautifully finished in silver
• Dimensions: 19.6" x 14.8"
• $2495

Orbe SE - The marvelous Orbe SE utilizes a massive platter, superb motor and the HR power supply. Expect a super-silent background, extended and controlled bass, and powerful dynamics.

• Spider double chassis, suspended sub chassis (pendulum)
• Damped sub chassis
• 60 mm thick massive black acrylic/vinyl platter of high inertia
• Screw-down record clamp
• Inverted bearing
• Custom armboards available for any tonearm
• Electronic speed change
• High-quality German motor
• Heavy 2.5kg stand-alone motor housing
• QC quartz power supply
• Finished in black acrylic with black metal parts
• Dimensions: 19.6" x 14.8"
• $5495

TecnoArm - The TecnoArm is a fundamental mechanical rebuild of the well-known RB250 tonearm, to which is added monolithic wiring of the highest quality. The arm tube is bead-blasted and perforated, which disperses structural resonances and yields a lower effective mass. The arm wand is internally damped to reduce resonance further, and the headshell is machined flat, to allow true azimuth relative to the bearing cradle. After modification the bearings are re-adjusted for highest possible performance, according to original Rega procedures. Bottom line, this is a superb sounding tonearm and the best thing we've heard in the price range. Performance and build quality outstrip other brands (e.g. Origin Live).

"If your musical priorities are excellent control of both frequency extremes, without analytical sterility, the TecnoArm is more than good enough, especially with its combination of accurate but powerful bass. If low coloration and evenhanded tonality is your priority, the arrival of the Michell TecnoArm means you no longer have to save for a SME series IV or SME V". - Mark Wheeler www.tnt-audio.com