Michell Engineering

DescriptionMichell's flagship turntable and most would say the worlds best looking.The Michell Orbe turntable takes the established concept of the GyroDec and adds to it an extra level of isolation, better structural damping, and an improved motor drive system. The motor controller employs the revolutionary Never-Connected mains isolation circuit.

DescriptionThe SE is the ‘sport’ version of Michell’s Orbe rangetopper. It cuts down on costs by removing the acrylic casework of its namesake and, in many respects, looks the better for it. Like the well-regarded Gyro, it is a fully suspended design that floats the armboard and platter on three springs, which sit under three posts that stick up from the cast aluminium subchassis that surrounds the platter. Underneath are two acrylic layers in a tristar shape that reach out to support the suspension posts and fix-to-turned aluminium feet.Set up is a matter of adjusting the knurled tops under the three covers, so that the turntable is level without leaving a large gap between the bottom of the subchassis and the tristar. In practice, there isn’t much scope and you need a level support in the fi rst place, because the gap should not exceed a couple of millimetres.The platter looks heavy, but as its made from a mix of vinyl and acrylic, it sits on an inverted bearing and is driven by a round-section rubber belt. The motor housing is the biggest in the group and supports a DC motor that connects to an external power supply that offers speed switching.The Techno Arm is a heavily modified Rega RB250, with silver litz cable, silver plated plugs, cartridge clips and a VTA adjuster. It also features the Tecnoweight, which keeps mass at the same level as the stylus for better tracking and allows incremental downforce adjustment.Sound qualityThis turntable sounds more substantial than its platter feels, but you can’t judge a turntable by mass, it’s design and engineering quality that count and the Orbe SE seems to have both of those down. It has real bottom end weight combined with an open, assured midband that lets instruments and voices through in all their tonal glory. The drawback with many high-mass designs is that they don’t time well because there is a tendency for mass to retain and reflect energy. This turntable avoids that altogether and produces an extremely coherent and right-sounding result.This was a view shared by the panel, who enjoyed the Orbe SE’s fi ne dynamics and full-scale soundstage in which voices and guitars were projected with considerable realism. It garnered favourable comments about its timing, even if leading edges were considered less obvious. It also managed to turn in a very enjoyable rendition of the dub plate, which revealed much of its extension and rhythmic coherence.There were several comments about the quality of piano tone from the listeners, with one describing it as being ‘realistic’ and another as being detailed. The Orbe clearly has a strong and well-defi ned bottom end and this goes a long way to placing a piano solidly on a realistic soundstage.It’s not just about weight either, its also very good with voices, which are well articulated. Allan Taylor’s guitar is also well projected into the room in the context of a full-scale image. Transparency could be greater, as some of the competition reveal, but the Orbe SE balances power and subtlety very effectively. What’s more, it has a breadth of appeal that none of the alternatives could quite match which is impressive to say the least.

DescriptionThe Michell Gyrodec full version is exactly the same as the Gyrodec SE except it has a plinth and dustcover. There are optional upgrades available in the form of the offboard HR power supply, heavyweight platter, and record clamp. Specific arm plates can also be purchased to allow the use of most tonearms.

DescriptionThe Michell Gyrodec full version is exactly the same as the Gyrodec SE except it has a plinth and dustcover. There are optional upgrades available in the form of the offboard HR power supply, heavyweight platter, and record clamp. Specific arm plates can also be purchased to allow the use of most tonearms.

DescriptionThe Gyro SE is a variation of the GyroDec design. Doing away with the full size acrylic plinth and hinged lid of the Gyrodec and replacing them with a single acrylic spyder to support the turntable. This was done to reduce the overall size of the GyroDec and create a smaller more compact turntable.Low contact area feetThe solid aluminium feet of the turntable are shaped so the area in contact with the supporting surface is very small, this is done to minimise the transfer of vibrations from the supporting furniture into the turntable.Three point spring suspension systemThree suspension towers are fixed to the acrylic base to hold the suspension springs in place and provide height adjustment for the sub chassis.Weighted pendulum style sub chassisHanging on the three suspension springs, this provides a rigid dense platform to mount the main bearing, platter and tonearm assembly, ensuring there is no movement between them, while also acting as a ‘resonance / vibration sink’ drawing away unwanted vibrations from the sensitive elements of the turntable.Inverted oil circulating main bearing Contrary to traditional designs, our main bearing has the point of rotation at the top of the assembly, not at the bottom. This orientation allows us to fully lubricate the inside of the entire bearing while the platter is turning. We achieve this by way of a modified Archimedean screw that we machine into the inside bore of the bearing. The oil is drawn from a reservoir at the base of the main bearing up to the thrust ball at the top, fully lubricating as it goes, it then returns to the reservoir via a waste hole drilled into the bearing spindle. Lubricating the precision parts of the main bearing in this way means that any potential for noise or vibration created by the rotation of the platter is avoided.Impedance-matched platter with solid brass weightsThe platter material was chosen for its vibration dampening characteristics and because sonically it is a very similar material to vinyl, so it has a very neutral sound characteristic. The brass weights are added to give the platter extra mass and subsequently more momentum when spinning. This greatly improves speed stability and helps keep wow and flutter to a minimum.Free standing motor unitThe motor unit used to drive the turntable is completely separate to the turntable, meaning it doesn’t touch the turntable in anyway. The only connection between the motor and the turntable is the drive belt that drives the platter. This stops any noise or vibrations created when the motor is running, getting through to the sensitive parts of the turntable.

DescriptionThe Gyro SE is a variation of the GyroDec design. Doing away with the full size acrylic plinth and hinged lid of the Gyrodec and replacing them with a single acrylic spyder to support the turntable. This was done to reduce the overall size of the GyroDec and create a smaller more compact turntable.Low contact area feetThe solid aluminium feet of the turntable are shaped so the area in contact with the supporting surface is very small, this is done to minimise the transfer of vibrations from the supporting furniture into the turntable.Three point spring suspension systemThree suspension towers are fixed to the acrylic base to hold the suspension springs in place and provide height adjustment for the sub chassis.Weighted pendulum style sub chassisHanging on the three suspension springs, this provides a rigid dense platform to mount the main bearing, platter and tonearm assembly, ensuring there is no movement between them, while also acting as a ‘resonance / vibration sink’ drawing away unwanted vibrations from the sensitive elements of the turntable.Inverted oil circulating main bearing Contrary to traditional designs, our main bearing has the point of rotation at the top of the assembly, not at the bottom. This orientation allows us to fully lubricate the inside of the entire bearing while the platter is turning. We achieve this by way of a modified Archimedean screw that we machine into the inside bore of the bearing. The oil is drawn from a reservoir at the base of the main bearing up to the thrust ball at the top, fully lubricating as it goes, it then returns to the reservoir via a waste hole drilled into the bearing spindle. Lubricating the precision parts of the main bearing in this way means that any potential for noise or vibration created by the rotation of the platter is avoided.Impedance-matched platter with solid brass weightsThe platter material was chosen for its vibration dampening characteristics and because sonically it is a very similar material to vinyl, so it has a very neutral sound characteristic. The brass weights are added to give the platter extra mass and subsequently more momentum when spinning. This greatly improves speed stability and helps keep wow and flutter to a minimum.Free standing motor unitThe motor unit used to drive the turntable is completely separate to the turntable, meaning it doesn’t touch the turntable in anyway. The only connection between the motor and the turntable is the drive belt that drives the platter. This stops any noise or vibrations created when the motor is running, getting through to the sensitive parts of the turntable.

DescriptionIdeally suited to the DC motors found in the Technodec, Gyrodec and Gyro SE turntables, the Michell HR Power Supply delivers regulated, low noise DC power enabling the Michell turntables to give their best sound quality. Comparing the standard power supply with the Michell HR Power Supply, their is a much lower noise floor so that the silences between notes are more profound. Bass really starts and stops more quickly and therefore enhances the rhythmic quality of music. Sustained notes are more pitch perfect too, giving a feeling of greater realism and transparency.Incorporating Never Connected circuitry, the Michell HR Power Supply is never fully connected to the mains power, therefore the Michell HR Power Supply is completely isolated from mains pollution.The rear of the Michell HR Power Supply provides a speed control, a detachable mains cable allows easy power cord upgrades.

DescriptionThe TecnoArm “A” is a fundamental mechanical rebuild of the well-known RB202 tonearm, to which is added monolithic wiring of the highest quality.Please Note: This tonearm does not come with a cartridge.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.

DescriptionThe TecnoArm “A” is a fundamental mechanical rebuild of the well-known RB202 tonearm, to which is added monolithic wiring of the highest quality.Please Note: This tonearm does not come with a cartridge.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.

The TecnoDec is our entry level turntable and it shares many features developed for its bigger brother the GyroDec. Such as a vibration dampening impedance matched platter, inverted oil circulating main bearing and a free standing motor unit. The TecnoDec is an unsuspended turntable that utilises technologies and materials only found in much more expensive turntables, to perform well above its price point. FEATURESPure Sorbothane feet inserts: These isolate the turntable from the supporting surface.Inverted oil circulating main bearing: Contrary to traditional designs, our main bearing has the point of rotation at the top of the assembly, not at the bottom. This orientation allows us to fully lubricate the inside of the entire bearing while the platter is turning. We achieve this by way of a modified Archimedean screw that we machine into the inside bore of the bearing. The oil is drawn from a reservoir at the base of the main bearing up to the thrust ball at the top, fully lubricating as it goes, it then returns to the reservoir via a waste hole drilled into the bearing spindle. Lubricating the precision parts of the main bearing in this way means that any potential for noise or vibration created by the rotation of the platter is avoided.Impedance-matched platter: The platter material was chosen for its vibration dampening characteristics and because sonically it is a very similar material to vinyl, so it has a very neutral sound characteristic.Free standing motor unit: The motor unit used to drive the turntable is completely separate to the turntable, meaning it doesn’t touch the turntable in anyway. The only connection between the motor and the turntable is the drive belt that drives the platter. This stops any noise or vibrations created when the motor is running, getting through to the sensitive parts of the turntable.