Michell Gyro SE Turntable Review
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- Опубликовано: 10 июл 2024
- Michael Johnson returns with another turntable review. This time, he’s unpacking the Michell Gyro SE, a turntable with a design as unique as its aesthetic. He will put this suspended design, in production in one form or another for 40 years, through its paces in a hotly contested price bracket.
Hana Umami Red Review: www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...
Who is Michael Johnson?
Michael Johnson, DMA, is an oboist and educator currently based in Colorado Springs. Since 2023 he has performed as an enlisted member of the U.S. Air Force Academy Band. Prior to this he held the position of English Horn with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra. He is a contributing writer for TrackingAngle.com, and was formerly a contributing writer for AnalogPlanet.com.
Michael’s reference system:
Pure Fidelity Horizon turntable
Acoustic Signature TA-1000 Tonearm
Hana Umami Red MC cartridge
Audio Technica AT33Mono MC cartridge
Allnic H1202 Phono Preamplifier
Oppo 105D transport
Denafrips Pontus II DAC
Hegel H390 Integrated Amplifier
Harbeth 30.2 XD monitors
Rel T7/x subwooder
Cabling by Kimber Kable, Audioquest, and Cardas.
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Facebook: / theabsolutesound
Substack: www.theabsolutesound.substack...
What Is The Absolute Sound?
The Absolute Sound magazine has been a leading publication in high-end audio since 1972. Since the early 2000s, The Absolute Sound has expanded to include web, newsletter, digital magazine, social media, RUclips and Substack platforms. The Absolute Sound platforms have a global audience of over 500,000 audiophiles.
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Remarkably technical, informative and engaging review. Will be following your work going forward.
Great review--- we need more from him---been absolute sound reader since 1981---have every copy since plus a few of the earlier issues--- we owe this magazine for driving manufacturers to higher levels,etc--great job Michael
Great review by the way
Glad you enjoyed it
Have had the full Gyrodec (with Perspex plinth) for many years. It’s fitted with a Gryropower power supply, which makes a small but definite improvement. Tested against Alphason and Linn LP12 and preferred the Gyrodec. This deck can take the best tonearms. I changed the stock Rega arm for a vintage Japanese Fidelity Research FR64s and it made a huge improvement to detail and transients.
@@edwhitby7302 have you tried bringing it up to latest spec including the HR never connected supply? I think it’s worth doing…
Great review. You did your homework and covered all the important bases. There are some new reviewers on this Chanel should take some notes from you. I think we know who they are.😊
Great review! I’ve owned this table for several years and I highly recommend the power supply, arm and Orbe upgrades. This table can grow with you. I have a SME 309 arm and Lyra Kleos cartridge so there is much room to improve off the base. The gyro platter looks cooler but the Orbe platter tamed the highs and firmly rooted the bass. This table is unfairly overlooked
100% agree. Never connected power supply and Orbe upgrade transforms the Gyros otherwise slightly polite presentation. Also bin the springs for Pylons - makes another improvement in soundstage and speed stability/wow and flutter.
Thank you for a very articulate review of a brilliant British designed turntable that has evolved over the decades. I wonder how good it would sound with an Origin Live tonearm, perhaps the Encounter. I imagine this combination would sound amazing with the added benefit of the OL tonearms being Rega fit. Many thanks, much appreciated.
I was thinking the same thing, about being a good match , because origin live was modifying the same Rega arm castings as Michell at one time, before developing proprietary product, so perhaps with both companies coming from a similar place of origin , there might be some agreeable synchronicity between the arm and table.
@@richardelliott8352 Certainly worth an audition I would think. I have owned both the Encounter and Illustrious tonearms and can confirm that they sound amazing and are a joy to use. My only proviso is that I had reliability issues with both, in as much as the armrest became loose on both, repeatedly. In addition I found that armrest did not to have sufficient adjustability when using certain cartridges, the tonearm would hit the armrest before the stylus reached the record, OL provided a lower profile rest that helped.
That's a nice balanced review, and well done in the choice of the iconic and very British black Fred Perry shirt to present the review of this iconic British turntable :)
You can upgrade to the HR PSU, however there is a speed trim pot on the supplied basic PSU so you could correct for that slight speed error.
Pairs great with their own TecnoArm which does come with VTA adjustment, a silver wiring loom, underslung counterweight and re-machined arm tube including perforations and damping. So quite a change on the basic starter arm.
The HR supply does provide a very slightly cleaner DC current but this is very much a marginal reduction in noise. Ultimately you have a bouncy deck, a rubber band and DC motor without taco correction so this is never going to be an SL1200 in that regard. Well worth spending more time on the suspension with these decks since spring rotation is just as important as height to achieve the correct bounce, which in turn impacts W&F. It's important to remove lateral stress from the springs - difficult as they all interact - for best results. That still won't get you Technics stability but it can match something like a good modern Linn LP12 or say a Rega P10.
Very nice review - I enjoyed it!
$6k for “not terrible” speed control? No thanks.
There are lots of more affordable options out there for you.
@@dabbidaa1547I can afford any table I want. I just won’t buy one (at any price) with “not terrible” speed control.
The Arm boards are available for almost any arm and they are machined so the combined mass of the Arm plus arm plate is always 1kg, ensuring that the suspended deck is always balanced.
The bearing sleeve has a helix machined into it so it pumps oil from the reservoir at the bottom of the shaft to the top of the bearing as the platter rotates, ensuring perfect lubrification. The oil then drops down to the bottom through the off-center hole at the top of the shaft. So it's a circulating oil pump bearing.
The EMI white/gold label is probably the most beautiful/artistic label ever created.
Beautiful, but the lack of VTA adjustment (unless you upgrade the arm) and lack of speed adjustment is a deal-breaker. This would make an excellent buy decades ago, but many modern turntables have since passed it by.
The speed adjustment can be done from a screw inside the power supply. Mine started to play a bit to slow. Adjusted it, and now it plays at perfect speed.
Super review. I'd love to hear your thoughts on what this compares to with the technoarm and PSU, perhaps even the pylons. I imagine P10 territory or beyond....
pylons are not frequency tuned to the original intrinsic resonance of the plinth, they are just different. somewhat like a automobile air filter that flows more air, but doesn't filter as well as the OEM design. ( air flow is computer compensated for in modern cars)
Great job on the review. Glad to have you back. Are you going to review the pure fidelity turntable that next to the Michell. Very interested in that table.
Michael, How does it compare to the Pure Fidelity? Have you heard the Origin Live Sovereign?
Wow Mike, the military haircut is a real time warp for me (USAF 1965-1969). i am assuming that your rank is !st Lt or Capt. i had tried to get my youngest daughter to join and be in the USAF Band where she would have continued playing clarinet but that did not occur. she IS a musician at heart and hears music differently from me (and most non-musicians). she is enamored of Kurt Elling and Bob Dorough and had seen them both live here in LA.
i can't tell you that the Gyrodeck plumbs the depths BUT I CAN tell you that a SOTA Sappire can. unfortunately, the current models are now double their previous $3k price. it is a spring suspended deck that is impervious to outside vibration.
with this tt and a Sumiko Premier MMT arm made by Jelco, i was very accustomed to listening to the big Fried RSPM, a four way (KEF B139, B110, Celestion HF1300, and Celestion HF200) that was a large transmission line loaded speaker that was truly flat to 16Hz. i believe Tom Martin just featured it and other Fried products that included his original IMF monitor developed in GB and used a lot by the BBC and recording studios to hear EXACTLY what was on their recordings. the SOTA delivers.
if you visit Jim Kaplan again, I would be pleased to meet you.
You can fine tune the speed using a screw at the back of the HR supply to obtain bang on 33.3. You can even do this with the standard supply. Also, as it is supplied without tonearm…you can pretty much put whatever you want on it so I wouldn’t really state that as a downside as Rega make that arm and Michell just offer as an option. Most people prefer to use SME 309 or IV arms on the Gyro and Orbe decks.
the gyro was originally designed using an sme V arm in product development, and Michell , as his last design project, voiced the Techno arm "A" to mimic that sound , now thought to be slightly off the pace of more contemporary tonearm designs using improved materials. .
I have the full spec non spider/skeleton edition. I was very surprised you found the turntable lacks a wide sound stage as that is what the Gyrodec is highly regarded for is its huge soundstage width at the expense of a little depth. Indeed, my Gyrodec has a very wide soundstage. I think maybe what you are hearing could be down to the speakers or Arm/ Cartridge combination. The beauty with the Gyrodec is it can take even better arms and Cartridges such as the SME IV or V 12" arms, without the need to go to the jaw dropping sound of the Orbe. However I think the price in the USA looks to be substantially higher than here in the UK. I also have ASD 259 Lollipops, the EW1 first edition on a scalloped back cover (first pressing) and it sounds glorious on my Gyrodec using a Rega RB300 and Vertere Sabre MM Cartridge. Despite a few minor disagreements over its sound a very enjoyable video. I will be subscribing 👍😁
VTA can be simple, the three boulds witch connect armboard with table, can accept some 1/2 mm nylon rings, you can position the arm with the back higher.(maybe longer boults are needed)this can be fiddly because trail and error adding more rings. Azimuth can also be simple, place a needle (perpendicular to the record) straight front to back between cartridge and headshell, now you can rock the cartridge left to right, using the cartridge boulds (another positive is vibration from the cartridge can't propagate to the arm that easy) If you like better performance for little money, you can use a battery to drive the motor. Two 12 volt battery ''s in series, and a regulator for 24 volts max, AC or DC in, DC out, with a good potentiometer, cost about 150€, effect is rather suprising better rythmic drive and dynamic.
Price is steep, I've got Lucky on a second hand one for 1200€.🤗
The speed adjustment can be done from a screw inside the power supply. After a few years mine started to play a bit to slow. Adjusted it, and now it plays at perfect speed.
Hope you didnt do that with a phone app.
@@dabbidaa1547 I used a phone app. Maybe not perfect, but my Gyrodec played way to slow. Very easy to hear it compared to cd/streaming. Now the speed and music sound the same on. the different platforms.
❤❤❤❤
Overall, for rock & jazz, how would it compare with, say, VPI Prime Signature?
Thank you for bringing up the need for adjustable VTA. I looked at the top of the line Rega and how can you have a $13000 turn table with no VTA adjustment? Answer: You can't. No way you can mount a high priced MC cartridge and not dial in the VTA. Period. The Hana Red is especially finicky to VTA. Overall an excellent review. I owned a Gyrodec in the past and enjoyed it greatly. Do agree about the outboard power supply...a must...
Rega ''s are built as a complete system, if you use their cartridges VTA is perfect, and the three bould cartridge mount position the cartridge perfectly, without all kinds of mechanical problems introduced because adjustment is needed. Kiss is rega's second name. 🤔
Did you test the speed (RPM) and W&F with a record on platter and the needle on the groove?
generally because of the variability of records, speed testing doesn't use records. The inertia of the rotating mass is used to mitigate the effect in the gyro , where direct drives use an electronic speed control, always sampling and adjusting speed to compensate for changes in needle drag. ,
Published figures from mass market direct drive tables in the 1960's, particularly the rumble figures, were found to be wildly inaccurate, so most tables largely abandoned publishing performance specifications. .
A quiet table is much more important than a good speed number. One can be adjusted , one leaves you permanently screwed.
So many turntables out there basing. designs originaring directly from the Oracle Delphi originally built in 1979, itself incrementally but vastly improved to this day.
the Michell design originally came out in the 1960's with the original AR three point suspended design a product from the fifties.
After I owned their Techno Dec, this one has been on my list for quite some time now. Hopefully not too far down the road. BTW, the Techno Arm I had on that TT was really quite good for the money.
the gyro is my end of the trail player. if it ever becomes my systems weak link, I will be completely done with system building. It is so basic, a used one and a couple of renewed parts and it will be like new. with my floor demo Gyro , the dealer threw in a new set of springs. and the all important main platter bearing , if needed, can be purchased new and just screwed into place.
A Rega planar 8, at about half the price, will be indistinguishable from this table in a blind a/b compare using the same cart and all else equal in the systems.
I am very grateful that I bought mine as a demo, before the price was raised, or I wouldn't;t have one. . While there are many things to admire with the rega design philosophy, it's a little too hair shirt for me. I enjoy being able to adjust the stylus rake angle , which I do by ear, for different thickness of records, when I really want to listen closely .
At some point one will need acoustic isolation , and I enjoy that it was provided within the design, rather than leaving it for me to figure out and effectively implement.
@@richardelliott8352 Yes, demo/open box or “sale” is the way to go. Most high end items remain profitable to the manufacturer at 20% - 40% off. I would never pay full blown retail for any exotic item. Just look at the sale prices for used equipment and you’ll see how little value is held. These are typically emotion-based purchases, and the smart among us need to remove that from the equation.
i still like my sota sapphire , amen
another belt drive suspended design. I wanted a sapphire, but my budget cramped up on me. .
Now, as a gyro owner, I consider the gyro main bearing a very elegant solution , since the pumping oil film , assisted by the gyroscopic design of the platter, makes it essentially a floating design, almost touchless, save for the oil film , like an automobile main crank bearing. I wanted a sapphire main bearing because I knew the design was used in astronomical telescope motor drives.
Great review Michael.
someone may like the golden rod, for me it is too disturburing as it creates flickering, just like the lighiting inside a tunnel.
Good evening. Can you recommend me three arm plates up to €8000 ..???
the arm mounting disks vary only to balance different arm weights, to retain the suspension frequency tuning . therefore every arm mounting plate should be indistinguishable in effect.
Wait till you hear what the pylon upgrade does to this
I am skeptical , because of the known great suggestibility of human hearing, and because after all of this time on the market, no objective proof of performance improvement has ever been offered by the seller, just tons of buyers opinions, which returns me to my first objection. but if it works for you, I do not dispute that reality. that these materials and suspensions were not chosen by the original designer, when he had the choice , enhances my skepticism.
0.2% wow and flutter is really bad for that money and it should be easily audible with longer notes.
The issue is with the belts they currently manufacture. They used to have their belts made in Japan and the more recently produced ones are not as good. However, the HR should ideally be used with this deck.
Gold plated not bruss 😊
just was reading a post from a guy who wore off his gold plate from cleaning, , sent it back to the factory to get it re finished and got the current treatment which is clear coated polished brass, the clear coat is more durable than the thin plating.
So, Nothing new here... ?? note Your comment > I had an original AR t'table bought new way back... suspended. a mid 1970's Pioneer, had both thick pressed wood board ( speaker box material ) and suspended ..... thorens of course, I bought a new 103 a couple years ago - 1 1/2 in thick pressed wood and springs.... as long as I'm writing - I hate the fully molded H'shell /arm - those 4 tiny wires into back of Cartridge . Very fragile and what happens when one breaks... your expensive t'table instantly becomes worth about 2 cents. At minimum the technics / SME style should be used. or the original technics ( ?? ) simple plug cartridge into end of arm. this is NOT 1970 , all this should be worked out.
hate is such a strong word. most audiophile types , and even the audiophile adjacent, dislike the performance compromise that a removable head shell creates . removable head shells are nice for people who enjoy a bunch of cartridges and like to use them all, or if you are a disco DJ , the advantage of being able to swiftly replace a cartridge broken during back spinning, or just by accident, could save your job.
If one is clumsy enough to break a cartridge connecting wire, designed to be flexible, to a point beyond repair, maybe you will get some needle nose pliers for Christmas.
I especially dislike TT's that require handling of the belt to change speed. The motor is too cheap/simple to even accommodate electronic speed changes. I'm sorry to offend anyone with my opinion but I can't accept the lack of engineering at this price point.
it's simply a different engineering philosophy. because of the extreme difficulty of having a high precision and quiet motor, frills are eliminated , the difference between a race car design and a family car. Most people will chose the grocery getter car.
Michell engineering, last time I checked, doesn't even mention the ability to play at 45 rpm in the product materials I have found. although it has the ability, it is, last time I looked, sold only as a single speed player, because focusing on a single speed makes it easier to achieve the performance goals., and it is a cost constrained design. anything that isn't needed for performance lowers the cost, along with the potential for noise. it does thankfully, provide an on off button.
one of the reasons for the cast aluminum plinth , was the designer was looking to avoid the ever increasing cost of wood and the labor it required, which eventually led to a minimal cast metal plinth , which cuts both labor and material costs.
you would really hate the designs that use a motor so weak , because weak motors are quieter , that they require a push to start the platter spinning, but are ok after a while, once they get going.
I respect another's opinions, being raised in liberty by polite people . . it is only by sharing opinions that mine have even a slight chance of improvement, as I am kind of hard headed.
Very nice but who has all that money to spend on a turntable. Very few actually. I put my feet on the ground and listen to vinyl on my usual turntable.
Very informative review. Unfortunately, you didn't compare The Michell with the other record player shown in your video. A missed opportunity to greatly improve your review. What a pity!
Overrated.. My Technics GR flaws my Gyro... Far more weight thru my Tannoys.. I only have 8 turntables
Puny human only 8 TT’s …
A smartphone is not an accurate measuring device for practically anything. Those apps are for some fun, not for serious measurement work.
Pronounced Mitchell. Michelle is a female pronunciation.
I used to think that , but all the English guys say it otherwise, so I changed. since I own one, I did enjoy the more masculine approach I took to the name, while it lasted.
Fred Perry are a polarizing brand; it is one I associate with hatred. Whether or not that is the message intended to be communicated here - and I suspect the more likely intention is to pair a British clothing brand with a British turntable brand - it shouldnt be a brand repped in a video for a company (TAS) channel. On a personal channel, go for it, but it's a bad look on a company's channel.
I associate the brand Adidas with the band Korn. I am now going to comment on every video and photo of someone wearing sneakers or a track suit “Are you in Korn?!?” “How can you publicly support Nu Metal???” Just doing my part.
@@poetryonplastic Probably due to me living in Portland, when I see Fred Perry the first thing that comes to mind is Proud Boys.
Don't be silly
A lot of excuses for a pricey turntable.
I think it addresses the fundamental design problems very effectively, for a cost constrained design. . Although today's prices don't show it, one of the original design goals was high value. now that old man Michell is dead, as the reviewer stated, it is of somewhat equivalent value to others of like performance.
I bought mine through E mails, so the established reputation of a classic audiophile player added value to me. I had seen a lot of darling of the reviewer spinners come and go over the years, and I wanted no part of that .
Remarkably technical, informative and engaging review. Will be following your work going forward.