Need suggestions and help to restore a Michell Gyrodec MKI

[Giovanni68]

Long story short,

fallen in love with the Oracle Delphi since I was a teen (and that was quite a long time ago) but could never afford one, a couple years ago I went to visit a friend's whose dad was a passionate hi-fi collector since he wanted me to help him to sell some of the stuff which is a lot and which nobody is going to use (the dad passed away a few years ago and the wife doesn't make any use of that gear); among all the stuff (4 pairs speakers, 2 AR preamps, 2 mono power amps, Sansui pre-amp, phono step-up etc) there was this beautiful JA Michell Gyrodec in its first incarnation and even tho to me is not the Delphi I am still in love with still it does a beautiful object and, probably, an even better sound machine than the Oracle but it took me over a year to get in possession of it along with an Audio Research SP9, the Kiseki step up and three tonearms, a Zeta (which is going for sale since it needs to be re-wired and am not into that), a Rega 4003 and a Linn LV X which is at this moment installed.

Took it all home very excited, it all worked but needed rejuvenating, in this first instance I want to concentrate on the Gyro which needs new belts, new pick-up wires and to be set up.

Originally there were two arm plates and the motor was in the front left corner, I don't like to see the empty base and the motor wire running below the plexiglass base so I restored to single arm by removing the arm base and putting the motor back in there, applied the extra weight at the bottom of the frame and that's it but, so far, I have many doubts.

First, the tonearm doesn't look well placed, it probably needs to be raised and aligned (please need your guidance), the frame balance also needs to be adjusted, the base of the motor actually sits above the frame and from the pics I see online it shouldn't be like this, it might easily be solved by tuning the springs but even here I need guidance.

This would be enough to start and to put it back into working conditions, every hint will be greatly appreciated.

Grazie

p.s. I know the Linn LV X installed tonearm to be the worse of them all and the Zeta the best but my guess is that the original owner had to rewire the Zeta (I can tell since the wires are broken after, probably, a failed cartridge installation) as well as the Rega (which I guess being the one the turntable came with since it is Michell branded with model number 4003 which I can't find as an original Rega one) which also needs to be rewired, probably this would be better than the Linn but my priority now is to put it all back into working conditions by not spending extra money if not for needed parts (pick up wires and belts), eventually I might restore the Rega if I menage to sell the Zeta but not a priority now. One extra bit of information, as you can see from the attached pic, the motor pulley is the one to fit two belts.

Giovanni

Gyro - 1.jpg
Gyro - 2.jpg
Gyro - 3.jpg
Gyro - 4.jpg

[walpurgis]

You can get the Zeta tonearm rewired, it's a very good arm and worth spending a bit of time and money on. There are UK specialists who do this work.

Failing that, I don't think you'd have any trouble selling it on this forum, it has a bit of a following here.

[karma67]

if you sell the zeta please let me have first refusal.
i have just had mine re wired by audio origami,if you keep it he's the man to sort it for you

[Giovanni68]

Oh come on, I don't want to fork more money out for the turntable... ok, I know about the Audio Origami rewire, would you tell me, by private message, how much is that? The thing is that I would have to add the shipping which, from Italy, will probably add 30-40% on top of the rewire and, still, I will have two extra tonearms I can't even hang on a wall to show off...

[Shovel_Knight]

I've never seen a Zeta tonearm, but I think it should be much better than the Linn simply because Linn LV X, in my opinion, is no good at all. I've had one and was happy to be rid of it.

[karma67]

Oh come on, I don't want to fork more money out for the turntable... ok, I know about the Audio Origami rewire, would you tell me, by private message, how much is that? The thing is that I would have to add the shipping which, from Italy, will probably add 30-40% on top of the rewire and, still, I will have two extra tonearms I can't even hang on a wall to show off...

looking at your photos of it for sale on another site it would appear someones had a go at the bearings too.

[bob4333]

If you're setting it up yourself these may be useful.

http://www.artech-electronics.com/us...structions.pdf

http://www.angelfire.com/music5/mich...ep/manual.html

They're for the SE version but the principle's the same.

I had a Mk 1 Gyrodec some years ago. One of the best in my view. Go for the best arm you can find. It's worth it.

Good luck.

[Giovanni68]

I don't know why the cap on top of the pivot was removed but actually, at least to me, it all seems quite fluid in motion but I am no expert and that's one more reason I am not into restoring the Zeta, I'd rather rewire the Rega, which I got to know might cost in the 60-80 euros range at the most, than invest into the Zeta also because I will not make great use of the turntable and as such I better save money for something else.