Any Michell experts here?

[seoirse2002]

Hi Guys,
I know some of you can tell me this....
The plate on the plinth states Reference Hydraulic Transcription Turntable By JA Michell Eng Ltd.

Its got a unipivot arm(which I have had on a focus)....
but did Michell every produce one looking like this? It looks like a platter from a focus?
Can anyone shed any light on it?

Ta in advance
http://theartofsound.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=134&pictureid=1065

[Rare Bird]

yes

[seoirse2002]

Oh...do tell:)

[Rare Bird]

the same platter was also used on the Marble Ref TT

[seoirse2002]

So its genuine? and not just a cobbled up version? I always thought they all had the platter like this one....so how does the hydraulic work?
http://theartofsound.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=134&pictureid=961

[seoirse2002]

Thanks for the help kind sir....as you've probably sussed,thats a Saturn,but Im sure you get the idea,re the platter.

[Rare Bird]

Hydraulic is the fluid bath around he bearing

[seoirse2002]

Thankyou kindly...:)

[hifi_dave]

That is a Focus platter on a Hydraulic TT.

Back in the day, people didn't appreciate the wonderful styling of the Hydraulic and Electronic. For these misguided fools, Michell offered a Focus platter as an 'upgrade'.

What a shame..:doh:

[seoirse2002]

Forgive me if Im imagining things....but I was rushing out and just had a quick look....did I see you mention it needed a spindle and gave me a link to one on the bay?

[PaulStewart]

At one point I sold a lot of Michell TTs, when I was at W. Darby in St. Albans John M told me we sold more of them, mainly, the Focus I admit than any other dealer. The solid platter was indeed an upgade, i not in the looks department it improved things sonically. The greater support damped the record, this gave better tonality and imaging. That's why John used a solid platter with the pretty weights below on the Gyro.

Easy to set up, I think the arm is a Focus unipivot, these were not bad and worked really well with a JVC Z1

[seoirse2002]

Thanks Paul,
Yes, I actually had a unipivot on a focus which I liked.
Someone mentioned on here that this one needs locking centre spindle,but I cant find the post.do you know anything about that?

[seoirse2002]

ok,thanks Ill check that out....haven't got it yet:)

[hifi_dave]

The platter bearing spindle should have a coarse thread which you can see just above the suede mat. This should be fitted with a flat, wide disc shaped nut.

[DSJR]

At one point I sold a lot of Michell TTs, when I was at W. Darby in St. Albans

We probably knew each other then?

[seoirse2002]

You mean it should look like this?http://theartofsound.net/forum/picture.php?albumid=134&pictureid=1066

[hifi_dave]

Exactly.

[seoirse2002]

ok Dave thanks....if there isn't one present are they easily got?

[Rare Bird]

Give Michell a buzz the ones used on the Gyro Dec/Tecno Dec might fit.

At th end of the day George your deck isnt something someones just lashed up, i think that's what you was worried about??

[hifi_dave]

Not a lash up but a mod.

Contact Michell for spares.

[Rare Bird]

It's a shame George did'nt see the recent Hydraulic on auction broken up for spares..

[seoirse2002]

It's a shame George did'nt see the recent Hydraulic on auction broken up for spares..

Yes you are right,I was a little worried that it was a lash up using a focus platter.and I have to say I love the look of the other platter,but maybe I can pick one up somewhere,its not a major emergency so I can wait....thanks so much for all the help,as always,AOS comes up trumps:)

[PaulStewart]

We probably knew each other then?

Quite likely, After I left JVC I went to the Rainbow to set up and run their recording studio, then about 1980/81 I went to the USA o work on a load of different projects. When I came back i went to the St.Albans store as deputy manager, but after about a few months I was offered the job of Tech Manager for the Lion House group in Tottenham Court Road and went there, till the call of the recording studio and the camera got me again:lol: