Which Arm for Michell Gyro

[high spirits]

Just bought an elderly Mk2 Michell Gyro with an SME IIIS arm and Pickering V15.

The V15 will go straight away, and I will replace with an Ortofon 2M Blue (have already) or may stretch to a 2M Black.

But what about the arm? I would really like to know what would work on this turntable from anyone with experience of the Gyro.

Heard great things about the Jelco 75D, but not with the Gyro.

Thanks

Martin

 

[vacdac]

I've had a Jelco 750D on my Gyro s.e. fer around 10 months its a super combination & is easily a good deal better than my previous Technoarm A

Here's mine>>>

Works great.....really just looks 'right' & completely at home on a Gyro IMV. Much. much nicer in the hand & to use than t' Technoarm or Regas & IME a better match to a wider variety of carts....my Ortofon Rondo Red for example wuz a little 'Meh/Ho-hum' on the Technoarm but runs my AT33EV lomc far closer than I'd have expected on the Jelly 750D. Its a quality arm & summat of a steal at UK prices........weirdly it seem's to be more expensive in its home market of Japan:dunno:. I think some people dismiss it as a cheap option, but it is a class act & certainly seems to stand up well to other arms that are priced similarly.

 

[alphatoner]

+1 for the Jelco

 

[high spirits]

Thanks guys. It certainly looks right, like the pics.

Ease of changing the cartridge is also a plus.

cheers

Martin

 

[MrSammy]

Hi Martin, you don't say what your budget is and if you are prepared to go second hand. If you are looking at the 2M Black also take a look at the AudioNote IQ range. These can be described as pimped up Goldring 10xx series. If you are changing the arm don't forget to budget in the arm board for the correct weight and fitting and consider getting the decoupling kit which gives a subtle improvement.

 

[It Cost How Much!?!]

Keep the pickering and use a SME IV, the SME IV works exceptionally well with the Gyro. You'll be surprised how good the Pickering is when in a SME IV.

 

[RobHolt]

A Gyro works very well with Rega arms at the budget end and also SME 300/IV/V at the higher end.

Michell's own Techno Arm is also excellent on these decks.

The SMEIIIs, wonderful looking and versatile as it is, sacrificed everything at the alter of low mass and sounds noticeably inferior to even budget vintage arms like the Rega R200 or Linn Basik IME.

They aren't especially fussy though, due in part to the arm base mass changing along with the arm to suit.

I've a Mission 774 on mine and it sometimes swaps for an early SME3009.

 

[vacdac]

Yup good points re t' armboard/decoupling kit Nick! :^ Worth adding not to get an 'off the peg' Linn fit board from Michell:nup: as the mounting geometry + weight of board will be incorrect. The correct board for t' Jelco SA750D is a special order item & IMV best ordered directly from Michell who are extremely helpful. Changing an armboard is as good an opportunity as any to also fit the decoupling kit. If not fitting a new board it will only take around 5mins or so but if fitting this at the same time as new arm/board it doesn't add any time or extra difficulty to the task.

If you check this recent post I made in this thread>>>http://www.hifiwigwam.com/showthread.php?88933-Turntable-buying-tips-anyone-and-to-help&p=1604624&viewfull=1#post1604624 , I discuss the advantages of using a ***"Shuggie" custom arrm collar & recommend a suitable high quality arm cable that won't break the bank..........this 'un is much higher quality than Jelco's own 'premium' offerings & hardly much different in price if bought from the supplier I suggest. Buy a set of these too if you don't already have a set.....the diddy H/Shell level is indispensable for setting azimuth correctly on removable H/Shell arms if the H/Shell allows for this. It can also be used to quickly setting a 'neutral VTA setting as a starting point, prior to any fine tuning by ear. :stereo:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TURNTABLE-SETUP-SPIRIT-LEVEL-KIT-SETTING-UP-TONEARMS-AND-TURNTABLE-3-LEVELS-/171011833485?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27d1197e8d

Hi Martin, you don't say what your budget is and if you are prepared to go second hand. If you are looking at the 2M Black also take a look at the AudioNote IQ range. These can be described as pimped up Goldring 10xx series. If you are changing the arm don't forget to budget in the arm board for the correct weight and fitting and consider getting the decoupling kit which gives a subtle improvement.

 

[high spirits]

Hi Martin, you don't say what your budget is and if you are prepared to go second hand. If you are looking at the 2M Black also take a look at the AudioNote IQ range. These can be described as pimped up Goldring 10xx series. If you are changing the arm don't forget to budget in the arm board for the correct weight and fitting and consider getting the decoupling kit which gives a subtle improvement.

Hi Nick

Thanks for the ideas and options of cartridge. It all makes sense and will definatley go for the decoupling kit.

As for budget its a bit flexible as I have some speakers and another turntable to sell once I get my act together !

 

[high spirits]

Hi Chris

Thanks for the brilliant information and links to suppliers etc., very helpful.

Have you tried the 10" 750E on the gyro with housing in place, as I note from your other posting a note about using a 12" will probably foul the case. Is there any advantage in using the 10"?

Also have any comparisons be made to the SME 309, not that I can afford one new?

 

[roob]

How about the Audiomods arm?

http://www.audiomods.co.uk/completearms.html

 

[vacdac]

Hi Martin

No I haven't heard/used the 10" on a Gyro.... :dunno: I have the loose full cover s.e.Cure & I reckon the 10" might fit okay but couldn't really say for sure.

The main advantage of longer arms is said to be less end of side tracking error/distortion but with modern line contact stylus profiles this shouldn't really be much of a factor on more standard 9" effective length arms.

Against any advantage conferred by longer effective length you have to trade off against worse structural rigidity due to longer length + the added mass of longer arms could actually restrict your cartridge choice in some cases as not all carts are happiest on more 'massy' tonearms. :nup:

The standard 750D is already a medium mass arm & can be usefully tweaked with Headshells of different mass + the heavy counterweight.

EDIT

Adam (Beobloke) owns a Gyro + has also owned an SME 309 + Jelco SA 750D at the same time.....he actually Reviewed the Jelco SA750D for Hi Fi World magazine a few years ago when he was still on staff there & liked it enough that he bought the review sample. :^

 

[Beobloke]

Also have any comparisons be made to the SME 309, not that I can afford one new?

Adam (Beobloke) owns a Gyro + has also owned an SME 309 + Jelco SA 750D at the same time.....he actually Reviewed the Jelco SA750D for Hi Fi World magazine a few years ago when he was still on staff there & liked it enough that he bought the review sample. :^

I did indeed and still have it. I reviewed it in the days before I owned the Gyro but I have a complete set of armboards for it and I have used the Jelco on the Gyro for a while. It works very well indeed and the combo sounded fantastic with a Goldring 2500 fitted.

That said, though, the Gyro currently sports an SME309 and I have very little inclination to change it, as the combo is one of those that just gels beautifully. Mind you, if you want even more confusion, an Audio Note Arm Two/II sounds great on it, too!

So many arms, so little time... ;-)

 

[high spirits]

Thanks guys - Oh so many options.

I must admit I have liked SME arms for over 40 years - gee I must be getting old....

A 309 second hand may be the way to go if I can get the funds.

 

[Emma Royd]

Origin Live arms(rega fit) work excellently on the Gyro as well,had an OL Illustrious(mk1/2) on a Gyro for years.

 

[Beckenham]

Gyro is a Great turntable, I like so mutch, please consider a Rega arm, is not to mutch expensive, and is a good reference well.

Cheers

 

[Tarzan]

For pure T/T porn, it does not get much better than a Gyro/ SME 1V/V, , and it sounds good too.......... :^

 

[high spirits]

Gyro is a Great turntable, I like so mutch, please consider a Rega arm, is not to mutch expensive, and is a good reference well.Cheers

Thanks for the suggestion Fernando. What I am after is a step up in performance from the existing SME IIIs on the turntable, so not sure a Rega would give me that - more of a sideways move?

 

[high spirits]

Origin Live arms(rega fit) work excellently on the Gyro as well,had an OL Illustrious(mk1/2) on a Gyro for years.

Thanks Ray.

Now on my possibles list - its growing by the minute. How to shortlist will be a problem as cost and sound quality will come into it. The second hand market will be looked at, once I get a chance to listen to them.