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Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?

24.29.214.20
Posted on March 19, 1999 at 15:57:16
Bryan F.


 
OH, I am trying to decide on my first table. My current system consists of a Joule Electra LA100 MKIII, Welborne Labs Apollo II's, and Merlin VSM SE's. I plan on using the Joule Electra OPS-1 MKIII phono pre amp because it offers so much flexibility since I own the LA100 MKIII. I was thinking about buying FI's big pre because it is suppose to have a great phono section but I still love my Joule and the FI is a tad out of my budget.

OK, I am first getting into vinyl. I have like a dozen or so LP's and near 1000 CD's.......yes, this is crazy but I usually buy 5-10 CD's a week. So if I swich to vinyl it won't take long to start a decent collection and I have about $1000 to invest in vinyl to start so.....let's just say that I have an itch!

Having done my homework I can get into a Basis 1400/RB900/Glyder for under $2000. It is only two weeks old and I am debating as it is a steal. The downside is it is not upgradable. Only the 2000 and up are so it does limit me in the future. I have auditioned the Basis 1400 and OPS-1 but not in my system.

The next step up by what I feel to be leeps and bounds is the GyroDec MKIII.(hey and all my Joule stuff is MKIII. Maybe it is meant to be) Well, obviously the GyroDec is a serious rig. I am unsure of how much I can get it for as I may be able to get a good deal if I buy my OPS-1 through the same dealer. I am thinking probaly about $3400 for the pair. I am undecided on tonearm and cartridge. However if I go this route I feel as if I should invest in something a little better than the RB900. I am figuring a budget of about $2500-3000 for tone arm and cartridge for this puppy. I haven't auditioned the GyroDec.

My third route is the Oracle V. I have auditioned the IV in the past but not the V. The only question I have is if it is really worth the extra cash over the GyroDec. It seems I would be better off speniding the extra doe on an even better tonearm and cartridge for the above. Well, thats my story. I hope I have given you enough information. Any input is appreciated....like I said I have an itch and...........

 

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Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 19, 1999 at 21:24:33
Vinylly


 
We got some GyroDec fanatics on this website, so watch out!! However, I was told they are the best deal in town, but they won't really perform until you get their power supply.
Personally, I bought the Rega 25 with the RB-600 arm, which, eccept for the mounting base, looks exactly like the RB-900. Wonder when people are going to start upgrading the 25, say with an outboard power supply ?

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 21, 1999 at 01:38:27
Gyro Dec Fanatic


 
Otherwise known as Oakroot: have not heard the Basis so can't comment.

The Gyro Dec is an outstanding turntable and relatively inexpensive by today's standards. The Gyro can be improved further by adding the upgrade power supply (which I will do soon). I have also found the Gyrodec to be accomodating to a large number of arms (I did not like the sound of the linear tracking arm from ET on the Gyro). I think this table would be a good sonic match (in terms of balance) to the rest of your system. You can put a better the arm and cartridge on the GyroDec and the table will allow thier sonic signature to come through (for good or bad).

I have only heard the Oracle V once and it was good (but it also had about $4000 worth of arm and cartridge in it as well as about $30000 in ancillary components). Is it worth the extra $$$ - tough call, a call only you can make.

Good Luck - have fun solving this dilemma. :-)

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 21, 1999 at 15:25:09
ANM


 
The GyroDec offers outstanding performance for the dollar. I have owned one and I found that it performed at an extremely high level. There is no comparison between an Oracle Mk IV and the Oracle Mk V. The Mk V is a totally different turntable and it's sound is unlike any other previous Oracle. I have also owned a Mk III and a Mk IV. The Mk V will perform at the leve of turntables costing five figures. I now own a Mk V. The GyroDec is an excellent medium-high priced turntable, but the Oracle Mk V is an outstanding, but expensive, turntable and you would not do it justice unless you mated it with one of the super arms and an phono cartridge. I currently have an SME V on the Mk V, but if my budget had not been adequate, I would have definitely gone with the Michell GyroDec before even considering the Basic. You can't go wrong with the Michell -- it's well made, one of the most attractive turntables around and very reasonably priced given it's performance.

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 21, 1999 at 17:49:38
Bryan F.


 
I have no experiance with the 25. However I have noticed many are upgrading to it. The RB600 is a good arm. I find it funny how people dispute which is better a 250 or a 300....a 300 or a 900.....a 600 or a 300......a modified 300 or a 900......let me tell you!

 

WOW....., posted on March 21, 1999 at 17:59:18
Bryan F.


 
....I tell you it is hard shopping for a turntable. As I have never pushed my budget so much. Finding better and better tables w/stiff competition w/some having only a few hundred dollars seperating them from others. For instance even deciding to go the way of the Gyro where does one stop. You could start with the Gyro Se and save some money....add the dustcover and base for a few hundred more....hmmm maybe if you want a little more you can opt for the upgraded power supply....still want more add the Orbe's platter. Options, Options, Options......however this is also what makes the Gyro so much fun...as you can get into a Gyro Se for $1595 and end up with an almost $4200 table after upgrades....ahhhhhh.......still looking....though the decision is comming soon.

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 21, 1999 at 18:07:21
Bryan F.


 
I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. As do I get good, better, or best? I tell you this is a hard decision. As even the "good" one is a wonderful rig. Then there is "better" and finally "best" out of these three. I am looking at others. However the Basis 1400, GyroDec, and Oracle all seem to give a lot of bang for the buck. The only problem with the 1400 is it isn't upgradable, sniffle, sniffle,.....the GyroDec is right in my price range and allows more to be spent on the tonearm and cartridge.....the Oracle pushes my budget but.............

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 21, 1999 at 23:22:43
Werner


 
Since you only have a few LPs now I would go for
something priced like the Gyro SE or the Basis 1400,
with Rega RB-300 arm. I only know the Gyro, but
even this money buys you tremendous qualities which
should keep you happy for quite a few years, while
spending money on LPs.

If you want to upgrade later on, and supposing you
have a Gyro SE, then direct money to the QC power
supply, the cartridge, and perhaps a rewiring of
the arm. Alternatively you could scan the used
markets and get a bargain on an SME IV or V or
a Graham 1.5. The Gyro will love you for it (BTW:
the SME V arm was developed on the GyroDec, and
with bearing design input from Michell Engineering!)

If you are talking Oracle then you should also
talk Orbe. Same kind of money. The Orbe is mean.
Sleepless nights...


 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 22, 1999 at 03:44:27
Oracle-Owning Thorsten


 
Hi there,

I'd say find a 2nd hand Oracle, MK III in the 8000's Serial Numbers or later....

You can fit all the good upgrades fairly cheaply and keep the (superior) DC Motor. The Oracle in MK III Guise certainly beats the Gyrodec and if you use a rechargable 12V Battery as powersource instead of the originally supplied "Lump in Cable" PSU....

Later Thorsten

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 22, 1999 at 04:41:24
Werner


 
Did you compare an Oracle to a Gyro ?-)

W

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 22, 1999 at 08:27:53
Thorsten


 
Hi Werner,

Indirectly. And the Gyro was also hotrodded with a DC Motor and Battery Supply.

I cannot talk about the MK V Oracle (which has an AC Motor - though with extensive Electronics).

The thinking was the the Oracle was a little airier, a bit more detailed....

But given that neither Arms nor cartridges where the same, hard to say.

What i would venture to say, is that a stock AC Motor Gyro would be blown away, even without DC Supply.... That is based on the degree of improvement to the Gyro when my budyy fitted a DC Motor....

Later Thorsten

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 22, 1999 at 08:55:30
Werner


 
I agree somewhat. With the old standard power
supply was just very good. Add a QC and it gets
a killer. But nowadays stock version comes with
a better PSU too (not that much better, but still),
with an stand-alone motor (!!!), and with better
suspension pillars.


 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 22, 1999 at 11:37:37
Estes


 
The issue with Oracle is customer support. My experience with them has not been good. They are slow and often do not understand what you are asking them. By the way I live in Canada! Werner can tell you about Michell customer support

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 22, 1999 at 11:41:30
Keith F


 
Bryan,
I have heard the Oracle V with a wilson benesch act one tonearm with a transfiguration spirit cartidge at a dealer in Denver. All I can say is that if I could afford it right know I would buy it. It simply was amazing. I compared it to a kuzma reference, (about a 12k set up), this guy hast the oracle combp for 5500.00. I thought the oracle sounded better. The reason tables like the oracle are appealing to me is that they are designed to function the best they can. There is no up grade option. You don't listen to the music and think ohh if I could only have the bigger, heavier platter, power supply, suspension, etc. You just sit back and enjoy. I thought the oracle was a very acurate table, as the basis is but it has that killer suspension which helps out with the bass. If you want the guys number let me know. I have zero to gain on this buy the way, I just think it is a great set up and think it would be great with your single ended system.
Keith

 

Re: Basis 1400 or GyroDec MKIII or Oracle V?, posted on March 22, 1999 at 18:36:36
ANM


 
I may be wrong, but I believe there are two upgrade options for the Oracle Mk V -- one is a power supply type line conditioner (I do not remember the correct terminology or model) and the other is a special upgrade plaform/base.

 

Here are your choices/upgrade?, posted on March 22, 1999 at 19:36:14
Bryan F.


 
Model: MK V Silver/Silver -- Cost: $3,100.00
Model: MK V Silver/Gold -- Cost: $3,700.00
Model: MK V 15th Aniversary Silver -- Cost: $3,500.00
Model: MK V 15th Aniversary Black/Gold -- Cost: $4,400.00

Turbo Power Supply Cost: $550.00



 

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