|
Posts: 7061
Location: so cal
Joined: September 24, 2003
|
I also keep getting a lot of enjoyment out of owning my stuff, specifically a Mitchell gyro,SE, ( Spyder edition.). The design seems so well thought out that I keep wanting to post about how great it is, in tedious detail , lord help us, but never really had a specific reason. I also am goofy about my speakers, but they are rare and unobtainable, so not much use posting about them.
the gyro is designed as a cost constrained design , not as a cheaper version of something better in the line, it is an end in itself, a specific target realization. a heavier platter design is available, although some question this later addition as an upgrade to anything but the technical specifications.
I bought the thing before all the new lp's are cool demand and new stuff hit the market, and always regret that this classic player doesn't draw attention like a new design. To me it seems the best answer to a ( somewhat) cost constrained purchase, , achieving the basic functional requirements for good performance , while still retaining an eye on costs.
I had been following the hobby enough to know my weakest link needed upgrading. The old AR (xb101, 110?) from the eighties had served me unfailingly, particularly exceeding my previous direct drive Kenwood, which played well, everybody dug the sound at parties, but it didn't present a soundstage like the AR.
I wanted more of that quality, and didn't have a well defined budget , just knew I should keep it low. To clarify that, in the world of audiophile turntables, low cost. There were still a scattering of high fi stores at the time around Los Angeles , I live in a suburb , so I decided to go all high fi and try to listen before I bought, since I was spending above mid fi for a change. And those dance parties were now just good memories
I was too late for vinyl, all the audio stores were custom home theatre focused, one store had a line of fine German tables on display, yet none ready to play. I spent some time considering pro-ject stuff at a local seller , which offered value, a quality I never dismiss, but little else to really sell me on a then new company for such a precision device. A product that also required a known to be illusive musical character to be among the best.
I could go on with my struggles to form a buying decision, believe me. And I suppose if you read this far, you do.
happily, the key to my buying decision was watching a slide show on the web presented by some audio club out of Italy, recommended by, I believe, a post here.
it was just all these super high end tables, one after another , posted on the site by the member owners. I got the impression this was a very competitive group, and not for the weak of wallet , everything shown was of the six figure, massively shiny , tie you boat up here , school of turntable design. And then, a Michell gyro popped up.
I figured , according to this presentation, if that modest player could hold its own in that club, I should check it out, so I did. Seeing how well it was regarded (classic) in the home market with a lot of small spaces, pretty much sold me. plus it has a lubrication pumping main bearing, that I see as desirable. Indeed, a very important buying trigger for me was the platter bearing quality. A criteria that sure simplified shopping, because some builders would seemingly rather skip that part of the discussion.
I happily hit my purchase goals with the player. secured a demo at discount from a supporting seller here, with the price point influencing my buying decision , and they included a new set of springs and a belt. I just wanted to be in the ball park, to be able to hear what high fidelity is all about, without spending for the best available. The Gyro is so good, the new clarity of sound has given me insight into the importance of the tone arm, something I never thought about much. Probably because all my previous tables came with the arm included.
|
