Preservation of vertical modulation through vertical rigidity would explain the breadth of soundstage on the Michell Gyrodecs in contrast to the LP12. Hence the Ittok's nickname "tictok" outside Linnie's circles due to its tinkly qualities on turntables other than the LP12.
Those that tend to resolve vibration vectors horizontally like the Rega & SME V.ĭerek's theory was intended to explain why the Rega sounds great on turntables like the Pink Triangle, but poor on a Linn, and why Linn arms sound great on Linn turntables but not on rigid subchasses like the Michell.Those that tend to resolve vibration vectors into vertical components like the Linn Ittok & Naim Aro that need some vertical flexure in the armboard/subchassis system.Derek suggested that most arms tend to fall into either of two types: Derek Whittington, proprietor of Sound Advice in Loughborough, doyen of the Flatter Earth and record reviewer for the infamous Flat Response magazine once explained to me his theory of arm termination which is as good as any I have heard. How an arm terminates the cartridge energy into the armboard may be a critical factor in compatibility between arms and turntables. The milled VTA adjuster is another clue to the precision engineering origins of this product. The cartridge platform is machined flat and accurately horizontal. The blasting process hardens the surface. The other obvious visual treat is the bead-blasted finish and the drilled underside, reminiscent of classic racing cars. There's no snake-oil & mystery involved in this counterweight, just obvious engineering refinements like centre of gravity lowered to the plane of the stylus tip, accurate screw-adjustment & locking, and good fit & finish. The Michell Tecnoweight is one of the obvious differences in appearance between the Tecno Arm and the standard RB250. The counterweight is such a fundamental element in any tone-arm design that changing it is like putting an aftermarket camshaft in an engine, the whole character of power delivery is completely altered.īoth Origin Live and Michell themselves have established alternative offerings to the standard Rega counterweight. No wonder a number of companies have been making performance parts to replace those Rega elements they perceive to have been pared down by cost, most commonly the counterweight. There are many designs that do many things better than the Rega, but Roy Gandy's design remains the price/performance ratio to beat. So many design flavours have been musically successful in some ways, and yet the Rega RB remains a benchmark after 20 years. Comparisons of these arms have also been made on other platforms (Linn Sondek, The Source, Pink Triangle, Roksan Xerxes, Micro-Seiki, Ariston, Logic, old Transcriptors etc) between them and Linn Ekos, Linn Ittock LVII, Linn Ittock LVIII, SME309 & SME310, and older SME3009 II improved & SII & 3009 SIII, ADC LMF1 (a great underrated budget arm), Alphason HR-100S, Roksan, Mayware Formula 4, various Hadcock, Breuer, Fidelity Research, Grace, Decca International, Alphason, Helius, Odyssey, Transcriptors Fluid & Vestigal.so many flavours available, so little time. I am very familiar with diverse arms mounted on Michell Gyrodec, Gyro SE, Orbe and Orbe SE and my own modified Hadcock GH242SE has been head-to-head with SME V, SME IV, SME 309, Rega RB300, Rega RB250 all in the context of Michell turntables. The packaging is just a two-part polystyrene moulding, which I applaud as I detest paying for fancy abalone inlaid mahogany boxes when all I wanted was an audio component. I happen to have access to this Tecno Arm as I am supplying it to someone living overseas. This review is also not by arrangement with Michell. So this cannot be an unbiased review as I have a declared loyalty to the designer of the product who being dead would be unable to answer any criticism. He never tried to sell me anything knowing my core business in those days was pro-sound installation, but he would happily spend time keeping me up to date with developments in domestic hifi at shows or in lengthy phone calls. I met John several times over the years and always found him brimming with enthusiasm for engineering ideas. In order to enjoy the final year of his life he handed over the reigns of running the business to his trusty team giving him the opportunity to concentrate on the engineering R&D he really enjoyed. The Tecno Arm was John Michell's final project before his untimely death last year.
#LINN EKOS SE VS SME V MODS#
Michell Tecnoarm Michell TecnoArm Armed to the teeth Radical Rega Mods by Michell Īlthough Michell have produced some radical arms, there has not been an exclusive arm in their catalogue for nearly 2 decades.