Michell Engineering GyroDec
High-end turntables · 1981–? Discontinued
£2,900 typical UK used price
One of the most recognisable turntables ever made: the suspended, gold-weighted skeletal GyroDec has been in production since 1981 and appears in design museums.
An industrial-design icon — as much sculpture as hi-fi.
Who it suits
Best suited to: an established system where the amp, speakers and room can resolve what this deck retrieves from the groove. Less ideal for: a first turntable — the same budget goes much further spent on mid-range separates first; anyone who wants a manufacturer warranty — this model is no longer sold new.
Compatibility and setup
- Manual operation: you cue and lift the tonearm by hand at the start and end of each side — there’s no auto-return or auto-lift.
Good to know
- No built-in phono stage — use an amplifier with a phono input or add a separate phono preamplifier.
- Sold without a cartridge fitted — budget for a compatible cartridge and setup before first use.
- This is a used-market purchase. Ask about condition, originality and service history — for this drive type, check the drive belt (often perished or stretched with age) and bearing, plus the stylus regardless.
- Professional setup of tracking force, alignment, azimuth and arm height is worth budgeting for at this level.
Specifications
| Drive | belt drive |
|---|---|
| Speeds | 33/45 rpm |
| Operation | manual |
| Cartridge included | sold bare |
| Built-in phono stage | No |
| USB output | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Platter | acrylic with brass weights |
| Tonearm | sold bare |
| Dimensions | Not published by manufacturer for the new Gyro. Legacy GyroDec dims (pre-redesign, now obsolete) were commonly cited as approx. 530mm(W) x 190mm(H) x 410mm(D), 14kg — do not use for the current product. |
| Finishes | Silver, Black |
| Warranty | 5 years if product registered within 28 days of purchase (UK only) |
| Years | 1981–? |
Where to buy the Michell Engineering GyroDec
2 UK merchants handle used or discontinued decks like this — each outbound link searches the deck on that merchant’s site.
| Merchant | Type | Delivery | Product search |
|---|---|---|---|
| eBay UK | used marketplace | Varies by seller | Search at eBay UK ↗ |
| Vinyl Revival | music retail | UK delivery | Search at Vinyl Revival ↗ |
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