[Minn Mark]

I'm looking to upgrade from my1993 SOTA Comet. Am considering a JA Mitchell GyroDec SE with Rega RB300 arm  ($2895) as a combo from:

www.needledoctor.com

Any experience or opinions on the performance of this deck? Needle Doctor is suggesting this with a new Ortofon 2M Black cart.  I currently use a Sumiko Blackbird.

Also in the running is the new SOTA Sapphire/Origin Live Encounter combo recently reviewed in TAS, but this is more $$$ ($3990-4250 depending on vendor).
do

Please let me know your thoughts/opinions, etc. I'd prefer to business with a local company (I'm in SE MN) and needle doctor does not carry VPI, although HiFi Sound in Mpls can get me a VPI (I think).

I listen to just about all types of music. Associated equipment is AVA electronics and Maggie 3.6's.


Thanks in advance for the helpful comments and suggestions.

Mark

[DaveyW]

Not really got too much experience with this combo but thought I'd chip in with what I can offer.
A friend of mine has got one with the same arm and they do look great.
I spent a long evening with him trying out a couple of carts.
My take on it is that it's very crisp and clean sounding and a little leaner in character to my LP12.
We both agreed it suited a cart with a bit of body.
He ended up taking a DV 20XH, but we loaded it down to 1k to fatten it up a little.
I think this with a Black might be a little on the lively side (but probably better than an AT) - if you want something slightly spicy it might fit the bill.
Is there any way you could try before you buy?
Cheers
Dave

[neobop]

NeedleDr is trying to sell what they have in stock. At least that's my guess. It makes no sense to put a budget arm like the RB300 on a $2600? table, unless you're planning to upgrade the arm. I think the table was designed with the Technoarm, which N-Dr supposedly carries. I suspect that's a better combo and it should fit on the same armboard. So should the Origin arms.

The other combo is over $1000 more, but includes a $1500 arm. I don't know what to say, other than recommend a trip to HiFi Sound. They are VPI dealers. Lots of people say the Classic rules. You can judge that for yourself. I'm not talking from experience here, I  haven't heard all these combos. I also question the cartridge. Is the Blackbird worn out?

With your budget, you have lots of options. I'd bet that a Classic would put a smile on your face. Just my gut feeling - check it out for yourself.
neo

[DaveyW]

NeedleDr is trying to sell what they have in stock. At least that's my guess. It makes no sense to put a budget arm like the RB300 on a $2600? table, unless you're planning to upgrade the arm. I think the table was designed with the Technoarm, which N-Dr supposedly carries. I suspect that's a better combo and it should fit on the same armboard. So should the Origin arms.

neo

Hi Neo,
I'm pretty sure the Gyro SE was around quite a while before the Technoarm (wasn't it released alongside the Technodec?).
I believe that most Gyro SE's were originally fitted with the RB 300, certainly in the UK anyway as I was very tempted myself.
I know other arms were available but this was the most commonly offered.
The combo got great press over here in many quarters.
Cheers
Dave

[DaveyW]

One other thing - I needed to check before posting.

That is a pretty steep price when viewing from this side of the pond.
Check this;
http://www.hifix.co.uk/sku.lasso?item=a662f8754b5afebc43ece2546f3bb64cb83fcacf01301c4e

[neobop]

Yo Davey,
Guess you're right about the arm, but that doesn't make it any better. Most guys over here buy the arm and improve it as they go along. Re-wire, counterweight, stub, VTA adjustment. By the time they're done they've probably spent $1000 anyway. Might as well start out with something better if you got the cash. An OL-1, Silver, or a Technoarm is supposed to have better bearings etc, and be considerably better. I'd look into a unipivot, but they're not for everybody.

Some stuff made over there isn't such a good value over here. That Gyro/RB300 package comes out to $1924. They have free delivery too. Hey Minn Mark, that's a much better deal. You ought to call them in England, and find out what it would cost with a better arm. Just before you pay, tell them you want free delivery. 

NeedleDr really sucks. What's up with a mail order place selling for list price? Dealers will tell you that they will lose the line if they discount. I wonder if they ever heard of price fixing? Sometimes it's true and the distributor or manufacturer should be reported to the FTC. We used to discount everything, without exception. Just write it up as a demo. Demos have full warranty.

Lets see, that's 825 Greenwood? I'd like to hear those Dynaudio speakers.
neo

[2gumby2]

You may want to take a look at the Well Tempered Lab Simplex. Less money and well regarded from the reviews I've read. I'd like to get one sometime in the future.

[2gumby2]

Yo Davey,
Guess you're right about the arm, but that doesn't make it any better. Most guys over here buy the arm and improve it as they go along. Re-wire, counterweight, stub, VTA adjustment. By the time they're done they've probably spent $1000 anyway. Might as well start out with something better if you got the cash. An OL-1, Silver, or a Technoarm is supposed to have better bearings etc, and be considerably better. I'd look into a unipivot, but they're not for everybody.

Some stuff made over there isn't such a good value over here. That Gyro/RB300 package comes out to $1924. They have free delivery too. Hey Minn Mark, that's a much better deal. You ought to call them in England, and find out what it would cost with a better arm. Just before you pay, tell them you want free delivery. 

NeedleDr really sucks. What's up with a mail order place selling for list price? Dealers will tell you that they will lose the line if they discount. I wonder if they ever heard of price fixing? Sometimes it's true and the distributor or manufacturer should be reported to the FTC. We used to discount everything, without exception. Just write it up as a demo. Demos have full warranty.

Lets see, that's 825 Greenwood? I'd like to hear those Dynaudio speakers.
neo

I've had very good service from Needle Doctor and can recommend them.

[bacobits1]

There is a lot of nice used stuff out there especially for that price.
Prices are always high at ND. Sorry, never bought anything there.

Here ya go all decked out. No affiliation.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtabl&1304891883&/VPI-Classic

D

[Minn Mark]

Hey Guys,
So what do think about this deal: 25th Anniv Gyrodec with silver RB300  for $2995 ??


http://cgi.ebay.com/J-A-MICHELL-GYRODEC-25-SILVER-ANNIVERSARY-EDITION-/330303124959?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ce799b5df

[Funnehaha]

Hi,

  I've been running a SOTA Sapphire/SME309/AT OC-9/Audi Alchemy VITB set at 20 ohms for years now, plugged into AVA Omega III EC preamp and a AVA Delta 120 and it's been great. I got the AVA Delta 120 at HiFi Sound a couple years ago, and bought the SOTA used also from the House of High Fidelity [now gone] on Snelling at Selby before that. VPI is at HiFi, but Raskin moved out of Dinkytown to somewhere just west of 100 on Excelsior fairly recently. Maybe the new place has enough space for a listening room. Otherwise, HiFi Sound has always played square with me.

[rcag_ils]

didn't House of High Fidelity stay in business for awhile as a mail order outfit?

[Ericus Rex]

I have some experience with a friend's Gyro/Tecnoarm and I'd have to recommend going with the VPI.  It is so much more table for the same price.  If the Michell were $1.8K I'd say it's worth it but it certainly is not better than the Classic.  Darned exchange rate!  I'm not really into the Captain Kirk look of the Gyro either.  Just my humble opinion.

[Funnehaha]

rcag_ils,

  I think you may be right. I think the owner had the intention of doing mail order from his house somewhere across the border in western 'Sconsin. It seems I remember him handing out an info sheet about that [long discarded] to that effect just before they closed. I got my used Saph there, and my pair of TC-50s, so I have fond memories of that shop. I can't remember what other brands they handled.

[Ericus Rex]

Have you checked out the new Clearaudio Concept table?  Needle Doc sells them and I'd bet they'd give the Michell a run for it's money at 1/2 the cost with a very good included arm.

[martin_eg]

Hi Mark,
I have been running my Gyrodec for a couple of months and I am very satisfied. I use the technoarm and it has a remarkable tracking capability. Started with my old Ortofon Super OM30 but upgraded to a Benz L2 (i.e. MC) The differnce was huge. The Gyro is a bit tricky when it comes to get the right bounce but at least it is done from above.

Good luck/Martin

[wywires]

I had a Gyro SE with an SME 309 arm and a Benz L2 for about 5-6 years. It replaced a VPI HW-19 MkIV. The Gyro is excellent, IMO and at least in my system at the time was a noticeable upgrade from the old VPI, especially in soundstage presentation and imaging. One of the coolest looking tables around too.

One tweak that I found was very helpful is stuffing surgical cotton inside the springs to dampen vibration. It's easy since the spring covers are easily removed. Stuff as much cotton in there as you can and wrap the springs without restricting the movement of the springs and you will hear a deeper sound stage with a lowered noise floor. Also, make sure that the belt is totally parallel with both the platter and the motor pulley. You can adjust the height of the table relative to the motor to achieve this. Very important.

[hi5harry]

For that price I think you could get a used Orbe with an Origin Live tone arm. That allows you to not have to upgrade later. A bunch of cartridges do well with this set up. Try to find one locally so you don't have to ship whatever table you end up with. Have some fun.