Michell Audio has just shaken up its range with the announcement of two new turntables, the Turn and the Spinning topand thus effectively replaces the retired Gyro SE. Priced at £3,995 ($5,400) excluding arm and cartridge, the Revolv is now the mid-range model, bridging the gap between the long-standing entry-level Tecnodec and the new Gyro.
The Revolv’s main base is based on the Tecnodec’s rigid design principles, but adopts much of its upscale sibling’s technology, replacing the entry-level model’s 10mm acrylic with a precision-machined, heavy-gauge aluminum plate that offers improved mass and rigidity. This change has allowed Michell to rethink the arm assembly and increase performance in the process.
However, it’s hard not to wonder if there’s still a place for the Orbe in this lineup. Thinking about this is no easy task – after all, the Orbe SE was the best turntable I’ve ever owned… and yes, I had to give it up during a contentious divorce almost twenty years ago. Not bitter. Much.
Michell Audio Revolv turntable: mid-range upgrade with aluminum base and improved performance
The Revolv retains Michell’s proven single-helix main bearing, because why fix what isn’t broken? On top is a Delrin platter, but this is no ordinary rotating disk – Michell added extra mass around the edge with 10mm brass cylinders, presumably to prevent speed fluctuations from turning your symphonies into a drunken waltz.
Great attention is also paid to isolation, with specially tuned Sorbothane feet that look like they’re politely whispering to the vibrations, “Come on, leave them alone.” Revolv’s motor system is designed with one goal in mind: absolute stability and near-awesome silence.
The motor is housed in a powerful, free-standing housing and is completely independent of the turntable itself – its only connection to the platter is the drive belt. This separation isn’t just for show; It reduces the risk of motor vibrations creeping into the delicate playback chain and ensures every musical detail is preserved.
Both the motor and its accompanying power supply are made from solid blocks of aerospace-grade aluminum, creating enclosures so rigid you could probably launch a satellite from them.
Minimal gaps mean unwanted RF interference is kept at bay, while full grounding and a shielded connection ensure the signal path remains pristine. In other words, the Revolv is about as close to tonal purity as you can get without resorting to incense and chants.
The Revolv comes with a solid 19mm aviation-grade aluminum chassis – so why settle for something less rigid? It’s a non-suspended design that gives the entire deck a direct mechanical grounding that most turntables can only dream of. The tonearm is coupled via a precision-machined aluminum arm plate, resulting in better tracking and less opportunity for sloppy performance.
Gyro turntable from Michell Audio: Advanced design, aluminum base and improved rigidity
Next on the price scale is the new Gyro, which costs £5,995 ($8,050) without a tonearm or cartridge – because apparently a turntable shouldn’t just play your music; It should also test the limits of your bank account. This model follows in the footsteps of the long-standing Gyro SE and Gyrodec, which have been the backbone of Michell’s product range for decades.
It’s an all-round renovation, not just back and forth. Every part has been rethought. The baseplate has gone from plain acrylic to a solid aluminum plate, while the chassis housing the main bearing and tonearm is now significantly stiffer and more damped. In other words, this isn’t your grandfather’s gyro; It’s a thoroughly modern, more intimidating take on a classic.
The heart of the new Gyro is a completely redesigned main chassis. Earlier versions used cast aluminum; This model uses a precision-machined 19mm aerospace-grade aluminum tool plate that provides improved rigidity, accuracy and reduced resonance.
Embedded brass weights are carefully positioned to balance the tonearm assembly and absorb vibration. Foam dampening inserts around the tonearm mount reduce reflections and ensure clean guidance of the needle and the preservation of fine musical details.
The chassis stands on large Sorbothane isolation feet and the aluminum base plate replaces the older acrylic spider frame. The platter has also been refined, with the belt groove removed for a cleaner edge.
The motor system is freestanding and connected to the platter only via the drive belt, limiting the transmission of vibrations to the playback components. Both the motor and its power supply are constructed from solid aviation-grade aluminum billets, forming rigid enclosures with minimal gaps to reduce RF interference. The system is fully grounded and connected via a shielded connection, ensuring a clean signal path.
Other important features include:
- Precision tonearm coupling replaces Delrin spacers
- Retuned suspension with 3.5 Hz frequency and Equilibria side damping
- AI-modeled vibration control and structural optimization
- Inverted bearing with double helix oil delivery for better lubrication
- Redesigned motor housing and power supply with shielding, grounding and electronic speed control
The gyro is hand-assembled in the UK, combining careful engineering with a focus on precise performance rather than flash.
The conclusion
Both the Revolv and the new Gyro are serious investments, and that starts before you even think about a cartridge. You’ll need one of Michell’s tonearms – the T8 tonearm or the TecnoArm 2 – and the company strongly recommends pairing both devices with the Apollo Phono Stage. Taking these essentials into account, you’re looking at around $7,500 for a complete Revolv setup without the phono stage and almost $11,000 for the gyro with arm and cartridge.
These are impressive sums that put both decks in direct competition with the high-end models from VPI, Kuzma and Clearaudio. Purely for aesthetic reasons, Michell will always be my favorite, but if these new decks truly surpass what Michell has already offered, they could well be considered endgame-level turntables. For anyone serious about vinyl, these are worth a long, hard look.
Further information: michellaudio.com
