Michell Orbe SE

The Orbe SE, big brother to the well known Gyro SE, actually looks more sober and business like - gone are the hanging weights around the platter which adorn it's smaller brother to be replaced by a much larger, heavier, but still acrylic job. The record clamp, included in the package, screws into place, rather than the slip on collet fixing of the Gyro clamp. What you can't see from the picture is the Orbe SE actually has a double acrylic support structure, separated by small spikes, compared to the Gyro SE's single structure. And lastly, the precision DC motor assembly, different again from the Gyro, comes with a larger Michell power supply, instead of the small transformer box provided with the Gyro as standard.

All this adds up to a large performance increase, and a deck which Michell should rightly feel proud of, competing against all comers in it's price range. Gyro SE owners need not feel too despondent, as the special heavy platter assembly can be added to the Gyro, as can the better power supply. Doesn't make it an Orbe, but gets part way there, and neatly illustrates Michell's policy of giving their customers a genuine upgrade path as and when possible, something which keeps the brand near, or at the top of the turntable popularity stakes.

The arm shown is from Origin Live - popular choices are the Rega arms (yawn!), a good starting point if you're a bit short of cash after buying your new deck, through the O.L. modded Regas, right up to the SME Series 4 and 5. We've sold a good few with the superb Morch arms too - in fact, pretty much any arm is possible, as Michell will supply the (easily changed) armboard to your specification.