UK Engineering⧸ ZERO NONSENSE! Meet Michell Audio’s TECNODEC TURNTABLE!

United States of Analog | August 10, 2025

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🎙️ Early Video Analysis

What is this video about?

This video is a review of the Michell Audio Tecnodec turntable from the UK. The host Bob is taking a detailed look at this approximately $2000 turntable (without cartridge), explaining its unique design philosophy and engineering choices that may appear simple but are actually sophisticated.

What gear, products, or brands are discussed?

• Michell Audio Tecnodec turntable [00:00:58]: ~$2000 USD without cartridge, belt-drive, hand-built in UK, entry-level in Michell’s line but falls into upper enthusiast/professional category
• IsoAcoustic Zazen isolation platform [00:05:02]: Used as a platform under the turntable
• Features half-inch acrylic plinth, DC motor, thin tubular drive belt, aluminum legs with sorbethane feet

What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?

• The turntable’s minimalist design might appear like cost-cutting to the inexperienced, but every component is purposefully engineered [00:02:18]
• The design philosophy focuses on minimizing vibration transfer and contact between components [00:03:53]
• The thin acrylic plinth and minimal drive belt are actually brilliant engineering choices, not shortcuts [00:04:19]
• UK audio engineering is praised – “the land of many legendary audio products” [00:01:50]

Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?

• Opening joke about wanting hair like Teddy Baldassare [00:00:28]
• “Oh but you would be wrong grasshopper” when addressing those who might think it’s cost-cutting [00:02:19]
• Comparison of the turntable’s appearance to “an oil derrick that’s out there in the middle of the Gulf of America. I said it.” [00:03:20]
• Mid-video interruption asking for subscribers while watching soccer in 100-degree weather [00:03:25]
• Strong UK bias: “The UK where all good things come from” [00:00:11]

Summary

Bob introduces the Michell Audio Tecnodec, a ~$2000 UK-made turntable that he describes as unlike anything viewers may have seen before. He warns this will be a detailed, slow-paced review and positions the turntable in the upper enthusiast to professional category despite being entry-level in Michell’s lineup.

The host begins examining the turntable’s unique construction, focusing on its half-inch acrylic plinth that supports all components via three tall aluminum legs. He emphasizes that what might appear to be cost-cutting measures – the minimal plinth, thin drive belt, and sparse construction – are actually sophisticated engineering decisions designed to minimize vibration transfer and unwanted contact between components.

Bob explains the design philosophy centers on clean information extraction from vinyl grooves through minimal contact points. He details how the sorbethane feet, thin tubular drive belt, and solid acrylic construction all serve to isolate the turntable from vibrations. The video cuts off as he begins discussing the motor’s start/stop button, questioning whether the lack of an LED indicator is another purposeful design choice or simple cost-cutting.

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⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

Gear, products, or brands discussed:

• [00:05:49] Michell Audio Tecnodec turntable with DC motor in aircraft grade aluminum housing
• [00:06:16] MoFi studio deck (comparison reference)
• [00:06:14] Delrin platter (1 inch thick, black)
• [00:07:34] Rega cables (heavyweight)
• [00:07:47] Rega 9-inch straight arm tonearm (one-piece, from Planar turntables)
• [00:08:12] Gold Ring E3 cartridge (entry level)
• [00:08:18] Ortofon Red cartridge (comparison)
• [00:08:21] Sumiko Rainier cartridge (comparison)
• [00:08:39] Audio-Technica VM750SH Shibata stylus cartridge
• [00:10:11] McIntosh MA252 hybrid amplifier (100 watts per channel)
• [00:10:17] Technics SU-G700 amplifier (70 watts per channel, all digital)

Host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions:

• [00:05:33] No LED light is better – avoids additional wires and potential noise for “playback perfection”
• [00:05:53] The DC motor is “dead silent” and doesn’t affect listening
• [00:06:06] The entire turntable system is “dead silent”
• [00:06:28] No slip mat needed – vinyl goes directly on Delrin platter due to similar composition
• [00:07:07] Inverted main bearing is desirable feature that “turntable fanatics love”
• [00:08:24] Gold Ring E3 is basic with “not a whole lot of detail” or soundstage
• [00:08:54] Audio-Technica cartridge “brought this turntable to another level”
• [00:09:54] Recommends cartridges with threaded holes for easier installation
• [00:09:56] Not a turntable for frequent cartridge swapping
• [00:10:22] Technics SU-G700 is his “favorite amplifier” and would be heart of any single system

Listening tests or sound quality observations:

• [00:10:02] Audio-Technica Shibata cartridge significantly “opened up the sound stage”
• [00:10:05] Tested with multiple amplifiers, speakers, and records
• [00:07:31] Overall system described as “super silent cool running”

Comparisons to other gear:

• [00:06:16] Tecnodec’s Delrin platter is thicker than the MoFi studio deck’s Delrin
• [00:08:18] Gold Ring E3 compared to Ortofon Red and Sumiko Rainier (similar class)
• [00:07:47] Rega tonearm same as found on Rega Planar turntables

Audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content:

• [00:06:28] No slip mat needed with Delrin platter – place vinyl directly on it
• [00:08:04] Promises to show manual anti-skate adjustment method
• [00:09:32] Cartridge installation advice: get cartridges with threaded holes for top-down screw installation
• [00:09:44] Avoid old-style cartridges with bottom nuts for easier mounting
• [00:09:19] Be careful with thin wires when installing cartridges without removable headshell

Memorable quotes or strong takes:

• [00:05:39] “Why even take a chance when the goal is playback perfection”
• [00:07:19] “It’s way above my pay grade” (regarding technical bearing details)
• [00:08:54] “Man that AT cartridge brought this turntable to another level”
• [00:10:28] “It’s one of my favorite things in this house aside from my family and I’m not even too crazy about all of them. I hope they’re not watching.”
• [00:10:46] “I know it’s digital. I know this is the United States of analog. You can hate me in the comments below but that thing is a beauty”

Summary:

In this portion, the host dives deep into the technical features that make the Michell Audio Tecnodec special. He emphasizes the “dead silent” operation throughout the system, from the decoupled DC motor in aircraft-grade aluminum to the thick black Delrin platter that requires no slip mat due to its vinyl-like composition. The inverted bearing system and Rega 9-inch tonearm are highlighted as premium features, though he admits some of the technical bearing details are “above his pay grade.”

The discussion shifts to cartridges, where the host shares his experience upgrading from the included Gold Ring E3 (which he found basic and lacking detail) to an Audio-Technica VM750SH with Shibata stylus that he purchased himself. This upgrade dramatically improved the soundstage and brought the turntable “to another level.” He provides practical advice about cartridge installation, recommending models with threaded holes for easier mounting since there’s no removable headshell.

The host then reveals his testing setup, using both a McIntosh MA252 hybrid and his beloved Technics SU-G700 amplifier. In a candid moment, he declares the Technics would be the heart of any system he’d keep, even joking about his family and acknowledging the irony of preferring a digital amplifier on an analog-focused channel. His enthusiasm for both the turntable’s performance and his reference equipment shines through as he sets up for listening comparisons.

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🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?

• Cartridge: Audio-Technica with Shibata stylus [00:11:13]
• Amplifier: Technics amp (with internal phono stage) [00:11:01, 00:13:08]
• Speakers:
• Chesky Audio LC1s (bookshelf speakers) [00:11:36]
• RELL Classic 98 subwoofer [00:11:36]
• Klipsch Forte 4s (host’s preferred speakers) [00:12:03]
• Phono Stage: iFi Audio Zen Phono 3 [00:12:41]
• Turntable: Michell Audio Tecnodec (main subject) [00:13:18]

What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?

[00:13:22-00:13:28] The host calls the Tecnodec “a beauty,” “a stunner,” “a conversation piece,” and “a great player with the right cartridge.” [00:15:20-00:15:30] He concludes it’s “engineered very well with a lot of thought going into it. It’s silent. It sounds great. I like the look. I like the form factor.”

Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?

[00:15:36-00:15:41] Consider/Buy (with conditions): “If you’re up for the challenge of a turntable like this you are going to be rewarded.” [00:13:42-00:13:50] However, he notes it’s “an enthusiast professional level turntable” that’s “not necessarily for beginners.”

Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?

Setup Requirements:

• [00:14:20-00:14:27] Level the turntable perfectly with a bubble level – “more than any other turntable I own it’s imperative”
• [00:14:45-00:14:57] Pay particular attention to anti-skate adjustment
• [00:14:57-00:15:08] Be very careful with tone arm wires and headshell wires

Maintenance Warnings:

• [00:13:54-00:14:13] Use gloves when threading the belt; if belt falls off, it can get contaminated with lubrication underneath
• [00:14:33-00:14:43] Wishes there was a motor light indicator to avoid accidentally leaving it running

Anti-skate Adjustment Technique:

• [00:15:46-00:16:33] Use a flat surface (CD playing side or laser disc) to manually adjust anti-skate until tone arm doesn’t drift when needle is lowered

How did the video wrap up?

[00:17:01-00:17:24] The host directed viewers to Michell Audio’s website for technical specs, promoted his other Michell Audio video about their connection to a science fiction movie, encouraged questions in comments, and closed with his signature phrase “Let’s keep spinning that vinyl!”

Any memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions?

[00:12:21-00:12:31] About his Klipsch Forte 4s: “I go to audio shows and I go to places and showrooms and I hear speakers and I go that’s that’s great and I rush home to play the same music on my Forte 4s and they never ever disappoint.”

[00:16:52-00:16:58] On his anti-skate method: “Some people are going to argue with this process because some people just like to argue but this is how I do it.”

Summary

In the final portion of this review, the host discusses his complete system setup used with the Michell Audio Tecnodec turntable, highlighting how an Audio-Technica cartridge with Shibata stylus and Technics amplifier provided excellent soundstaging and detail. He expresses particular enthusiasm for his Klipsch Forte 4 speakers, noting they consistently outperform speakers he hears at audio shows and would be his choice if he could only keep one pair in his listening room.

The host delivers his final verdict on the Tecnodec, praising it as a beautiful, well-engineered turntable that’s silent and great-sounding, but emphasizing it’s designed for enthusiasts rather than beginners. He provides several important caveats about setup and maintenance, stressing the critical importance of perfect leveling, careful belt handling, and precise anti-skate adjustment. He warns about potential issues like belt contamination and the lack of a motor indicator light.

The video concludes with the host sharing his personal method for anti-skate adjustment using a flat CD surface, acknowledging that some may disagree with his technique but standing by his approach. He wraps up by directing viewers to additional resources and his other Michell Audio content, ending with his signature vinyl enthusiasm. Overall, his recommendation is conditional – if you’re up for the challenge and have the experience level required, the Tecnodec will reward you with excellent performance.

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Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.