What Do This Audiophile TURNTABLE and This SPACESHIP Have In Common？ An UNBELIEVABLE Reveal!
United States of Analog | May 30, 2025
🎙️ Early Video Analysis
What is this video about?
This video appears to be exploring the connection between Michel Audio turntables and space/film, specifically focusing on the story of how Michel Audio founder John Michel met filmmaker Stanley Kubrick in the 1960s. The host Bob is setting up what seems to be a reveal about how the space industry and audio world intersected during that era.
What gear, products, or brands are discussed?
- Michel Audio: UK turntable company known for unique design language and stellar performance, founded by John Michel in the mid-1960s
- Michel Audio turntables: Featured suspended design with floating pendulum subchassis designed in the 1980s to isolate sensitive parts from vibration and mechanical noise
What are the host’s main opinions or takes so far?
- [00:00:40] Bob considers Michel Audio a brand that audiophiles and hi-fi enthusiasts probably already know about
- [00:00:43] He describes Michel Audio as known for “unique design language and stellar performance”
Were there any funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes?
- [00:00:57] Host says “Groovy, baby!” when mentioning the mid-60s timeframe
- [00:00:58] Bob apologizes to UK fans (presumably for his accent attempt)
- [00:01:51] Bob admits the technical explanation is “a little over my head” and then corrects himself: “It’s actually a lot over my head”
3-Paragraph Summary
Host Bob opens this episode of United States of Analog by teasing a connection between a turntable and a spaceship, promising to reveal how space and audio collided in the 1960s. He’s wearing his “moon watch” and sets up what appears to be an intriguing story about the intersection of these two worlds.
The narrative focuses on John Michel, founder of the respected UK turntable company Michel Audio. Bob traces Michel’s journey from automobile mechanic working in a North London garden shed to eventually moving to Bormwood, England, where he encountered the famous filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. During the early years, Michel spent about a decade making turntable parts for other companies while nurturing his dream of creating his own turntable designs.
Bob begins explaining Michel’s technical innovations, particularly a suspended turntable design from the 1980s featuring a floating pendulum subchassis meant to isolate sensitive components from vibration. However, he humorously admits the technical details are far beyond his understanding, setting up what promises to be a fascinating reveal about the connection between Michel’s audio engineering and space technology or Kubrick’s space-themed films.
⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?
- Michell turntables (including the Gyro Deck turntable) [00:04:53]
- Oil-pumping inverted main bearing technology [00:02:13]
What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?
- [00:02:18] The advanced vinyl playback technology was “far beyond the competition in its day”
- [00:02:31] Calls “2001: A Space Odyssey” one of his favorite films of all time
- [00:03:53] Expresses uncertainty about direct correlation between the spaceship model and turntable design: “I don’t know if I see a direct correlation, but there may be more than we can understand”
- [00:04:07] Suggests the Discovery spaceship resembles “a wild, sci-fi, futuristic tonearm”
Any memorable quotes or strong takes?
- [00:02:59] “We are young Skywalker, but this is where the story gets a little fuzzy and a lot interesting”
- [00:03:23] Describes the spaceship model building as “so cool”
- [00:04:32] Characterizes John Michell as “a humble man” who “wasn’t interested in fame and hype”
Summary
This portion of the video reveals a fascinating connection between Michell turntables and Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The host explains that in the 1960s, while Kubrick was developing the science fiction epic, he somehow encountered John Michell, who reportedly ended up building the Discovery spaceship model for the movie. Since CGI didn’t exist at the time, films relied on practical effects and detailed physical models to achieve their vision.
According to Steve from Michell, this spaceship model work went on to inspire their Gyro Deck turntable design, though the host admits he doesn’t see a direct correlation between the two projects. The host makes an interesting observation that the Discovery spaceship resembles a futuristic tonearm, suggesting there may be visual or conceptual connections that aren’t immediately apparent.
The segment concludes with the host noting that documentation of this story is limited, as John Michell was described as a humble man more interested in his next engineering challenge than in fame or publicity. Steve from Michell even hinted at additional connections to Star Wars during John’s career, leaving viewers with tantalizing suggestions of further untold stories connecting this turntable manufacturer to major science fiction films.
🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict
What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion:
- Michelle Audio (company and brand) [00:04:54]
- Michelle Technodeck turntable [00:05:00]
- Michelle Gyro Deck turntable [00:05:37]
What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion:
[00:05:15-00:05:31] The host acknowledges skepticism about the story connecting Michelle turntables to Kubrick’s films, but concludes the timeline and location are correct, and John (Michelle’s founder) had the engineering skills to have been involved as a subcontractor for Kubrick’s special effects team, even if the complete story may never be known.
Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers:
[00:05:37-00:05:40] If you own a Michelle Gyro Deck, “you could be sitting on a story turntable” – suggesting owners might have a piece with interesting film history.
[00:05:40-00:05:47] Viewers can learn more about Michelle Audio and investigate the story further at michelleaudio.com.
How did the video wrap up:
[00:05:56-00:06:24] The host used space-themed references (pod bay doors, HAL 9000) to transition to YouTube’s algorithm selecting the next video, ending with “Beam me up, Scotty” and his standard sign-off for United States of Analog.
Memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions:
[00:05:37-00:05:40] “If you own a Michelle gyro deck, you could be sitting on a story turntable.”
[00:05:47-00:05:48] “Really good people” – referring to Michelle Audio.
[00:05:52-00:05:55] “I heard this story and I thought it was fascinating. I hope you did too.”
Summary:
In this final portion, the host discusses Michelle Audio’s legacy following founder John’s passing in 2003, mentioning he owns a Michelle Technodeck turntable himself. He acknowledges that audiophiles have questioned the story connecting Michelle turntables to Kubrick’s films over the years, which he admits is understandable given the lack of physical evidence and film credits.
Despite the skepticism, the host presents his analysis as a non-detective, concluding that the timeline and location align correctly, and that John certainly possessed the engineering skills necessary to have created models for Kubrick’s special effects team, even if only as a subcontractor. He emphasizes that while the complete story may never be fully known, the possibility remains intriguing for owners of Michelle turntables.
The video wraps up with space-themed humor referencing “pod bay doors” and “HAL 9000s” while directing viewers to Michelle Audio’s website for more information. The host clarifies this isn’t a paid endorsement but simply a story he found fascinating, ending with his characteristic sign-off and a playful “Beam me up, Scotty” before some outtakes of him struggling to pronounce “Borehamwood.”
Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.
