Hi Fi Pig, Michell Tecnodec Review

The Michell TecnoDec turntable is the British brand’s entry-level record player, offering high-end performance at a relatively affordable price point of around £2000, including tonearm and cartridge. Discover the full review of this eye-catching pink edition of the TecnoDec on HiFi PiG.

Before I start this review of the Michell TecnoDec I want to tell you a little story, because this review has a bit of background that I hope you find as interesting and faith-restoring as I did. However, to tell this story, I need to go back to the dim and distant past of 1986 (iirc) when I was a new student at Sunderland Polytechnic (a year later to become Sunderland University) where I’d enrolled on a three-year BSc in Environmental studies. I was in full hippy mode at the time and had flowing locks down to my backside, painted jeans, and an unholy aroma of patchouli oil and weed.

However, I was also a fledgling audiophile and had procured a Musical Fidelity The Preamp, a Crimson Electric amp, and a pair of Wharfedale Diamond speakers. My turntable was a Technics SLDL1, which was better than I realised at the time, but I’d been reading about more exotic turntables and I’d set my heart on either a Linn LP 12 or a Michell (IIRC)Gyro. The LP12 was the darling of the then highly influential print media, but it was the futuristic stylings of the Michell that caught my attention. Way back in 1986, students were given grants, not loans, and I was in possession of a full grant, which meant I had a whole load of money for the first time that was burning a hole in my pocket and I’d earmarked for buying a new turntable.

As luck would have it, there was a small shop in Sunderland that had a new Michell in stock and so armed with my newfound wealth (I’d eat baked beans for the rest of the term), I hot-footed it down to the shop to demo the turntable and more than likely buy it. I arrived and duly asked the shop guy if I could have a listen, and he said I couldn’t. To be fair, I’d have taken one look at my bedraggled state and told me to get out of the shop toot sweet (sic). Crestfallen and a bit miffed, I left the shop and later that week bought a used LP12 that I never could afford an arm and cartridge for. 

Fast forward to the excellent Bristol HiFi Show, and I find myself interviewing the charming Jonathan Nye from Michell Engineering…..