Michell Reference Electronic Transcription Turntable / Focus Tonearm

Here we have a classic early turntable from British company Michell Engineering. Our example of the Reference Electronic comes fitted with a Focus tonearm and comes in fully working condition. Cosmetically it is OK but with wear commensurate with its c.50 yr age.  It is supplied professionally packaged along with manuals, alignment protractor and our normal three month warranty, but please note this does not cover the fitted cartridge.
Michell Engineering Said….
The Reference Electronic Turntable represents the very latest in record player engineering techniques and is designed to complement the finest stereo reproducing equipment. The complete unit is free-standing on adjustable acoustic feedback damping legs.
The Reference Electronic Turntable employs a pancake type DC brushless motor encapsulated within a detachable sealed drive and control module mounted in the motorboard. Drive to the platter is via a neoprene belt, thereby providing complete vibration insulation.
Two-speed action (45 and 33.3 rpm) is achieved electronically with On/Off and speed change set by a single knob. As the knob is turned, cam and magnetic switching obtains the required setting. Fine control for each speed is achieved independently via two micro potentiometers located one each side of the main control knob. Once set, the control permits speed changing without the need for further fine adjustment. A neon-lit stroboscope is provided for accurate speed setting.
This arrangement provides a neat virtually maintenance free. package with infinitely variable speed control.
In order to eliminate completely any mechanical shock to the equipment, on/off switching of the drive motor is accomplished by means of a magnetically-actuated vacuum switch. The sintered gold contacts on this switch guarantee an extremely long operational life.
Specifications:
Platter: 305 mm diameter cast and machined aluminium alloy disc fitted with six gold-plated weights. Total weight approx. 5 kg, statically balanced to within 3 g. The record is supported on soft rubber pads thereby reducing rumble and induced static to an absolute minimum.
Main Bearing: Slim section ball-ended ground and polished steel spindle running onto a hardened steel thrust pad and into PTFE bushes
Motor: Pancake type DC brushless motor. Integral solid state speed control
Power Requirement: 115 V or 240 V, single-phase. 50 Hz or 60 Hz. Fused on the drive and control module at 250 ma (240 V) or 500 ma (110 V)
Speeds: 33.3 and 45 rpm
Spead Control: ± 5% of nominal
Speed Indication: Neon-lit stroboscope geared up 6:1 to give a 6° reading for a 1° variation in platter speed.
Wow And Flutter: 0.05% at 33.3 rpm
Rumble: Not audible
Dimensions: 438 (W) x 432 (D) x 178 (H) mm (lid closed); 438 (W) x 540 (D) x 508 (H) mm (lid open)
Focus Tonearm Specifications:
Effective Length: 232 mm
Mounting Distance: 214.115 mm
Overhang: 17.885 mm
Offset Angle: 23.75 degrees