Michell Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference Turntable / SME 3009 Tonearm / P77 Cartridge

Here we have a vintage turntable from British company Michell. Built under licence from the Transcriptors company between 1973 and 1977 the Hydraulic Reference Turntable was an amazing looking turntable for its day and was featured in the film “A Clockwork Orange”. We believe this to be one of the early Michell examples as it is fitted with the earlier style of feet and the optional sweep arm. This unit is fitted with the detachable headshell version of the SME Model 3009 Series II Improved tonearm and an old A&R Cambridge P77 moving magnet cartridge. It is in excellent condition for its year, with nice bright gold platter weights. Wear is mainly on the outside edge of the plinth and some to the lid of course. Please see our images. All of this would probably polish out with some time and effort.

It is in good working condition and will be professionally packaged to survive the trip to its new owner. NB It will be shipped without hydraulic fluid in place for obvious reasons.

Michell/Transcriptors Said….
The Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference Turntable represents the very latest in record player engineering techniques and are designed to complement the finest stereo reproducing equipment. The complete unit is free-standing on three, adjustable acoustic feedback damping legs.
The Hydraulic Reference Turntable employs a low-speed, recoil start synchronous motor on a double-deck spring mounting driving the platter via a rubber belt thereby providing complete vibration insulation. The main bearing incorporates a silicone fluid filled well rotating at the same speed as the platter, fine speed control being provided by a static vane immersed in the fluid. Platter speed is therefore determined by the AC mains frequency, which is effectively constant, and the viscous fluid flow onto the vane, also effectively constant. Speed changing (45 rpm and 33⅓ rpm) is accomplished by moving the drive belt from one motor pulley to the other and a neon-lit stroboscope is provided for accurate speed setting.
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 tong operational life.
The Hydraulic Reference Turntable also has provision for the unique Transcriptor Sweep Arm representing a great advance in the field of record cleaning devices. This consists of a fine squirrel hair brush mounted on a balanced beam so that the brush tracks the record at a downward force of less than 1 gramme. Thus, the use of the Sweep Arm ensures that the record is cleaned thoroughly whilst in use without producing any wear on the record or causing any noticeable amount of static.
A swinging squirrel hair brush is also available as an accessory for cleaning dust from the stylus assembly.
Specifications:
Platter: 305 mm diameter cast and machined aluminium alloy disc fitted with six gold-plated brass weights. Total weight 5 kg statically balanced to within 3 grammes. 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 (PTFE is a plastic material having a lower coefficient of friction than any other solid and requires no lubricating)
Motor: Single phase synchronous, recoil start
Power Requirement: 115 V or 240 V, 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
Speeds: 33 and 45 rpm
Speed Control: ± 2% 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: 0.01% at 33⅓ rpm
Rumble: Not measurable
Dimensions: 438 (W) x 432 (D) x 178 (H) mm (lid closed); 438 (W) x 540 (D) x 508 (H) mm (lid open)
SME Said….
SME Model 3009 Series II Improved precision pick-up arms combine latest design features with the same high quality engineering and finish that made their predecessors famous for more than a decade. Each arm is meticulously built and tested and will meet its specification reliably through many years of service. Skilful design and choice of materials combine high mechanical strength with low inertia and friction ensuring full suitability for professional as well as domestic application. Technically correct and aesthetically satisfying the SME has been called “The best pick-up arm in the world” and we believe you will find this to be true.
Sensitivity and strength combine with versatility to ensure the continuing popularity of the Series II Improved design which is available In two versions.
Model 3009/S2 is the standard arm having a typical pivot to stylus distance of 231.2 mm. Average effective mass is 12.5 grams. It is the one most frequently used and has a detachable headshell, S2, which is interchangeable with others of similar pattern.
Model 3009 is generally similar, but the headshell is non-detachable, saving weight and reducing the average effective mass to 9.5 grams. This can provide better matching for high compliance cartridges by raising the system resonance above the critical 5 – 8 Hz region in which excitation by record warp occurs.
Both models have a polished bright-anodised aluminium tone arm 9.5 mm diameter with a wall thickness of 0.56 mm. A fibrous lining assists the dissipation of acoustic information.
The S2 headshell is pressed from aluminium alloy, rationally perforated for lightness and strength.
Series II Improved arms are compact and easily adjustable. Their balance range can be widened if desired with one or another of the accessory weights offered for the purpose.
Straightforward design makes them a popular choice with enthusiasts and professional users throughout the world. Each arm is meticulously built and tested and will meet its specification reliably for many years.
Features & Specifications:
Low friction pivots. Vertical axis: high-precision, fully protected ballraces. Horizontal axis: 0.005” radius knife-edges rolling in planished chrome seating’s. Less than 0.02 gram applied at the stylus will deflect the arm
Low inertia. Fixed elements of the balance system are light. Movable elements are heavy and close to the fulcrum
Precise tracking force up to 1.5 grams applied without a tracking force gauge
Bias adjustable to correspond with tracking force
Base slides on bedplate for tracking adjustment with protractor
Fluid damped lowering and raising control.
Audio Cable: 1.22 m RCA Phono plugs
Dimensions:
Nominal Length: 231.2 mm (pivot to stylus)
Distance From Bedplate Centre To Turntable Centre: 215.4 mm
Tracking adjustment: ± 12.7 mm
Overall Height: 60.3 – 79.3 mm