Hi JohnBig John wrote:Since the early 70's I have used a Michell badged Hydraulic Reference, however I was told that when J.A Michell took over at Theobald Street Borehamwood when David Gammon went to Carlow Ireland there were a number of David Gammon made Hydraulic Reference's that ended up badged Michell most like mine with round feet, mine also has the 1971 Design Council Award triangular sticker on it.
People complain that the Reference sounds poor, poppycock (I Cleaned that up) must have a solid mount I use 100kg (220lb) paving stone mounted in an alcove to 2 brick walls,I replaced the armboard with a solid duralumin plate & as I have with a thick brass SME shape spacer, remove the sponge from the feet & replace in my case oak cone feet or use metal points & I use a DC motor I still use the hydraulic speed control.
I remember years ago being told years ago D Gammon was going to use hard supports in the platter weights though he ended up using sponge pads (Perception of record damage?); Having seen a Trans-Fi Audio "Resomat" platter mat using vinyl points, I made 9 pads from graphite impregnated Teflon bar, no record slip or damage.
My Hydraulic Reference is fitted with a Hadcock 242 silver arm & a Cartridge Man Music Maker & Isolator it sounds as good as any TT I have heard.
David Gammon was far sighted genius.
John
I too have an early Michell badged Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference with the round feet and Design Council sticker, and agree with all you have said. Mine is absolutely original with fluid arm and Shure V15, and I now use a clear acrylic mat from SRM Tech which looks very good.
I also have a Transcriptor badged one to which I've fitted an Audiomods arm fitted with an Audio Technica m/c cartridge, which complements it really well.(pics in the gallery).
They are beautiful to look at, and sound great too!
Chris