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Michell Gyro SE upgrade to Orbe clamp?

I just bought and installed a Michell Orbe clamp upgrade to my Gyro SE. The instructions do not mention which way the acrylic finishing ring should be installed. It appears to have a flat side and a convex side. It fits over the knurled platter locking nut either way. So... should the finishing ring be used with the flat side up or the convex side up? Perhaps... flat side up for thick records and convex side up for thin ones?
rockinrobin
countingbackwards
138 posts
 
Let us know what you think about the Orbe clamp upgrade when an opinion is formed. I am tempted by this upgrade, as going from a screw-down Oracle clamp to the light Gyro clamp has been a downgrade in ergonomics (if nothing else?). While I would like to add the Orbe clamp, the price is a bit of a stumbling block!
rockinrobin OP
74 posts
 
I'll let you know what I think of the upgrade once I've spent some time with it. Yeah, it was kind of pricey considering the physical pieces that you get! But, the new spindle was very easy to install using a bench vise and everything I've read about the Orbe clamp is that it is far superior to the standard lower budget Michell clamp. We'll see...
gerardff
78 posts
 
I have an Orbe and always used the clamp but recently went back and compared w/o clamp. I was astounded by the sound w/o clamp. The sound stage really opened with more space/air between instruments. It was not a subtle difference. I also went back to experimenting with platter mats, finding them a big improvement. I had to go buy a Gyrodeck platter nut so I could use thicker mat.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I think the effectiveness of a clamp varies with the record. On some records, a clamp controls resonances and lowers noise. On other ones, it overdamps.

Just my 'pinion based on limited personal experience.
genesis168's avatar
genesis168
410 posts
 
From my experiences, if you push/tighten it really tight, it will kill the soundstage and overdamp the sound. Most people tighten it till no tomorrow. You will lose detail and it will kill the soundstage. Try very lightly tightening it. You might prefer it that way.

There are many good atermarket clamps available which will really improve the sound.
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