Today my turntable is a Michell Gyrodec with SME V. I'm in love with its design: a lot of competitors got ideas from it and after years and years is still a star to follow.
Then why not keep it? Have you contacted Michell as to any updates that may be available since your Gyrodec was built? Maybe move up to the Orbe? Putting your TT on an isolation platform could be a good first start. And this could be used with any subsequent setup.
What exactly is lacking in your system that you are convinced will be resolved with a new TT? Is it just about wanting a change? Do you want a more extended low end, greater detail, etc.? Everyone here will suggest for you to buy this, buy that, try this, try that, but how will you know if any of these suggestions from people who own $5k TT setups or those who own $50k setups, will address the changes and improvements you seek? Again, what musicality/performance is currently missing in your analog setup? You can have a target setup in mind, but pursue it one updated link at a time.
The SME V has been a well-respected tonearm for decades, but what about keeping the TT and updating the arm ..... significantly? .... or even start with another cartridge as the SME V can easily run with the highly rated models.
The Michell is a TT that could run with any of today's highly touted tonearms. I would run with a $10k tonearm on the Gyrodec any day over any $10k TT and a $2k tonearm. I don't care what all the Linn propaganda told us decades ago!
These forums have a wealth of information on the pros/cons, sonic differences (subjective of course) on many tonearms such as the Triplanar, Kuzma 4Pt, Schroeder, Durand, etc. There is far more valuable information here than the differences discussed here on TT's, which typically is just another, "the best I ever heard". Ugh.
If you can find a tonearm that really gets your attention, you could easily send the armboard from the Gyrodec to the tonearm dealer to machine a new armband for you of the correct thickness. If you find a great deal from a private party, there are a couple of TT specialist dealers that would likely make you such an armboard at a fair price. I know of one such dealer that did this for me. And I talked with another some years back as I was about to buy a TT from them. They also do this. I can share them offline if you contact me.
I am very weary about second hand turntables. They are too easy to damage.
I have no idea what this means. Most audiophiles take better care of their audio gear than they do of their own car. Look at all the references of "smoke free", no pets, no children, etc., environments. Many of these guys go through TT, tonearm and cartridge changes more frequently than I go through a McDonald's drive-through for a chocolate shake! There are great deals on used in excellent condition products out there. Talking to the owner helps a lot for peace of mind.
Wishing you success here.
John
