AI-generated product photo — not official manufacturer imagery.
Estimated price (community-sourced)
Original retail — discontinued, no used price recorded yet
The Transcriptor Hydraulic Reference is a manual 2-speed (33 and 45 rpm) belt-drive turntable designed for audiophile use. It employs a low speed, recoil start single-phase synchronous motor mounted on a double-deck spring system to drive a 305mm diameter, 5kg cast and machined aluminium alloy platter fitted with six 24k gold-plated brass weights for inertia. The main bearing features a slim ball-ended ground and polished steel spindle running on a hardened steel thrust pad and PTFE bushes, immersed in a silicone fluid well rotating synchronously with the platter. Speed control is achieved via a static vane suspended in the fluid, providing fine speed regulation with a tolerance of ±2% of nominal speed. The turntable includes a neon-lit stroboscope for speed indication, and achieves wow and flutter of 0.01% with rumble not measurable. The plinth is CNC machined 30mm thick clear acrylic with aluminium isolation feet fitted with cork/rubber damping pads, and a clear acrylic lid. Optional tonearm boards are available for modern and classic arms. The unit weighs approximately 15kg and was originally manufactured in the UK during the 1960s and 1970s. It is renowned for its exceptional vibration isolation and precise speed stability, partly due to the hydraulic fluid bearing design. This model was famously featured in the film "A Clockwork Orange."
Turntable mechanics and performance
Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The Classic Wood MPX Midi's wow & flutter is 0.080% against the Transcriptor Hydraulic's 0.010% and its platter weight 6 kg (13 lbs) against 5 kg (11 lbs). Both share drive type (Belt) and platter material (Aluminum).
The BL-91's wow & flutter is 0.025% against the Transcriptor Hydraulic's 0.010% and its platter weight 3.5 kg (8 lbs) against 5 kg (11 lbs). Both share drive type (Belt) and platter material (Aluminum).
The PD-171AL's wow & flutter is 0.040% against the Transcriptor Hydraulic's 0.010%. Both share platter weight (5 kg (11 lbs)), drive type (Belt), and platter material (Aluminum).
The PD-171A's wow & flutter is 0.040% against the Transcriptor Hydraulic's 0.010%. Both share platter weight (5 kg (11 lbs)), drive type (Belt), and platter material (Aluminum).
J.A. Michell Engineering Transcriptor Hydraulic
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