Titanic Audio Anchor Plate Part II

Introduction

Chris Baillie recently enjoyed the Titanic Audio Anchor Plate and reluctantly passed it my way since I have a Michell GYRO SE, and we agreed a turntable perspective would be useful with the platform.

It emerged in conversation with Gary, one of the designers at DGR Group, that a GYRO was used in the Anchor Plate design development to assess improvements as the process progressed. There is more background and detail in Chris’s original review, here.

Michell Engineering GYRO SE turntable

For me, the 2024 investment in a proper SolidSteel HiFi Rack yielded a decent upgrade across all components in my system.  Introducing the GYRO SE necessitated a full overhaul, which I completed when I restored the battered GYRO from a crushed box with a broken arm board, among other required fixes.  A new belt, new springs and a bearing oil check followed, and much of the motor noise was mitigated.

However, the Exact II cartridge I knew was showing age as the turntable environment improved.  The introduction of the Titanic Audio Anchor Plate confirmed this weakness on the vinyl side, but the introduction of an Nd9 cartridge has improved things no end.

Review Equipment

I’m using the GYRO SE with a Rega Nd9 on a Rega 303 tonearm through a Rega phono stage.  The Platform is on a Solidsteel HiFi rack.   Full details of amplification are on the Reference System page.

Physically

The GYRO SE digs into the HEX-DNA Geometry (surface and upper core layer), and I had to move the GYRO about a fraction to get it placed satisfactorily.  The GYRO ‘spikes’ (feet really) slightly indented the HEX pattern, but I guess that’s the idea.  Importantly for me, the Plate is deep and wide enough for the GYRO feet AND motor, so that is treated on the Platform as well.

What do I hear?

Initial listening confirms near-complete removal of low-frequency motor noise throughout the system.  The vocal midrange is therefore enhanced to a noticeable extent.  I was listening to Calling In on Colfax, an album by The Delines.  The whole album has fine detail, with the title track a heartbreaker that tells the story of an Iraq veteran from his sister’s point of view. Here, the steel guitar notes are cleaner, and Amy Boone’s vocal feels more natural.   The following track, Oil Rigs, is equally heartfelt and lonely, with the platform enhancing the space in the soundstage.

Overall

Chris described greater engagement from the Platform with his MOON electronics. For me, the Titanic Audio Anchor Plate Isolation Platform just makes sense with a decent turntable setup—it’s improved the presentation and stripped out a lot of the low-end noise I was experiencing. Now that I have a worthy cartridge, my GYRO SE is singing like Ella Fitzgerald!  This is a simple, good-looking, and effective upgrade to a high-end system.

Titanic Audio Anchor Plate Specification, Price and Availability

Dimensions – 440mm x 390mm x 25mm

Price – £499

Availability – Now, back in stock, Kronos AV