RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
This is an ambitious ask rather than a deal: £1,129 is well above the usual used range I’d expect for an Argo HR, with examples around £300-£455 for complete UK listings and even older original pricing in the £695-£689 bracket when new. At that level, it needs to be especially tidy, fully working, and preferably better specified than “unknown” to justify itself.
What makes it worth a look is the reputation: the Argo HR is a properly serious, very open-sounding preamp with the kind of clarity and drive Michell gear is known for, and the HR/Hera combo is the version enthusiasts usually want. But at this asking price, I’d want confirmation of the power supply, remote, service history, and whether it’s truly the higher-spec package, because missing parts or uncertainty would make £1,129 hard to defend.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Michell Engineering, a British hi-fi icon, traces its roots to 1966 when engineer John Michell founded the company in the UK, initially crafting scale models for films like 2001: A Space Odyssey and precision components for local firms. Building on an apprenticeship in the early 1950s, Michell's Borehamwood workshop soon expanded, taking on turntable parts for Transcriptor in 1969 and assuming full production of their Hydraulic Reference model by 1973. The pivotal 1977 launch of the Michell Reference Electronic Turntable marked its entry into audio, cementing a heritage of innovative engineering that persists today in a Hertfordshire facility.
The brand focuses squarely on high-end analog playback, renowned for precision turntables like the legendary GyroDec—first produced in 1982—and the flagship Orbe, alongside tonearms, cartridges, power supplies, and the iconic record clamp invented by John Michell. Every component, sourced from UK subcontractors except European motors, is hand-assembled with an emphasis on longevity and serviceability, shunning mass production for traditional craftsmanship.
Michell occupies a niche boutique position in the high-end market, cherished by vinyl enthusiasts for its unwavering British purity and refusal of overseas cost-cutting. Decades of refinement have earned it a cult following among discerning audiophiles, where GyroDec models remain staples, blending vintage appeal with modern upgrades for those prioritizing sonic authenticity over fleeting trends.
See all Michell Engineering listings on RADAR.
