Michell focus 1

I had a mate who bought a Focus one at the same time I bought a Technics SL150 (c. 1979), we both got the SME2 arm and both paid c. £130.

I recall the Michell having the edge over the SL150, although not up there with the Thorens TD160, Heybrook TT2 and Rega Planar

We both subsequently replaced these with LP12s which were in a different ball park still - I've still got mine, I wonder if he's still got his

The original Focus One was my first table, purchased in the summer of 1978. It was originally used with a Hadcock GH228 arm and a Sonus Blue cartridge. It wasn't until I borrowed a Planar2 fitted with an ADC VLM that I realized I was missing an octave (or more) of bass. I managed to trace that down to the cartridge that was eventually replaced by an Entre One MC, along with matching Lentek Head amp, accounting for an entire summers worth of dole money. This tranformed the sound and provided a stonking bass and very natural vocals too. I lived with this for several years until I replaced it with the original Systemdek. The Focus One was improved during its lifetime, most importantly with a much wider cirkus-like bearing that allegedly offered a large improvement. I would certainly rate the Focus One in the same ballpark as the Planar 3- which I also used for a couple years.
Its futuristic looks are now rather dated looking and it is very prone to acoustic feedback when inappropriately situated.
I would't pay more than $200 for one though. I recall that it sold for about 100 UK pounds without an arm. The basik arm was about 50 UKP new.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

Thanks,

With the same price I can buy a Linn Axis (when I find one), how is the Axis vs the Focus One?

Arye