Michell Engineering UniCover

Michell Engineering’s UniCover is a protective dust cover for turntables without an integrated lid. Made from clear acrylic, it sits directly on the platter with no hinges or external support. It protects the platter and tonearm while preserving the look of turntables without a rectangular plinth.

Clear acrylic construction and optimized dimensions for maximum protection

The UniCover stands out for its construction entirely in high-quality clear acrylic. This material offers perfect optical clarity so you can admire your turntable even while it’s protected, while ensuring enough strength to withstand accidental knocks and repeated handling. The shape of the cover has been meticulously designed to offer optimal protection without obstructing access to essential controls.

The UniCover’s dimensions reflect in-depth research to create a truly universal product. With a profile height of 50 mm, the cover provides sufficient clearance to accommodate most cartridges and headshells without risk of contact. The distance between the center of the spindle and the rise is also 50 mm, allowing stable positioning on the platter. The area covering the tonearm has a width of 115 mm that gradually narrows to 80 mm, a clever design that accommodates different arm lengths and configurations while maintaining adequate protection.

This particular geometry is the result of decades of experience in turntable design. The cover naturally follows the contours of the platter and arm without requiring complex adjustments. The slightly tapered section covering the arm effectively protects 9-inch tonearms, the most common configuration on the market, while leaving enough space for natural movement when handling records.

Instant installation with no modification to your equipment

The UniCover revolutionizes turntable protection with its absolute simplicity. Unlike traditional lids that require hinges, mounts, or chassis modifications, the UniCover simply rests on your turntable’s platter. This minimalist approach eliminates any risk of damaging your equipment during installation and allows it to be put on or removed in seconds.

The absence of a permanent mounting system brings several practical benefits. You can remove the cover completely during long listening sessions, store it easily if needed, or transport it without fear of breaking fragile hinges. This flexibility is especially valuable for audiophiles who regularly tweak their setups or who want to showcase their turntable at exhibitions or demonstrations.

The UniCover’s weight and balance have been calculated to ensure perfect stability once in place. The base naturally rests on the platter without exerting excessive pressure, thus avoiding any deformation or mechanical stress on the turntable’s sensitive components. This clever design also allows natural ventilation, preventing moisture buildup that could affect electronic or mechanical parts.

Broad compatibility with turntables lacking a traditional rectangular plinth

Although initially developed for Michell Engineering turntables such as the TecnoDec, Gyro SE, and Orbe SE, the UniCover proves remarkably versatile. Michell’s engineers state they have never found a turntable it wouldn’t fit, a testament to the thorough thinking behind its design.

The UniCover fits perfectly on all SME turntables, renowned worldwide for their mechanical precision. Nottingham Analogue models, with their minimalist design and massive platters, also accommodate the UniCover with ease. Roksan Radius, Pro-Ject, and VPI turntables—covering a wide range of prices and design philosophies—all benefit from this universal protection. Even the rare circular Systemdek models from the 1980s can take the UniCover, demonstrating its ability to adapt to the most unusual designs.

This broad compatibility stems from Michell’s fundamental approach: instead of relying on the turntable’s plinth, the UniCover uses the platter as its anchor point. This solution is particularly well-suited to modern turntables that favor clean designs without a traditional rectangular plinth. Suspended decks, open-chassis models, and even some turntables with full plinths but damaged lids can benefit from this protection.

For turntables with a distance of around 220 mm between the tonearm pivot and the platter axle—a standard configuration in the industry—the UniCover provides ideal coverage. This measurement matches the most common mounting specifications, ensuring that the vast majority of existing setups can accommodate the cover without modification.

Technical Specifications

Dimensions

• Profile height: 50 mm
• Distance between spindle center and platter mat: 50 mm
• Distance across the area covered by the tonearm: 115 mm tapering to 80 mm

Compatibility

• Open turntables
• TecnoDec / SE models

General Information

• Dust cover designed for open turntables.
• Function: protects the turntable’s essential components from dust.
• Benefit: a simple solution to preserve your turntable’s performance and longevity.