Tannoy 55DD (c. 1975)
The Tannoy 55DD is a turntable, not a speaker, which is odd for a catalog built on monitor loudspeakers. The period press gave its full designation as Tannoy/Micro TM-55DD. It was a two-speed manual turntable with integral arm and base.
Documentation on the 55DD is thin. The one substantial period source is High Fidelity's October 1975 review, which gave the Tannoy/Micro a strong introductory write-up. High Fidelity (October 1975, p.59) measured a rumble figure that comfortably confirmed the maker's claim of better than 60 dB. That put it among the very lowest the magazine had recorded. Wow and flutter averaged just 0.05% (ANSI/IEEE), which is negligible. The review also noted fine-speed adjustment and listed a five-year warranty on materials and workmanship. The footprint was roughly 18 by 13½ inches, and with the dust cover fully raised the deck stood 17 inches high.
Beyond that review, almost nothing is recorded about the 55DD. It is a minor footnote: a speaker maker's mid-1970s turntable collaboration with Micro, known today mostly from that one enthusiastic period test.
Known specifications
- Type: two-speed manual turntable with integral tonearm and base (Tannoy/Micro TM-55DD)
- Rumble: better than 60 dB (manufacturer's claim, confirmed in High Fidelity's testing)
- Wow and flutter: 0.05% average (ANSI/IEEE), as measured
- Features: fine-speed adjustment
- Warranty: five years on materials and workmanship
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