Audio Grail or Classic Hifi?


I would be deeply grateful for any advice for my problem. I had for years, a nice Garrard 301, which I had a powerful itch to open up and "restore" myself. During a busy working life (how work increased during Covid!) this was very difficult, but I suddenly smelt an opportunity with some free time opening up. I ordered a standard set of parts from Classif Hifi and got to work on my Garrard. All parts except the bearings.

I took apart the motor and re lubricated it. I scrupulously followed sage advice from esteemed forums where many 301 restorations were described in detail. It was exciting.

At the end of it however, my 301, which had never had a speed stability problem, now has one. I have tried disassembling and reassembling it one more time, and consulted various people about trouble shooting it. It has led nowhere.

Now I have run out of time, and the window of opportunity is over. So the bottomline is that I need to give it for restoration to a good outfit..

Should I give this to Classic Hifi - UK for a restoration? Or should I buy a full restored Audio Grail machine (they don't take private machines and restore them - you have to buy a restored piece and trade in yours in exchange. I am aware there will be a cost difference. But I want the better machine, so will give it to AG if AG is significantly superior to Classic Hifi. If both are equal, then cost difference will make me go to Classic Hifi.

So bottomline is - i want to know who does the better job in restoring? AG or CH? Many many thanks.

cool_jeeves

Showing 1 response by noromance

I've three AG 401 units and can only say good things about Matthew Taylor.