Garrard 301/401 audition request


I was thinking about the movie "Inception" the other day, where there was a line about how hard it was to insert a thought into another person's mind in a way that the person believes its his/her own original thought.

I think Art Dudley's very interesting column in the latest Stereophile re. his refurbishment of a Garrard 301 caused a not so little "bee to start buzzing around in my bonnet". I began to find myself scanning E-Bay throughout the day for the latest 301 or 401 offering; checking out Craigslist not just in Southern California and was actually the second caller to an original owner selling his "grease" not "oil" 301 in Northern California (can you say shouts of "Road Trip" followed by a not-so-little letdown when he informed me that the first caller was about to show up on his doorstep later that evening). I've just started to peruse the various websites, forums, and posts with owner's insights, observations and glorious pictures of both 301's and 401's mounted in an amazing variety of plinths with an equally varied number of tonearms.

So before complete insanity takes ahold, I thought it would be prudent to attempt to actually hear what the Holy Grail sounds like before embarking on what could well be a mad, prolonged quest. So...if you are in Southern California (or Northern California for that matter) and feel a twinge of pity and/or sympathy for what I have brought upon myself, and you are willing to share your wonderful system with me for a couple of hours, I'd be only too happy to provide a nice bottle or two of aged California cabernet sauvignon or, if you are a believer of terroir, a red Burgundy from the hallowed hills of the Cote d'Or to accompany the listening session. If it would be of interest to you, I would gladly haul my Linn Sondek LP-12 over for a little side by side comparison/contrast.

Anyway, thanks for reading this post and Happy Listening everyone!
128x128closdesducs

Showing 7 responses by closdesducs

Phil,

Would very much like to hear the Garrard 401 within the context of your system. I live behind the Orange Curtain but work in South Bay. I too have a 401 that will eventually get worked on, but the 301 comes first.

Kind regards,
Lawrence
It could be audio nirvana...or not. After all, it's also very dependent upon the system that surrounds the turntable. But having read the various articles and numerous websites, my curiousity is piqued. A well designed audio product that stands the test of time and still delivers a lot of bang for the buck interests me. For me personally (so no flames please), a system that involves you and requires you to slow down and be more deliberate in your thoughts and actions is of more interest to me (I'm thinking a "slow foods"-like approach to hi fi) than the convenience of a music library on a server with selections to thumb through via your iPad (not that there's anything wrong with such a setup if it floats your boat). I've enjoyed my Linn LP-12 which is supported by older ARC tubed amps and preamps but am curious about what older well-kept Thorens and Garrards have to offer. Properly set up, there must be something to these TTs that have caused people to react the way they have over the years. As for the wine, well, it's always fun to enjoy older Chambolle Musigny's from Domaine Roumier, Volnays from d'Angerville or Lafarge, or new world California pinot noir on steroids from the Santa Rita Hills, Sonoma Coast or the Russian River Valley from the likes of Kosta Browne, Sea Smoke, and Rochioli and what better way to enjoy "bottled sunshine" than in the company of people that are passionate about their system and their music. Cmo, thanks for your kind offer. If I ever find myself in the great state of Texas, rest assured, I will contact you, bottles of Matrot, Bouchard or Remoissenet Beaune Marconnets (my fav Beaune vineyard) in hand.
Just a follow up to my OP. I was able to acquire a grease bearing cream colored 301 from the original owner but I got sidetracked over the past year with having a Thorens TD-124 mki refurbished and mounted on a multi-layered baltic birch plinth. Paired with a SME 3012R tonearm, a Soundsmith retipped Denon DL-103R cartridge, and an Auditorium 23 SUT took spinning vinyl to a whole new level.

Was able to roadtrip up to Pitch Perfect Audio (Thanks Matt!) and listen to the Shindo 301 setup which was beyond sweet!

So perhaps later this year is the time to get the Garrard up and running. Still trying to decide between another birch plinth or slate (anyone able to provide a side-by-side comparison?), and between a 12" SME or a Schick tonearm to pair with an Ortofon SPU.

Something about those idler drive TTs!
Jcote,

Thanks for sharing info on your Woodsong Audio 301 plinth and rebuild. I agree, Chris H. does exemplary work! I was fortunate to acquire a Cocobola plinth from him for my Linn LP-12. As for the 301, I'm in the process of obtaining quotes for a multi-layered birch plinth but am also evaluating going down the slate plinth route too.

I was able to obtain an SME 3012, Series II tonearm that I'll be sending to Alfred at KR Audio shortly for refurbishment so it's slowly coming together. Hopefully it will be up and running before summer is over. Can't wait to A/B the Garrard 301 and the Thorens TD-124 side by side!

Please do let me know if you ever bring out your TT from the mothballs. I'm just down the road in Pedro so it's just a hop, skip and a jump to LB.

Lawrence
Gospelcollector,

I've heard great things about the 401 too. Comparing the two TTs side by side, it feels like the 401 build quality isn't the same as the 301, but I've heard others rave about its sonic capability.

I have a fairly clean 401 tucked away that hopefully will be mounted and played one day... But I was planning on getting the 301 up and running first.

One day...
Just a little note to say that my journey has come full circle. Several years ago, I was able to audition a Shindo 301 Player System over at Pitch Perfect Audio back when Matt was based in SF and came away mightily impressed in its performance within a mostly Shindo system. And I feel very fortunate to have recently been given the opportunity to acquire one in very good condition. So one more chapter in a fun-filled audio adventure has reached its Happy Ending!
Coincidentally, this past weekend I received from the gentleman who sold me his Shindo 301, the following link to a Positive Feedback article:

The Garrard Project 2015: From Simple to Spectacular!

A great read and somewhat of a surprise to me that Shindo is not presently producing their 301 Player System.