Rega P10 v Complete rebuild Garrard 401!

I’m going to buck the trend here and recommend the P10.  I have 2 high end systems in my home and turntables in both.  My main system has Harbeth M40.1 speakers and a fully upgraded Linn LP12 with Radikal power supply, Keel subchassis, Ekos SE arm, Akiva MC cartridge, and Zesto Andros vacuum tube phono stage.  My other system has Sterling LS 3/6 speakers, REL S5 sub, Rega P10 turntable, and Luxman EQ-500 vacuum tube phono stage.

Both of my speakers are similar to your Harbeth SL5 speakers.  I recently upgraded my Rega RP10 to the Rega P10.  Fremer’s review of the P10 is spot on and he loved it as much as I do.  The P10 is much better than the RP10 or P8.   The P10’s sound quality is in a league of turntables 2-3 times its cost.  The P10 package deal with the Apheta 3 cartridge and RB3000 arm is a great deal and if you shop around, you can get around 20 percent off MSRP.  The thing I really like about the Rega P10 package is that it’s engineered to work as a system (turntable, tonearm and cartridge) by the Rega engineers.  The SQ of P10 is fantastic, providing stable imaging, with a wide and deep soundstage.  Tonality, timber are lifelike.  The P10 is dead quiet in operation and the Apheta 3 is a great sounding and tracking cartridge.  I can’t stand any noise coming from my turntables and both my P10 and LP12 are silent operators.  I highly recommend getting the P10 with the Apheta 3 cartridge.
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@gunners01 I may be repeating myself. If you do go for the Garrard, make sure your plinth can accommodate a 12" arm. 

for $ 9000 you can beautifully rebuild some Garrards rather than just one. 

@noromance, My 401 measures 0.11% wow and flutter on the RPM iOS app. I have the Kokomo bearing upgrade on mine. Can’t find anything about the SPH bearing on the net? Sounds like a worthwhile improvement though. My worn 301 manages 0.16%. The tonearm is 12”, don’t think I can go back to a 9” now!

Hi Gunner,
Thanks for sharing your feelings about experiencing a comparison between a rebuilt Garrard and a Rega, etc.
The main thing that guided me on my desire/quest to own a nice 301 comes from my friendship with the great music producer/record company owner, Winston Ma. Specifically, the rather incredible fact that Winston used his personal 301 as the source for one, or more, of his incredible $50+ “gold label” CDs. Before I actually owned my Woodsong (shout out to Chris), I always thought of Winston’s “master 301”. And over the years conceptualized the reality of the Garrard 301/401 sound as stemming from the solidity of the deck and, mostly, the idler drive producing the physical “meat” stored in the groves unlike ANY belt drive. Not to negate the reality of the “super tables” but not many of us can afford tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands. I scored my Woodsong 301 with a $3500 Ortofon 309 arm for $5300 and feel grateful every time I listen and hear that wonderful, unique physicality that is a beautifully reimagined 301. In a real way, I was not surprised. A legend is not created without substantial cause!