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Garrard 301 - Project

I have been contemplating for a while which turntable to pursue given so many choices. Every time I look around, I just can’t help drooling over a fully restored Garrard 301 or 401. Aside from being an idler-drive, I keep reading and hearing about their unique ability to reproduce music with its sense of drive and impact thus making them very desirable to own. And with available meticulous restoration services and gorgeous plinth options, what’s not to like, right!

Would you please share your experience, good and pitfalls (if any) with a restored Garrard 301 to avoid before I go down this path.

And what about the IEC inlet and power cord, would they be of any significance. My two choices would be Furutech FI-09 NCF or FI-06 (G) inlets.

I have already purchased a Reed 3P Cocobolo 10.5” with Finewire C37+Cryo tonearm/interconnect phono cable with KLEI RCA plugs option.

Still exploring Cart Options, so please feel free to share your choice of cart with Garrard 301 or 401.

And lastly, I would like to extend my gratitude to @fsonicsmith, @noromance ​​​​@mdalton for the inspiration.

lalitk
lewm
14,668 posts
 

How does Analog Magik measure “distortion”? And what kind of distortion does it measure? Thx.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
6,175 posts
 

@jperry 

Thank you for your recommendation. Interestingly, Helox was also suggested by Artisan Fidelity. 

@noromance 

I hear you, I guess it’s a fine balance. Just like any other tweak, sometimes the cure can be worse than the disease.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
6,175 posts
 

Does anyone have any direct experience with Massif Audio record weight?  Exquisite wood work for sure, would love to hear your one on one experience. 

fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
995 posts
 

So many owners of vintage idler tables put, or leave on, vintage tonearms to achieve the proper look.  But, if one uses a state of the art modern arm on these tables, they are remarkable performers--lively, engaging and fun.  Many will, even when correctly reconditioned, have a bit more audible rumble than high end modern tables, but, that is a small price to pay for the positive attributes.  A local dealer recommends 301, 401 and Thorens 124 for customers whose systems are well into six figures -- he clearly thinks the tables are worthy.  One that I particularly liked has a 12" Wheaton Triplanar arm on it.

Check out my virtual system. Agreed!

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
6,175 posts
 

Couple of updates, 2nd tonearm is going to be GrooveMaster IV with rotary lift base and titanium head shell. Also ordered, Acoustical Systems Helox clamp to  complement Artisan Fidelity hybrid platter + bearing, thanks @jperry for your recommendation. 

As far as cart, top two mono picks right now: Murasakino Sumile-mono vs Miyajima Zero or Infinity. I liked the GrooveMaster IV as 2nd tonearm, but I’m wrestling with whether the Sumile’s resolution and dynamic capability would outpace the GM IV (i.e., make it the bottleneck). @mikelavigne, you’ve chosen Sumile over Infinity — would you say it’s worth the jump, or is Miyajima Zero the smarter match for GrooveMaster IV? 

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