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

As for footfall; what works is cutting into four tennis balls, placing them under a paving stone and then setting the table on that. As far as aesthetics, I'm sure creative folk can come up with something for themselves.

If that box is hollow, as I think it probably is, that is exactly the wrong way to plinth a 301 (in my opinion, of course). However, maybe the buyer could fill the hollow space with something suitable and ameliorate the problem of resonance.

@elliottbnewcombjr 

Thanks for the recommendation. Unfortunately, your timing is off…

a) seller doesn’t not ship this item to USA (damn tariffs)

b) my Woodsong plinth is in the final stages, should be here by end of the month

Most likely you are way better off with the Woodsong plinth. Unless you absolutely must mount 3 tonearms.