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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
lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
6,179 posts
 

Today’s been a good day… I finally had the chance to see my upcoming Woodsong plinth in Hawaiian Koa. Even in its early oiling stages, the Hawaiian Oak finish reveals a silky sheen that bears a promise to deepen with each coat, creating a timeless foundation worthy of the legendary Garrard 301.  

I truly appreciate the care and detail Chris @woodsong putting in every step, from the selection of exquisite Koa to the machining of the brass armboards. Knowing that shipping is getting close makes this all the more exciting. I’m really looking forward to seeing and experiencing the final result. 

larryi
4,578 posts
 

A friend has a Woodsong Koa plinth for a 401.  That is beautiful, albeit expensive, wood.  

lewm
14,671 posts
 

Garrard 301 is “legendary”?

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
6,179 posts
 

@larryi 

I agree with you on the mutual admiration for Hawaiian Koa — it’s nothing short of stunning. The way the grain catches the light and reveals such depth is truly special. Whether it’s on a 401 or a 301, it brings an undeniable elegance and soul to these classic machines.

Expensive, no doubt. I approached the Woodsong plinth as a “one and done” upgrade. The DAS plinth, while very respectable for the money, still left quite a bit on the table in terms of both performance and aesthetics. The Koa build, on the other hand, feels like the complete package — something I can live with long-term without second-guessing.

larryi
4,578 posts
 

My local shop, Deja Vu Audio, makes their own horn-based speaker systems.  A customer ordered Koa veneer for the finish of his speakers.  The cabinet builder had enough leftovers to finish two plinths in koa.  The owner of the shop kept one, the other went to an employee for his Thorens 124 table.  Unlike Woodsong and Artisan Fidelity, Deja Vu prefers lighter wooden plinths (simple boxes) because the sound is livelier.  But they have made heavy plinths for customers preferring that kind of plinth.  Although most of their customers speakers and electronics employ very old vintage parts and their favored tables are vintage idler tables, they don’t use vintage arms on their tables.

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