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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
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.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
6,179 posts
 

@larryi 

That’s really interesting — I didn’t know Deja Vu leaned toward lighter plinths. Artisan Fidelity also makes lighter plinths with single tone arms. I honestly didn’t care for those given the asking price…when you’re spending four figures It makes sense (to me) to go all out. I can see why some would prefer a more lively presentation.

I’ve seen plenty of 301s with vintage arms like the SME 3012, and they definitely have that nostalgic appeal. But once you step into a Woodsong or Artisan Fidelity rebuild, it’s a whole different world. Pairing the 301 with modern arms like Reed, Schroeder, Graham, or Acoustical Systems takes the table into another league altogether. The energy, precision, and musicality these arms unlock is just breathtaking — it’s where vintage charm truly meets modern excellence. 

larryi
4,578 posts
 

Lalitk,

One of the problems with liking certain vintage gear is that it gives some people the impression that we like the gear because it is old and quaint, not because it sounds good.  That is not true of all vintage gear owners.  I agree with putting the best arms on these vintage tables because they are good and warrant using the best arms.  I agree that the new arms you mentioned are terrific choices.

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lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
6,179 posts
 

@larryi 

Agreed, it’s not about “old and quaint,” it’s about performance. I’m really enjoying my 301 paired with the Reed 3P — such a fantastic match. And with a few upcoming tweaks on the horizon, I’m excited to see just how much further I can push its performance. The journey continues…

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