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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
 

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…

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,908 posts
 

The Bulk of Materials used on a Vintage TT of any design are still seen typically in use on any modern Turntable.

Certain material types such as Plastics and Rubbers may have changes to the constituents to produce the compounds, but prior to their being used on TT's the use of these materials in mainstream productions extends back a few hundred years, with the earliest types being close to a 1000ish years. The Mayans had Rubber Balls used for sporting events.

Cast Metals and Alloy's have a substantial history and the use of such materials in construction as a mainstream materials is nearly 200 Years old.

Other Alloy's have developed in more recent histories.

What has changed is knowledge of these materials and mitigating measures through design that enables the optimal performance to be attained from an assembly of the materials.

A little bit of modern day knowledge married into the Olden Designs does not leave much more to be wanted as a mechanical function.

Aesthetics is a different ball game, and that is one for the individual who has to live with the design to take on for themselves.

Myself I get right into the mechanical interfaces that are never to be seen, the more I learn about the 'fit for purpose' of the design. The more I want to get on board, this is a area of workmanship that is typically never seen and is usually discussed in Microns and about Materials that remain extremely stable when Microns are present as a dimension in use.           

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
6,179 posts
 

Latest update: Oiling is done. Next, waxing the plinth before dropping the stainless arm pillars and brass arm-boards. 

@pindac 

You’re absolutely right — the materials haven’t really changed, it’s the knowledge and precision in how we use them that makes the difference. That hidden workmanship at the micron level is where vintage and modern really meet. 

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