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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
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,473 posts
 

@lalitk beautiful platter and bearing. Good to hear of the improvements. My much more modest upgrade to both parts was significant. I recall the platter upgrade here. (scroll down)

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lalitk OP
6,178 posts
 

@noromance 

Thank you for your kind words. Just read your post, assuming you’re still using highly praised SPH bearing + oversized platter. I honestly believe this 70+ year-old classic design truly benefits from the upgrades to the platter, bearing and robust plinth.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
6,178 posts
 

 @fsonicsmith, @noromance ​​​​@mdalton @jperry  

I have an opportunity to pick up Audio Silente idler wheel for my Garrard 301 and I’m curious if you have a firsthand experience with Audio Silente or another brand over the stock idler wheel. 

To jog your memory, my 301 was completely rebuild by Audio Grail last year, since then I’ve upgraded the Artisan Fidelity bearing + platter and Woodsong plinth is on the way. 

My thinking, since I’ve already addressed the big-ticket mechanical upgrades (bearing, platter and plinth) the idler is now a high-leverage upgrade rather than a band-aid.

I would appreciate your thoughts or any 1-on-1 experience you can share before I take the plunge. 

noromance's avatar
noromance
10,473 posts
 

@lalitk  See my post here Audiogon Discussion Forum 

Note also that I now run the Artisan Fidelity idler wheel on my main rig. See here: Audiogon Discussion Forum

noromance's avatar
noromance
10,473 posts
 

@lalitk I’d recommend using the WOW RPM app on your phone to check the wow and flutter before and after the install. Run table for at least 20 mins each time before testing.

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