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Rega P10 v Complete rebuild Garrard 401!

I currently have a Rega P3 that I’m generally happy with, but looking to upgrade and I’m in two minds.  Go old school with Garrard 401 or keep with new tech and get a P10.  Both are well regarded and there are plenty of individual reviews.  However I’ve not been able to find a comparative analysis (not really expecting to) so i thought i would ask here.  It would be paired with a Line Magnetic 508ia tub amp and Harbeth HL5 plus speakers.  
I listen to a wide range of music, from classic jazz, funk, soul and classic rock but admittedly i spend the majority of my vinyl time listening to thinks like Bowie, the Smiths, New Order, A Certain Ratio, Chameleons or similar.  
Any counsel?   
gunners01
cd318
2,636 posts
 
noromance,

You know I can remember a time when some (most?) of the British audio press used to lambast decks such as the Garrards and the Technics. It was all Rega/Linn back then in the late 70s/80s.

It’s quite heart-warming to see how things eventually turned out.

I'll always remain suspicious of reviewers who generally do more far harm than good. Their burying of MiniDisc, a fabulous format, was just another crime on their money grubbing hands.





scar972's avatar
scar972
231 posts
 
Gunner
I'm also in the DFW area and running both Garrard 401, Garrard 301, and a TW Acustic belt drive turntable. Both of my Garrard plinths are piano gloss Macassar Ebony stacked ply plinths. I can help with your turntable decision if you're looking to audition or needing opinions. My system is here, take a look and see if you like my set up.
https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/4524

Regarding the 301 sounding better the 401, this is just not true.


noromance's avatar
noromance
9,888 posts
 
@cd318 Indeed. I had a LP12 for years. Thought it was awesome until I tried the 401. I lived through the whole Linn/Naim era. Luckily Glenn Croft and my love of tubes rescued me from going that moneypit route.
petg60
1,486 posts
 
Hi,
if you like tweeking and want to admire your work in the end go for Garrard, more sexy, on the contrary RP10 cannot go wrong.
Idlers have a certain charm (and flaws) but considering the music you are mainly listening then Rega may be a better bet.
I share ndevamp comment about Alfa Romeo.
sdrsdrsdr
196 posts
 
I own a 301 grease in woodsong plinth, 2 emt direct drives, and kuzma reference. Enjoy them all. If i was forced to pick just one it would be the 301. Im not familiar with the p10 but from what I've seen in the past from Rega you can do much better in a belt drive. I did have a friends p9 years ago as a loaner. 
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