Woodsong Garrard 301, Artisan Fidelity 301, Shindo 301, SME 301, or etc.?

Look at Thoren the NEW DD TD124. Its a direct drive, what's that all about?

The old rim drives are tough to beat. Just like the old Belt/rim are (TD124s) BUT they both ride on a ball.. that is a problem.. It's not one that bothers ME but they do make noise.. Air lift or Mag lift (or assist) is the only way to eliminate the issue, IF it is an issue for you to begin with.

As far a accurate speed, forget it.. That is for recording not playback..
Speed control.. Remember.. it is for RECORDING.. You can't tell the difference in 32.3 vs 33.3 until I speed it UP..
Musicians can, percussionist it is their JOB.. Timing...

I think with your question we must distinguish  the differences between "restorers" and one who modifies to potentially make better.  Do all those fall into the same category?
Woodsong appears to offer plinths and I don't know if he does anything to the 301 like new platter and bearing.  We know Artisan Fidelity mods the 301 to a highly expensive level,  then we have to ask is it still a 301?
Same for Shindo.
SME seems to literally restore to origina and plop it into their own plinth and use their own arms,  no choices?

Question now is which do you want.

Chris at Woodsong does a complete rebuild including new platter.
In addition to highly developed plinths. Mine was $11K. Artisan Fidelity seems to go to a higher, but not necessarily better, level.
They are a few thousand more but Chris says that they farm out much accounting for the extra cost. Chris does everything himself and does an excellent job. I am thrilled with mine. Upgraded to a Triplanar arm and Lyra Atlas SL cart and Atma-Sphere MP-1 pre phono stage. Think his 301s are probably more like classic ones.
The SMEs are a new version and may also be more classic. No, only a SME arm. Think a 309. Maybe you can get a IV or V. But think they come only with the 309.
Do you have a 301? Rebuilt?

No Garrard's for me, but I certainly recognize the appeal.  I have a few friends that own different versions of the 301,  Some with mild mods some extreme, such as CTC chassis, brass platter and big bearing, in a custom plinth with motor controller.  Then another friend with a mild modded Shindo inspired 301 grease bearing with a CTC aluminium oversized platter with a Ortofon RF 297 and Ortofon SPU Wood A body cart.  Another friend has a stock oil bearing 301 in a Dobbins plinth with a Reed arm,  all are very enjoyable to listen to.
I lived with a Thorens 124 with a SME 3012R and Ortofon SPU 90 for several months,  it was enjoyable and makes you for the most part forget about being and audiophile and just listen to the music,  but I did hear it's colorations.  Still fun stuff.
I have the big boy EMT.  Is it audiophile approved?  Sure is for me

@pcosta 

I think with your question we must distinguish the differences between "restorers" and one who modifies to potentially make better. Do all those fall into the same category?
Woodsong appears to offer plinths and I don't know if he does anything to the 301 like new platter and bearing. We know Artisan Fidelity mods the 301 to a highly expensive level, then we have to ask is it still a 301?

You make a very important point which is completely lost in most discussions. I dont believe anyone offers an optimum reincarnation of the Garrard 301's. 

For example in my rebuild I have revisited fundamentals under the chassis that none of the premium rebuilders offer - 

1. I have punched out and replaced all the rivets/washers connecting the control levers under the chassis with nylon bushes and telon washers to eliminate noise from metal to metal contact and rattly levers. None of the rebuilders do this. In fact you would think with 3D printing it is now possible to remove all the metal under the chassis.

2. I have decoupled the power switching from the on/off lever so that when you change a record, the idler disengages but the motor continues running. Given that the motors take a while to stabilise it seems crazy to me that no one else has thought about this simple mod. It also eliminates having a 110/230 volts switch and wiring under your low output moving coil. None of the rebuilders do this.

These are just 2 examples. There are a myriad of other possible mods under the chassis that rebuilders have never thought of.

For me the rebuilders change the chassis/bearing/platter and build a plinth, but they faithfully replicate the motor/control systems of yore along with their inherit faults.

And then there are the thoughtless mods - like the aftermarket bearing "upgrades". Most people denigrate the original flat bottom spindle and thrust pad. However changing that profile to a ball and thrustpad actually destabilises the platter and spindle. Think about it - is it easier to stand on a flat surface or balance on a ball. The ball produces hifi but affects bottom end coherency compared to the original design.

I could go on and on. There are more tinkerers out there than engineers.