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.

128x128lalitk

@pindac It would be wonderful to see photos. Please consider setting up an entry in Virtual Systems, or by the utilization of a preferred photographic sharing utility. One can describe beauty in endless prose but beholding the vision is the revelation.

Update: Plinth has been ordered and it comes with M6 threaded nuts, no feet. I got one recommendation so far for Stillpoints footers. Are there any other footers that I should consider that would help decouple and drain any unwanted energy. I would love to install the TT on a wall mounted shelf but that is not an option. 

I am also considering Seismic Pods from Townshend Audio. Any other suggestions are welcomed! 

@lalitk ,

I use Nordost Sortfut under my 301. I had Stillpoints but needed more clearance for the Shindo bearing. Can’t comment on the sound difference because Nordost and Shindo were installed at the same time 

@jperry 

Thank you for the recommendation. I haven’t thought of height clearance if I ever go down the route of replacing the bearing. 

If you could  win the Footers in the Link for about $180, you will be very happy.

These are the footers I have used for years under heavy TT's until Solid Tech - 'Feet of Silence' , took their place under a much lighter in weight DD TT.

These are from my side thoroughly recommended for Source, Amp' and Speaker It was these that made such an impression on a friend under their speakers, they went the route of Townshend Podiums at a substantially increase in cost. 

https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/japan/en/auction/yahoo/input/1129165914/