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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.

128x128lalitk
lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,437 posts
 

@mdalton 

Thank you for the endorsement on Herbie’s mat. I received a bare platter so I need to start somewhere; given reasonable cost of the Herbie’s mat, I said why not. I have bought Herbie’s products in the past and they offer good value and performance.  I will read up on the review! 

mdalton's avatar
mdalton
461 posts
 

I used 285mm, 4mm thick, recommended by Herbie’s.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,437 posts
 

@mdalton 

Thanks for sharing. I was considering Herbie’s Way Excellent II 4mm thick, 280mm (diameter). The 301 strobe platter is 11-3/4” which roughly translates to 279.4mm. Does your matt over hangs the platter? This is bit confusing as Herbie’s recommends the following, 

  • 292mm (11.5") diameter. For tables using an 11.5" mat like Technics SP10, SL-1300, and bevelled-platter Garrard turntables.Great for Luxman PD–series turntables.
mdalton's avatar
mdalton
461 posts
 

Just measured everything.  Inside the lip, my platter measures betw 288 and 289mm (so 292, lip included, seems right).  The mat I purchased from Herbie's measures about 288, and fits inside the lip perfectly.  Having said that, my email records show that I asked what size to order and they said 285.  I can't find an invoice, but I don't believe I did anything different from what they suggested, so that tells me that their 285 may actually be a little bigger.  Sorry for confusion.  

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,437 posts
 

@mdalton 

Thank you for the clarification. I think I know where to go from here. 

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