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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
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,905 posts
 

You might check SPH bearing. Word has it that it sounds better than most others. I use 2 of them. 

Have you tried springs under the plinth? Test with Nobsound online for $35. I use them. 

Look for my posts on both.

 

 

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,905 posts
 

Further, Matthew of AudioGrail sells a plinth. Only one 12" arm but you might reach out for advice.

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

I know the SPH Bearing will and it does create very noticeable improvement over the standard bearing when compared on GL 75 ID TT's.

Other make good reports about the other TT's these are produced for.

One other method is to have the 301 Original Bearing produced to have not Metal on Metal Contact possible to occur, by having Thermoplastic Parts produced to create the tightest of tolerance interfaces between Spindle Bush and Spindle, as well as having the Thrust Pad produced from Thermoplastic as well.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,596 posts
 

@fsonicsmith 

All good suggestions…. there maybe options that might not require altering the flooring but could still offer some isolation from vibrations. I do have future plans to replace the carpet with wood flooring, may be at that time I could possibly address the ‘bracing’ underneath my rack. As far replacing the speakers and subs, that’s not going to happen. I am considering all cost-effective isolation platforms or feet under the 301 to see if that helps mitigate the issues.

I know my room and speakers /subs are not the problem based on my experience with fabulous SME 15AV TT.  The 15AV was rock solid and completely immune to any of these feedback/isolation issues. 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,596 posts
 

@noromance

Sorry I missed your post. Spring base isolation and Stillpoints are next on my list. And I am gathering information on all the available bearings and then going to decide which one gets my $$$. As far Audio Grail plinth, I just don’t care for ‘boxy’ looking plinths..lol!

My biggest concern heading into this project was,

1) am I going to like the sound of 301, and

2) rebuit quality, ease of use.

Both of these are answered to a great degree. I kinda knew 301 won’t be perfect from get go…I chalk this up to my inexperience and couple of poor choices. Despite of its challenges, I’m enjoying spinning records on 301. So 301 is not going anywhere, I honestly see myself keeping 301 around for a long time and tweak it further with parts like bearing, platter and even change out plinth to further elevate its performance.

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