Garrard 301 - Project

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.

@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. 

@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.

Also do not overlook the 'fact' the Platter is receiving side force that will add a force to the Platter Spindle.

Think of the Bearing Housing fastened into a quite thin metal as an anchor point. The Force on the Platter that is also being loaded into the Spindle will be encouraging the Bearing Housing to route force into the interface between Bearing Housing / Chassis.

Flexion is to occur and will be most amplified at the Base of the Beating Housing.

Eccentric Rotation can be occurring at the Bearing Base, that is then in a lesser degree being produced at the Spindle.

 The overhang of the Platter Rim from the Spindle and Platter Mass will assist with amplifying rotations that are eccentric. 

A Styli in a Groove in such an environment is going to be functioning in a way that is not allowing for it to be a optimised interface in the groove.

Bracing the Bearings Base, or Rigidly Coupling the Bearing Housing Base is a long time seen fix on TT's that have the potential to produce a flexion in the Chassis, that is at its worst when impacting detrimentally on the Bearing Housings Base. 

A lot can be achieved if keeping the original Bearing Housing and producing mod's for it, most replacement bearings seen today as a commercial offering, are only a end design that utilises plagiarized DIY Designs. 

As a point of reference : Has anyone here ever heard a Garrard 301 in its original plinth ?  You know ---- the one that the designers of this marvelous TT chose as its companion plinth ?