2. analog
  3. 188947-9095

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
5,532 posts
 

“A randomly chosen NOS 12AX7/ECC83 is unlikely to be as quiet.”

@lewm

Maybe so but that shouldn’t deter anyone to not experiment, right? It’s a calculated gamble with any NOS tubes…well regarded NOS 12AX7s or ECC83s (like Mullards, Telefunkens, or Amperex) may not be low noise as Sovtek but what they have in spades is harmonic complexity and tonal richness.

The Sovtek 12AX7LPS is indeed not a separate “variant” of the 12AX7 but rather a Sovtek-branded 12AX7 with the “LPS” designation, which stands for long plate spiral. This spiral filament design helps reduce hum in applications like phono stages, where low noise is critical. Its long plates can offer a bit more detail and tonal richness compared to short plate designs.

I had an extensive dialog with the manufacturer prior to my purchase, the Model 4 supports all 12AX7 variants. My particular piece is supplied with JJ ECC803S and it is dead quiet.

dover
2,247 posts
 

Sovtek 12AX7LPS is indeed not a separate “variant” of the 12AX7 but rather a Sovtek-branded 12AX7 with the “LPS” designation,

So for those of us who speak English as a native language, the 12AX7LPS is indeed a variant of 12AX7, whether you subscribe to either Merriam-Webster or Cambridge dictionary. I personally use 12AX7HTF's in my Marantz 7.

Congrats on the Softone. 

 

 

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,532 posts
 

@dover ….Correct :-)  

lalitk's avatar
lalitk OP
5,532 posts
 

“I just think they nailed it….
@hoytis 

I agree with your assessment. This is a very special phono at a screaming bargain. I have been listening to records two straight days…lol. Have you done any tube rolling? My unit came with JJ ECC803S, they are breaking in nicely and have whet my appetite for more. 

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,811 posts
 

I haven’t heard an amp that hasn’t been improved by rolling in old production Telefunken ECC83/12AX7. Failing that, Grant Fidelity have a Black Treasure 12AX7 that is wonderful.

More to discover