garrard vs clearaudio innovation

Clearaudio is obvious winner, no question, not even in the same stratosphere.

http://www.dagogo.com/View-Article.asp?hArticle=768

A fully sorted 401 with an upgraded platter and bearing such as Artisan Fidelity will easily beat the table you mentioned. I’ve heard that Clearaudio table including all the way up to the Statement.

My sorted 401 easily outplays the Innovation Wood which I’ve listened to multiple times. The Innovation is a nice enough table but my 401 with the Artisan Fidelity Reference Platter and bearing is all together on a higher playing field.

A restored 401 using the stock platter and bearing may sound more exciting and flat out more fun than the Innovation but it will not be able to stage, layer and expose details and minutiae on the vinyl the way the Clearaudio will.

Depends on the 401. An okay example in a hollow plinth on a credenza won’t cut it. But as @audiofun said, a tuned 401 is very capable. My Audiograil 401 in a slate plinth with Artisan Fidelity idler, PAC platter and SPH bearing is astonishingly good. And cost about $4000.
EDIT: That's an old thread!