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Garrard 301/401 audition request

I was thinking about the movie "Inception" the other day, where there was a line about how hard it was to insert a thought into another person's mind in a way that the person believes its his/her own original thought.

I think Art Dudley's very interesting column in the latest Stereophile re. his refurbishment of a Garrard 301 caused a not so little "bee to start buzzing around in my bonnet". I began to find myself scanning E-Bay throughout the day for the latest 301 or 401 offering; checking out Craigslist not just in Southern California and was actually the second caller to an original owner selling his "grease" not "oil" 301 in Northern California (can you say shouts of "Road Trip" followed by a not-so-little letdown when he informed me that the first caller was about to show up on his doorstep later that evening). I've just started to peruse the various websites, forums, and posts with owner's insights, observations and glorious pictures of both 301's and 401's mounted in an amazing variety of plinths with an equally varied number of tonearms.

So before complete insanity takes ahold, I thought it would be prudent to attempt to actually hear what the Holy Grail sounds like before embarking on what could well be a mad, prolonged quest. So...if you are in Southern California (or Northern California for that matter) and feel a twinge of pity and/or sympathy for what I have brought upon myself, and you are willing to share your wonderful system with me for a couple of hours, I'd be only too happy to provide a nice bottle or two of aged California cabernet sauvignon or, if you are a believer of terroir, a red Burgundy from the hallowed hills of the Cote d'Or to accompany the listening session. If it would be of interest to you, I would gladly haul my Linn Sondek LP-12 over for a little side by side comparison/contrast.

Anyway, thanks for reading this post and Happy Listening everyone!
128x128closdesducs
actusreus
733 posts
 
What is it that you're expecting or hoping to hear from a piece of vintage audio equipment? I perhaps understand the desire to rebuild a piece of equipment one has a sentimental attachment to, but to expect some sort of audio nirvana coming from just one component of a system is just silly.

If I were you, I'd save that bottle for an date that is likely to bring you more sensory stimulation that an old turntable. In the alternative, I'd save it for when you have to placate your wife, if you have one, when you try to explain your trip to listen to yet another turntable.
cmo
471 posts
 
So Actusreus, what's wrong with Redcrayon and Closdeducs wanting to hear a nicely set-up 301? Something wrong with being curiuos? I'm not sure anyone has stated they're expecting audio nirvana - well, I guess if things got carried away and that one bottle turned into several......

BTW, I used to own a 'table very similar to yours - a VPI Aries, w/JMW 10.5. FWIW, I sold it to keep the "vintage" Garrard 301 (and I'm not a sentimental kinda guy;-)).
closdesducs's avatar
closdesducs OP
60 posts
 
It could be audio nirvana...or not. After all, it's also very dependent upon the system that surrounds the turntable. But having read the various articles and numerous websites, my curiousity is piqued. A well designed audio product that stands the test of time and still delivers a lot of bang for the buck interests me. For me personally (so no flames please), a system that involves you and requires you to slow down and be more deliberate in your thoughts and actions is of more interest to me (I'm thinking a "slow foods"-like approach to hi fi) than the convenience of a music library on a server with selections to thumb through via your iPad (not that there's anything wrong with such a setup if it floats your boat). I've enjoyed my Linn LP-12 which is supported by older ARC tubed amps and preamps but am curious about what older well-kept Thorens and Garrards have to offer. Properly set up, there must be something to these TTs that have caused people to react the way they have over the years. As for the wine, well, it's always fun to enjoy older Chambolle Musigny's from Domaine Roumier, Volnays from d'Angerville or Lafarge, or new world California pinot noir on steroids from the Santa Rita Hills, Sonoma Coast or the Russian River Valley from the likes of Kosta Browne, Sea Smoke, and Rochioli and what better way to enjoy "bottled sunshine" than in the company of people that are passionate about their system and their music. Cmo, thanks for your kind offer. If I ever find myself in the great state of Texas, rest assured, I will contact you, bottles of Matrot, Bouchard or Remoissenet Beaune Marconnets (my fav Beaune vineyard) in hand.
old_6eyes
46 posts
 
I think that's a "sound" approach: try before you buy. If you're not impressed, nothing lost (good excuse for a road trip and meeting new people). Of course if you do like what you hear, as many do(including me), then you're in trouble - 301s/401s are getting to be an expensive proposition these days :-o
Even if that proves to be the case, there are alternatives, as Travbrow suggested. And DIY is always a possibility. I went that way with my 301. If it were possible, I'd have you guys over to listen to it, even though it's not nearly as nice as most of them out there (it's ugly in fact, looks-wise, not sound-wise, IMO) and I'm not set up for anything like guests right now, unfortunately. Anyway, it sounds like fun. Audio road trips - why not?
actusreus
733 posts
 
Cmo,
Kudos to you for doing the research on my analog front. To be fair, my post was meant to contain both sincere curiosity as well as a little bit of both skepticism and sarcasm.

Perhaps because I'm a little younger than most A-goners (in my 30s), I am a little skeptical of any vintage equipment that develops an almost religious following. If the design is so good, why did it disappear from the market in the first place, and why isn't someone building turntables based on this design, whatever that design is? In the capitalistic economy it simply does not add up as turntable designers are always looking for ways to improve their design and capitalize (no pun intended) on a successful idea.

Since you had experience with different designs and manufacturers, perhaps you can shed some light what it is that this particular table does so much better than more modern models?
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