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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.

lalitk

Showing 2 responses by ketchup

ketchup
700 posts
 

@lalitk 

What specifically do you not like about the DAS plinth?  I believe yours is constructed with a slab of MDF on the top.  That's how he builds the plinths with the radiused edges because he can't wrap the radiused edges with veneer.  If it were plywood, you'd see the layers of ply at the radius.

Do you think the top MDF layer has any negatives?  Is the TT chassis coupled to the MDF layer or is it coupled to the next layer of plywood below the first layer of MDF?  I believe DAS mentioned to me that the TT chassis actually sets on the MDF layer, but it was a long time ago and I may be misremembering.

ketchup
700 posts
 

@dover 

"When you buy something like DAS plinth you are buying weetbix wrapped in xmas paper."

That's a little harsh, no?  I think most (maybe all) DAS plinths are 100% birch ply (not counting the veneer obviously) with the exception of the ones with rounded top corners that I mentioned above.  Those have one layer of MDF on the top.

Look at these pics.  These are all birch ply since they do not have large radiused top corners.  Why would you call that a weetbix wrapped in xmas paper?  Not trying to argue at all.  Just trying to understand what you're saying.  Seems like pretty solid construction to me.

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/LO4AAOSwnz9h20LM/s-l1600.webp

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/o-UAAOSwcVphkLUw/s-l1600.webp

 

 

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