Garrard 301 - Project

I’m obviously a big fan of idler drives, as I have a Thorens TD-124 in addition to my 401.  I’ll give you a brief synopsis of my journey with the 401:

- Purchased it on ebay from a UK seller; had it shipped directly to Woodsong Audio (Chris Harban) in Idaho.  It was not in as good a shape as described on ebay, so Chris did one of his full restorations.  All the steps involved are listed on his website under “Garrard 301 Restoration”.  

- I decided to have Chris repaint the chassis in piano black; this was because the stock gunmetal color would not have looked very good with the blue I had picked for the plinth.  Why blue? To match the Italian tube integrated and phono pre I was pairing it with.  Some traditionalists may have a problem with that, but it turned out stunning, and is now one of the turntables featured on the Woodsong website.  (pretty cool!)

- Chris installed an IEC outlet on my 401, but I don’t know what brand.  A couple years ago I replaced a stock pc with a straightwire gray lightning.  Nothing particularly expensive, and I can’t tell you it made a difference, but my own experience is that PCs are more important on the amp and phono pre than on the TT.  Also keep in mind that I’m using the original motor, so ground is floated on the IEC outlet anyway.  

- Regarding the stock motor:  I’ve had the 401 for 6 years now, without any servicing.  Since my deck was a UK version, the strobe light wouldn’t have worked correctly on the platter markings, which assume a 50 hz signal.  So Chris didn’t bother to get that working.  Well a month or so ago I installed an LED strobe light conversion kit on the turntable and guess what?  Speed is still spot on 6 years later.  The speed adjustment dial is still set at noon.  Pretty remarkable.  Great engineering by Garrard and great restoration by Woodsong.  So I’m not sure I’d recommend an external speed controller.  

- Regarding the tonearm and cartridge:  I went with the 12” Reed 3P (Cocobolo); got an amazing deal cuz Chris had a demo he needed to move.  I originally paired it with a cheap Hana EH knowing I’d upgrade eventually.  Landed on Koetsu Urushi Tsugaru, well, for three reasons: (1) It’s gorgeous; (2) Koetsu was always a destination cartridge for me because, well it’s a Koetsu! (3) Sugano San originally voiced his cartridges on a modified 401, so it was meant to be.

That’s pretty much my story.  I have one last step in the journey.  Am about to upgrade my step up transformer to something more befitting a Koetsu.  Am very satisfied with the setup.  

Hope that helps, and am happy to answer any questions you might have.

@pindac @noromance @fsonicsmith 

all interesting.  My only experience is of Woodsong plinths.  Didn’t realize, but apparently they combine birch ply, panzerholz, and slate, all in one design.  (search for an Art Dudley piece from June 2016 describing a Woodsong 301 plinth.) Does that mean I win?  (lol!  quite sure we’d all love each other’s decks!)

Yes, Isoacoustics Gaia on Td 124, Track Audio on 401.

@lalitk 

I have the Herbie’s mat on my 401.  Honestly, didn’t do A/B with stock mat, but I love overall balance of my setup.  The Audiophile Man just did a review of the new Origin Live Stratas mat - - compares it to at least 6 other mats. Worth checking out.

I used 285mm, 4mm thick, recommended by Herbie’s.

Just measured everything.  Inside the lip, my platter measures betw 288 and 289mm (so 292, lip included, seems right).  The mat I purchased from Herbie's measures about 288, and fits inside the lip perfectly.  Having said that, my email records show that I asked what size to order and they said 285.  I can't find an invoice, but I don't believe I did anything different from what they suggested, so that tells me that their 285 may actually be a little bigger.  Sorry for confusion.  

btw, 11 3/4” converts to 298.4mm, not 279.4mm…

@dover

yeah, I get that, but 11 3/4” is still 298.4mm.  I was responding to the OP’s prior post to make sure he didn’t miscalculate the diameter of his platter.

Don’t think mine has a fuse.  Starting to feel gypped. lol!  Pix look great!

301 restoration

I’ve attached a link to the standard steps Woodsong Audio follows for their restorations.  That and their plinth is what I have for my 401.  I also have the 401 on a wall-mounted cabinet.  No feedback or noise - but also no subwoofer…

@lalitk 

Just for clarification, do the issues disappear entirely if you turn subwoofer(s) off?

@lalitk 

good development.  How does 301 at this point compare with the SME when you had it in your system?  And whatever happened to the Koetsu that you purchased?

@lalitk 

Excellent news.  So where are you with respect to your various decision trees (cartridge, SUT, etc.)?

@lalitk 

who’s doing your plinth?  Re SUT, is that the Etsuro?  And I’ll be at CAF - let me know if you’re coming.