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.
Yes - that's the one I'm talking about. In hindsight it may have been the power supply feeds to the tubes that had some design foibles that were precarious. I have the circuit diagrams here with updates by Mike ( there were several updates to that pre ), but my tech was not happy. He did explain to me the design issue, but I can't remember the detail - its some years ago. Its an ok preamp. |
@lewm If you find that:
I am surprised that:
It seems to me that if a better capacitor does wonders, then a better tube might as well! Perhaps I have fooled myself, but I'm surprised to find that changing a rectifier tube can affect the sound quality, never mind the tubes in the signal path. I am not guilty of changing types of tubes, only the manufacturer. |
I bought a used Softone Model 4 last week. It easily bests my GoldNote PH-10 with PS-10 LPS. I’ve rolled NOS Mullard, Telefunken Diamond Mark, RCA 6201, and GE, as well as some Gold Lion reissues that came with it. I prefer the tele’s in the phono stage by far, but much prefer the RCA and Mullard’s in my DAC. Unfortunately the Model 4 has a noisy left channel, so I’ll probably order a new one from Japan, then send the used one back for repair and hope the repair is reasonable - then sell it to recoup a few bucks (hopefully). @lalitk thanks for letting me know about the Model 4! |
You’re welcome! Sorry to hear about the issue with left channel, hopefully you can get it repair easily. I really appreciate your feedback on tube rolling, I am still using stock JJ’s …the phono is now fully “broken-in” and I’m really enjoying its warm, organic tonal characteristics. IMHO, this little giant slayer is a perfect fit for systems that are tuned or end user’s prefer intimacy and warmth. Inspired by your feedback, I am going to swap out JJ’s with NOS Telefunken 12AX7 this weekend. What cart you’re using with Model 4? |
